has been a staple of dirt-track racing within the state of Michigan for almost 40 years.
Based by Gene and Maryann Kregear and opened for the primary time in 1968, the monitor has performed host to a few of the best grime racers within the nation by means of the years.
A decade in the past, the monitor was acquired by Mike Blackmer, a veteran monitor proprietor and promoter who had beforehand operated one other Michigan brief monitor, Berlin Raceway.
“After I was a child, I used to attend (races) at Merritt Speedway,” Blackmer recalled. “In 1985, I moved to Grand Rapids. I met a buddy there, and he launched me to Berlin Raceway. That might have been about 1987.
“In 2008, I ended up buying Berlin Raceway. I promoted Berlin Raceway from 2008-12. I offered it after which moved again to Northern Michigan and ended shopping for Merritt Speedway in 2015.
“I by no means thought I might be a mud monitor proprietor, ever.”
Within the years since, Blackmer has labored laborious to make Merritt a premier grime racing facility within the state of Michigan, however he felt like one thing was lacking. That‘s why this yr the monitor will probably be a part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Elements Weekly Sequence.
“I’ve been fascinated with altering to NASCAR‘s sanction for possibly 5 years now,” Blackmer mentioned. “The time wasn‘t proper. It was proper round COVID time and all that. It simply wasn‘t proper.
“Changing into NASCAR sanctioned, I feel it‘s nice for everybody. It‘s going to be good for my racers, it‘s going to be good for the followers, and it‘ll be good for the monitor to have one thing completely different. I‘m actually excited to be a part of it.”
Blackmer is the primary to confess Merritt Speedway has struggled lately, however he‘s not giving up on the three-eighths-mile clay oval.
He considers the addition of the NASCAR because the monitor‘s sanctioning physique a reset of kinds for the monitor, which can open its gates for the 2025 season on Might 17.
“The final couple years have been tough as a promoter. It‘s in all probability been two of my hardest years in racing,” mentioned Blackmer, who just lately offered one other monitor he operated to focus all of his consideration on Merritt. “I offered my different race monitor this previous winter, and now I‘m going to focus on one race monitor. If there was a time to make adjustments, this yr was it.
“For a dust race monitor, it‘s in all probability one of many nicest grime tracks you‘ll attend. It‘s clear, it has a few of the greatest racing. It‘s all the time had good racing. I name it the premier grime monitor in Michigan. It‘s only a great spot to come back watch grime monitor racing.”
Positioned off East Houghton Lake Highway in Lake Metropolis, Michigan, Merritt Speedway sits on the sting of a wooded space that’s deeply engrained within the historical past of the ability.
Authentic Merritt homeowners Gene and Maryann Kregear additionally owned a logging truck firm, which they ultimately offered to their son-in-law Ed VanDuinen and daughter Carmen.
Ed and Carmen VanDuinen ultimately took possession of Merritt. It was throughout their time as homeowners of Merritt that the monitor‘s most historic race, the Wooden Tic, was born.
Even after Ed and Carmen VanDuinen offered the monitor, the Wooden Tic has remained a staple of the annual schedule at Merritt. This yr, the thirty seventh working of the Wooden Tic will probably be held on Aug. 1-2.
“Round our space is forest merchandise, the place they go and lower the timber down and produce it to (mills),” Blackmer defined. “The man that owned Merritt on the time additionally owned a forest firm too, so that they named the race the Wooden Tic. We name it the Ed VanDuinen Wooden Tic.”
One other main occasion on the Merritt Speedway schedule this takes place July 3-5. The occasion, a particular 4th of July Weekend race, will embody fireworks on July 4 and a $5 ticket evening on July 5.
“We in all probability placed on among the best fireworks exhibits in Northern Michigan,” Blackmer mentioned.
Late Fashions will function Merritt Speedway‘s NASCAR Advance Auto Elements Weekly Sequence Division I class. The monitor may also function Modifieds, Manufacturing facility Shares, Professional Shares and 4-Cylinders on a weekly foundation. Click on right here to see the total Merritt Speedway schedule for 2025.
Blackmer is trying ahead to a brand new season of racing at Merritt Speedway and is hopeful a contemporary begin below the NASCAR Advance Auto Elements Weekly Sequence banner will convey contemporary faces to the historic grime monitor.
“I‘ve been very sincere with NASCAR and all people,” Blackmer mentioned. “I‘ve been a promoter since 2008, and the final couple of years have been tough. We‘ve acquired our work lower out for us to be the premier grime monitor in Michigan. That is the beginning by having the NASCAR sanction.
“I‘m trying ahead to the long run. I feel the long run goes to be excellent for Merritt Speedway.”
