THOROLD, Ontario -- With just a one-point margin between point leader Matt Sheppard and runner-up Brett Hearn, the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series brawl for points continues with the thrilling 100-lap Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial at Merrittville Speedway Monday, Aug. 6.

Sheppard, who won the series' appearances at the same 3/8-mile banked clay track in 2009, 2010, and 2011, said his past experience will benefit his performance in round six, and perhaps help him build his lead.

"We've won the last three years in a row up there, so hopefully we can go up there and make it four in a row," said Sheppard, defending Super DIRTcar Series Champion.

However, prior experience may bode well for other drivers battling Sheppard for points, including Hearn, who placed first at a 358-Modified Series race at Merrittville earlier this season.

"Merrittville's been a very good track for me," said seven-time Super DIRTcar Series titlist Hearn. "I have a good feeling about this car at Merrittville," he added, referring to the No. 20 Big-Block Modified he drove to second place at Autodrome Drummond Tuesday, July 24.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. for the Third Annual Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial, which is presented by L.St.Amand Enterprises and also includes a 25-lap Hoosier Stock "Duel on the Dirt" Big 6 Series event. For more information about this event, contact the speedway office at (905) 892.8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

For the latest news and updates about DIRTcar Racing, like the Facebook page or follow the Super DIRTcar Series Twitter feed, @SuperDIRTcar.

It's not too early to get your annual Super DIRT Week tickets. Super DIRT Week gets underway Wednesday, Oct. 3, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 7, at the New York State Fairgrounds. For tickets, go to www.DIRTcar.com/tickets or call (315) 834-6606.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Third Annual Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial - Super DIRTcar Series Round 6
Who: Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified drivers and teams
When: Gates open at 4 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6
Where: Merrittville Speedway, 2371 Merrittville Highway, Thorold, Ontario


2012 Point Standings, after Autodrome Drummond, July 24, 2012

Pos. No. Driver Total Series Bonus Diff Money Wins Top 5 Top 10 Starts
1 9s Matt Sheppard 444 444 0 0 $16,200 2 3 5 5
2 20 Brett Hearn 443 443 0 -1 $14,300 0 4 5 5
3 98H Jimmy Phelps 377 377 0 -67 $5,925 0 2 4 5
4 49 Billy Dunn 346 346 0 -98 $5,450 0 2 3 5
5 27J Danny Johnson 335 335 0 -109 $10,400 1 2 3 4
6 8R Rob Bellinger 330 330 0 -114 $4,900 0 1 3 5
7 3 Justin Haers 327 327 0 -117 $4,700 0 1 3 5
8 21a Pete Britten 314 314 0 -130 $3,100 0 0 2 5
9 8 Rich Scagliotta 252 252 0 -192 $1,700 0 0 0 5
10 91 Billy Decker 250 250 0 -194 $6,200 0 1 3 3
11 77x Dale Planck 235 235 0 -209 $4,900 0 2 2 3
12 10 Tim Currier 229 229 0 -215 $1,650 0 0 0 5
13 48T Dave Rauscher 188 188 0 -256 $1,500 0 0 0 4
14 56 Vince Vitale 166 166 0 -278 $2,200 0 1 1 3
15 72 Tommy Flannigan 165 165 0 -279 $900 0 0 0 4
16 66x Carey Terrance 163 163 0 -281 $3,700 0 1 2 2
17 22c Mario Clair 145 145 0 -299 $4,300 0 1 1 2
18 5* Tyler Siri 144 144 0 -300 $925 0 0 0 3
19 97 Michel Chicoine 134 134 0 -310 $900 0 0 0 3
20 7x Steve Paine 131 131 0 -313 $1,600 0 0 2 2
21 673 Gary Tomkins 128 128 0 -316 $900 0 0 0 3
22 1 David Hebert 118 118 0 -326 $1,150 0 0 1 2
23 97 Bobby Varin 101 101 0 -343 $6,000 1 1 1 1
24 01 Chris Raabe 101 101 0 -343 $6,000 1 1 1 1
25 1Jr. Stewart Friesen 93 93 0 -351 $2,500 0 1 1 1
26 54 Steve Bernard 86 86 0 -358 $600 0 0 0 2
27 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 85 85 0 -359 $600 0 0 0 2
28 23 Laurent Ladouceur 81 81 0 -363 $1,600 0 1 1 1
29 99L Larry Wight 81 81 0 -363 $1,400 0 0 1 1
30 73 Alain Boisvert 80 80 0 -364 $600 0 0 0 2

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Chevy Performance Parts, Gander Mountain, NAPA Auto Parts, Nationwide Insurance, and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Intercomp, JE Pistons, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Superflow, Vicci Racing Apparel, WIX Filters, Wrisco Industries, and Xtreme Lubricants.