Gary Lindberg Takes Second Of 2017 At Merrittville
Story By: JIM IRVINE / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – With an impressive selection, Niagara Trailers can make you King of the Road. August 19th at Merrittville Speedway, Victory in the 40 lap Gabe Bellante Memorial made Brad Rouse – King of the Crates – after the St. Catharines racer took the David Chevrolet Mini-Series for the S&W Service Centre Sportsman Division.
Two drivers would take home their second wins of 2017 – Gary Lindberg of Ridgeway and Welland’s Cole Hardy in the Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified and Central Fabricating & Welding 4 Cylinder Divisions.
Three others – Brent Begolo, Rob Murray and Greg Rauscher would each take home their 5th wins in the Wood Motor Company Modified Lite, Hoosier Stock and Novice Sportsman Divisions.
“This one means a lot … I’ve been trying to win it but could only finish second,” said Brad Rouse in Victory Lane after being congratulated by his good friend Rick Bellante – son of Gabe Bellante in what was his 4th win of the season, “thanks to my crew – they work so hard on this car – there’s not a night it doesn’t come prepared.”
Joey Herremans took the 24 car starting field to the green flag with Matt Farnham in control the first time down the backstretch
On the move in the early going were Rouse, James Friesen, Brent Begolo and Chad Chevalier and by lap 5 – Rouse had caught the leaders. Two laps later Rouse was the new leader – pulling away to a 10 car length advantage.
Begolo would take on Farnam for second and before lap 10 had the position.
Just after lap 15, Begolo was able to narrow the gap as through increasing lap traffic in the final stages the slower cars sometimes helped the leaders and sometimes hindered them.
At the finish, Rouse, Begolo and Farnham were followed by Chevalier and Cody McPherson in the caution free event.
“We gave one away last week … so this one’s for my crew and everyone that puts up with us working on this thing so much,” said two time Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified Feature Winner Gary Lindberg.
One week before the former Cayuga Speedway reopens as Jukasa Speedway with the Late Model Summer Shootout – Lindberg was excited to put the spotlight on his sponsor adding, “we’ll be up there both days with the car … maybe we’ll take it out on the track.”
Mat Williamson was first to lead the 35 lap Feature and from the drop of the green was off to a lead of some 10 car lengths. By lap 10, Lindberg began to close that gap.
Lap 12 would find Lindberg edging ahead of Williamson. The tables would be turned with Lindberg now opening up a comfortable lead. The top three would be separated by about the same distance with Pete Bicknell in third.
By lap 25, Lindberg would increase his lead to almost a straightaway.
Lap traffic would not slow Lindberg down in the closing laps – his margin of victory was an unofficial 5 seconds over Williamson.
Chad Brachmann would make a late race charge to take third with Bicknell and Ryan Susice rounding out the top 5.
“I was thinking it was all over,” said Cole Hardy in 4 Cylinder Victory Lane for the second time, “I saw my chance and went for it.”
Hardy – who took the lead from Tom Neale out of Turn 4 to complete lap 1 survived a couple of restarts. More of a challenge was Alex Riley.
Hardy, Riley and Jay Moulton were nose to tail at the halfway point with the trio about 10 car lengths ahead of the field. Hardy and
Riley were side by side on lap 9 before Hardy found a little breathing room. Riley and Moulton were back on the attack quickly.
The three went three wide the final time down the backstretch with Riley out front until Hardy made his move – beating Riley to the start finish line by a little more than the length of Hardy’s hood.
Hardy, Riley and Moulton were followed by Tony Kelly and Rob Sauder.
“In the beginning I couldn’t find my groove,” said Brent Begolo in Mod Lite Victory Lane, “After I got settled in … I just picked them off one at a time – it all worked out.”
The last car that Begolo picked off was Steven Beckett who had led from the start of the 15 lap caution free Feature.
Begolo and Beckett were followed by Jeffrey May, Tyler Winger and Chris Watson.
“We touched … but he’s a good racer.” said Hoosier Stock Feature Winner Rob Murray of his race with Ryan Dinning, “I built that car back in the day … it’s still fast!
Bill Podwinski survived a couple early cautions before Dave Bailey became the new leader. Murray would take over second before taking the lead on lap 4.
Murray would resume the lead after a lap 6 caution with Dinning challenging. Two times on laps 10 and 12 restarts after cautions,
Dinning and Murray would be side by side with Murray holding the advantage.
Dinning would lead lap 13 with Murray back in control one lap later.
At the finish, Murray and Dinning were followed by Jason Lungaro, Dave Bailey and Dave Small.
Scott Sonnenberg, Ian Porter and Greg Rauscher quickly went three wide at the start of the 10 lap Novice Sportsman Feature before Rauscher took the lead the first time down the backstretch.
Once in second spot, Gord McIntosh reeled in the leader and taking the white flag – the two were side by side. Rauscher would find an advantage down the backstretch the final time for his 5th win of the season.
