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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (May 13) - Mercer Raceway Park will return to action this Saturday night, May 17. 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. It's AutoMart.com Corp Night.
This week's promotion is Free Crawford County Night presented by the Oncology Wellness Institute of Meadville Medical Center and Armstrong. All residents of Crawford County will be admitted free into the grandstands for general admission by simply presenting ID showing a Crawford County address. All children 15 and under accompanied by a Crawford County adult will also be admitted free. The new Oncology Wellness Institute is located on Route 322 between downtown Meadville and Conneaut Lake.
"This is our third year for Crawford County Night," stated 10th year owner Vicki Emig. "Last year we doubled 2005's count and have done lots more promoting and advertising to make people aware this year. It's a good area for us to promote to and good way for us to expose our facility to a new audience. It's an easy drive down Route 19 or Interstate 79. We're thrilled to welcome on the Oncology Wellness Institute as a new marketing partner this year."
Scott Bonnell became the third different Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car winner of the year last Saturday. The Girard, Pa. driver has won three of his five career Mercer "410" wins since returning as a Mercer regular last June. Meanwhile, Arnie Kent and Rod George are tied atop the points and both are looking for their first wins of the season. Kent of New Castle, Pa. has still never won a title, but has finished in the top six in points each of the last 11 seasons including five runner-ups. George is hoping for his third championship in four seasons.
After going five years without a Modified win, Garrett Krummert of New Castle, Pa. has caught fire with two straight wins. The defending Tire Express Champion has crept back up the point ladder to fifth after his disqualification for being light on opening night, which was won by Gary Smoker. The Mercer driver won his first ever championship in 2005 and leads the early points over 2006 champion Frank Guidace, also of Mercer.
The debut of the FASTRAK Late Models on weekly basis has provided some very competitive racing with their GM engines and Goodyear Tires. Last week, a season-high 20 cars turned out and it was veteran Stock Car racer Rusty Moore winning his first ever Late Model feature in the 20-lap McElwain Motors-sponsored event to become the third different winner in as many races. Moore is thrilled to be back racing after a three-year layoff, but trails defending three-time Stock Car Champion Brian Booher of Sandy Lake, Pa. by 19 points.
The Mod Lites have also seen three different winners. Last Saturday, defending champion Rod Jones returned to victory lane in the 15-lap Big Daddy's Speed Center-sponsored feature for the first time of the season. The West Middlesex, Pa. defending champion has now won 11 of 32 races all-time. Warren, Ohio's Todd Canter, who won his first career Mercer feature last season, is leading the points by 15 over 15-year-old Alan Knepper thanks to two runner ups and a fifth place finish.
Chris Myers' perfect run of three Mini Stock heat wins and three feature wins came to an end last Saturday when Bill Fuchs beat the 15-year-old Knox, Pa. driver in both his heat and feature. Fuchs, of Greenville, Pa., won his fourth career race in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. Myers leads the points by 16 over Dan McEwen.
Adult admission is 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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