The last time Bicknell was at the controls of his Lucas Oil #42, it was in the John Spencer Memorial 50 lap event that closed the 61st Season where he soldiered to a third place finish but good enough for his 21st Career Title at the Thorold DIRTcar sanctioned facility and would have back surgery later than week.

Despite issues with the PA System after the start of 50 lap event for the 358 Modifieds that left co-announcers Clint Geoffrey and Dana Huffman literally speechless, the excellent opening night crowd saw that Bicknell will once again be one tough animal in 2012 in his quest for a 22nd Championship.

One driver looking to earn his first career title after finishing second to Bicknell the last two seasons is Mat Williamson and as the defending winner of the annual Spring Sizzler was out front early after lead swaps between front row starters Larry Lampman Jr. and Bicknell.

Williamson was in top spot by lap 8 with Bicknell challenging for the lead by lap 15. With the leaders quickly coming up on lap traffic, Chris Steele in third was overtaken by both Chad Brachmann and Scott Wood. With Williamson still out front to the halfway point at lap 25, Brachmann was able to get by Bicknell for the runner-up spot.

By lap 30 Brachmann and Bicknell began to close in on Williamson and on lap 35 the leader almost met with disaster coming up on slower cars. Luckily Williamson was able to weave his way through but unluckily – the top three were all now about a car length apart from each other.

The top three weren’t holding anything back with incidental contact between Bicknell and Brachmann finding the former champion having a left front tire going soft. Later Williamson would fall victim to a broken front shock on lap 45.
With Bicknell taking control of top spot on lap 45, Scott Wood was now in the runner up spot but couldn’t reel in the leader.

Bicknell and Wood were followed at the finish by Williamson and Brachmann who were both able to hold on to top 5 finishes with Lampman fifth.

Another driver looking to be one tough animal in 2012 is Cody McPherson – behind the wheel of the Advantage Trailer-owned Bobcat of Hamilton sponsored #7 Sportsman in 2012. Behind the wheel of a non-family owned race car for the first time since his Mike Granton-wrenched Hoosier Stock held off his brother-in-law and team mate Brandon Easey by a mere 3/100ths of a second after 40 laps of hard racing.

“It’s awesom to get Gord and Gord Sr. their first win,” exclaimed McPherson in Victory Lane, “I’m glad we were able to pull it off … at the end I didn’t think I could get by the lap cars but to win and beat Easey … it’s even better!”

Easey who is making a return to the division after a season in the 358 Modifieds was the initial leader facing a challenge from defending Champion Brad Rouse before a lap 7 caution slowed the field. By lap 15 Rouse was out in front with McPherson joining in in third. By halfway it was McPherson ahead of Easey with Rouse dropping to third.

McPherson ran away to about a ¼ lap lead but as the event neared lap 30, Easey was closing in. Through heavy lap traffic Easey continued to close and by lap 35 was right on the leader. With one lap to go, Rouse had even got back to have a shot but at the checkered flag … McPherson was able to hold off the two.

“I used to think racing was the best thing,” revealed the new father post race, “but now with my daughter Aliyah and Amber at home … thanks to them for letting me keep do this – our programs on top right now … hopefully we’ll keep it up front all season.”

McPherson Easey and Rouse were followed by Gary Lindberg and BJ Willard.

“Just out to beat the pink cars …that’s our goal,” admitted Kevin Knapp at the conclusion of the 30 lap Hoosier Stock Spring Sizzler, “They were so fast … for me it was all about patience and running the bottom.”

The start of the initial Feature Event of the season had two former drivers sharing the front row. Brad Sheehan and Billy Hogue both returning full time this season with Sheehan the first to lead.

After an early caution, Kevin Knapp was on the move and quickly was into second quickly reeling in Sheehan. By lap 10 he was challenging for top spot – taking control out of Turn 2. Caution on lap 12 slowed the pace after front runners defending Champion Ken Sargent and Hogue became hooked together.

Knapp was back out in front on the restart pulling away to a couple car lead with Jeff Dayman, Rob Murray and Chris Crawford as the top 5 before caution just past half way slowed the pace once more. Knapp edged ahead on the restart holding just a car length with 10 laps to go.

