has been a staple of dirt-track racing within the state of Michigan for practically 40 years.
Based by Gene and Maryann Kregear and opened for the primary time in 1968, the observe has performed host to a number of the best dust racers within the nation by way of the years.
A decade in the past, the observe was acquired by Mike Blackmer, a veteran observe proprietor and promoter who had beforehand operated one other Michigan brief observe, 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’d be a dust observe proprietor, ever.”
Within the years since, Blackmer has labored exhausting to make Merritt a premier dust racing facility within the state of Michigan, however he felt like one thing was lacking. That‘s why this 12 months the observe can be a part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Components Weekly Sequence.
“I’ve been fascinated with altering to NASCAR‘s sanction for perhaps 5 years now,” Blackmer stated. “The time wasn‘t proper. It was proper round COVID time and all that. It simply wasn‘t proper.
“Changing into NASCAR sanctioned, I believe 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 observe to have one thing totally 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 observe‘s sanctioning physique a reset of kinds for the observe, which is able to open its gates for the 2025 season on Could 17.
“The final couple years have been tough as a promoter. It‘s most likely been two of my hardest years in racing,” stated Blackmer, who just lately offered one other observe he operated to focus all of his consideration on Merritt. “I offered my different race observe this previous winter, and now I‘m going to focus on one race observe. If there was a time to make modifications, this 12 months was it.
“For a mud race observe, it‘s most likely one of many nicest dust tracks you‘ll attend. It‘s clear, it has a number of the greatest racing. It‘s at all times had good racing. I name it the premier dust observe in Michigan. It‘s only a great spot to return watch dust observe racing.”
Situated 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 power.
Unique Merritt house owners 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 house owners of Merritt that the observe‘s most historic race, the Wooden Tic, was born.
Even after Ed and Carmen VanDuinen offered the observe, the Wooden Tic has remained a staple of the annual schedule at Merritt. This 12 months, the thirty seventh operating of the Wooden Tic can be held on Aug. 1-2.
“Round our space is forest merchandise, the place they go and minimize 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 embrace fireworks on July 4 and a $5 ticket evening on July 5.
“We most likely placed on probably the greatest fireworks reveals in Northern Michigan,” Blackmer stated.
Late Fashions will function Merritt Speedway‘s NASCAR Advance Auto Components Weekly Sequence Division I class. The observe may also function Modifieds, Manufacturing unit Shares, Professional Shares and 4-Cylinders on a weekly foundation. Click on right here to see the complete Merritt Speedway schedule for 2025.
Blackmer is trying ahead to a brand new season of racing at Merritt Speedway and is hopeful a recent begin beneath the NASCAR Advance Auto Components Weekly Sequence banner will carry recent faces to the historic dust observe.
“I‘ve been very sincere with NASCAR and everyone,” Blackmer stated. “I‘ve been a promoter since 2008, and the final couple of years have been tough. We‘ve acquired our work minimize out for us to be the premier dust observe in Michigan. That is the beginning by having the NASCAR sanction.
“I‘m trying ahead to the longer term. I believe the longer term goes to be superb for Merritt Speedway.”
