Merritt Speedway Opener; Racing was cool ...and so was the weather!
With a frigid West-Northwest wind, 57 racers prepared to enjoy the smooth fast clay surface and provide fans with a action packed show. Hot laps started at shortly after 6:00 PM, unfortunately temperatures were not in the range that could be called “HOT”, however Race Fans were enjoying the “HOT” deals at the ticket gate, “Beat the Gate” and Zip Code Nights where providing an even greater value!
In UMP Late Model action Frank Seder of Alger won the Dash, Justin McNeill of Houghton Lake won the 1st Heat and Andy Sprague of Muskegon took honors in the 2nd Heat. In the Feature, Seder drew the pole, and with Sprague along side they took the field into turn 1, as driver shuffled for position thru turn 2 and down the back stretch a caution flow, mechanical problems had put Donnie Marcoullier of Houghton Lake on the hook, ending his night. On the restart Chad Foster of Cadillac briefly challenged Seder on the outside, however the veteran of 14 Championships held of the 24 machine. A few feet away Sprague, McNeill and Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake “diced it up” giving Seder what looked like a clear run to the checkers, however by lap 22 of the 30 lap event, Dona had cleared the others and made it to Seder’s bumper. Dona started “cat and mouseing” with both inside and outside attempts, and on lap 24 through turn 1 & 2 cleared Seder on the outside and extended his lead to 8 car lengths on the way to the win.
In the UMP Modified ranks, Brian Brindley of West Branch won the Dash, Heat 1 went to rookie driver Cody Bauer of Farwell and Heat 2 victor was Mark Kurth of Gaylord. Drawing for the Feature start positions gave Dave Mairose of West Branch the pole with Bauer on the outside and as the field entered turn 1 & 2, Ken Smith of St John’s went to the bottom making for 3 wide racing, taking the lead down the back stretch. Smith was able hold the lead using the outside while Jeff Cade working the bottom, as several battles continued through out the field. On lap 11 Cade overhauled Smith out of turn 2 on his way to his 1st Merritt Speedway Feature win.
Pro Truck competition Adam Brinks of Cadillac took the Dash win, Dick Stout of Prudenville got the win in Heat 1 and Heat 2 went to Billy Myers of Houghton Lake. As the Feature entered the speedway, Ian Knoertzer of Gladwin and Brinks sat on the front row with Stout and Myers in the 2nd row. After the first lap Knoertzer, Stout and Myers could be covered by a blanket, at lap 8 Myers was able to get past Knoertzer with Stout in tow. On lap 15 Richie Sutherland entered the battled with Stout allowing Myers to get the victory.
In the Sportsman class the Heat was won David Mielke and in the Feature he held the lead for the first 12 laps only to finish 2nd to winner Tom Zundel of Fife Lake. In Factory Stocks the Heat and Feature wins went to Mark Howie of National City as he lead every lap in both events!
May 23rd will be a full show and a special carload night, a carload gets in for $20.00!
