Merritt Replaces Oakshade As Hell Tour Finale Venue

WAUSEON, Ohio – Current restrictions on mass gatherings in Ohio from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have forced Oakshade Raceway officials to cancel their DIRTcar Summer Nationals and DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals event.

Oakshade’s tour stop, known as the Birthday Race, was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22.

Oakshade has been hosting events for the past several weeks at a limited spectator capacity, but would not feasibly be able to hold the Birthday Race under the current restrictions with the general number of attendees expected.

Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., has agreed to take Oakshade’s place, and will host the crowning of the Summer Nationals late model champion for the first time in track and tour history on Aug. 22.

The 50-lap, $10,000-to-win season finale for the DIRTcar Late Models will be joined by the Summit Modifieds in a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win feature.

From Merritt, the Summit Modifieds will then head to Cedar Ridge Speedway in Morgantown, Ky., for their two-day championship weekend – set for Aug. 28-29.