Thorold, Ontario (May 3) Larry Lampman sure has to wish every night was Opening Night at Merrittville Speedway. For the third time in the last four years, the two time L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Champion has won Merrittville’s Opening Night Features in dramatic fashion.
In the Baron Roofing Windows and Doors sponsored event May 2nd – it was again a dramatic move that took him to Victory Lane after 35 laps. The race began with a dramatic announcement from Race Director Bob St. Amand Jr. to the starting field on the one way radio, “Baron Roofing’s Terry Keagan has posted a $500 Bonus to tonight’s winner.”
In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions’ inaugural 2009 Main Events on Niagara IceDogs Fan Appreciation Night – Greg Panunte, Billy Hogue, Adam Murphy and Rob Goulding also earned bonuses from Baron Roofing after taking wins in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Features respectively.
The top 3 in each feature shared in $3500 in Bonus Money from Baron Roofing Windows and Doors.
“With the economy as it is,” reflected Larry Lampman, “the extra money goes along way … thanks to Baron for it … and all they do for the sport.”
From lap 12 it seemed like the Season Opener was all for Brian Stevens. The second generation driver and former champion took control of top spot after quite an early race battle with an up and coming driver probably half Stevens’ age – Chris Steele.
Steele – the former karter and Open Wheel Lite Driver ran away to a comfortable lead on the full field before Stevens ran him down. Once in control, Stevens settled into a rhythm that wasn’t phased through a number of restarts with red flags needed to clear the track.
With the 10 to go signal given – the driver on the move was Lampman who eventually took second spot from Steele. Pete Bicknell was also on the move in the later stages breaking into the top 3 before a lap 28 caution again slowed the field.
On the ensuing restart – Lampman tried just about every line on the still tacky track to overtake the leader Stevens.
“Sometimes being in second is the best spot to be in,” added Lampman, “you can try things other than what the leader is doing … I’ve got lots of respect for Brian … I even drove once for his dad (Wall of Famer) Ray Stevens … I can’t thank (car owners) Dan and Veronica Miller enough ... they sure do make it fun for me.”
Lampman had one shot to try and overtake Stevens for the lead and that came on the final circuit.
Stevens settled for second with Bicknell third. Scott Wood – who experienced problems with his own car in qualifying drove the Todd Kendrick #55 to 4th spot in quite a run after starting 25th in the field while Chris Steele was 5th.
L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners – First – Chris Steele, Second – Mark D’Ilario, Third – Brian Stevens. Consolation – Chad Brachmann.
For the second time this season, the front row at the start of the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature was all 99’s. In an identical line-up to Humberstone Speedway’s 50th Season Opener just last Sunday – Greg Panunte and Nick Cupolo – who both share # 99 – shared the front row at the drop of Starter Doug Leonard’s Green Flag.
“We sure hope that we can keep this momentum up,” relayed Greg Panunte after running to his 2nd DIRTcar win of 2009, “who knows what the next race will bring … I can’t thank my sponsors and crew enough … and especially everyone at Baron.”
With Panunte out front at the start an early caution on lap 2 collected Cupolo who was able to continue in the 25 lap event.
By the halfway point, Panunte opened up a straightaway lead on the field and as the Port Colborne native came up on lap traffic – his pace never lessened. Former Champion Chad Chevalier made quite a late race charge to take third after coming from the back and began to challenge fourth generation driver Cody McPherson for runner-up spot.
Chevalier made a valiant effort but at the finish came up a mere 8 thousandth of a second short. Following Panunte, McPherson and Chevalier were Rick Bellante and Tyler McPherson.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Greg Panunte, Second – Nick Cupolo, Third – Rick Bellante.
The start of the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Feature saw Adam Leslie lead the troops to the green flag in a tribute to Canada’s Fallen Soldiers. Leslie’s special edition Memorial- themed graphics will be used in select events this season.
