Dona Marcoullier gets rolling on Wood Tic weekend at Merritt.
What won the race: Outside front-row starter Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., dominated Merritt Speedway's 27th annual VanDuinen Wood Tic 100, rolling to a $4,000 victory in the track's traditional summer event. Hometown driver Eric Spangler was second followed by Bill Bray, Rich Neiser and Brandon Thirlby.
Key notes: Marcoullier and Chad Foster won qualifying races to earn the front-row starting spots. ... Foster slipped back to finish sixth. ... A red-flag period for an accident involving Chris Brindley, Jim Waldfogel and J.T. Anderson slowed the action; no one was injured. ... Tire wear was critical on a tough-to-pass track. ... Merritt's biggest race included prelims on Friday and the main event on Saturday. ... The weekend purse for all divisions was more than $50,000.
On the move: Bill Bray started seventh and finished third; Darren Andras started 23rd and finished 14th.
Winner's sponsors: Marcoullier's Rocket Chassis is powered by a Dowker Engine and sponsored by Dennis Craft Construction, Dubie Groomer, Jimmy's Collision, McBain Body Shop and Allstar Performance.
Points chase: Entering the event, Spangler led Merritt's weekly standings (407) over Rich Neiser (355).
Car count: 27
Fast qualifier: Eric Spangler
Time: 13.835 seconds
Dash winner: Dona Marcoullier
Heat race winners: Chad Foster, Greg Gokey, Brad Harden, , , , ,
Consolation race winners: Mike Nelson, , ,
Next series race: August 26, Macon Speedway (Macon, IL) $5,000