
Cadillac, MI - The struggles at Merritt Speedway in Lake City, MI and Tri City Motor Speedway in Auburn, MI were well documented at the end of the 2024 season. From lawsuits to bounced checks and owed money to employees and racers, owner/promoter, Mike Blackmer was forward about his knowledge of who is owed money and the importance of getting things squared up.
During his appearance on the Horsepower Happenings Podcast Blackmer spoke on his downfalls as the head person at Merritt and Tri City Motor Speedway, taking accountability for his hand in the struggles.
"There have been a lot of rough nights, but I don't want to give up," Blackmer said or pushing through the debt that he faces. "I can't race because of ego. I've got to race on what the pocketbook says I can. I've never really [worked] that way, but I have no choice but to do that now," he says on changes that will be made at the track.
As for getting drivers to return to Merritt Speedway in 2025, Blackmer says a simple adjustment should win back their trust. Rather than writing checks that have historically struggled to clear the bank, Blackmer says he'll hand out cash at the pay-window next season.
"You just don't write checks and you pay cash," commented Blackmer. "I have no choice, I'll have to pay cash from here on out to earn the trust of the drivers and my employees."
For the people who are still owed money, Blackmer says the 2025 season depends on him paying those outstanding debts. Blackmer says he plans to release a 2025 schedule for Merritt Speedway but won't do so unless everyone is paid for the 2024 campaign. Right now, a 2024 Awards Banquet is scheduled for March 8th at Soaring Eagle Casino and a schedule will follow the banquet.
"I still have a ways to go," Blackmer commented. "I still have a lot of people who have got to get paid yet. There won't be a 2025 unless everyone gets paid. I do have a banquet scheduled for March 8th at Soaring Eagle Casino. We won't sell tickets until February 1st. The plan is to have everyone paid before the banquet."
The security of Merritt Speedway was clarified Monday night as well. Rumors circulated about the back-taxes owed on the property and the outstanding balance on Blackmer's contract to the VanDuinen family.
"Friday we were able to clean up our contract with the VanDuinen family and all the taxes at Merritt Speedway are paid in full," Blackmer said. "My contract was paid in full to Carmon [VanDuinen]."
The future of Tri City Motor Speedway remains uncertain, however. Blackmer says he needs to focus on one race track at a time, and Merritt Speedway is his primary focus along with his other business, The Pines Sports Bar & Bowling Center. Blackmer told the Podcast that his other businesses are for sale, including Tri City Motor Speedway. He also mentioned he would lease the facility if someone wanted to host a 2025 season.
"No, not at this moment," Blackmer said when asked if there were plans for Tri City to open under his direction in 2025. "I have not made a decision on Tri City yet."
An active lawsuit remains in play in the Indiana Court System with the All Star Circuit of Champions listed as the Plaintiff and Tri City Motor Speedway as the Defendant. Blackmer assured fans and drivers that so long as he was making payments on the case, nothing would happen to the race tracks.
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