Leslie remained in top spot through a number of early cautions including a red flag when Jordon Curran flipped his car. Curran walked to the pits under his own power.
Josh Sliter – nephew of defending champion Shawn Sliter soon began to mount a challenge and briefly had the lead in a see saw battle with Leslie. While the two were battling, Adam Murphy soon would close in on the pair. Murphy would pressure Leslie until taking top spot along the back-stretch of lap 16.
A late caution found Murphy able to hold off Jamie Gilbert by half a car length at the finish. Shawn Sliter, Josh Sliter and Adam Leslie closed out the top 5.
Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Adam Leslie, Second – Josh Sliter, Third – Paul Klager.
Race Car Drivers follow many superstitions on race day leading up to taking to the track.
Billy Hogue may have started a new tradition.
On his Facebook page, Hogue proclaimed that he would show everyone how it’s done.
He did just that in winning the Hoosier Stock Feature.
Hogue’s car was perfect hugging the bottom groove and after quite a see saw battle with then leader Shayne Pierce – found an advantage to win by at most a few feet.
“Thanks so much for the Baron bonus,” remarked an emotional Hogue in Victory Lane, “ thanks also to my wife and dad … this means a lot to me … I’d like to dedicate it to my late mother-in-law.”
8 time 2008 Feature Winner Dolph McCready was first to lead the 20 lap event and almost immediately was challenged by Pierce.
After a lap 9 restart Pierce charged into the lead along the backstretch with Kevin Knapp also overtaking McCready for the runner-up spot.
Another caution again slowed the field after Rob Disher lost his left rear tire in turn 4. While still under caution, Knapp dropped out of second with a flat tire but was able to return.
With Pierce out front on the restart, McCready, defending champion Rob Murray and Hogue were three wide at times in a furious battle for the runner-up spot that was slowed when Brad Sheehan slowed to a stop along the backstretch with fire under the hood.
Pierce set the pace on the ensuing restart but at the line could not hold off Hogue.
Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Dolph McCready, Second – Kevin Knapp, Third – Brent Begolo.
Garnet Wilson was on the pole for the start of the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature and was the first to hear about the Baron Roofing Windows and Doors Top 3 Bonuses as the first green flag fell on the 2009 Season.
Wilson, second year driver Matt Deschamps and veterans Aaron Wiley and Rob Goulding were sometimes 4 wide as the race continued.
Goulding edged by Wilson by with a few inch lead – eventually opening up a three car lead with Deschamps taking second.
Joining the leaders was Rocco Conte who along with Wiley who both were battling Wilson.
At the finish Goulding stretched his lead to 5 car lengths over Deschamps with Conte taking third. Wilson held on for fourth while defending champion Abel Castelein made a late race charge to round out the top 5.
“We battled with this car all last season,” revealed Goulding in Victory Lane, “ we put a lot of research into building (runner-up finisher) Matt Deschamps new car … we finally got these VW’s working.”
Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Matt Deschamps, Second – Garnet Wilson, Third – Aaron Wiley.
The night began with the twice rain-delayed L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions from last season hosted by Merrittville’s Reunion Committee Members – Rick Kavanagh, Jeno Begolo, Mark Swartz, Ted Renshaw and Terry Huffman.
Merrittville Announcer Clint Kruchka performed the ceremonies honoring the late Dave Halliwell and Gary Saunders. Dave’s son Brian – a former racer and official in his own right threw the green flag to start the 358 Modified Feature while Saunders dropped the green for the Hoosier Stock Main Event.
The Infield Flags were at half mast to honor Merrittville Alumni Bev MacTavish and Roly Charest who passed away during the off season.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY: Merrittville Speedway will celebrate Mother’s Day May 9th with a special $8 Grandstand Ticket for all Moms when Global Warranty Corporation presents Canadian Tire Financial Services Employee Night.
The 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event will begin at 7:00 PM with the Gates opening at 5:30.
For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
From Jim Irvine / Merrittville Speedway
