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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (May 29) - After a rainout and last weekend's American Thunder Weekend, Mercer Raceway Park hopes to resume weekly "Saturday Night Live" five-division racing this Saturday night, May 31. On the card are the 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 Venango County Night presented by Allegheny Toyota/Scion. All residents of Venango County will be admitted free into the grandstands for general admission by simply presenting ID showing a Venango County address. All children 15 and under accompanied by a Venango County adult will also be admitted free.
"The free Venango County Night is always one of our biggest promotions," acknowledged 10th year owner Vicki Emig. "We get great support every week from race fans from Venango County, but this is also an opportunity for us to attract new fans to The Park and those that simply may not have been able to attend otherwise. It gives us a chance to showcase our great racing to residents of Venango County for them at no charge! I have to thank Allegheny Toyota/Scion for returning for the second straight year to make this night possible."
With his third place finish on Monday, Rod George broke the tie with Arnie Kent to overtake the lead in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car points. The Kittanning, Pa. driver would love to add his first Mercer win of the year on Saturday to extend his point lead in search of his third championship in four years. Kent is only eight points behind in his quest for his first ever track championship.
The Tire Express Modifieds haven't raced since May 10, but current point leader Gary Smoker went to Tri-City Speedway last Sunday and claimed his first career big-block win in the BRP Tour event. The BRP Tour will be at Mercer on August 16. The Mercer, Pa. racer was the opening night winner and currently has a two-point lead over 2006 champion Frank Guidace.
Speaking of Guidace, the Mercer resident captured the FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series event on Monday for his second McElwain Motors Late Model victory. Guidace has closed to within six points of Brian Booher. Booher, of Sandy Lake, Pa., is looking for his fourth straight championship after winning the Stock Car title the last three years. The FASTRAK Late Models have averaged 20 cars per night in its inaugural season.
Another Mercer Raceway Park regular that took advantage of no racing on Saturday was Todd Canter. The Warren, Ohio driver traveled to Deerfield Raceway in Ohio where he captured the Mod Lite victory. Canter has the biggest point advantage at 19 over 15-year-old Bud Watson than any other division in the Big Daddy's Speed Center title chase. Canter, a one-time winner in 2007, has finished in the top five in all four races this year.
Pete Blazczak became the newest M&D Paving Mini Stock winner with his victory on Monday and jumped to second in points. Blazczak trails Mercer's Dan McEwen by 14 points. McEwen is a second generation racer that had some starts in his father's Sprint Car in years past and also competed in the inaugural "Jack Frost 150" Enduro in January.
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.
Allegheny Toyota is located at 772 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin, PA 16313. For more information, contact 1-800-474-7884 or visit their website at www.alleghenytoyotapa.com.
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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