With the track run in and hot laps complete many were enjoying Nascar Steve, DJ and radio personality from WKLT 97.5 & 98.9 FM and his “crew” as it was “Fantasy Racing League” night at Merritt Speedway. Many of the fans were anticipating seeing “Finster”, one of WKLT’s morning show hosts, run a race in Jimmy’s Collision Repair Center Factory Stock class. Now with the Late Model Dash on the track, Nascar Steve “sang” the National Anthem and all the fans in the stands gave the command, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines”! As the green flag flow all who had ever been to Merritt Speedway know that this was possibly the fastest the track had been in years. Josh Knoll of Barryton took advantage of track conditions to take his 1st checkered flag at Merritt Speedway winning the Dash. Donnie Marcoullier of Houghton Lake won Heat 1, Frank Seder of Alger took Heat 2 and Rich Neiser of Fruitport was victorious in Heat 3 for the UMP Late Model Series.
During Pro Truck competition Adam Brinks of Cadillac won the dash, in the Sportsman class Heat 1 went to Dan Hersey of Traverse City and Heat 2 was won by Kevin Crawford Jr. of Clare. In UMP Modified action Mark Kurth of Gaylord won the Dash and Heat 1 after a short rain delay, and as Heat 2 entered the speedway the rain that had delayed Heat 1 returned to steal the race surface for the remainder of the night.
Although the racing evening had ended the excitement for the week to follow was buzzing, June 10th at 6:30 PM will begin the Time Trials for the 3rd Annual Lane Automotive Presents the Who 55 sponsored by K&N Filters. This award winning 55 green lap feature event will bring the best Super Late Model drivers from around the Mid-West into the same arena to determine, WHO is the best! Also on tap will be the 2nd Annual “Race of Champions” ran as a prelude to the “Who 55“.
The following drivers are scheduled to compete;
Butler Speedway Champion #12 Terry Sroufe
Winston Speedway Champion #87 Rich Neiser
Crystal Motor Speedway Champion #25 Jeff Kohn
Cherry Speedway Champion #1 Rail Rokos
Mt Pleasant Speedway Champion #X1 Justin Robinson
Merritt Speedway Champion #21 David Hilliker
Hartford Speedway Champion #34 Alan Vochaska
I -96 Speedway Champion #43 Mike Nuggent
American Late Model Series Champion #11 Rusty Schlenk
2007 Who Champion #34 Frank Seder
Also talks are on going with 2008 Who Champion #39 Tim “T-Mac” McCreadie, if doctors ok him to get back in a race car, if not Tim is trying to make plans to being on hand as the Grand Marshall. Tim suffered injures in a qualifying race at the “Chili Bowl” in Tulsa, Ok on January 14th, 2009. Come and enjoy the fun, gates open @ 4:00 PM, Grand Stand Pricing: Under 5 yrs old Free, 6 yrs old -12 yrs old $5.00 and 12 yrs old and over $15.00, AARP 2.00 off. Media interviews with Track Champions is from 5:00 to 5:30 PM(on new Party Deck), hot laps at 6:00 PM and racing starts at 7:30 PM. Merritt Speedway is committed to this show finishing around 10:30 PM. For more information check out http://www.merritt-speedway.com, lap sponsorships available by calling 231 328-4351. Hope to see you all at Michigan Most Award Winning Track, Merritt Speedway.
Bob Steele
Merritt Speedway