Knapp began to pull away with former Champion Rob Murray by Sheehan just before the 5 to go mark.

Caution on lap 26 eliminated almost a ¼ lap lead for Knapp on the field. On the restart with it was Murray challenging but Knapp ran to a 5 car length lead at the finish ahead of the ‘pink’ cars of Murray and Sheehan with former Champion Jeff Dayman in 4 and Sargent rebounding to finish 5th.

BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (50 laps) Pete Bicknell, Scott Wood, Chad Brachmann, Mat Williamson, Larry Lampman, Eric Rudolph, Chris Steele, Mike Bowman, Tim Jones, Mark D’Ilario, Danny O’Brien, Todd Gordon, Travis Braun, Bill Bleich, Fred Carleton, Scott Kerwin, Ken Cosgrove, Chad Chevalier, Matt Billings, Rob Pietz, Shayne Pierce, Ken Winfield, Rick Hoctor, Tom Flannigan, Rick Richner.

ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE – (40 laps) Cody McPherson, Brandon Easey, Brad Rouse, Gary Lindberg, BJ Willard, Greg Panunte, Justin Sharp, Jim Johnstone, Brent Begolo, Mark Chiddy, Jason Farraway, Austin Wood, Dave Flannigan Jr., Larry Czinege, Jesse Penner, Rob Knapp, Paul Jorgenson, Pat Sonnenberg, Robert Baker, Jason Moore, Travis Miller, Joey Mastroianni, Jessica Power, Martin Landry, Ron MacAulay, Paul Williamson, AdamLeslie, Kaven Poliquin.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (30 laps) Kevin Knapp, Rob Murray, Brad Sheehan, Jeff Dayman, Ken Sargent, Billy Hogue, Chris Crawford, Jim Lampman, Devin Habiuk, Charlie Lynch, James Thompson, Aaron Wiley, Terry Ronning, Kameron Kocarik, Cory Turner, Chris Duchene, Richard Champigny, Jason Fontaine, Dave Small, Bryce Richardson, Chris Schneider, Tim Zack, Peter Reid, Tyler Anderson, Evan Curtis.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
B&C Truck Centre and Blast Entertainment will present a Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event Saturday May 5th with point events kicking off the 2012 Championship Chase for all 5 divisions.

On each Saturday Night Event in May – Race Fans 18 years and under can look forward to Grandstand Admission Tickets at just $5.00 each.

When the Grandstands open at 5:30 – MT Bellies will present their first BIG Food BIG Fun Night of the season with 2 Adults, 2 Children under 16, 4 Pepsi and 4 Popcorn all for just $40.00. Showtime is at 7:00 PM.

For further information 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).

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!

2012 Grandstand Season Tickets are now available with savings of more than $100.00 – get yours today. Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at … Merrittville Speedway – The Best Family Entertainment inNiagara!

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2012 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

Lucas Oil Products is one the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives.

Through innovative product research and development along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.

Look for Lucas Oil Products at your favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including B&C Truck Centre, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONTINGENCY PROGRAM

To claim your contingency winnings:  • Submit proof of win  • Include photograph of the car  • Car must feature ERD decal  • Street Stock requires only major machining be completed by ERD.  • Winnings paid as “credit” at ERD   Join the many other winning teams with an Engine Research & Development (ERD) Racing Engine!   Contact us today at info@erdengines.com or (905) 562-3966

As the laps clicked off, the Coal Region oval’s clay surface widened out.  Strunk summoned speed from the Hansell Motorsports No. 357 and powered around the outside of Godown on the 61st lap exiting turn four. At the lap-65 fuel stop, Strunk led Godown, Pauch Jr., Duane Howard and Kevin Albert Jr.

