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Rick Stewart is Back on Track

Rick Stewart sits in line-up awaiting the call for a Street Stock heat @ Merritt.

For nearly a decade in the late 80’s through the 90’s there was one car that was viewed as a dominator in the Street Stock division at Merritt Speedway.   The pretty black No.78 machine driven by Rick Stewart was never far from the spotlight of victory lane.   And then in 1997 the car disappeared, and although Rick was often seen in the grandstands, a little piece of Merritt Speedway had vanished.  Continue reading “Rick Stewart is Back on Track”

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A Dream Weekend at Eldora

Crews work to prepare cars for the 2011 Dream

Eldora Speedway…Just the name evokes images of speed, prestige and rim riding racing action.

  For 17-Years the Big E has held an annual event titled the “Dream”, an appropriate name for a race paying $100,000 to the winner.  Each of the 91-competitors entered the gates on Friday for qualifying with a dream of their own.   For some rookie’s that dream was to get seat time at the famed high-banked ½-mile in the heart of Ohio farmland, for others the dream was to land a spot on the starting grid for the 100 lapper, and for many it of course was to walk away with a large trophy and a ton of cash. Continue reading “A Dream Weekend at Eldora”

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A New Look to a Familiar Place

David Hilliker watches the Street Stock heat go green at Merritt Speedway

Located halfway between Houghton Lake and Lake City, Michigan on M-55, Merritt Speedway has been a home away from home for many on summer Saturday nights.   For over 40-years dust has been seen flying high above the lights and a rumble of race engines heard from the highway, and now under new management for 2011 Merritt has gotten a bit of a boost.  The name has changed to Merritt Raceway, but what’s wonderful to see and hear is that some of the familiar faces are back to make Merritt the fun and successful track we have always known existed. Continue reading “A New Look to a Familiar Place”

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Intensity and Passion at Indy 500 Qualifying.

The Borg-Warner trophy will feature its 100th victor after the 2011 Indy 500

Drama!…It is the one word that best describes Indianapolis 500 qualifying.

This past weekend I went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Tom Carnegie Pole Day and Bump Day for the 100th running of the Great American Race.  In 2010 IMS adopted a single weekend qualifying platform replacing their old back-to-back weekend style.   This new schedule is much more fan-friendly and makes for an exciting time.   Also in 2010 they added what is deemed the “Fast 9”.  At 4pm on Pole Day qualifications for the top 24-spots are locked, and those compromising the front three-rows must re-qualify for their starting order.  With prestige and extra cash on the line, it is a great thing to see the fastest drivers push their cars to the limit one more time in an attempt to capture the pole honors. Continue reading “Intensity and Passion at Indy 500 Qualifying.”