Merrittville Speedway Named Melissa Stevens Race Director For 2020 Racing Season

Story By: STEVE PETTY / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – The Stevens family passion for stock car racing at Merrittville Speedway continues with a third-generation, following the appointment of Melissa Stevens as Race Director.

The granddaughter of the late legendary Ray Stevens and youngest daughter of the late Flyin’ Brian Stevens, Melissa brings a lifetime love of stock car racing to the Race Director position.

Melissa grew up at Merrittville and has wonderful memories of family and friends enjoying both the races and the barbecues and corn roasts in the pits afterward. Racing at Merrittville has always created a family environment. Yes, there are intense rivalries on the track, but Melissa knows firsthand how great the friendships are in the pits and in the grandstands. Merrittville Speedway has great drivers, great teams and the best fans anywhere.

In the past 15 years, Melissa has experienced every aspect of dirt track racing throughout the northeast United States as well as numerous tracks in Ontario and Quebec. As a crucial part of a professional race team, Melissa became very well versed in how numerous racetracks operate. Exactly what they do right and what they do wrong. She knows what a race team and a racetrack need to do to be successful. She brings years of experience in scheduling, scoring, qualifying procedures, varying rules, and widely differing track requirements.

As race director, she will strive to provide a fair and unbiased environment. No driver or race team will ever be favored or above the rules. It is imperative that all rules be applied and enforced consistently and fairly – there can be no tolerance for favoritism.

Melissa is looking forward to a great season and wishes to thank Don Spiece and the management at Merrittville Speedway for the opportunity to bring all her expertise and enthusiasm to a successful and exciting 69th season at Merrittville Speedway!

The 69th season at Merrittville will begin with test, tune, and inspection day scheduled for Saturday, April 11. Pit gates will open at 12 noon with cars on the racetrack at 6 pm. April 18th will be the annual Spring Sizzler. Garrison Automotive presents the racing program featuring the first visit of the season by the Southern Ontario Sprints plus 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, and 4 Cylinders. The Tim Hortons catering truck will be on-site with FREE delicious beverages. April 25 will be the first race towards the 2020 Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series championships with the season opener. The Mod Lites and V6 will join the 4 Cylinders, Hoosier Stocks, Sportsman, and Modifieds.

Admission prices for regular scheduled Saturday night racing action at Canada’s longest-running dirt track is $16 for adults, students (13-18) and seniors (60 and over) are $14 with youth (8-12) is $7. Under 8 is free