Maine NASCAR veteran Ricky Craven buys Speedway 95 in Hermon
Craven plans to “evolve” the track
Updated: 8:58 PM EDT Aug 17, 2025
Maine native and former NASCAR driver Ricky Craven has purchased Speedway 95 in Hermon, taking over from longtime owner Delano Merritt, who has been the sole owner of the track since 2010, according to a press release.The sale was finalized on Sunday after a year of phone calls and in person meetings between Craven and Merritt. Craven, a Newburgh native and the only Mainer to win at NASCAR’s top level, plans extensive renovations to modernize the facility.“Today is a monumental day for me and my family,” Craven said.Merritt, who began working at Speedway 95 in 1968, will stay on through the end of the 2025 season and assist with the transition into 2026. Read Craven’s full statement below:“Today is a monumental day for me and my family. I have been friends with Del for decades and admired the dedication he has given for his track, team, and all associated with Speedway 95. I am dedicating the rest of my life to a track that has been part of my DNA for many years. Both my Mom and Dad won races at Speedway 95 in the 70’s. I have the honor of receiving the checkered flag and a black flag from Del during my racing at Speedway 95 in a strange way, I benefitted from both. Now Del and I can say we are forever connected through Speedway 95. We will in the near future share with all the people with equity in this track our intentions to do some aggressive vision of how this facility will continue to evolve. It includes several phases that I can not wait to get started. I want to thank Del, his family, Kim, Shawn, and the entire team at Speedway 95, and of course all of the people that have competed or been associated with the track since 1966. The details of our plans will be announced at a later date. Del and I will work closely together to finish out the 2025 Speedway 95 race season which will run through October 12th.”
HERMON, Maine —
Maine native and former NASCAR driver Ricky Craven has purchased Speedway 95 in Hermon, taking over from longtime owner Delano Merritt, who has been the sole owner of the track since 2010, according to a press release.
The sale was finalized on Sunday after a year of phone calls and in person meetings between Craven and Merritt. Craven, a Newburgh native and the only Mainer to win at NASCAR’s top level, plans extensive renovations to modernize the facility.
“Today is a monumental day for me and my family,” Craven said.
Merritt, who began working at Speedway 95 in 1968, will stay on through the end of the 2025 season and assist with the transition into 2026.
Read Craven’s full statement below:
“Today is a monumental day for me and my family. I have been friends with Del for decades and admired the dedication he has given for his track, team, and all associated with Speedway 95. I am dedicating the rest of my life to a track that has been part of my DNA for many years. Both my Mom and Dad won races at Speedway 95 in the 70’s. I have the honor of receiving the checkered flag and a black flag from Del during my racing at Speedway 95 in a strange way, I benefitted from both. Now Del and I can say we are forever connected through Speedway 95. We will in the near future share with all the people with equity in this track our intentions to do some aggressive vision of how this facility will continue to evolve. It includes several phases that I can not wait to get started. I want to thank Del, his family, Kim, Shawn, and the entire team at Speedway 95, and of course all of the people that have competed or been associated with the track since 1966. The details of our plans will be announced at a later date. Del and I will work closely together to finish out the 2025 Speedway 95 race season which will run through October 12th.”