Move Over Michigan Dirt Late Model Series Presented by Kapnick / MacAllister Date Change - Merritt Speedway Event Moved to Saturday, August 29th
- Press Release
- 43 minutes ago
- 2 min read
St. Johns, MI (Friday, July 24th, 2026): Move Over Michigan Dirt Late Model Series Presented by Kapnick Insurance Group / MacAllister Machinery Company Senior Officials, in collaboration with Merritt Speedway, have announced a date change from the originally scheduled event, slated for Saturday, August 15th.
The new date for that race will now be Saturday, August 29th.
The date change for Merritt is in an effort to not compete with an already existing scheduled race at nearby Crystal Motor Speedway, the Ron Flinn 52 Late Model Special, which is also scheduled for Saturday, August 15th.
"Mike (Blackmer) and I made an honest mistake on the Merritt date," remarked Jeff Finley, from the Michigan Dirt Late Model Series. "In no way, shape, or form did we set out to compete against another big show in Michigan."
"We are starting this Series to create more big shows for the fans, racers, and race tracks, not overlap them." Finley continued. "We will get this error fixed and move on and do a better job next year. I was really looking forward to the doubleheader. Next year we will capture that.” he added.
With the date change, the inaugural Michigan Dirt Late Model Series event, set for Friday, August 14th, at Winston Speedway, remains intact. The scheduled event on Friday, August 21st, at I-96 Speedway, becomes the second race on the 2026 Mini-Season schedule.
The Merritt event, now scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, will serve as the inaugural Michigan Dirt Late Model Series season finale race.
The Winston and Merritt events will remain at 30 Laps, paying $2,500 to win and $400 to start, while the I-96 race also remains as it was, 35 Laps, paying $5,000 to win and $500 to start.
For the abbreviated 2026 Season, the Michigan Dirt Late Model Series will utilize the 2026 Procedures and Rulebook of World Racing Group's DIRTcar Racing Late Models, including the tire rule of a Hoosier 2 or 3 on the Left Front, Left Rear and Right Front. The Hoosier 3 or 4 will be utilized on the Right Rear.
For teams that race within the Michigan Dirt Late Model Series in the three-race mini-series, those races will also count for the 2026 DIRTcar Late Model National Points, as well as the 2026 DIRTcar Late Model Eastern Regional Points.
The 2026 DIRTcar Late Model Rulebook can be found here:
All three events will be broadcast LIVE, exclusively on TrackTune (Audio-Only). Whether you're on the property, or worldwide, download the TrackTune App today.
For Android users, go to the Google Play Store, and for iPhone users, go to the Apple Store and download the TrackTune App for FREE.
Plans are already in the works for the 2027 racing season, as any and all information regarding the first full year of competition will be revealed throughout the off-season.
For more information about the brand-new Move Over Michigan Dirt Late Model Series Presented by Kapnick/MacAllister, go to the Social Media Channel on Facebook and search for "Michigan Dirt Late Model Series".