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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (May 1) - Mercer Raceway Park will try to complete the third straight event and fifth of the year this Saturday night, May 3. The "Saturday Night Live" five-division program of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tire Express Modifieds, McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and M&D Paving Mini Stocks will take to the track with racing at 7 p.m.
This week's promotion is Free Beaver County Night presented by Image Factory Signs & Graphics. All residents of Beaver County will be admitted free into the grandstands for general admission by simply presenting ID showing a Beaver County address. All children 15 and under accompanied by a Beaver County adult will also be admitted free. In the event of rain, the Free Beaver County Night will be rescheduled for next Saturday, May 10. Image Factory is located on Route 51 in Fallston, Pa. Owner Jon Hogue is a racing enthusiast and will be doing Mercer Raceway Park's 2008 apparel and merchandise hopefully beginning next Saturday night. Hogue has also lettered many race cars.
"This is our third year for Beaver County Night," stated 10th year owner Vicki Emig. "It's a good area for us to promote to new people- many of whom have never been to Mercer Raceway Park or dirt track racing in general. It's a good way for us to expose our facility to a new audience."
Opening night for the FASTRAK Late Models saw 2006 Modified Champion win in just his second Late Model start, then last week it was three-time Stock Car Champion Brian Booher winning in just his third Late Model start. Who will win Saturday's McElwain Motors 20 lapper? Drivers like Rusty Moore, Steve Hollabaugh, Bobby Powell, and Steve D'Apolito have been knocking on the door in the first two weeks.
Last Saturday night, Bob Felmlee ended a two-year dry-spell with his first Mercer win in the 20-lap non-stop Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. Though 2008 hasn't gotten off to the kind of start he'd hoped for, Rod George is atop the point standings in search of his third track championship. George won eight features at Mercer in 2007 along the way to a career high 21. The Kittanning, Pa. racer would love to get back to victory lane and extend his point lead Saturday night.
Garrett Krummert finally got the monkey off his back. The New Castle, Pa. 2007 Modified Champion won his first Modified feature after five years of racing last Saturday night. Last year, Eric Gabany won a feature in his rookie season. After two events, the Mercer, Pa. driver now leads the standings by four over opening night winner and fellow Mercer driver Gary Smoker.
Kenny Meadows, a one-time winner in 2007, didn't wait long to win his first in 2008 as he came back from motor woes on opening night to win the 15-lap Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lite main. Meadows teammate, Todd Canter, who won his first ever Mercer race last season, currently leads the points. Two drivers that have turned some heads are Bud Watson and Lynn Knepper. The two 15-year-old racers are currently second and third in points respectively. Knepper, who won last year's non-qualifier race at the Little Guy Nationals, finished a career best second last week ahead of Watson, who were both hot on Meadows' tail.
Last Saturday a regular season record 20 cars turned out for race number three for the M&D Paving Mini Stocks. Chris Myers, another 15 year-old racer, has had his way thus far winning the opening night 15-lap non-point special, the last two weeks' 15 lappers, and all three of his heat races. The Knox, Pa. teenager has already opened up a 15-point advantage on Mike McConnell. It looked like Tim Bish was going to end Myers' perfect run, but blew on the backstretch on the final lap.
Adult admission is still just $11 and the Family Pass, which included mom, dad, and up to four kids 15 and under still remains at $25. Students 6-15 are $5 and children five and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps will take to the track at 6:15 with heat races beginning at 7 p.m.
Mercer Raceway Park 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 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.
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