Merrittville Speedway: Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night pushed back one week

THOROLD, Ontario (July 18) – “In all my time here,” confesses (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “that had to be the worst outcome … possibly even in the entire 59 year history of Merrittville … we all will have to just wait another week for Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night.”

With the gates already open for the storied Thorold facility’s alumni and quite a display of vintage cars in place – Speedway Officials were forced to delay the night’s racing and L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions due to rain.

“We could see the storm front along the escarpment … the skies had darkened, there was lightening to the west and it began to rain at the track,” informs Bicknell, “we had been tracking the storm front all afternoon and it showed severe weather on the way resulting in severe weather watches from Environment Canada … in the best interests of our race fans and teams we cancel …. almost as quick as it came in … the weather does a complete 180 and it’s nice.  It most definetley was not something we could predict would happen.  We are extremely disappointed as are many fans and racers.”

Alumni that were already in attendance or perhaps those that were unable to make the original date should contact the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 to make arrangements for the new date.

With the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division not scheduled to compete – the cars of BJ Willard and Cody McPherson were mixed in with the Vintage Cars in honor of the 20th Anniversary of their great grandfather Bill Willard Senior’s Induction Ceremony 20 years ago that created the long list of honorees that we see today.

As is the case each season the new Inductees are not announced until the ceremony and 2010’s will now kick off Hingston Metal Fabricators Night Saturday July 24th.

Also coming to the event will be the 50 lap Jerry Winger Memorial 358 Modified Main Event in addition to the second round of the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series.

Rounding out the Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program are the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks and the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites.

During the course of the evening the 2010 Grand Marshall will be selected. Whoever that is – the prize will be quite an experience Monday August 2nd – turning 30 Big Block Modifieds loose in the 1st annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial 100!

Hingston Metal Fabricators – who celebrated their 50th year of operation in 2003 specialize in flame cutting, custom punching, shearing, expansion joints (metal and fabric) sand blasting, press braking and aluminum and stainless steel welding.

For your next project give Hingston a call at 905- 682-8338 or visit their location at 490 Eastchester Avenue East in St. Catharines. Two wheel enthusiasts with an ‘M’ License are eligible for a $2 Discount on Grandstand Admissions Saturday July 24th. Grandstands open at 5:30. Showtime is at 7:00 PM.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to bring their rides. Convenient parking will be provided for an unofficial show and shine. “A huge amount of drivers … crew members and race fans too are motorcycle enthusiasts,” relates (Merrittville Speedway co-owner) Nancy Bicknell, “the night gives them all a chance to enjoy their bikes and a night of racing too.”

From Jim Irvine  // Merrittville Speedway Public Relations