Merritt Speedway Announces Key 2026 Dates Ahead of Full Schedule Announcement

Lake City, MI - Officials with Lake City, Michigan's, Merritt Speedway have announced key dates for the 2026 season ahead of a full schedule announcement, which is expected within the next few weeks. Merritt Speedway is among the few tracks in Michigan who have yet to release a complete schedule for the upcoming season, but have announced six key dates for fans and teams to put in their calendar.

Located in Michigan's north, just 118 miles from the Mighty Mackinac Bridge connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Merritt Speedway gets a later start than many in the state. Drivers will be able to prepare for the upcoming season with a Test & Tune on Saturday, May 9th. The season opening weekend will follow on Saturday, May 16th.

A full slate of racing is planned for Memorial Day weekend with events planned for Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd and 24th.

Thursday, July 2nd, racing is planned as part of the Joe Wood Memorial, a special event for Factor Stocks. Friday, July 3rd the track will be dormant, but roars back to life on Saturday, July 4th for the Independence Day Special and Fireworks Display.

Finally, the 38th Annual Ed VanDuinen Wood Tic weekend will be July 23rd through the 25th.

Merritt Speedway will enter their second season as a NASCAR Regional Sanctioned facility after launching the program in 2025. It's expected that Merritt will continue to host DIRTcar UMP Late Models, with the option to run American Racer AR Pro3s and MD 56, IMCA Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Factory Stocks, 4-6 Cylinders, and Mini Wedges.