FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2010

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS UNTIL MERRITTVILLE’S FIRST WoO LATE MODEL WINNER REVEALED

Thorold, Ontario (May 28) In less than three weeks Merrittville Speedway’s inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Event presented by Brian’s Tire, Turn 4 Collision and PineView Drywall will be in the record books.

In the Thorold DIRTcar sanctioned facility over its 59 seasons – race fans may have witnessed all kinds of emotional victory lane celebrations – from a wide variety of roof dances … to reverse victory laps … to the Knapp brothers’ Tony Stewart-esque fence climbs to a number of drivers attempting front stretch donuts and burn-outs!
If Teenage Terror Austin Hubbard is able to score another WoO LMS A Main come Thursday June 17th – there’s no telling what might happen.

When the Seaford Delaware native won his first career event March 20th at the Screven Motor Speedway in Georgia – the second youngest driver to win in Series History wanted to show the fans just how excited he was.

With the standing-room-only crowd cheering him on, Hubbard climbed out of his Beitler Motorsports Rocket car, removed his shoes, uniform and fireproof top, and ran down the homestretch wearing only his helmet and long underwear a la Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights. He even added new wrinkles to his performance, rolling several times in the mud and high-fiving fans who stuck their hands through the catch fence.

“It was something that we were talking about on the way home from a race one time,” revealed Hubbard recently, “we thought it would be funny … so I did it. It’s kind of taken off into our trademark … people want to see us win to see what we’ll do!”

Hubbard and his crew have no doubt planned their next move and would like to do it on Canadian Soil.

Heading into the US Memorial Day weekend the WoO LMS Series features a tripleheader with an event at the Bedford (PA) Speedway Friday before the two day RaceFest World Championships at West Virginia Motor Speedway Saturday and Sunday – the only event in defending series champion Josh Richard’s home state.

Up until recently, each 2010 WoO LMS Series Event was seeing a different winner until Richards upped his win total to four. Richards and Hubbard have been joined in Victory Lane by Darrell Lannigan, Tim McCreadie, Steve Francis, Brady Smith, Rick Eckert, Shane Clanton, Billy Moyer, Jimmy Owens and Chris Madden. Many of these and other familiar names on the Tour like Tim Fuller and Chub Frank have been racing for more years than Hubbard and some of the up and coming drivers have been alive.
Merrittville’s Karting enthusiasts have got to love the fact that Hubbard who turned just 18 in February – got his start in karts at the age of 5 in 1997 – earning a WKA National Championship in 2002.

At the age of 14 – he entered his first WoO LMS Event – increasing each year up until last year’s breakout season when he qualified for 22 A Mains. His first career fast time award came at the Bedford Speedway that as previously mentioned kicks off this weekend’s action.

Up until 2010, Hubbard had raced Late Models owned and maintained by his father Mike. He now drives the Reliable Painting Rocket #19 owned by Dale Beitler who most recently had veteran Steve Francis behind the wheel.

In order to follow the WoO Late Model Series fulltime in 2010 – Hubbard accelerated his senior year studies with night school and graduated from Sussex Tech in December 2009.

Last season’s Tour Stop at Ohsweken was the first time Hubbard had been to Canada and after leading some laps – dropped out with some motor problems.
“That was real disappointing,” added Hubbard, “it would have been so cool to win our first … my first time in Canada … we will see if my second can come the second time in your area.”

Once last year’s tour headed to Quebec - Hubbard enjoyed his first visit to that part of the country as well, “we had an off day in the Montreal and got to see the Formula 1 circuit … the fans really loved having us there.”

Between the Great Northern Tour stops at Can Am Motorsports Park and Merrittville’s inaugural event another off day could find Hubbard and Beitler doing the tourist thing in Niagara Falls.

“I have seen it once … but only from the US Side,” anticipated Hubbard, “we like to have some fun on the road.”
To learn more about up and coming driver Austin Hubbard – visit www.austinhubbard.com.

Merrittville Speedway is ready to explode into the late model spotlight and for the WoO Late Model fan and race team alike – the DIRTcar sanctioned showplace is right in the heart of one of the most famous tourist areas in the world.

“This is an exciting time for Niagara,” boasted (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “many of the world’s greatest Late Model drivers will be right in our backyard as the Great Northern Tour races through our area … we encourage fans to get their tickets now – while you may have enjoyed watching them on TV … there is no better way to experience the buzz than trackside!”

Advance Tickets are currently available from the Speedway Office during business hours. Phone orders are also accepted with either VISA or MasterCard at 905-892-8266.
Adults are $35, Children from 5 years of age to 14 are $12 and those under 5 are free in the Grandstand.

As the series continues leading up to Merrittville’s first time event – race fans can visit www.worldofoutlaws.com/latemodel for all the news or friend them on Face Book or follow them on Twitter.

Fans following the 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series may wish to visit Merrittville Speedway and all that the surrounding Niagara Region has to offer.

Located in the heart of one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world – the track is minutes from the roar of Niagara Falls with its world class casinos and attractions. The Niagara Peninsula is also the most well-known and developed wine region in North America. Race fans may also wish to make it a doubleheader and enjoy all the action of Saturday June 19th’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program.

Grandstands open at 4 PM Thursday June 17th with show time at 7:00.

For further information on the 59th Season call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit the award winning merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars and special events including the inaugural June 17th WoO LMS Extravaganza presented by Brian’s Tire Repair, Turn 4 Collision and PineView Drywall and brought to race fans by GIANT FM, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton, Inc, Toolneeds, Auto FX Graphics and Signs and IBEW Local 303 Niagara.

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!

Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”