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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (August 9) - For the 20th straight week, rain was in the forecast at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday night. Strong thunderstorms went north and south of the speedway all night long missing the track by less than five miles as only a few sprinkles fell. The rain held off just long enough to allow the following drivers to celebrate in the Hoosier Tire victory lane: Andy McKisson-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Lonny Riggs-Tire Express Modifieds, Bobby Powell-McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Bud Watson-Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and Dillon Kineston-M&D Paving Mini Stocks. The entire program along with kids' bike races was run off in less than three and a half hours.
It was Free New Castle Night presented by Augustine Italian Village and $10 Family Night presented by Auto Service Express and Armstrong. Auto Service Express partnered with Extra Mile Auto Service to present the "Big Give" car giveaway. The recipient of the 2001 Pontiac Aztec was Tammy Bonner. Bonner has suffered through hardships in her life, but with the help of the Prince of Peace recently earned a degree and acquired a job with the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission. Bonner has been trying to acquire a vehicle for over a year and was very emotional when presented with the vehicle on the frontstretch.
Bobby Powell continues to keep pace with good friend Max Blair in the $10,000 to-win FASTRAK National Weekly Point Series after winning Friday night at Raceway 7 and backing it up with his second win of the year in the 20-lap McElwain Motors Late Model feature. "That's our plan," when the Waterford, Pa. driver was asked about the National Weekly Championship. "I went down there (FASTRAK banquet in Nashville, TN) and got to see all the money being given away- so much for this division. I've been fired up ever since and that was January. Max and I are battling and that would be cool to win that."
Powell started on the pole and was never seriously challenged leading all 20 laps. The only thing that slowed Powell from his seventh victory overall on the circuit in 2008 in the Scott Bidwell-owned, Fame RV Center/Maloney Tool & Die/Rich Johnson Electric-sponsored #B1D were four cautions including two on the final lap. The victory was Powell's eighth of his career at Mercer overall as he had six Stock Car wins prior to this year's two FASTRAK wins.
"I was coming out of (turn) four for the checkered twice and thought 'oh no', but you can't have us racing down into the corner and hurting someone. I wouldn't want to be sitting there and have the pack coming wide open at me," explained Powell on the two last lap cautions.
While Powell for the most part had pretty easy sailing, the battle behind was intense as Steve Hollabaugh had another great run coming from fifth to finish second for the fourth time this season. Hollabaugh was able to hold off 10th starting Blair and Guidace, who traded third and fourth back numerous times. Andy Buckley was fifth. Chris Haines, Ben Black, Brian Booher, Rusty Moore, and Mike Anderson, Jr. rounded out the top 10.
McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. BOBBY POWELL (Bidwell B1D) 2. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 3. Max Blair (111) 4. Frank Guidace (1G) 5. Andy Buckley (Robinson 34R) 6. Chris Haines (35H) 7. Ben Black (27B) 8. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 9. Rusty Moore (17M) 10. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 11. Gary Miller, Jr. (1m) 12. John Lacki (7) 13. Rusty Cade (47).
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. ANDY MCKISSON (0) 2. Mike Lutz (Preston 1P) 3. Rod George (4) 4. Eric Williams (76) 5. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x) 6. Jeremy Cook (5L) 7. Todd Bauer (45) 8. Broc Martin (83M) 9. Arnie Kent (18) 10. Dan Kuriger (08) 11. Craig Folmar (81) 12. Brian Steinman (24s) 13. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 14. Joe Butera (Matus 3J) 15. Brent Matus (33) 16. Paul Kish (Clark 4c) 17. Mike Dehner (17) 18. Paul Kapuchuck (10) 19. Bob Clark (44c) 20. John McCracken (63) 21. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R) 22. Jack Helget (Taylor 71c) 23. Jeff Taylor (17T).
Tire Express 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. LONNY RIGGS (58) 2. Gary Smoker (516) 3. Eric Gabany (3E) 4. Frank Guidace (1G) 5. John Buchanan (93) 6. Garrett Krummert (29) 7. Randy Brown (67R) 8. Rick Hall (B2) 9. Jr. Baker (359) 10. Kevin Green (74) 11. Rick Kress (222) 12. Fred Sasse (0) 13. Matt Reeher (711) 14. Dave Cogswell (8) 15. Dillon McElrath (7) 16. Jimmy Holden (28H) 17. Matt Howsare (5H)-DSQ (light) 18. Mark Bailey (14B)-DSQ (light) 19. Adam Siegel (91)-DNS.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. BUD WATSON (15) 2. Lynn Knepper (10) 3. Levi Spinneweber (10s) 4. Kenny Meadows (Teague 10T) 5. Mark Marcucci (8M) 6. Kotie Kirkbride (97N) 7. George Englert (11x) 8. Terry Young (98) 9. Todd Canter (Teague 9T) 10. Bill Stivason (116) 11. Richard Lawson (70x7) 12. Shane Pfeuffer (Lawson 40L) 13. Rod Jones (820) 14. Alan Knepper (1) 15. Brian Woodhall (8B)-DNS.
M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. DILLON KINESTON (19) 2. Stephen Laslo (55) 3. Dan McEwen (44) 4. Curtis Brown (67) 5. Bill Fuchs (10) 6. Pete Blazczak (77) 7. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7) 8. Tyler Powell (36) 9. Tim Callahan (Stewart 26T) 10. Ed Haylett (8-ball) 11. Dillon Barr (15) 12. Adam Bulfone (19JR) 13. Scott Gilliland (27) 14. Sam Kloos (62K) 15. Matt Cwynar (21c) 16. Rudolph Troples (28) 17. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33) 18. Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) 19. Dan Nagy (17B) 20. Josh Verrill (13) 21. John Shannon (14).
Upcoming Events:
8/16 "The Return". BRP Big-Block Modified Tour ($1,300) plus FASTRAK Late Models ($800), Mod Lites ($300), & Mini Stocks plus 7/12 FASTRAK Late Model make-up feature. Fireworks presented by Walt's of Mercer Plaza. Modified autograph session with current and former racers.
8/23 Sprints, Mods, FASTRAL Late Models, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. Free general admission for all Butler County residents presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit & Armstrong. $5 admission for all automotive service/truck repair employees and $5 for their significant others, and $15 for families presented by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply
8/30 No racing.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7.
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 early October. 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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