A little playday information. As always, I am unofficial. Just trying to help the cause. One more playday on Saturday with free grandstands admission to the fans who want a peak at the cars heading into the April 2 opener

Merced Speedway Begins New Era With Successful Playday

Merced, CA...March 19...It is all coming together nicely for Promoter Ed Parker and General Manager Doug Williams at Merced Speedway this season. Though they have gotten off to a later start than they might have liked after Parker purchased Merced Speedway from Oval Motorsports earlier this year, they really hit the ground running in making preparations for the season. Parker had already been working on putting the pieces in place late last year, so he had a good idea of what he was going for.

The staff was still a bit nervous heading into Saturday's playday, but it turns out they need not have been worried at all. There were 42 cars in the pits for the first of two scheduled practice events, and driver enthusiasm is high as several racers not seen for a year or two are making their way back to the 67 year old racing facility.

A mixture of drivers from the track's core five divisions, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and Valley Sportsmans, brought their cars to the track to take their turns on the fast quarter-mile clay oval. In fact, seven Dwarf Car drivers were there as well. Parker expressed his gratitude for all of the support. He further added that while he was unable to book a Dwarf Car race due to a full Dwarf Car schedule elsewhere, he intends to bring the cars to the track next year.

There has been buzz on social media surrounding the racing debut of Destiny Carter in the Corder Racing #82c Mini Stock. Carter has grown up at this race track and has been doing whatever she can to help support the sport in recent years. Chris Corder has given her the opportunity to drive a race car for the first time, and she was excited to make some practice laps. Though the car had some mechanical issues, they were squared away, and she will return to try again.

There are some young guns doing some racing for the first time at Merced, including second generation racer Tanner Thomas, who was driving the yellow #8 Matt & Glass Sport Modified for the first time. The young teen has logged seat time in Go karts prior to moving up to this class, and he is ready. Another young gun, Gavin Espino, who is the son of Paul Espino, logged his first Sport Mod laps as well.

The Sport Mod division was well represented as Donny Roe had a beautiful car in the pits. Danny's last car took a beating in a crash at Merced Speedway last season, but he's excited about getting back out to the track. Last year's third ranked competitor, Dwayne Short, and Nick Tucker were there as well. Top 5 2015 racer Gary Tucker, Nick's father, had his car in the pits. Past Mini Stock champion Alex Odishoo spent last season announcing and racing Mini Stocks again, but he is happy to be back in a Spot Mod once more. Alex was making laps in his beautiful #48 car.

Tim Prothro was equally happy to be back behind the wheel of a Sport Mod after a crash ended his season prematurely last year. To celebrate, he dug his 2014 point runner up Sportsman out of mothballs to put some laps on it. Prothro's two car effort was joined by one of last season's Sportsman competitors, Jeff Bristow. Word is the car count will be going up in the popular vintage division.

There were Modifieds in the pits, including Tim Porter and past Chowchilla Speedway champion Randy Brown. Both drivers are coming off of interesting seasons. Brown would rather forget his season after the night he rolled at Chowchilla. Porter's three wins last year and top ten season was highlighted by his win over Bobby Hogge IV. His season ended with a hard crash, but Porter's car was back together and making more fast laps around the speedway.

Bill Egleston was seen putting his car through its paces. He already ran his Late Model earlier this year, but the past Merced Modified champion and Top 5 racer last year is aiming for a better season this year. Bruce "Bubba" Nelson has won in every division he's been in. Coming off of a top 5 Sport Mod season, the two time Hobby Stock champion made some laps in the beautiful Michael Shearer owned #4 entry. Bubba may just be the driver to beat in the rookie race.

Past Top 5 Mini Stock racer Joy Alger was excited about making her first laps in a new car. She'll be one of the strong contenders for wins this season. Another strong contender will be past Mini Stock point runner up and 2015 Hobby Stock runner up Jennifer Corder. Jennifer will be gunning for her first feature win in Hobby Stocks, and she shouldn't be counted out.

Over a half dozen Dwarf Car drivers showed up to make some laps. At this time, Merced Speedway has no dates for them, but management has indicated an interest in booking them when dates become available. NorCal leadfoot Ryan "Ice Chip" Winter was there along with fellow NCDCA competitors Jeff Fitch and Chuck Connover. Allen Heeny and last season's Merced runner up Chuck Weir were among the others out there.

Merced Speedway returns this Saturday night for another playday, but this time the grandstands are open for free admission to the fans. After that, it's an exciting season ahead as the track opens on April 2nd and the Annual Ted Stofle Classic is set for April 30th, featuring 50 lap Main Events for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. For further information, check the official Merced Speedway website at http://www.racemerced.com.