Chasing Success, Domonick Merkley Gets Ready for the 2023 Season
Chasing Success, Domonick Merkley Gets Ready for the 2023 Season
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
His 2022 campaign was the type of season Domonick Merkley had been waiting for.
The former Mini Stock runner finished 9th in the final Brockville Ontario Speedway Sportsman-Modified standings, on the strength of his first career feature event win, 3 top 5 and 7 top 10 finishes in 16 starts. Impressive stats on their own, but when combined with a 13th place showing in the final Ogilvie's Auto & Fleet Series rundown and solid runs in back-to-back starts during Brighton Speedway's Applefest Weekend, the 24-year-old Automotive Service Technician from Johnstown, Ontario has built a solid foundation for his 2023 schedule.
"Local racing – even once a week – requires a lot of hard work, time and commitment," said Domonick Merkley. "Now that the cross border travel restrictions have been lifted, I'm going to look at doing some road trips this year. The team and I have made tentative plans to run some shows at Can Am and Mohawk in addition to our regular Saturday nights at Brockville and occasional stops at Cornwall. Much of what I'm able to do throughout the year will depend on resources and my work schedule."
Coming from a long line of racers that started with his father and brothers Tyler and Brent who used to campaign Street Stock rides and his cousins Nick and Curtis who still do, Domonick Merkley is keenly aware of the costs associated with fielding a competitive weekly ride throughout the year. He's thankful for the ongoing support of his sponsorship partners, including Snap On Tools dealer Tim Covell, Gananoque Chevrolet, CSN Collision Centre, Gananoque, Thurler Logistics and Excavation, Merkley AG Tire, DT Mobile Wash and C & D Custom Creations. Merkley says he's also thankful for the help he receives in the shop and at the race track.
"My brother Tyler, my girlfriend Catie Bannan and I take care of the car through the week," explained the driver, who selected his No. 98 car number to match the year he was born. "I'm very lucky to race close to home. Its great to have family members and friends cheering for me at every event. At this level of the sport, everyone is willing to help each other in the pits, no matter how badly they want to beat you when the green flag flies."
In his time away from the track, Domonick Merkley – who is a graduate of South Grenville High School and Algonquin College – enjoys playing video games with his friends, spending time with his son and 4-wheeling.
Follow Domonick Merkley and the No. 98 DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified team throughout the 2023 Brockville Speedway season, beginning Saturday, May 13th and on the team's Merkley Racing Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
After finishing 9th in the 2022 Sportsman-Modified standings, Domonick Merkley (No. 98) is looking forward to kicking off the new season – Saturday, May 13th – at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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