Buckley, MI - Organizers of the Annual Dan Salay Memorial have announced that the 8th Annual event to be held in 2025 will be relocated to Crystal Motor Speedway for the first time in event history. Launched in 2018 by Leah (Salay) Thirlby as a way of honoring her late father, the event has grown into a crown jewel race in Michigan Dirt Track racing in addition to fundraising for cancer research. The 8th Annual Dan Salay Memorial at Crystal Motor Speedway is set for Thursday, June 19th through Saturday, June 21st.
The first season of racing for the Dan Salay Memorial featured a Late Model Special at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. After that, the race found a home at Merritt Speedway in Lake City, MI for the next six seasons. Paired with the premier event at Merritt Speedway, Wood Tic, the Dan Salay Memorial had shared the spotlight as one of the richest events in all of Michigan Motorsports. As a nod to the 36th running of the Wood Tic, last year’s race offered a $36,000 top prize in addition to the thousands of dollars raised by the Salay family through lap sponsors and other event awards.
In 2025, the Dan Salay Memorial will find a new home in mid-Michigan at Crystal Motor Speedway. Recently sold to Jacob LeBaron and Steve Vernon in 2023, Crystal Motor Speedway has witnessed significant upgrades in infrastructure and racing surface in the two seasons with Brian LeBaron at the helm as Promoter/General Manager. The Dan Salay Memorial becomes part of a schedule at Crystal Motor Speedway that already features high-caliber events like the Summer Nationals Hell Tour, Valvoline American Iron-Man Late Models, Great Lakes Super Sprints, and Great Lakes Nationals. The Dan Salay Memorial also fits Crystal Motor Speedway’s persona of giving back to the community.
“Leah [Thirlby] has given so much money back to the community and toward cancer research,” said LeBaron. “Her mission falls in line with what we believe in here at Crystal Motor Speedway - giving back. We’re happy to bring in the Dan Salay Memorial for Kids Benefiting Cancer in 2025.”
The Dan Salay Memorial was undoubtedly successful for six seasons at Merritt Speedway, however, Leah Thirlby says it’s simply time to bring awareness to a new market in Michigan - and Crystal Motor Speedway fits the mold.
“I appreciate the support and backing that Mike [Blackmer] and Merritt Speedway gave us for so many seasons,” Thirlby said. “We’re excited for further opportunities and excited to build relationships and friendships as we continue to bring awareness to cancer in the great state of Michigan.”
While details on a full schedule of events and purse are still being finalized, Thirlby says that her team is still ready to put in the work to make the Dan Salay Memorial another can’t-miss-race.
“I usually raise about $40,000 for this race thanks to fantastic sponsors - all of the money goes right back to the racers,” Thirlby explained. “The fans support through donations, raffles, and other fundraising usually brings in $15-$20K each year; all of which goes to the American Cancer Society.”
The 8th Annual Dan Salay Memorial will take place Thursday, June 19th through Saturday, June 21st at Crystal Motor Speedway. Additional event info including a full schedule of events and purse structure are expected to be announced soon.
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