NORMAN The new “King of Michigan”

“I’ve tried to get this one a lot of times but could never finish it off”

stated Tim Norman as he exited his car following a dominating performance in the Engine Pro, Sprints On Dirt presented by Total Seal series 7th Annual “King of Michigan” at Hartford Speedway Park Friday night, July 1. While being joined in victory lane by car owner Joe Gaerte and his crew, the Warsaw, Indiana veteran was “on a rail “all night capturing his heat race, the first dash, and the thirty lap “A” Main event sponsored by his company, XYZ Machining in the MOPAR powered J&J.

Twenty four cars lined up for the start of the 30 lap “A” Main with Norman and Ben Rutan setting the pace. At the drop of the green flag, Norman and Rutan stormed into the first turn side by side. Exiting turn two, Norman squeaked out an early lead but Rutan fought back and lead at the conclusion of lap one. Norman once again grabbed the lead coming out of turn two and took command of the point for the remainder of the event.

The race for position was furious throughout the pack but up-front it was Rutan settling into the second position with J.R. Stewart and Dain Naida doing battle for third and fourth. Changing positions at each end of the track, Naida and Stewart put on one of the most ferociously contested on-track battles of the season through the first twelve laps. When the first caution flew at lap twelve for a spin in turn four involving Tim Hunter, Tim Allison had quietly moved into fifth spot.

The restart found Norman again moving out front quickly as Rutan maintained his hold on second. Naida was able to get away from Stewart and began to challenge Rutan for the runner-up spot as Norman stretched out his lead. As the field moved past the half way portion of the race, Allison overtook both Stewart and then Naida while moving into third. The “Hoosier Rocket”, Brett Mann continued to make a charge to the front from his eighteenth starting spot to move into fourth on lap sixteen.

Caution flew for the second time on lap twenty-three as the right rear tire on the Sean Robinson machine gave way and came to rest in turn two. The restart would line up with Norman up front followed by Rutan, Mann who was now third, Allison and Naida. Caleb Griffith, Nick Mulheim, Bill Johnson, Kyle Patrick, and Gary Fast rounded out the top ten.

With the green waving, Norman once again opened up a substantial lead as he pulled away. It was Allison who made a charge to try to move to the front as he overtook Mann and Rutan in turn one. Mann followed by Rutan then quickly disposed of Allison as he set his sights on the leader.

Caution waved for the last time as the white flag was displayed for Ryan Grubaugh as his machine stopped on the racing surface. The track was cleared quickly, setting up for a “green – white – checker” finish to determine the “King of Michigan”.

With the green being displayed Norman was not to be denied as he claimed the crown. Brett Mann held on for second over Allison, Caleb Griffith, and Dain Naida. Gary Fast finished sixth with Kyle Patrick seventh after needing a provisional to get in the race, Rutan slipped to eight, Mulheim and Bill Johnson rounded out the top ten.

SOD moves on to Mike Mouch’s I-96 Speedway next Friday night, July 8 for a tune-up for the “Full Throttle Nationals” scheduled at the half mile facility on August 19 & 20. Then it is on to Owendale Speedway July 9 for the only visit to the tight quarter mile on Michigan’s thumb.

For up to date news and more information be sure to log on to the official website of SOD at www.sprintsondirt.com.

DIRECT ENERGY PRESENTS WINGER MEMORIAL AT MERRITTVILLE

By Jim Irvine

THOROLD, ONTARIO … Merrittville Speedway is preparing to welcome back one of its newest sponsors - Direct Energy Essential Home Services as part of Reunion Night Saturday July 16th.

Once again hosted by Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee headed by Chairmen Rick Kavanagh, the night salutes more than 50 years of dirt racing excitement at one of Canada’s oldest race tracks. The Reunion Committee is also made up of former drivers Ted Renshaw and Bruce Swartz, Terry Huffman and the Speedway’s Erica Bicknell and Jim Irvine. Renshaw and Swartz are Wall of Fame Members while Kavanagh is the son of former Speedway owner Ken Kavanagh who is also a Wall of Fame Member.

“The Jerry Winger Memorial is a grand finale to a night of spectacular racing and it continues to be one of the highlights of Merrittville’s schedule,” relates Kavanagh.

“We are delighted to support Merrittville’s Reunion Committee once again … not to mention one of Canada’s oldest Stock Car racing facilities,” said Mike Renshaw, District Manager Ontario West, Direct Energy. “Our employees live and work in the community and our involvement in the prestigious event is our opportunity to give back to that community,” he added.

Direct Energy provides Ontario consumers with a one stop shop for their energy and related home services needs including fixed price gas contracts; sales, installation and service of heating and air conditioning equipment; water heater rentals; heating and cooling protection plans. Direct Energy Essential Homes Services also specializes in quality home improvement product sales and installations including windows, doors and roofs.

