The Wood Tic — History & Champions
Every summer since 1989, the biggest weekend in northern Michigan dirt racing has run on the clay at Merritt Speedway. The Wood Tic began as a homegrown special and grew into a 75-lap Dirt Late Model classic that draws national names — the purse has climbed from $4,000 in its early era to $36,000-to-win in 2024. Since Ed VanDuinen's passing in 2010, the race has carried his name; crewman Dan Salay is honored alongside him. In 2026, the Wood Tic runs July 23–25.
Confirmed Wood Tic Winners
The verified modern record. Champions of the clay:
| Year | Winner | Hometown | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Dona Marcoullier | Houghton Lake, MI | $4,000 era |
| 2011 | Justin Robinson | Shepherd, MI | $4,000 |
| 2013 | Eric Spangler | Lake City, MI | $4,000 |
| 2015 | Travis Stemler | Ionia, MI | $10,000 |
| 2016 | Rusty Schlenk | McClure, OH | $10,000 |
| 2019 | Rusty Schlenk | McClure, OH | $30,000 |
| 2020 | Travis Stemler | Ionia, MI | $10,000 |
| 2021 | Rusty Schlenk | McClure, OH | $33,000 |
| 2022 | Eric Spangler | Lake City, MI | $34,000 |
| 2023 | Rusty Schlenk | McClure, OH | $35,000 |
| 2024 | Frank Heckenast Jr. | Frankfort, IL | $36,000 |
Legends of the Tic
Frank Seder, "The Flyin' Farmer," holds the all-time mark with eight Wood Tic victories — including a 2007 win taken two days after breaking his leg tending cows — alongside 14 Merritt Late Model track championships. Rusty Schlenk owns four confirmed wins in the modern era. Dona Marcoullier is credited as a six-time Wood Tic winner, most of those in the years before the digital record begins.
Help Us Complete the Record
The winners from 1989–2007 live in old programs, newspaper clippings, and family photo albums across Missaukee County. If you have results, programs, or photos from the early Wood Tic years, message the track on Facebook — we're rebuilding the full history, one season at a time.