Sterling Heights, MI (Thursday, January 16, 2020) - The 2020 season has fans eager to be the first in line to get back to their favorite seat - and fans at Tri-City Motor Speedway and Merritt Speedway have as much to look forward to as anyone, with the new Lane Automotive-Allstar Performance Tri-City/Merritt Speedway Challenge Series Supported by American Ethanol. The 10 race Late Model Challenge Series features nearly $50,000 in first place prize money, and has the attention of many drivers from across the region.
Among the favorites late in the off-season, are the only driver to win both the UMP Modified and UMP Late Model Track Championship in the same season at Merritt Speedway, David Mielke. In 2019, Mielke racked up three wins, 13 top-fives, and 15 top-10 finishes at Merritt Speedway in the Late Model division, en route to his first division championship in just his second season.
As for his performance at Tri-City, Mielke only frequented the track four times this past season, but he has one win and a top-10 to go along with a rainout and a DNF. During the 2018 season Mielke put together a solid effort with one win, and five top-five finishes. Pair his performance at both tracks with his race-shop location, and Mielke is a favorite for the Challenge Series - and he’s excited for the chance to race for another Championship.
“[It’s] Perfect,” said Mielke about the Challenge Series. “We’re right in the middle of Tri-City and Merritt, about 40 minutes from each, so it couldn’t really work out any better for us. Hopefully I can be in the conversation, because there are going to be a lot of really good cars there.”
Several other drivers are expected to be chasing the $10,000 championship prize that comes with the Challenge Series. The hunt begins on Friday, May 1st at Tri-City Motor Speedway for $2,500 to win, before moving to Merritt Speedway on Saturday, May 9th for another $2,500 to win affair. More details on the Challenge Series are available here.
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Keep up with the Lane Automotive-Allstar Performance Tri-City/Merritt Speedway Challenge Series Supported by American Ethanol by following the Speedways on Facebook, and online at www.tricityracetrack.com, and www.merrittspeedwaymi.com
Story by - Zach Hiser, Motor City Racing Promotions