In addition to the 50 lap Jerry Winger Memorial 358 Modified Main Event, race fans of all ages can take a look back over Merrittville’s past with Vintage Race cars on display in the grandstand area prior to race time. The Vintage Coupes and Coaches and other cars will also take to the track as part of the night’s racing activity.

A huge part of the night is all the reminiscing that takes place in celebration of the track’s now 54 consecutive seasons. The Drivers of the past enjoy meeting with the fans of today – many that can remember the early days of the sport. Just as drivers today can be second or third generation, so too are some fans.

The highlight of the night has to be the Induction of 2005’s selections for the Speedway’s L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame. The Reunion Committee has made their selections and like since the start – each year’s honorees do not find out until Reunion night.

At L. St. Amand Enterprises – their business is dirt and they have been long-time supporters of Merrittville Speedway. The father and son team of Bob St. Amand Sr. and Jr. are one of the most respected pairings as they serve Merrittville Race Teams as fans as Race Director and Pit Steward. Along with Pat St. Amand – the family-owned Bunting Road St. Catharines business boasts Landscape and Auto and Truck Repair Divisions. Race fans can call them at 905-682-1132 for their landscape needs or for all their automotive service and repair needs.

For Alumni a pre-race dinner will again be presented behind the turn four grandstands – once again catered by Rick’s Ole Tyme Barbie Q.

In addition to the 50 lap 358 L. St. Amand Modified main event, racing will also take place in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Dwarf Car, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.

As an added bonus, 358 Modified Heat winners and runners up will be entered into a Dash for Cash – sponsored by Direct Energy and Ed MacPherson Construction.

Ed MacPherson Construction has also been a long-time supporter of Merrittville Speedway’s excavation projects. Merrittville Speedway Wall of Famer Sandy MacPherson stills enjoy Saturday Night action while mentoring his grandson’s Kart Racing Tuesday Nights. Also located on Bunting Road in St. Catharines, MacPherson Construction can be reached at 905-684-1225.

For further information on Reunion Night, please call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

DELAWARE: Hathaway Celebrates Canada Day By Breaking The Track Record!!!

SMITHVILLE, ON – Bodine Manufacturing's # 21 Driver West Talons' July 2 return to his home track of Mosport International Speedway was not what he had planned. The team was hoping to keep improving on the little improvements made during the recent outings at Kawartha and Sauble. Unfortunately this was not to be.

During the second practice after scuffing in some new tires in the first, the Bodine Mfg. #21 suffered an engine failure and ended the night of competition very early. West had this to say we are surprised with this setback and are unsure of our future at present.

The team would like to thank Bodine Manufacturing and all the employees for their continuing support. The team would like to also thank all our fans and all the OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model Series Sponsors.

www.bodinemfg.com

CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT/LOGEL'S AUTO PARTS DODGE SLIDE TO SEVENTH

July 3, 2005. Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's auto parts Charger team were excited about the possibilities at round four of the CASCAR Super Series at Barrie Speedway. The Dodge Charger 300 presented by the Ontario Dodge Dealers marked the return to Barrie for CASCAR and Graham had a fast car to work with.

Sixth would seem like a good qualifying effort but it actually left the driver a little disappointed. "I just tried a little too hard on the second lap and it got away from me" said Graham afterwards". Track position would be hard to hold onto during the race as well.

From the drop of the green flag to the end of the contest Barrie Speedway proved to be a one groove race track. "Every time I got up even just a little bit from the bottom, the car would slide like it was on ice" reflected Graham. "And with that set of circumstances cars are going to get into each other". That they did. Even during one of the 12 caution periods during the race. There was contact between the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts Dodge and another competitor.

Yet with this difficult set of circumstances and what was at the end of 300 laps a very torn up race car, Brad Graham was able to take the checkered flag and a seventh place finish, his third top-ten of the season. "We keep improving a little bit each week and that gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, I really like the direction we're moving in " said the driver afterwards.

The CASCAR Super Series resumes competition on the temporary street circuit as part of the Toronto Molson Indy weekend. CASCAR Super Series competitors have consistently shown to be one of the highlight races of the weekend and this year should be no different.

The CASCAR Super Series is Canada's only sanctioned National touring stock car racing series competing from coast to coast. CASCAR stages events at the most famous oval tracks in Canada such as Cayuga Speedway and Delaware Speedway and also competes on the temporary street circuit at the Molson Indy Toronto.

For more information regarding Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's
Auto Parts Dodge log onto www.cascar.ca.

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

RON BEAUCHAMP JR A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN BARRIE

July 4, 2005. The Mopar Parts team was off to a great start on the Canada Day weekend. Preparing to compete in round four of the CASCAR Super Series at Barrie Speedway, the #60 team was the winner of the pit stop competition in downtown Barrie on Friday night. Little did they know how hard the crew would be forced to work during the race.

