CARQUEST Series Cayuga summary

Merrifield first across the line in Canada Day Shootout CARQUEST Series race at Cayuga 2000 Speedway

HAMILTON, ON - The CASCAR CARQUEST Series held its fourth race of the season, on Saturday night, at Cayuga 2000 Speedway. Veteran racer Bob Merrifield assumed the top spot on lap 60 when Brad Graham pitted from the lead, a position he'd held since the starting on the pole.

Once out front, Merrifield managed to stay there for the rest of the way in the 100 lap event. At the checkered flag, the Belle River, ON driver came home less than half a second ahead of Graham, the winner of the season's first CARQUEST Series race, at Cayuga, in early June.

CARQUEST Chevy driver Andre Coursol finished third to keep his string of podium finishes alive. The St-Jerome, QC driver has finished either second or third in all four CARQUEST Series races held so far in '04.

Following the race, CASCAR officials announced that Merrifield had been stripped of his prize winnings and points earned during the race, but would still be listed as the winner of the race. The post-race technical inspection revealed "excessive porting of the head", a violation of the series' engine rules.

The next CARQUEST Series race is scheduled for August 7 at Barrie Speedway.

-cascar-