By Brian Liskai
CAMARGO, IL. (5-9-11) – Can Chillicothe, Ohio’s Danny Smith
continue his hot streak when the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of
Champion Sprint Cars invade the tough 3/8th mile Mercer Raceway Park in
Mercer, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 14? Or will three-time All Star
champion Dale Blaney – who leads the All Stars’ national, eastern and Ohio
region point standings – stop Smith’s four straight wins? Or will it be
two-time All Star champions Tim Shaffer and Greg Wilson or young guns Cap
Henry or David Gravel? And, with an extra $500 bonus on the line, the
Mercer regulars will be gunning to defeat the All Stars.
Saturday’s event at Mercer is an Ohio region points night for the All Stars
and a points night for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Midwest All Star Series.
Blaney currently leads the All Stars’ national points, Ohio region points
and Eastern region points. Smith leads the Midwest All Star Series’ points.
Smith has won every feature he has competed in the past two weekends,
starting at Attica and KC and continuing this past weekend with wins at
Lernerville and Mercer. Mercer was the 99th different track the 54-year-old
has won a feature at in his career.
Jason Dolick opened the season at Mercer with a win. Other tough western
Pennsylvania competitors expected are 2010 Lernerville champion Danny
Holtgraver who sits third in the All Star’s Ohio region points, Bob
Felmlee, Brian Ellenberger, Brandon Spithaler, Jimmy Light, Eric Williams,
Rod George and a host of others.
Fans are encouraged to come to the track a little early, as several drivers
will hold an autograph session from 5-5:30. Drivers participating include
two-time and defending All Star champion and 2010 Knoxville Nationals
winner “The Steel City Outlaw” Tim Shaffer; 2010 Ohio Sprint Speedweek
Champion David Gravel; current All Star point leader Dale Blaney; 2010 All
Star Rookie of the Year Cap Henry; and Tony Stewart Racing driver Jessica
Zemken.
The All Star Sprints will be joined Saturday by the Outlaw Warrior Sprints,
Stars Mod Lites and Stock Cars. Fans will enjoy the lowest ASCOC ticket
prices in the region at $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, $9 for students
and kids 8 and under free as always. Family passes are $38 and pit passes
are $35.
For more information go to www.mercerracewaypark.com or
www.allstarsprint.com.