After a disappointing qualifying run the Mopar Part team went to work and found the stagger to be well off the optimum setting and made quick adjustments for the race. Relegated to a 21st starting spot in the Dodge Charger 300 presented by the Ontario Dodge Dealers the team hoped to stay out of trouble early and use the Mopar power under the hood to get to the front.

In the early going Ron Beauchamp Jr. would gain several spots but with the asphalt coming apart Barrie Speedway was proving to be a one groove race track. While trying to move around slower cars Beauchamp slid sideways and crashed heavily, forcing the team behind the pit wall for extensive repairs to the Mopar Dodge. "Anytime you go to the outside, you had no control and just slid" said the disappointed driver afterwards. "We had a fast car, I just didn't get a chance to use it" he concluded.

The Mopar Parts Charger was actually the fastest car on the day. For the second time this season Ron Beauchamp Jr. claimed the Fastest Lap of the race award and the $1,500 cash prize with it.

Teams will return to action this coming weekend on the temporary street circuit as one of the main attractions at the Toronto Molson Indy weekend. Practice begins on Friday and the race takes place Sunday afternoon.

The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Stock Car Racing series with events scheduled this year at famed oval tracks including Delaware Speedway & Cayuga Speedway along with road courses and temporary street circuits like the Toronto Indy. You can keep up with the latest news on the CASCAR Super Series by logging onto the website at www.cascar.ca.

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

BRYAN CATHCART DISAPPOINTED WITH RESULTS IN BARRIE

July 4, 2005. Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes team had their hands full along with the rest of the CASCAR Super Series competitors at round four of the season, The Dodge Charger 300 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario.

Frustration began with qualifying when as the driver said "I just got a little excited and overdrove the car; we should have been starting in the top ten". Instead the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge would start 19th. Staying out of trouble would be the key early in the race.

As the green flag dropped it was apparent the newly reconfigured Barrie Speedway was a one groove race track, making passing extremely difficult. "We were doing alright for the first few laps but during our first pit stop I made another mistake" said Cathcart.

Caught speeding on pit road, Bryan was handed a stop and go penalty. "That really put us behind and made for a difficult afternoon" surmised the driver.

With only one groove working and the track coming apart it made for a long caution filled race. "I was trying to be considerate, but when I moved up to allow a fast car through, sometimes they'd run me hard into the corner, tempers were pretty short" stated the driver.

Even with so many factors working against them Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge would gain eight positions and come home with an 11th place finish. "Considering everything that happened during this race, just missing the top ten is pretty good" stated Cathcart.

CASCAR teams are back in action right away at this coming weekend at the Toronto Molson Indy. The CASCAR Super Series competitors have always shown to be one of the best races of the weekend on the temporary street circuit since they began competing their in 1999.

The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Touring Series of Stock Car Racing in Canada. All CASCAR Super Series Races can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet and SPEED TV. For more information and to follow the progress of Bryan Cathcart and the CASCAR Super Series log onto www.cascar.ca.

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

SEAN STAFFORD AND THE LE WALKER CHEVY SUFFER THROUGH A LONG AFTERNOON IN BARRIE

July 4, 2005. Sean Stafford and the #42 LE Walker Transport Chevrolet team got off to a strong start for round number four of the CASCAR Super Series at Barrie Speedway on the Canada Day Long weekend.

The crew had prepared a strong car, and Stafford was able to maneuver the LE Walker Chevrolet into the 10th starting spot, a good effort. "The car felt pretty good right away and we were just hoping to follow along at the start and then see how things played out" said the driver afterwards. "Too bad it didn't work out that way."

Stafford would be forced to make a pit stop during the first caution period of the 300 lap event as the temperature was hitting 260 degrees. The team tried to cool the engine, but the stop put Sean and the LE Walker Chevy back in the heavy traffic, and the line of fire.

With the asphalt surface coming breaking apart all weekend, Barrie Speedway was a one groove track and even the slightest variation of the racing line would cause the car to slide. Sean was involved in contact with others and the crew removed plenty of fiberglass body work.

Even with all of the circumstances working against the LE Walker team, they had a fast race car. "When we were ahead of Mark Dilley (the eventual race winner) and away from the traffic we were just as fast as he was" said Stafford. "I had no problem staying ahead of him after a restart".

However the 300 lap main event would conclude with a torn up race car and the LE Walker Chevrolet team credited with an 18th place finish. "After looking so good it went away quickly" said Sean after the race. "It's too bad it really can be a fun track to drive, but not today".

During the race veteran LE Walker team member and tire changer Adam Smith of Ancaster was injured, suffering burns to his right hand while trying to make repairs. He is resting at McMaster Medical Centre in Hamilton and while he is uncomfortable, the prognosis is optimistic and Smith hopes to be back with the team soon.

Next up for the CASCAR Super Series competitors will return to road racing as one of the top attractions as part of the Toronto Molson Indy weekend. This temporary street circuit has been the sight of great CASCAR racing every year since 1999.

For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto www.cascar.ca and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com