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By Mike Leone
May 8, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA.Mercer Raceway Park will look to complete the fourth straight night of racing and fifth overall this Saturday night, May 12. On the card will be the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Tire Express Stock Cars, Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mercer Mini Stocks. It's the second of five $10 Family Nights presented by Armstrong and the first of three Kids Bike Races presented by Ray's Racing Collectibles, Dean Dairy, and the Grove City Eat 'n Park Restaurant.
"Our $10 family nights have been very successful for us," stated Emig. "They went over phenomenal last season and we were very pleased with even the first one in April. The weather is looking great for Saturday with sunshine and 70 degrees so we're expecting a big turnout. Armstrong has been one of our largest and most loyal marketing partners since I've owned the facility. They've been wonderful to work with and have always helped us with our family promotions."
The Kids Bike Races will be held during intermission. They are open for kids 12 and under and helmets are required. All kids must have their parent or legal guardian sign them up to participate, which will take place behind the grandstands in the midway area. Ray's Racing Collectibles, Dean Dairy, and Eat 'n Park in Grove City will provide the prizes.
The Sprint Cars thus far have been dominated by western Pa. great Rod George and high school student Danny Holtgraver. Week one saw Holtgraver hold off George for his first career Sprint Car win. Week two saw George win his first since the 2005 season, while Holtgraver suffered his first ever Sprint Car flip. Last week, Holtgraver returned to victory lane holding off George despite racing the last 15 laps without power steering. George of Kittanning, Pa., the 2005 champion, has an eight-point lead over Arnie Kent, who has never won a championship.
Three veteran racers, who all have big-block experience, have been victorious this far in the Modifieds. Week one saw Jeff Schaffer win his first ever in the division. Then in week two Rick Hall won his first in nearly two seasons, and last week it was Rodney Beltz collecting his first victory of any sort in nearly five season. Another former big-block racer, Steve Young of Grove City, Pa., currently leads the points by three over Garrett Krummert, who is still in search of his first career win.
Brian Booher is off to an excellent start in hopes of winning his third straight Stock Car crown. The Sandy Lake, Pa. driver has two victories and a third place finish as he leads the standings by 10 over one-time winner Andy Buckley. Buckley still leads the overall win list since the track reopened with 23 victories to Booher's 22.
The Mod Lites have raced three times with three different winners as May Hay, Rod Jones, and Mark Marcucci have all graced victory lane with their first wins in the division at the track. Jones of West Middlesex, Pa., a former winner in both the Sprint Car and Micro Sprint classes as well, currently leads the points by three over former Stock Car racer Kenny Meadows.
The Mercer Mini Stocks are back as a weekly class for the first time since 1982 and thus far Lucas Sprouse, Tim Bish, and Mike Anderson (Jr.) have been winners. Sprouse of Elkton, Ohio leads the points by 10 over Bill Fuchs. The Mini Stocks are front-wheel- driver four-cylinder cars for amateur racers
Adult admission is $11; students 6-15 are $5; children five and under are free; the family pass is $10 for mom, dad, and as many kids 15 and under; pit passes are $25. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands at 4:30, hot laps at 6:15, and racing at 7.
Mercer Raceway Park held its first auto race on July 26, 1951 and 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 September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. 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.mercerracewaypa rk.com for the latest.
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