7/18/2021
Merritt Speedway
Seven Winners Find Victory Lane at Merritt Speedway
The Merritt Speedway opened for another stellar night of racing action under the lights with another full racing program. It was “Pro Stock” Night where the Auto Value Pro Stocks competed in a $2500 to win special even for the Auto Value Pro Stocks. They were joined by high-powered Soaring Eagle DIRTcar Late Models, Allstar Performance Mini-Wedges, Troll Smokehouse B-Modifieds, Thirlby Automotive Factory Stocks, and XLT Engineering Four & Six Cylinders.
The Allstar Performance Mini-Wedges kicked off the night’s feature events. Cason Murphy from Coleman, Michigan pulled off the win in the restricted division. Tucker Warner, Brayden Hill, Colton Bowen, and Alexis Bowen finished out the top five. In the Un-Restricted division, it was Stanton, Michigan native Ryan Read scoring the win. Keeton Cade, Tory Yetter, Addy Wade, and Jeremy Pearson finished out the top five. The preliminary heat races were won by Pearson (restricted) and Aaron McQueen (un-restricted).
Nate Murphy and 2016-track champion Jim Miller Jr. brought the Thirlby Automotive Factory Stocks onto the track for their 20-lap feature event. The green flag dropped, and Murphy grabbed the early race-advantage. On lap 9 things would change up front with Miller making the pass for the lead. Miller would never look back from there as he went on to get the win. This was the fourth win of the season for Miller, the native of Clio, Michigan in his #9. Murphy took second. Justin Miller, Ryan Nethers, and 3-time track champion Rick Spencer rounded out the top five. Murphy and Spencer won the heat races.
The XLT Engineering Four & Six Cylinders were out next for a 15-lap A-Main. 15-year-old Clay Lachcik and Chad Freeman started on the front row. Freeman led the first circuit with the rest of field fighting for position behind him. Freeman would not be denied as he would go on to lead from start to finish and he went on to make the trip to victory lane. Freeman who calls Alger, Michigan home scored his third win of the season in the #88. Herb Freeman finished second. 2019-track champion Cheyanne Emery, Lachcik, and David Harrington capped off the top five. Elizabeth Ridge and Herb Freeman won the heats.
The Troll Smokehouse B-Modifieds hit the track next led by Keven Strehlke and Scott Smith who started on the first row for the 20-lap main. Strehlke led the pack after the first lap. He would show the way until lap 6, when Scott Smith completed the pass to take over the top position. Smith would go on from there to pick up the win. Smith, the native of West Branch, Michigan scored his first win of the season behind the wheel of the #74. 18-year old Austin Harnick would finish second. Kevin Miller, Strehlke, and Mike Shanteau finished out the top five. John Goodrich and Harnick were the heat race winners.
The Soaring Eagle Casino DIRTcar Late Models squared off in a 30-lap feature event. 2-time Sunoco American Late Model Series champion Brandon Thirlby and Greg Gokey led the field down to the green flag. The opening lap would be led by Gokey. Despite what the field would try to do, there was no stopping Gokey as he would lead the entire race which went caution free. This was the first win of the season for Gokey the native of Buckley, Michigan in the #50. Thirlby settled for second. 6-time track champion Eric Spangler, Andrew Terrill, and Dan Wallace rounded out the top five. Thirlby and Gokey won the heats.
The $2500 to win special for the Auto Value Pro Stocks was the final event of the night. The 25-lap A-main was led out by Danielle Robinson and Aaron Raby. The green flagged waved and the battle for position began with Raby edging out the competition after the opening circuit. Raby would not have to look back from there as he would end up going to victory lane as the big winner. Raby, from Carson City, Michigan notched his first win of the season in the #44. Andrew Steele was the runner up. 2020-track champion Nate Murphy, Robinson, and Brad Roberts completed the top five. The heat race victories went to Tim Tabaczka, Murphy, and Robinson.
The Merritt Speedway will return to action this Saturday July 17th. The XLT Engineering Four & Six Cylinders will take center stage for a $1500 to win special event. The Soaring Eagle Casino DIRTcar Late Models, Cadillac Tire Center DIRTcar Modifieds, Troll Smokehouse B-Modifieds, Auto Value Pro Stocks, Thirlby Automotive Factory Stocks, XLT Engineering Four & Six Cylinders, and Allstar Performance Mini-Wedges will all be on hand to take part in full race program. Stay tuned to the Merritt Speedway social media pages for all of the latest news and updates.
Photo Credit: Randy Ellen
Article Credit: Brian Osborne
Submitted By: Justin Sharp
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