THOROLD, ONTARIO (June 25th, 2022) … Great racing and wild wrecks defined Cotton Inc. night at Merrittville Speedway. The Southern Ontario Sprint Tour returned to contest the Gary Cunningham Memorial, which was won by Cory Turner. Ridgeway, Ontario native Mat Williamson visited victory lane again in the Corr/Pak 358 Merchandising Modifieds. Dave Bailey of Hagersville, Ontario scored the win in the Hoosier Stocks. The Vansickle Pet Valu/ PV on the Lane 4 Cylinder feature was won by Ken Hair of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The Corr/Pak Merchandising 358 Modified feature became a race to merely finish, let alone win. Dave Flannigan Jr. started outside pole and quickly got the lead from pole sitter Brandon Gruhl. Flannigan’s early advantage would be erased when Boyd MacTavish stopped on the track and brought out a caution. Flannigan would once again get out in front of the field, now leading Ryan Susice, but again the caution flew as Fred Carleton suffered a mechanical issue that laid fluid on the track. Tanner Podwinski would be next to bring out the yellow with Flannigan out front again. On the restart, a three wide battle between Susice, Mat Williamson, and Gary Lindberg for second saw Lindberg spin, before being hit by Shayne Pierce, who’s car turned over after the contact and spin. Pierce would walk away from the incident under his own power, and Lindberg would retire his car following the restart. Susice would finally end Flannigan’s control of the lead, however that would be short lived as Mat Williamson tracked him down and took the lead within the last 10 laps. Brandon Gruhl’s mechanical problems set up a three-lap shootout, but Williamson would hang on and take the win over Susice, Pete Bicknell, who past Flannigan at the line. Chad Chevalier would round out the top 5.
The Southern Ontario Sprint Tour was in action at Merrittville Speedway battling for the Gary Cunningham Memorial crown. Cory Turner started on Pole, but the race was red flagged before the field could finish a lap when Shawn Sliter tumbled and flipped multiple times in turn 2. Sliter would be okay and walk away, and the race would restart with Cory Turner out front. A late restart placed Ryan Turner behind Cory for a sibling battle, but Ryan Susice would break up the party by getting passed Ryan Turner. Cory Turner would lead wire to wire to score the victory over Susice, brother Ryan Turner, 4th place finisher Liam Martin and Travis Cunningham finished in the race named for his late father.
Jim Lampman and GoFast Teeple lead the field to green in the Hoosier Stock feature. Thanks to a fast track, both drivers would be able to stay up front and battle for the lead side by side for several laps. Passing was a challenge with both lanes working well. Lampman was able to get away for several laps with the lead. However, the yellow flag would bunch the field back up, and on the restart, Dave Bailey would come away with the lead when Lampman slipped up and fell back in the pack. Bailey took the checkered flag first, winning over Zach Bleich, Kyle Pelrine, Rob Murray, and Jason Fontaine.
A new winner on the season emerged in the Vansickle Pet Valu/ PV On the Lane 4 Cylinders Saturday night. Richard Hadler lined up on the front row alongside Jordan Denobriga, with Hadler leading several laps to begin the race. The race win would ultimately come down to a battle of 5’s, with the 5K of Ken Hair able to hold off the 5 of Brian Aube, to visit Pleasentview Victory Lane for the first time this season. Aube would finish 2nd, Leroy Buscomb 3rd, Austyn Werstroh 4th and Trevor Deboer 5th.
Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing returns July 2nd as Merrittville Speedway celebrates Schools Out for Summer Night featuring School Bus Racing, and a massive Fireworks display. The Corr/Pak Merchandising 358 Modified’s, Right Choice Auto & Leisure DIRTcar Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Rona Doidge Building Centre Modified Lites, and Vansickle Pet Valu/PV on the Lane 4 Cylinders will all be in action. Pit gates will open at 5:00 pm, grandstands open at 5:30, and racing will begin at 7:00 pm.
Follow Merrittville on social media including Facebook (facebook.com/MerrittvilleSpeedway), Twitter (@Merrittville), and now Instagram (@merrittvillespeedway). For results, point standings, and more, check out the brand new www.merrittvillespeedway.com
RACE RESULTS –- June 25th, 2022
Corr/Pak Merchandising 358 Modifieds – MAT WILLIAMSON, Ryan Susice, Pete Bicknell, Dave Flannigan Jr., Chad Chevalier, Mike Bowman, Todd Gordon, Luke Carleton, Scott Wood, Dylan Davidson, Brandon Gruhl, Gary Lindberg, Ryan Ferri, Shayne Pierce, Tanner Podwinski, Fred Carleton, Boyd MacTavish, Derek VanMil
Qualifying Heats: Chad Chevalier, Todd Gordon, Scott Wood
S.O.S Tour Gary Cunningham Memorial – CORY TURNER, Ryan Susice, Ryan Turner, Liam Martin, Travis Cunningham, Jim Huppenen, Brayden Cooley, Mitch Brown, Jamie Turner, Jake Brown, Chris Jones, Bailey Heard, Adam West, Ben Silliker, Derek Jonathan, Dan Nanticoke, Warren Mahoney, Shawn Sliter
Qualifying Heats: Mitch Brown, Ryan Turner, Liam Martin
Hoosier Stocks – DAVE BAILEY, Zach Bleich, Kyle Pelrine, Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine, Jim Lampman, Gofast Teeple, Donny Lampman, John Couture, Jeff Bean, Brad Sheehan, Bryce Richardson, Mason Smith
Qualifying Heats: Jason Fontaine, Jim Lampman
Vansickle Pet Valu/Pv on the Lane 4 Cylinders – KEN HAIR, Brian Aube, Leroy Buscomb, Austyn Werstroh, Trevor Deboer, Jordan Denobriga, Clinton Barrick, Vincent Pagnotta, Shawn Keus, Cole Hardy, John Luebeck, Craig Vlasic, Tyler Lafantaise, Richard Hadler, Mason Anderson, Danny Wurster, Randy Always, Dave Winniger, James McDonald, Mark Deagle, Alex Riley, Jay Moulton, Sam Iftody
Qualifying Heats: Richard Hadler, Alex Riley, John Luebeck
- Jonathon Howe on Jun 26, 2022
- Article Date: 6/26/2022 by Jonathon Howe