Lake City, MI - The biggest racing event in the state of Michigan in 2021 is about to kick off at Merritt Speedway. With an already full camping area, fans have flocked to the northern Michigan bullring to take in the 33rd Annual Ed VanDuinen WoodTic, which also doubles as the 4th Annual Dan Salay Memorial and an Allstar Performance Late Model Challenge Series points event. On Thursday night, over 80 race teams were on property to take advantage of a “Test & Tune” optional practice on Day One.
Day Two kicks off tonight with Qualifying, Heat Races, Qualifying Races, and Dash4Cash Races to set the field for Saturday’s $33,000 to win 75 lap feature event. Extra money is on the line for all of the divisions competing this weekend. Defending WoodTic and Challenge Series champion Travis Stemler will be looking to go back to back in this event, while three-time DIRTcar UMP National Champion Rusty Schlenk looks to rekindle the fire that planted him in victory lane with a dominating performance in the 2019 event. Current Challenge Series points leader Dona Marcoullier has his eyes set on another WoodTic trophy to add to the mantle.
On track action kicks off at 6:00pm on Friday with all preliminary events, while Saturday will be feature day with a 6:30pm start. If you are unable to make it to Merritt Speedway this weekend, the event will be streamed live on FloRacing.
For more information or to follow along with the action-packed weekend, go to Merritt Speedway on Facebook. You can also follow all of the action on the Horsepower Happenings FB page, with our full social media coverage of the event presented by Auto Value.
Story - Rich Frantz, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - Randy Ellen