By Mike Leone
(Mercer, PA)…Mercer Raceway Park looks to complete the fourth straight night of racing this Saturday night, April 17 as another “Saturday Night Live” program of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, E-Mods, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and M&D Paving Mini Stocks draws near. Race time is 7 p.m.
The Sprint Car fields have been loaded with talent the first two weeks with drivers from four states battling for the new $1,500 winners share that’s being posted weekly by new prospective track owner Bill Altman. Saturday will be no different as all of the region’s finest will return plus several additional cars that are expected to debut.
The racing has been top notch with Mike Lutz making a last lap pass on Jason Dolick to win the opener and last week legend Ed Lynch, Jr. out-dueled Carl Bowser to grab his first Mercer win in three seasons. Lynch, of Apollo, Pa., is the early point leader but drivers like Rod George, Bob Felmlee, Bowser, Scott Bonnell, Dan Kuriger, Dolick, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Danny Holtgraver, and others will be looking for their first victory.
How about Dustin Martin last week? What a special night it was for the Evans City, Pa. driver as he led all 20 laps of the non-stop Modified feature holding off a hungry Frank Guidace for the popular first career win. The competitiveness of the Modified field is so strong with just about every car capable of pulling off a win. Riggs and Jimmy Holden are currently tied for the point lead. The quality is only going to get stronger in the coming weeks as more drivers make it out to The Park. This week it’ll be good to have Eric Gabany, who finished second in points last year, back on the track and challenging for the victory.
There will be a new FASTRAK Late Model winner on Saturday! Defending champion Max Blair has beaten Kyle Zimmerman the last two weeks, but his reign will end this week as he’ll be off to West Virginia to compete in the first Northeast Touring Series event. That’ll leave the door wide open for a new winner. Several FASTRAK racers are expected to make their season debuts this week as an interesting field will battle for the win with some of the top cars in attendance.
The E-Mods will return Saturday night for the second straight week and third time of the season. United E-Mod Series rules will be in effect with any 8” American Racer, Hoosier, or Goodyear Tires permitted. The E-Mods have contested 27 features all-time at Mercer with 15 different winners! The 15-lap feature will pay $400 to-win.
After a one-week hiatus, the Stock Cars return to The Park. Steve D’Apolito won a wild feature the last time the Stocks competed in a race that saw 14-year-old rookie Corey Ruffo tangle with Shaun Hooks racing for the lead. Dan Lewis was the opening night open rules winner and stated he would compete at Mercer this year.
Completing the program will be the Mini Stocks, which will actually be competing in their fifth show of the 59th anniversary season. The Mini Stocks were part of “Crashing Through the Snow” on January 9, which was won by Wally Stearns, Jr., part of the “Chiller Thriller” on March 27 won by Kevin Kilgore, began their championship point race on April 3 and was won by Dan Bish, and last Saturday night defending champion Jamey Lee won his 10th career event. Ironically both Stearns and Bishs’ wins were their career firsts. Teenager Jordan Ehrenberg of New Castle, Pa. is the division point leader in search of his first career win.
Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps begin at 6:15 and the first green flag waves at 7. Adult admission is $12. Mom and dad can bring up to four kids 15 and under for just a buck with the $25 family pass. Students 6-15 are just $5 and kids five and under are always free. Pits passes are $25. Fans can take advantage of the “SPEEDPASS” by upgrading their admission ticket to the pit area at intermission for just $5 or $10 for the entire family.
Coming up on Saturday, April 24, the Sprints, Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, Stock Cars, and Mini Stocks will return to action. The Park’s first promotion of the new season will take place with 2 for $20 Adult Admissions presented by The Mahoning Valley Scrappers. It’s also Twin-State and Pittsburgh Circle Club Nights.
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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. Go to www.twitter.com/mercerraceway or Mercer Raceway Park at www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark to stay up to date.