Key notes: Merritt Speedway hosts the 38th annual Ed VanDuinen Wood Tic, a DIRTcar Super Late Model special that culminates with Saturday’s $10,000-to-win main event. … The two-day program began when Rusty Schlenk and Dona Marcoullier led all 25 laps of Friday’s time trials odd and even-split warmup features. The weekend concludes with Saturday's consolations and $10,000-to-win main event. … The Wood Tic was founded in 1988 by Ed VanDuinen, a local logger who started VanDuinen Forest Products in 1973; he founded the Wood Tic event to increase awareness and honor the logging businesses that support Merritt Speedway. … Schlenk, of Jackson, Mich., is a three-time event winner (2019, ’21, ’23) and has six Merritt specials since 2010, combining for more than $100,000 over that span. ... Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., has six Wood Tic triumphs (2008-’10, ’15, ’17-’18), collecting more than $83,000 over 17 Merritt specials since 2008. ... Eric Spangler is a four-time winner of his home track’s biggest race (2005, ’12-’13, ’22) and has earned more than $89,000 across 12 major wins over the last 14 years. ... Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, Mich., has three Merritt specials since 2015, including a DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory in 2022, combining for more than $15,000.

Who to watch: Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., seeks his fourth career Wood Tic triumph at Merritt.

Points chase: Merritt points before Saturday: 1. Austin Harnick (148); 2. Eric Spangler (146); 3. Rylee Knoll (141); T4. Cody Bauer (119); T4. Josh Hendershott (119); 6. Bill Bray (109).

Current weather: Overcast, 72°F

Car count: 33

Fast qualifier: Rusty Schlenk

Time: 14.348 seconds

Polesitter: Rusty Schlenk

Heat race winners: Rusty Schlenk, Dona Marcoullier, Brandon Thirlby, Eric Spangler

Consolation race winners: J.C. Witherspoon