Market, music, racing on track

Speedway marks Canada Day with full-day program

Merrittville Speedway is celebrating Canada’s 151th birthday one day earlier, and the action won’t be limited to the clay racing surface.

A full-day program at the Thorold track begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with the inaugural Merrittville Market. A sale of everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to crafts and yard-sale items wraps up at 1 p.m.

Children’s activities beginning at noon and continuing until after grandstands open at 4 p.m. include a bouncy castle and facepainting.

Tragically Hip tribute band Shoot from the Hip will provide live entertainment before race time as well as after a fireworks display.

Also performing are Jason James, at intermission; and Katrina Uddenberg, who will be singing the Canadian and U.S. national anthems before the first feature of the night.

All six regular divisions – Modified 358, Sportsman, Mod Lite, Hoosier Stock, Mini Stock, Pure Stock V6 – will be an action in program that features $1 hotdogs and finishes with the second endure qualifier of the season.

“There’s something on the menu for everyone,” said Don Spiece, the speedway’s owner. “Whether it’s our weekly divisions, the enduro qualifier or maybe it’s just the deal on hotdogs, it’s definitely an event not to miss.”

Unlike last weekend, when rain washed out stock car racing at Merrittville and New Humberstone speedways as well as motorcycle racing at Welland County Speedway, there’s only a 10per-chance of precipitation on Canada Day weekend.

Points races are closest in Merrittville’s Sportsman and Mini

Stock divisions. Only four points separate James Michael Friesen of Niagara Falls and Adam Leslie of Port Colborne atop the driver standings in Sportsman.

Friesen, a one-time driver of the year at his home track, leads the competitive division with two wins. Brent Begolo of Thorold, Jordan Cosco of St. Catharines, Chad Chevalier, also from Port Colborne, and Leslie have one win each.

With 288 points and a division-high three victories, Alex Riley of Thorold is in the driver’s seat in Mini Stocks. Cole Hardy of Welland, 280 points, one win; is second in the standings.

Anthony Kelly of Niagara Falls, fifth in points with 196, has taken the other two checkered flags in Merrittville’s 4-cylinder division this season.

Following the are top three in points and feature winners in the speedway’s other divisions:

Modified 358: 1. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, 352; 2. Gary Lindberg, Ridgeway; Chad Brachmann, Sanborn, N.Y., tied with 316; 3. Pete Bicknell, St. Catharines, 294. Victories: Williamson, 5; Mike Bowman, St. Catharines; Tommy Flannigan, St. Catharines.

Mod Lite: 1. Begolo, 348; 2. Jeffrey May, Mount Hope, Ont., 298; 3. R.J. Pietz, Port Colborne, 294. Victories: Begolo, 4; Josh Sliter, Ridgeway; Chris Watson, Welland; Pietz. Hoosier Stock: 1. Rob Murray, St. Catharines, 348; 2. Dave Bailey, Hagersville, 310; 3. Kyle Pelrine, Smithville, 292. Victories:

Murray, 4; Brad Sheehan, St. Catharines; Bailey.

Pure Stock V6: 1. Adam Plazek, Caistor Centre, 352; 2. John Couture, Niagara Falls, 336; 3. Chris Mussat, 292. Victories:

Plazek, 5; Couture.