May 23, 2005 HOT SHOE HOSSFELD WINS FIRST DIRT TRACKER AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ont....Pro-Ransomville, N.Y. based Chuck Hossfeld made his second appearance to Merrittville Speedway’s slick dirt, and the former NASCAR Craftsman Series Trucker (Jack Rouse Racing), now running the NASCAR Modified Tour and assorted Big-R events, proved he’s adapted to the clay. In his first ‘test’ outing a few seasons ago in Bicknell’s backup car, Hossfeld commented at the time that his walk from the pit gate to the car was his first dirt track experience. After starting form the eighth position, Hossfeld was no slug. Ten laps in to the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman 25 lapper, he worked his way to third, overhauling a speedy Paul Gaboury, then aiming at Saturday’s feature winner and former champ, Wayne Conn. A half-dozen laps later the asphalt driver took over, despite a strong Conn protest. “It feels good to race on dirt, Hossfeld told the fans. “I’ve only raced on dirt a couple times ... and it really feels awesome. I have to thank car owner Ray MacIver and all the guys who came over to help me.” After almost creating a stunning upset, 15-year-old Mat Williamson proved once again he’s the real deal when rolling onto third. “I went into Turn 1 a little too hard, Saturday,” Williamson said pre-race about his high slide out of the lead in only his second full race.” Rookie Mike Bowman, winner of the opener May 7, drove to fourth, while Mike Stevenson, driving the ‘house,’ car was flagged fifth. While cruising out front in the L. St. Amand Enterprises Modified feature, Pete Bicknell missed one of the roughest main events in recent memory, requiring Barry Davidson to pull out the yellow flag eight times. Getting by returning racer, Kenny Cosgrove by Lap 2, once again the boss slipped into Air Liquide’s Victory Lane, paving the way perhaps to an 18th Merrittville Speedway title. Despite the high-contact 35 lapper, a good crop of chilly-night grandstand dwellers were treated to excellent competition, especially the splendid skirmish between Rick Vinson and Cosgrove. But the Thorold engine builder never gave up and re-took second with three laps to go. Scott Wood slid into fifth, just behind Burley. Freddy Carleton, trying to gain a few spots on the final lap, slammed the finish line barrier, ending up 12th. Todd Burley — now driving the former Ron Smoker No. 62 — settled for fourth and was joined by another pair of border crossers, former Merrittville Sportsman multi-champ Chad Brachmann and another former Sportsman ace, Scott George, with Scott Wood crossing the line fifth. Tyler McPherson is burning up area tracks, taking three in a row at The New Humberstone Speedway Sunday nights, and now copping a triple header here. Buried 15th in the 19-car field for the 20-lap main, McPherson was eighth by Lap 5, sixth three laps later and the leader one circuit later. “Ah ... I don’t know what to say,” said McPherson searching for words. “Mikey ( former racer, NASCAR tire expert and No. 777 chief, Mike Granton) builds one of the best cars out here. I can drive it and it’s just going!” Travis Braun continued his string of Hoosier Street Stock seconds after also starting well back (14th) while another hard-charger moving to the front from deep in the pack was defending champ Mike Dooley taking third. Ron Kingsbury and Peter Reid accounted for the top five. 2003 champ Dolf McCreadie, who sat out last season, is re-getting the handle after suffering overheating problems, to take sixth. In the fierce 15-lap Seneca Niagara Casino Dwarf little car wars — 28 cars strong — the race was red flagged at the first turn when Bob Breden flipped, landing on his roof and Josh Sliter complained of a sore elbow after the pile up. Once underway, Saturday’s winner Wayne Robins was amazingly up to second from 18th, after early leader Dave Ackler slowed, allowing former champ Wally Billing to briefly take the point. Taking the low groove in Turn 2, Robins seemed destined for his second straight, but lost control on the final turn of the last lap to let rookie pilot Paul Klager take his first victory. Klager, a product of several years karting and taking on a season on four cylinder last year, dedicated his first win to his grandmother who recently passed away. Klager said after: “He (Robins) stood on her (stayed on the throttle after spinning) trying to bring his car back around I just needed to put presser on him and he went in (to the turn) too hard.” With Robins out of the way and Kalger checkered, Chris Steele, Don Fenner, Shawn Sliter and Wally Billing rounded out the top five. In the Turn 4 Collision Mini Stocks, James Woods nailed the gas to visit Victory Lane. In a thrilling display of car control Woods and Rob Goulding battled side-by-side in the closing stages. Trevor Goulding hung on for third, while Roger Shenstone finished ahead of Dan Erskine. Next Saturday Economy Paving stages the event along with $1. Hot Dogs.
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