July 25
Merritt Speedway,
Lake City, MI
Sanction: DIRTcar Supers (Ed VanDuinen Wood Tic) - $10,000
Information provided by: Track reports (last updated July 25, 2:29 am)
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Key notes: Merritt Speedway hosts the 38th annual Ed VanDuinen Wood Tic, a DIRTcar Super Late Model special that culminates with Saturday’s $10,000-to-win main event. … The two-day program began when Rusty Schlenk and Dona Marcoullier led all 25 laps of Friday’s time trials odd and even-split warmup features. The weekend concludes with Saturday's consolations and $10,000-to-win main event. … The Wood Tic was founded in 1988 by Ed VanDuinen, a local logger who started VanDuinen Forest Products in 1973; he founded the Wood Tic event to increase awareness and honor the logging businesses that support Merritt Speedway. … Schlenk, of Jackson, Mich., is a three-time event winner (2019, ’21, ’23) and has six Merritt specials since 2010, combining for more than $100,000 over that span. ... Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., has six Wood Tic triumphs (2008-’10, ’15, ’17-’18), collecting more than $83,000 over 17 Merritt specials since 2008. ... Eric Spangler is a four-time winner of his home track’s biggest race (2005, ’12-’13, ’22) and has earned more than $89,000 across 12 major wins over the last 14 years. ... Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., has three Merritt specials since 2015, including a DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory in 2022, combining for more than $15,000. ... A kids day will be held Saturday from 2-4 p.m. featuring games, jumping castles, bike and backpack giveaways; a driver autograph session will take place before on-track action. … Modifieds ($5,000-to-win), pro stocks, factory stocks, 4-6 cylinders and two divisions of mini wedges are on the undercard. … Racing begins at 6:30 p.m.
Who to watch: Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., seeks his fourth career Wood Tic triumph at Merritt.
Points chase: Merritt points before Saturday: 1. Austin Harnick (148); 2. Eric Spangler (146); 3. Rylee Knoll (141); T4. Cody Bauer (119); T4. Josh Hendershott (119); 6. Bill Bray (109).
Expected entrants: Rusty Schlenk, Eric Spangler, Dona Marcoullier, Brandon Thirlby, Cody Bauer, Rylee Knoll, Colin Shipley, David Hilliker, Ryan Lanphierd, Bill Bray, Austin Harnick, Josh Hendershott, Matt Murawski, Josh Knoll, Jacob Stuhr, J.C. Witherspoon, Steve Nieuwenhuis, Kadon Bowen and others.
Car count: 33
Fast qualifier: Rusty Schlenk
Time: 14.348 seconds
Heat race winners: Rusty Schlenk, Dona Marcoullier, Brandon Thirlby, Eric Spangler
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
