Merritt Speedway
Spangler scores first MDC win at Merritt
By Jim DenHamer
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Eric Spangler shows off the winner's paycheck after his Merritt Raceway victory. (Jim DenHamer)
MERRITT, Mich. (Aug. 4) — Eric Spangler of Lake City, Mich., made good of his pole starting spot in Saturday’s Allstar Performance Michigan Dirt Cup feature at Merritt Raceway, outgunning fellow front-row starter Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., on the start and racing to a $1,500 victory at the 3/8-mile oval. | Slideshow
Spangler, the current Merritt Raceway points leader, controlled the entire distance of the 30-lap race to grab his first series victory. Mark Anderson of Lowell, Mich., finished second followed by Justin McNeil of Gladwin, Mich., Thirlby and Adam Thrush of Farwell, Mich.
Three cautions and one red-flag period slowed the pace with the red coming just two laps in when Bob Hammar of Boon, Mich., rolled his race car over the banking between turns three and four. Hammar wasn’t injured.
Notes: Spangler’s sponsors include Johnny Mac’s Automotive, Spangler Heating and Cooling, Crane Cams and Xtreme Grafx's. ... The night's program was rushed along due to a threat of rain in the area. The Late Model feature was finished at 9:40 p.m. … The victory is Spangler’s second straight special-event win at Merritt. He also scored a $4,000 victory in July 21’s unsanctioned Wood Tic 100. … The first-year Michigan Dirt Cup next competes Aug. 10 at Cherry (Mich.) Raceway.
Michigan Dirt Cup @ Merritt: (1) Eric Spangler, (2) Mark Anderson, (3) Justin McNeil, (4) Brandon Thirlby, (5) Adam Thrush, (6) Rich Neiser, (7) Chris Brindley, (8) Dave Hartman, (9) Greg Kokey, (10) Keith Gentz (11) Josh Knoll, (12) Andy Galgoci, (13) Chad Foster, (14) Mark Carrick, (15) Jeff Hubbard, (16) Brook Brashington, (17) Steve Nieuwenhuis, (18) James Billett, (19) Charlie Liggett, (20) Adam Erickson, (21) Jeremy Tulick, (22) Brad Harden, (23) Bob Hammar, (24) Bill Bray. Heat race winners (among 21 cars): Spangler, Thirlby, Brad Harden.
