Mat Williamson Takes Merrittville Speedway Special On Civic Holiday Monday In Canada

Story By: JONATHON HOWE / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – Former Merrittville Speedway track champions Mat Williamson (St. Catharines), Cody McPherson (St. Catharines), and Rob Murray (St. Catharines) all picked up wins in the S&W Service Centre 358 Modifieds, Rick’s Delivery Sportsman, and the Hoosier Stocks respectively on Civic Holiday Monday at Merrittville Speedway.

Dylan Llord from Thorold, Ontario won the Glo n’ Go 4 Cylinder feature and Rodney Rutherford picked up the win in the Enduro. The night was concluded with a huge fireworks show.

Tim Jones started on the pole and lead early before Boyd MacTavish brought out the opening caution in the main event for the S&W Service Centre 358 Modifieds. On the restart, Tyler Willard was able to work past Jones and drive off from the field. As Willard began lapping the back half of the field, Mat Williamson began tracking down the 777. Williamson spent multiple laps trying to get to the inside of Willard, but the gap never opened. As Willard worked to the outside of Trevor Wright to put him a lap down, Williamson cut to the inside and got alongside the leader. Williamson would complete the pass and grab the checkered flag over Willard, Gary Lindberg, Tim Jones, and Chad Chevalier.

The Rick’s Delivery and RM Racing Lubricants Sportsman feature began with the front row of Billy Bleich Jr and Brent Begolo tangling in turn one, allowing Cody McPherson to slip on by and take over the lead. From there, it was all McPherson who dominated the race. McPherson, who was disappointed with his efforts over the past couple of races, redeemed himself and parked his Lucky7 ride in victory lane. The former Mr. DIRT titlist would score the win over Brad Rouse, James Friesen, Brent Begolo and Greg Panunte.

Hoosier Stock action on Monday found two familiar foes at the front of the field by the end of the race, Rob Murray, and Dave Bailey. Steve Shaw Sr. got out in front early from his front-row starting spot, but it was Rob Murray who would take advantage of good track position (started fourth) to quickly grab the lead. Dave Bailey moved up from his eighth starting position to follow race leader Murray right in his tire tracks. That was ultimately how they would stay as Murray drove defensively and held off Bailey, Jason Fontaine, Ryan Beagle, and Mike Thorne.

The Glo & Go Tanning 4 Cylinders did battle in the first Duel on the Dirt event at Merrittville Speedway. 26 4 cylinders went to work. Austyn Werstroh would take the lead early and control much of the race while multiple comers and goers battled for the right to get to challenge Werstroh. Dylan Lord fought his way up through the field. The driver has had multiple bouts of bad luck, some self-inflicted, but tonight Lord caught a break. After Austyn Werstroh won the race, his car failed inspection, and Dylan Llord who crossed second after starting 14th would be declared the winner and collected $1000.

The night was capped off with an electrifying fireworks show in front of the packed Merrittville crowd, followed by a 25 lap Enduro won by Rodney Rutherford. Rutherford survived multiple close calls to earn $600 from event sponsor Go-Getters.

Racing continues at Merrittville Speedway this coming weekend for a doubleheader. On Friday, August 6, the Burger Barn presents a Sprint Car twin-bill with the 360 Sprints and Crate Sprints, as well as the Hoosier Stocks and the 4 Cylinders. Saturday night, Niagara Employment Help Centre presents a full Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series program featuring the Bill Willard Sr Stirling Silver Cup for the Sportsman. Main gates open at 5:30 pm and racing begins at 7 pm both nights. Fans need to register for grandstand admission.

RACE RESULTS – August 2, 2021

S&W Service Center 358 Modifieds: MAT WILLIAMSON, Tyler Willard, Gary Lindberg, Tim Jones, Chad Chevalier, Scott Wood, Pete Bicknell, Mike Bowman, Todd Gordon, Dalton Slack, Fred Carleton, Austin Wood, Trevor Wright, Jordan Peters, Dylan Davidson, Shayne Pierce, Tanner Podwinski, Derek VanMil, Boyd MacTavish

Qualifying Heats: Jordan Peters, Chad Chevalier, Austin Wood

Rick’s Delivery/RM Racing Lubricants Sportsman: CODY MCPHERSON, Brad Rouse, James Friesen, Brent Begolo, Greg Panunte, Luke Carleton, Adam Leslie, Rob Knapp, Justin Sharp, Dave Flannigan Jr, Darrell Farraway, Billy Bleich Jr, Noah Mamo, Jason VanMil, Mitch Dumont, Jay Mallory, Taylor Vanderzanden, Jeff Panunte, Terry Smith, Daniel McKay, Tyler Puchalski, Rob Sauder, John Babion, Nathan Peattie, Curtis Friesen, Jordan Cosco

Did Not Qualify: Dave Mamo, Matt Sharpe, Caleb Taylor, Tony Cowell, Cameron Lane

Qualifying Heats: Brent Begolo, Cody McPherson, Adam Leslie

Last Chance Qualifier: Curtis Friesen

Hoosier Stocks: ROB MURRAY, Dave Bailey, Jason Fontaine, Ryan Beagle, Mike Thorne, Wade Purchase, Clinton Nicholls, Dave Small, Kraig Handley, Mark Fawcett, Chris Hale, Go Fast Teeple, Kyle Pelrine, Steve Shaw Sr, Spencer Smolders, Jeff Larmet, Ron Loggie, Jim Lampman, Evan Curtis, Kacey Huffman, Zach Bleich, Mike Klazinga, Devon Bacher, Adam Plazek, Donny Lampman, Kevin Knapp

Did Not Qualify: Robbie General, Gord Grant, Calvin Fox, David Barrett, Todd Shaw, Jeff Humphrey, Ross Crowe, Kyle Andress, Melissa Miller, Tom Pearson, Bryce Richardson

Qualifying Heats: Kraig Handley, Steve Shaw Sr, Dave Bailey

Last Chance Qualifiers: Ron Loggie, Spencer Smolders

Glo n’ Go 4 Cylinders: DYLAN LLORD, Trevor DeBoer, Anthony Kelly, Kyle Rothwell, Jay Moulton, Tyler Lafantaisie, Fabio Olivieri, Kenny Hair, John Lubeck, Kevin Aube, Vincent Pagnotta, Steve Miller, Craig Vlasic, Donny Deagle, Jordan Denobriga, Danny Wurster, Braden Keus, Ray Cerenzia, Scott Simpson, Randy Always, Kourtney Kocarik, Anthony Rinaldi, Rodney Rutherford, Rob Hoskins, Sam Iftody, Austyn Werstroh (DQ – Failed Post Race Inspection)

Did Not Qualify: Jamie Ayers, Clinton Barrick, Brian Aube, Chris Meidlinger

Qualifying Heats: Kenny Hair, Dylan Llord, Vincent Pagnotta

Last Chance Qualifier: Kyle Rothwell