Merrittville Speedway Releases 70th Anniversary Schedule; Season To Begin April 17th

Story By: STEVE PETTY / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – Canada’s oldest dirt track is hitting a milestone in 2021, the 70th season of operation. The historic Merrittville Speedway has a jammed-packed tentative schedule that fans and racers will be excited about it.

The 70th season of racing at Merrittville Speedway will officially begin on Saturday, April 17th with the 2021 edition of the Spring Sizzler. 360 Sprint Cars and 358 Modifieds will headline the show with the Sportsman and Hoosier Stocks also taking part in their first race of the season. Saturday, April 24 will be the first Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series program of the season. The Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series features the 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Mod Lites, 4 Cylinders, and V6.

Entering the month of May, the Hoosier Stocks will take center stage on May 1 with their first Duel on the Dirt home race. May 8 will be the Brian Stevens Memorial for the 358 Modifieds featuring the $444 pole dash challenge. The 4 Cylinders will also be hosting their first Duel on the Dirt home race that evening. The first Enduro qualifier takes to the track on May 15 and Merrittville will host School Bus races as part of the Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series program on May 22. Victoria Day Monday will see a Sprint Car doubleheader with the 360s and Action Sprint Tour be on hand. The Sportsman and Hoosier Stocks will also take part in the Victoria Day activity on May 24. Family Autograph Night will take place on May 29.

The first race of June will see the popular Best Appearing Dog contest plus the second 4 Cylinder Duel on the Dirt home race. The following week (June 12) will be a retro racing T-shirt night plus the second Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt event. June 19 will be the Gary Cunningham Memorial for the 360 Sprint Cars plus 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, 4 Cylinders, and the second Enduro Qualifier. June 19 will also be $1.50 Hot Dog Night. The month of June will end with a full Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series show on June 26.

Merrittville’s Canada Day Celebration will take place on July 3rd plus the annual Truck Show n’ Shine. You can call and reserve a spot to show off your transport, dump truck, or tow truck by calling (905) 892-8266. Fireworks will light up the sky at the end of the night on the 3rd. The Action Sprint Tour returns for their traditional July date on the 10th. Joining the AST will be the Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Mod Lites, 4 Cylinders, and V6. The Modifieds will have that evening off. July 17th will be Nostalgia Night. The Modifieds return and take center stage in the 50-lap Jerry Winger Memorial. The Vintage Cars will be on hand as well as the Sportsman, 4 Cylinders, and V6. Nostalgia Night will also feature the 2021 Merrittville Speedway Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 7 pm, prior to the night’s first green flag. A regular show will take place on July 24. The third Enduro qualifier will take place on July 31. The July 31 program features the Modifieds, Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Mod Lites, and 4 Cylinders.

Civic Holiday Monday (August 2) will feature the Sportsman in a $1,000 to win special. The 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, and 4 Cylinders will all be on hand. The 4 Cylinders will be racing in their Duel on the Dirt combined race that night. The popular pre-race Pasta Dinner will be returning that night as well. Saturday, August 7 will feature the Bill Willard Sr Stirling Silver Cup for the Sportsman plus Kids Box Car Races. The Action Sprint Tour returns on August 14. The second scheduled Autograph Night takes place on August 21. The month will end with a regular show on the 28th.

The first race of September will be the final points night of the season on September 4. September 11th will see the 360 Sprints, the Sportsman in a 50-lap, $1000 to win special, Mod Lites, 4 Cylinders, and V6. The Hoosier Stocks will also be on the card that night in their Duel on the Dirt combined race. The following day, Sunday, September 12 will feature the 100 lap Enduro plus School Bus Race, Side by Side race, Figure 8, and more. The highlight of the day will be the annual Giant FM/Country 89 Bus Race for charity.

Wreckfest 2021 is also on the schedule. Event organizers along with speedway management are working on dates for the popular event.

October 23rd will be the annual Merrittville Market Craft and Vendor show. Information about the show will be available and you can call the speedway office to reserve your spot.