By Mike Leone
Mercer, PA…Rain showers came in earlier than expected Saturday evening and forced the postponement of the Western PA Sprint Championship/BRP Modified Tour event to Sunday. The event, which is being presented by Ehrlich Your Local Pest Control Experts, will be picked up where it left off with heat races for the 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks, followed by B mains for the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars and the BRP Modified Tour, and finally the five feature events. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with racing at 5.
A total of 117 cars were in the pit area led by Big-Block Modifieds at 42 and the DIRTcar Sprint Challenge Series at 29. Before the rains came, Sprint heat winners were Brian Ellenberger, Danny Holtgraver, and Bob Felmlee, while Jeremy Paup, Del Rougeux, Jr., Lonny Riggs, and Rex King won the Rock Concrete BRP Tour heats.
Rain checks from Saturday as well as the August 14 rain out will be accepted on Sunday for admittance at no charge. New cars will be permitted to run, but will have to tag the back of the heats or B mains. Any drivers not able to return will receive tow money. For anyone else, adult admission is $17. Students 6-15 are $7. The Family Pass is $38. Pit passes are $35. Those in the automotive/truck field will receive $5 off adult admission for themselves and their significant other or $10 off a family pass presented by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply.
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.