For Immediate Release
April 28, 2010

FREE SHENANGO VALLEY NIGHT SATURDAY AT MERCER WITH 1,000 SCRAPPER TICKET GIVEAWAYS! “IN THE SPOTLIGHT” HERO PROGRAM KICKOFFS & BRING THE KIDS TO MEET “FLYNNIE” & “SCRAPPY”

By Mike Leone
(Mercer, PA)…After the second straight cancellation of the season last Saturday, Mercer Raceway Park hopes to return to action this Saturday night, May 1. Residents from Shenango Valley will be able to see a full night of racing from the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks FREE compliments of Flynn’s Tire and Auto Service and Froggy 95. Race time is 7 p.m.

Residents of Sharon, Hermitage, West Middlesex, Sharpsville, Farrell, or Wheatland address will be admitted FREE into the grandstands! All accompanying children 15 and under will be also be admitted free.

Saturday is Mahoning Valley Scrappers Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a complimentary club box seat for the Sunday, July 18 “Keystone Community Day” event presented by Mercer Raceway Park, which will pit the Scrappers against the Williamsport Crosscutters. Each ticket is valued at $9 bringing the promotional night’s ticket giveaways at $9,000. Kids will be able to meet and greet not only “Scrappy,” but “Flynnie” from Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service as well.

The “In the Spotlight” hero card program will begin Saturday and run for 16 straight events. A special autograph session will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the midway area featuring Dustin Martin (Modifieds), Mike Anderson, Jr. (FASTRAK Late Models), Leigh Wheeler (FASTRAK Late Models), and Zach Hawk (Mini Stocks). The first 300 will receive a collectible autograph card to capture autographs on the Shaffer’s Auto Service & Towing-sponsored program.

“While Mother Nature was very kind to us the first three weeks, the weather really went downhill the last two Saturdays,” stated prospective owner Bill Altman. “Hopefully the weather will cooperate this Saturday so we can get back to the great racing action our fans and racers look forward to each week. We invite all Shenango Valley residents to come on out an experience a free night on us and there’s a good chance you’ll even receive a free ticket to the Scrappers game! You can’t beat getting into the races free and then getting a ticket for a free Scrapper baseball game!”

The Sprint Cars compete weekly for a region high $1,500 to-win plus a Goodyear Tire certificate! Four other Goodyear Tire certificates are now award on a nightly basis. Apollo’s Ed Lynch, Jr. currently leads the points after his for win in three seasons the last time race took place at The Park on April 10.

Opening night winner Lonny Riggs of Volant and Tiona’s Jimmy Holden are tied atop the Modified standings as additional Modifieds are expected to debut Saturday. There will likely be a new FASTRAK Late Model winner as defending champion and two-time 2010 winner Max Blair of Centerville, Pa. will be competing in the Northeast Touring Series event in Tyler County, WV. The Stock Cars last competed on April 3 with Steve D’Apolito of Boardman, Ohio scoring a wild win. Teenager Jordan Ehrenberg of New Castle, Pa. is still searching for that elusive career first win, but he’s currently atop the Mini Stock standings. Will there be a fifth winner in as many races Saturday? Be there to find out!

“I really want to thank Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service,” stated marketing director Vicki Emig. “Flynn’s has been a longtime supporter of auto racing in the community and last year became one of our important marketing partners. They stepped up their involvement even more so this year and we really appreciate it. They are a perfect tie-in for the presenting sponsor of Saturday’s Free Shenango Valley Night and make it possible for residents of the Valley to enjoy a complimentary night at The Park. These free nights are an excellent way to showcase our product that we’re very proud of.”

Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps begin at 6:15 and the first green flag waves at 7.

Adult admission is $12. Mom and dad can bring up to four kids 15 and under for just a buck with the $25 family pass. Students 6-15 are just $5 and kids five and under are always free. Pits passes are $25. Fans can take advantage of the “SPEEDPASS” by upgrading their admission ticket to the pit area at intermission for just $5 or $10 for the entire family.

Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest. Go to www.twitter.com/mercerraceway or Mercer Raceway Park at www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark to stay up to date.