A large number of Late Model pit crews will be busy this week repairing damage on dented and broken vehicles after a crash-filled Saturday night of racing at Merritt Speedway.

Advertisement An eight-car pile-up ended the night for a number of the non-winged late model feature before drivers were even able to complete a lap in the 20-lap event.

In a winner’s circle interview later that night, Rail Rokos of Traverse City condemned the late model drivers and the damage inflicted.

“They’re all trying to win it on the start,” Rokos said. His nonwinged late model was one of the vehicles damaged in an early, no-laps-yet-in caution.

The late model feature was for drivers who didn’t suit up for the outlaw show, including both Marcoulliers, Eric Spangler, Chad Foster, and Mark Kurth. Chad Foster of McBain won the feature event ahead of Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mark Kurth of Gaylord and Donnie Marcoullier.

Late Model Outlaw Fans filled the stands to watch the winged Late Model Outlaw show as 23 late model drivers donned the wing and took to the track.

Mike Fenske of Midland timed in fastest with a 12.86 lap in the winged outlaw division. Frank Seder of Alger won the fast-four dash ahead of Rokos, Fenske and John Schneider of Rhodes.

A caution early in the race ended the night for Brent Banning of West Branch and Dave Hadfield of Grawn. After a couple of false starts, the outlaws found their pace on a single file restart with John McDonald of Traverse City in the lead.

Seder quickly moved up into the field and challenged McDonald for the lead, taking it on a restart in turn four. Unchallenged, Seder pulled away from the field gaining a quarter-lap lead over second place and remained way out front as the white flag flew. Hilliker went to the outside of Rail Rokos for second place just in time for the checkered flag.

Justin Robinson of Shepherd won the semi-feature in the Outlaw event. Heat wins went to Robinson, Larry Aldrich of Beaverton, Chad Foster of McBain, David Hilliker, and Bruce Vance.

Michigan Modified The Michigan Modified drivers went from green to checkered without a single caution flag in their 25-lap feature event.

Roger Steig of Reed City lined up on the pole next to Mark Kurth of Gaylord. Kurth went for an early lead and began to pull away as Steig unsuccessfully fought off challenges from Chris Brindley of West Branch and Jimmy Weishuhn of Coleman.

Three-wide battles were taking place further back in the field and Kurth was unchallenged when he pulled the #00 into the pits, giving the lead to Weishuhn. Kurth had dropped his drive shaft.

Weishuhn took the lead and didn’t look back as Steig continued to battle with Brindley for second. Weishuhn crossed the finish line a full straight-away ahead of second-place Bazuin, claiming his first ever feature win. Banning finished third.

Larry Wiggins of Mount Pleasant and Dave DeKam of Falmouth picked up the semi feature wins. Heat wins went to Weishuhn, DeKam, John Taylor of Mount Pleasant and Jeff Leggett of Traverse City. Brent Banning won the fast-four dash ahead of fast qualifier Rich Robinson Jr. (15.92), Bob Kingen of West Branch, and Bob Hammar of Cadillac.

Street Stocks The Street Stock drivers also made the feature event from green flag to checkered without a caution. Jeff Holmes of Cadillac won the feature event and ended the winning streak of John Wilkosz of Manistee.

Holmes finished with a large lead and three lapped cars between him and second place Matt Christiansen of Fruitport, followed by Glen Girard of Lincoln, Bill Myers Jr. of Houghton Lake and Rick Wilson of Williamsburg.

Semi-feature wins went to Brad Siddall of Manton and Ken Gutowski of Manistee. Heat wins went to Mark Edwards of Bellaire, Ron Clay, Jim Billett of McBain and Myers.

Pro Trucks Saturday night saw one of the best ever pro truck feature events. Russ Hacker started on the pole in the feature event, but his motor blew before the event ended.

David Schram of Evart and Steve DeKam of Falmouth put on a strong show, with Schram leading most of the laps in the event. With less than 10 laps remaining, a caution came out. Schram remained out front followed by DeKam. Behind them were Saxton, Scott Payton, Hill and Jeff Hubbard.

At the restart, Hubbard moved to the outside of Hill as Saxton moved to the inside of DeKam while Payton looked to the inside of DeKam. Saxton was the only one successful, taking second, but DeKam took it right back on the inside. Saxton and DeKam went side by side as Payton looked to the inside of DeKam.

Saxton claimed second and Payton moved to third with five laps remaining. Hill looked to the inside of DeKam, but was unable to move up. Saxton then looked to the outside of leader Schram without success as DeKam tried the outside around Payton with no luck.

As the laps dwindled down, Saxton again moved to the outside of Schram without success, but then dove down to the inside and gained the lead in turn two and Payton followed him to second place. DeKam moved to the inside of Schram to challenge for third place.

At the checkered flag, Saxton was in the lead followed by Payton, Schram, Hill and DeKam.

Heat wins went to Hacker and Hill. Payton picked up the fast-four dash ahead of fast qualifier Saxton (16.52), McNeill of Gladwin and Jeff Hubbard.

On Saturday, July 3, Merritt Speedway will hold fan appreciation night. At 6:30 p.m., fans will have a chance to get autographs and meet their favorite drivers out on the track. After the races, there will be a fireworks displa