“It was a good run tonight … I wasn’t gonna give up the top – it was too good up there,” exclaimed a relieved Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature Winner Brandon Easey,” it’s been a rough go lately – I have been tearing this car to pieces … this one’s for Gord and the McIntoshes!”

Two unfortunate incidents involving Easey and BJ Willard have shaped both drivers’ seasons to date and it was after a lap 17 restart that Willard would be the challenger to leader Easey. Easey had taken over top spot from Jason Farraway on lap 13 after Larry Czinege took control at the drop of the green.

Just as Easey was about to lead the field into slower cars the lap 17 caution would find Easey and Willard as the top 2. Easey was back out front when racing resumed with Willard pulling alongside.

The two cousins would battle side by side swapping the lead several times before Easey would open up a couple car lead on lap 21.

At the finish, Easey and Willard were followed by Brad Rouse, Gary Lindberg and Jason Moore

“I saw him loose,” revealed Hoosier Stock Feature Winner Pete Reid of the last lap incident with Jim Lampman, “I didn’t want to spin him out … but we were both racing for the win!”

Reid had taken control of second spot on lap 15 and on after a lap 18 restart got together with Lampman in Turn 4 of lap 19. Reid would take control of top spot with Aaron Wiley now second and Lampman falling to third.

Prior to the last lap incident, Lampman had set the pace following a lap 6 restart after edging ahead of Wiley. Wiley had taken over top spot from initial leader Jason Fontaine who retired to the pits early.

With Wiley as leader and then Lampman – there was plenty of three and wide racing for position throughout the 24 car field from green to checkers.

Reid, Wiley and Lampman were followed by Jeff Dayman and Chris Crawford.

“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and it will take care of itself,” said J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature Winner Josh Sliter,” we made some changes to the car … I just can’t do anything wrong!”

Sliter was referring to the points race shaping up between himself and Derek Wagner after winning his 5th straight feature.

Sliter stormed into second spot after a lap 3 restart – eventually landing in a side by side battle with Jason Corless for top spot. Corless had just taken over top spot from Josh’s dad Ray Sliter Jr. The younger Sliter and Corless were in a see saw battle for the lead until Sliter settled into a comfortable lead.

Caution would slow the field once again on lap 8 with Sliter back out front once again. Along the backstretch of lap 10 Wagner would take control of second spot before caution slowed the event once more.

Sliter was in control once again with Wagner clipping the guardrail with two laps to go. Wagner slowed slightly holding managed to hold on to second at the finish.

Sliter and Wagner were followed by Corless, Dillan Sliter and Derek Moore

“I felt a little tap just before the last caution,” said a relieved Rob Overholt back in Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Victory Lane, “it was a perfect track … nice and tacky!”

Overholt took the lead the first time down the backstretch from Chris Sheppard with Garnet Wilson eventually taking control of second. Right away Wilson tried to challenge the leader with the top 2 cars soon pulling away from the field.

A three wide battle for third spot quickly developed between Brandon Iudicianni, Kyle Pelrine and Mike Sadusek with Rocco Conte soon joining in. While this was going on, Wilson really began to challenge Overholt – even pulling even with two laps to go.

The last lap caution unfortunately was for Sadusek after the rookie’s VW lost a right rear axle in Turn 4.

In the one lap dash to the checkers, Overholt was able to hold off Wilson who was able to hold off Conte as well. Pelrine and Jason Coutu rounded out the top 5.

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEW PIT NOTES

Fort Erie’s Art Kennedy – good friends with Rob Overholt was also a BIG Winner – taking home more than $ 1200 as the winner of the Thorold Blackhawk’s 50-50 Draw. Hingston Metal Fabricators provided each Feature Winner with a Cash Bonus.

James Thompson was the latest driver named B&C Truck Centre Mack Canada Driver of the Week after his first Hoosier Stock Feature Win in July 21st’s Semenuk’s Esso Archer Truck Services Night.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

The Civic Holiday Doubleheader at Merrittville Speedway kicks off Saturday August 4th with Miller’s Auto Recyclers presenting the $1,000 to win 50 lap David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series Finale plus a Stars North Tour Series Event for the Modified Lites, 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks and the final Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.

Gates open at 5:30 with Showtime at 7 PM.

Action returns Monday August 6th with L. St. Amand Enterprises presenting the 3rd Annual Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial 100 lap Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Event. Rounding out the special event will be another Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series Home Track Event for the Hoosier Stocks.

Gates will open at the special time of 4 PM with hot laps at 6:45 and Time Trials at 7 PM.

For further information on either event - call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.For directions to Merrittville Speedway click on www.merrittvillespeedway.com/track_map

Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).

BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Todd Gordon, Pete Bicknell, Bill Bleich, Chris Steele, Rick Richner, Tommy Flannigan, Chad Chevalier, Mat Williamson, Scott Wood, Tim Jones, Mark D’Ilario, Larry Lampman, Shayne Pierce, Travis Braun, Dave Small, Steven Schumacher, Ken Cosgrove, Kenny Winnfield, Dennis Giancola, Rick Hoctor, Erick Rudolph, Fred Carleton

ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE – (25 laps) Brandon Easey, BJ Willard, Brad Rouse, Gary Lindberg, Jason Moore, Mark Chiddy, Jason Farraway, Larry Czinege, Adam Leslie, Cody McPherson, Greg Panunte, Joey Mastroianni, Brent Begolo, Jim Johnstone, Austin Wood, Rob Knapp, Paul Gaboury, David Flannigan, Jesse Penner, Ron MacAulay, Paul Williamson, Chris Belllamy, Travis Miller, Justin Sharp, Robert Baker, Ray Hockridge.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Pete Reid, Aaron Wiley, Jim Lampman, Jeff Dayman, Chris Crawford, Brad Sheehan, Kevin Knapp, Rob Murray, James Thompson, Cory Turner, Tyler Anderson, Billy Hogue, Ryan Turner, Bob McNamara, Ken Sargent, Chris Schneider, Kameron Kocarik, Bryce Richardson, Terry Ronning, Jason Fontaine.

J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (15 laps) Josh Sliter, Derek Wagner, Jason Corless, Dillan Sliter, Derek Moore, Kory Howe, Rick Koabel, Ray Sliter Jr., Randy Hollingshead, Greg Mills, Kellie Mason.

TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (20 laps) Rob Overholt, Garnet Wilson, Rocco Conte, Kyle Pelrine, Jason Coutu, Tony Kelly, Chris Laskey, Chris Sheppard, Greg Wilson, Evan Curtis, Brandon Iudicianni, Kourtney Kocarik, Jeff Larmet, Mike Sadusek, Kevin Conley, Mike Giberson.

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars. Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home!