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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (June 14) - Mercer Raceway Park waited out the scattered showers throughout the day as the skies cleared for a beautiful Saturday evening as four of the five winners scored their first wins of the season. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire victory lane were Rod George-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Frank Guidace-Tire Express Modifieds & McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Alan Knepper-Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and Cory Kilgore-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
A big crowd turned out for Free Crawford County Night presented by the Oncology Center of Meadville Medical Center and Armstrong, $10 Family Night presented by Auto Service Express and Armstrong, $5 Biker Night presented by Renegade Classics Outlet Store, and Yellow Books USA Corp. Night.
In the 20-lap McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Model feature, Guidace topped three-time Stock Car champion Brian Booher for his third win of the season. Guidace led every lap as he survived four cautions, which tightened the field up. "What can I say about this car again," exclaimed the Mercer, Pa. racer. "This Lazer has been awesome all year. It was a great track and that was the luck of the draw. We did away with the handicap line-up. I didn't know that until tonight and went down there and drew the number one pill then John Buchanan pulled the pill for the mods and put me on the pole for that!"
Guidace's victory came in his ASI Sportswear-sponsored #1G. Booher rebounded from last week's crash while leading on the last lap to finish second. Rusty Moore was a close third ahead of eighth starting Gary Miller, Jr., who recorded his best finish of the season. Last week's winner, Bobby Powell, was fifth. Completing the top 10 were Mike Anderson (Jr.), Steve Hollabaugh, Bill Vance, Jr., Paul Reiser, and Dave Airgood, Jr. Heat winners were Guidace and Powell.
After his on-track interview and weighing his Late Model, Guidace jumped in his Modified and went out and led all 20 laps of the Tire Express-sponsored feature for his first Modified win of the season. It was a perfect night for Guidace as he led all 56 green flag laps he competed including both heat races. "That's unbelievable," stated the jubilant winner. "I'm out of breath; wow. Troyer Chassis finally got the Mod there; Shadow Shocks, ASI, everybody that's been helping me. The race track was great tonight and starting spots were key."
McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. FRANK GUIDACE (1G) 2. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 3. Rusty Moore (17M) 4. Gary Miller, Jr. (1m) 5. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D) 6. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 7. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 8. Bill Vance, Jr. (93) 9. Paul Reiser (293) 10. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42) 11. Tyler Dietz (10).
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. ROD GEORGE (4) 2. Jimmy Hawley (Rudzik 49) 3. Arnie Kent (18) 4. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x) 5. Bryan Grove (45) 6. Dan Kuriger (08) 7. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 8. Nate Stein (93) 9. Broc Martin (83m) 10. Brent Matus (33) 11. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R) 12. Joe Butera (Matus 3J) 13. Paul Kapuchuck (10) 14. Aaron Shaffer (97s) 15. Danny Mumaw (16) 16. Paul Kish (Clark 4c) 17. Gary Edwards (Rudzik 94) 18. Scott Bonnell (3B)-DNS 19. Brian Steinman (24s)-DNS 20. Bob Clark (44c)-DNS.
Tire Express 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. FRANK GUIDACE (1G) 2. Steve Barr (25B) 3. Eric Gabany (3E) 4. Jimmy Holden (28H) 5. John Buchanan (93) 6. Gary Smoker (516) 7. Garrett Krummert (29) 8. Lonny Riggs (Black 58) 9. Kevin Green (74) 10. Matt Reeher (711) 11. Rick Hall (B2) 12. Matt Howsare (5H) 13. Jr. Baker (359) 14. Fred Sasse (0) 15. Adam Siegel (91) 16. Dillon McElrath (7) 17. Dave Cogswell (8)-DNS.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. ALAN KNEPPER (1) 2. Kenny Meadows (Teague 10T) 3. Todd Canter (Teague 9T) 4. Bud Watson (15) 5. David Innes (18) 6. George Englert (11x) 7. Tony Tatgenhorst (63) 8. J.J. Metheney (31c) 9. Bill Stivason (116) 10. Terry Young (98) 11. Kotie Kirkbride (97N) 12. Bryan Martin (237) 13. Mark Marcucci (8M).
M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. CORY KILGORE (0) 2. Dillon Kineston (19) 3. Dillon Barr (15) 4. John Shannon (14) 5. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33) 6. Mike McConnell (31) 7. Tyler Powell (36) 8. Dan McEwen (44) 9. Dan Nagy (17B) 10. Ed Haylett (8-ball) 11. Stephen Laslo (55) 12. Adam Bulfone (19JR) 13. Sam Kloos (62K) 14. Rudolph Troples (28) 15. Scott Gilliland (27) 16. Bill Fuchs (10) 17. Pete Blazczak (77) 18. Kris Anderson (3D)-DNS 19. Josh Verrill (13)-DNS.
Upcoming Events:
6/21 "Saturday Night Live!" Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. "Racing for a Cure" American Cancer Society Benefit. Cancer survivors admitted free. Free general admission for all Shenango Valley residents presented by Froggy 95. UMPC Horizon Corp Night.
6/28 "Saturday Night Live!" Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. American Patriot Night with fireworks presented by Walt's of Mercer Plaza. Free general admission for all Butler County residents presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit & Armstrong. Free general admission for all veterans with ID and scouts in uniform.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7.
7/02 Open practice all divisions. Gates open at 4 p.m. Practice 5 until dark. Rain date 7/3
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