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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (March 31) - Mercer Raceway Park and Big Daddy's Speed Center has announced plans for the "Ray Baselj Benefit Barbeque Dinner" to be held at Mercer Raceway Park in conjunction with the inaugural "Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic" on Monday, May 26.
Ray resides in Grove City, Pa. with his wife Dawn and has two children, Kristen and Kacee, and was recently diagnosed with throat cancer. He has always been a strong supporter of the western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio racing scene. Ray competed in the Mini Stock, Sprint Car, and Modified divisions during his racing career before operating Ray's Racing Specialties and Ray's Racing Collectibles vending his goods at all of the area speedways. More recently he has been employed by Big Daddy's Speed Center and elected president of the BRP Modified Tour. Ray has presented various cartoon character appearances at The Park, sponsored kids bike races, and has helped to coordinate various events.
Gates will open early at noon for the benefit dinner and will continue until 3 p.m. before the general admission tickets go on sale for the race event at 3:30 p.m. and dinner will resume until 6 p.m. when racing begins. Tickets for the barbeque dinner, which consists of a barbequed pulled pork sandwich, potato and fruit salad, along with dessert and drink are $12. Big Daddy's Speed Center, Mercer Raceway Park, and other regional speedways will have tickets available. Proceeds from the dinner and a Chinese auction will all go to Ray and his family. Those wishing to donate items to the Chinese auction should contact Big Daddy's Speed Center or Mercer Raceway Park. The dinner and auction will be held rain or shine.
The "Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic" presented by Auto Service Express will be one of the biggest race events of the season at Mercer Raceway Park and is expected to draw in strong field of competitors from all across the region in the five-division program.
The FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series for the McElwain Motors Late Models will make their first of two appearances during the season in a 25-lap $1,200 to-win event. The Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars will be featured in an open pill draw event culminating with a 25-lap $1,500 to-win feature. The Stock Cars will make their second visit of the season and will be chasing the $1,000 top prize in their Ken Carbone Memorial feature. The first of three STAR's International Mod Lite Series events will take place on this special holiday program racing in a $500 to-win Big Daddy's Speed Center feature. The night will round out with the M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
New marketing partner Auto Service Express in Hermitage, Pa. and Austintown, Ohio will present this inaugural event. Auto Service Express features complete auto service and tire care. For more information, check out their website at www.autoserviceexpress.com or call 724-342-6805 or 330-792-4113.
Mercer Raceway Park held its first auto race on July 26, 1951 and is 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 September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. 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.
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