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Johnny Racer photo
N. Woodstock, NH — With last Friday being the deadline for drivers to renew their 2025 licenses for the upcoming season, so too came a pair of bombshells for the 1764 Sports Bar & Grill Late Models in 2026. For possibly the first time ever, the two defending four-cylinder champions of White Mountain and Thunder Road Speedbowl are both moving up to the Late Model class in a landmark battle for Rookie of the Year at New Hampshire’s Favorite Short Track this summer!
Ms. McKenna Merchant thrilled the crowd to her first Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Strictly Mini championship in September during an edge-of-your-seat finale that saw her, Tyler Thompson and Jacob Roy within one or two points of each other the entire 25-lap event. Merchant powered away with win number five on the season to take the championship honors and looks to take on a new challenge in 2026.
In the other corner we have 2025 rk Miles Street Stock champion Kyler Davis of Berlin, Vermont. Davis made a strong campaign at Thunder Road Speedbowl last season, coming out on top with his first championship and, like Merchant, is set to tackle a new challenge. Davis has purchased the former Joel Hodgdon machine and will pilot the #1VT Against the Grain Ford Mustang while Merchant made the off-season purchase of the former Chris Roberts ride and will run the #99NH Houghton Excavation Chevy Camaro.
“It’s certainly a big jump for both drivers but their records are impeccable,” said WMMP managing partner Cris Michaud. “To have two defending champions both take on a new challenge in the same division, on the same track will be something exciting to watch all season long.”
Both Merchant and Davis will get their first opportunity to hit the track on Saturday, May 16 during HK Powersports Opening Day! Until then, these two Rookies and the rest of the White Mountain faithful are hard at work on their machines to get them in tip-top shape for the upcoming season.
For more information, contact the White Mountain Motorsports Park offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.whitemountainmotorsports.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