Searching for his fourth Coalcracker victory and first since 1997, Strunk set the pace through a caution on lap 71 that changed the race’s complexion. Bechtelsville, Pa.’s Strunk opted for the outside lane. Godown, from the inside, edged into the lead on the frontstretch.   Strunk’s car caught the outside cushion and bobbled in turn one, allowing Howard to put his BPG Racing No. 4 into second spot. Howard gradually reeled in Godown as the leaders reached lapped traffic. For two consecutive circuits (laps 84-85), Howard pulled even with Godown using the inside lane but couldn’t complete a pass.   Godown, hung up behind a slower car, had his pace slowed again at lap 90 as Howard and a resurgent Strunk closed. The lead battle intensified until Pauch Jr., running fourth, slowed on the backstretch to draw the caution on lap 93 with smoke trailing his No. T102.   With clear track on the restart, Godown marched to the morale-boosting victory in Big Diamond’s signature race. Godown didn’t race regularly at Big Diamond this season but did win a feature on June 3.

“I’ve got to thank Johnny (Rea, car owner) and all my guys for sticking with me,” Godown said. “It’s been a tough year for us with a lot of ups and downs.  This one means a lot.”   Howard, of Oley, Pa., settled for runner-up pay after originally starting the event from eighth. Strunk was third, followed by Craig Von Dohren of Boyertown, Pa., who started 20th in his self-owned No. 1c and ninth-starter Mike Gular of Green Lane, Pa. driving the Terry Fasnacht/Ed Nowotarski No. 53. Von Dohren and Gular overtook Albert (Lebanon, Pa.) with six laps remaining.   A field of 40 358-Modifieds attempted to qualify for the 30-car Coalcracker 100 starting field on Sept. 4. Heat winners were Tommy Sheetz III (Boyertown, Pa.), Rick Laubach (Quakertown, Pa.), Richie Pratt Jr. (Woodbury Heights, N.J.) and Pauch Jr.  Doug Manmiller (Shoemakersville, Pa.) and Gary Wagner Jr. (Womelsdorf, Pa.) split the consolations.   Becker, of Pottsville, Pa., won for the second time this season in the 20-lap event for the Roadrunners. Starting third, Becker took the lead from Jim Kost (Blackheath, Pa.) on lap seven. Elvin Brennan III raced from a straightaway back to challenge Becker but collided with a lapped car with two laps remaining. Becker drove to victory over Brennan (Forestville, Pa.), Tom Hablett (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.), T.J. Fitzpatrick (Branchdale, Pa.) and newcomer Jason Brown.   Heat winners on Sept. 4 in Roadrunner racing were Ed Kuperavage (Port Carbon, Pa.) and Brennan.   Big Diamond Speedway is silent until Saturday, Oct. 29 for a special event featuring Monster Trucks Backdraft and Eradicator, a demolition derby, train races and hayrides. Further information on that program will be released shortly.   Big Diamond Speedway is a three-eighths-mile clay oval racing facility located just two miles outside of Minersville, Pa. For further information on the speedway, call 570.544.5114, e-mail bigdiamondpr@aol.com or visit www.bigdiamondspeedway.net. The speedway mailing address is 50 Big Diamond Road P.O. Box 524 Minersville, PA 17954.  For GPS purposes, use the following address: 392 Forest Lane Pottsville, PA 17901.

COALCRACKER RACE SUMMARY – SEPT. 11, 2011   31st Coalcracker 100 The Station House 358-Modified Feature Finish: RYAN GODOWN ($10,000), Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Craig Von Dohren, Mike Gular, Kevin Albert Jr., Meme DeSantis, Michael Weinert, Jimmy Horton, John Willman, Ryan Watt, Glenn Strunk, Doug Manmiller, Sammy Piazza, Dale Hartz, Gary Wagner Jr., Dan Hineline, Billy Pauch Jr., Dan Waisempacher, Danny Nicholas, Colt Harris, Jordan Umbenhauer, Richie Pratt Jr., Andy Burkhart, Craig Whitmoyer, Tommy Scheetz III, Brad Missimer, Terry Meitzler, Rick Laubach, Corey Sechrist, Wade Hendrickson.   Did Not Qualify: Jim Bobbitt Jr., Nathan Klinger, Matt Hafer, Jon Kellner Sr., Jared Umbenhauer, Mike Mammana, Keith Hoffman, Jeff Hertzog.