Gaston Auto Sales remembers Harry Sittler with 37 lap $3700 to win 358 Modified Main Event
Gaston Auto Sales will present the first Harry Sittler Memorial Saturday August 26th featuring the Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modifieds in a 37 lap Memorial Race with a $3700 payday for the winner.
Joining in on the special night … Regular Events for the S&W Service Centre Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Wood Motor Company Modified Lites and the Central Fabricating 4 Cylinders.
“Gaston Auto Sales have been a long-time supporter of (Harry’s son) Andrew Sittler’s racing endeavours and others … so when Harry passed away in March … it was great to have the night come together to remember him,” said Merrittville’s Don Spiece.
Gaston Auto Sales has Proudly served the St. Catharines area since 1980,
Located at 394 Ontario Street near the QEW, Gaston Auto Sales is your premier retailer of preowned vehicles.
A dedicated sales staff and top trained technicians will make your auto shopping experience fun, easy and financially advantageous. With various online resources – allow our excellent network of people to put you in your ideal car, truck or SUV today!
Gaston’s sells Domestic and Import Cars, Trucks, Vans, and SUV’s. To view our current inventory of used vehicles visit http://www.gastonsautosales.com/
In addition to the inventor listed – Gaston Auto Sales has access to the vehicle you want – any make, model or colour.
Harry Sittler got his start in racing in the former Jalopy Division in 1961 with a car that his dad Andrew flat-towed to the track from the family’s home in Queenston, Ontario. Sittler would move up to the former Late Model Division before stepping into a Modified owned by fellow L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Famer Ray Stevens in 1974.
Sittler would drive for a number of different owners over his car in addition to stints as car owner himself in the 1960’s. 1970’s. 1980’s 1990’s and 2000’s.
Sittler’s trademark ‘37’ was established when the St. Catharines Driver was team-mates with Harley Turner (Mini Stock), Carl Game (Late Model) and his own Modified. 37 was the only number that would work for all three divisions.
In recent years, Sittler’s only son Andrew has raced himself eventually becoming car owner for a number of drivers that in 2017 includes Greg Panunte and Tommy Flannigan in 37s.
In addition to the $3700 first place prize, Lap Sponsorships have been collected and are still available. To join in – please contact the Sittler Family.
On behalf of Harry’s Family – thank you to all have supported so far http://merrittville.proboards.com/thread/4202/lap-harry-sittler-memorial-sponsors
Gaston’s Auto Sales Night begins when the Grandstands open at 5:30 with Show Time set for 7 PM.
Niagara Trailers Night – Saturday August 19, 2017
Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series Complete Results
Gabe Bellante Memorial David Chevrolet King of the Crates Finale for the S&W Service Centre Sportsman Feature (40 laps) Brad Rouse, Brent Begolo, Matt Farnham, Chad Chevalier, Adam Leslie, James Friesen, Tom Richau, Luke Carleton, Justin Sharp, Trevor Wright, Chris Watters, Charlie Lynch, Chris Storm, Chris Bellamy, Dave DiPietro, Rob Knapp, Brian Bellinger, AJ Custodi, Joey Herremans, David Flannigan, Robbie Johnston, Jay Mallory, Terry Larmet.
Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified Feature (35 laps) Gary Lindberg, Mat Williamson, Chad Brachmann, Pete Bicknell, Ryan Susice, Scott Wood, Todd Gordon, Greg Panunte, Fred Carleton, Tim Jones, Tommy Flannigan, Jim Zimmerman.
Central Fabricating & Welding 4 Cylinder Feature (15 laps) Cole Hardy, Alex Riley, Jay Moulton, Tony Kelly, Rob Sauder, Austyn Werstroh, Sam Iftody, Garnet Wilson, Tom Neale, Chris Laskey, Vincent Pagnotta, Trevor Want, ean Iftody, Mike Giberson, Dwayne Collens, Mason Smith.
Wood Motor Company Modified Lite Feature (15 laps) Brent Begolo, Steven Beckett, Jeffrey May, Tyler Winger, Chris Watson, Chris Perry, RJ Pietz, Randy Giroux, Tucker Wood, Craig Martin, Ryleigh Sliter.
Hoosier Stock Feature (20 laps) Rob Murray, Ryan Dinning, Jason Lungaro, Dave Bailey, Dave Small, Billy Bleich Jr., Andrew Reece, Kyle Pelrine, Steve Shaw, Go Fast Teeple, Donny Lampman, Tanner Podwinski, Robin Mortensen, Jim Lampman, Brad Sheehan, Bill Podwinski, Derek VanMill, Vince Fargnoli, Trevor DeBoer.
Novice Sportsman Feature (10 laps) Gregg Rauscher, Paul Cunningham, Scott Sonnenberg, Ian Porter, Len Farraway.
