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By Mike Leone
July 18, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Mercer, PA).Mercer Raceway Park will look to complete the eighth straight night of racing this Saturday night, July 21. On the card will be a full five-division program of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, M&D Paving Mini Stocks, and the Tire Express Stock Cars in the Ken Carbone Memorial. A Compact Car Demo Derby will round out the night's racing plus it's Labor Union and Yellow Book USA Night. Racing begins at 7 p.m.
The Carbone Family will award plaques to each of the five feature winners and also give tear-offs to the top 10 finishers in each division. The Stock Car winner will receive a $300 bonus and the 10th place finisher will receive a basket of race products with it being the 10th anniversary since Ken's passing.
Following the completion of racing, a Compact Car Demolition Derby will take place paying $300 to the winner with $200 going to second and $100 to third. Last year's inaugural one was won by Strictly Stock racer Josh Seippel.
A first ever Labor Union Night will be held. All card-carrying union members and their significant other will be admitted for just $5 each plus all accompanying children are free!
Rod George charged to his fifth win of the season last Saturday night in the Sprint Cars taking a first win away from Chris Shuttleworth on lap 17. The Kittanning, Pa. driver rebounded after his first finish out of the top two on July 7 and his extended his point lead to 36 over Arnie Kent in search of his second championship
Ron Eperthener, Jr. won his first race in nearly two seasons last Saturday night in the Modifieds to become the seventh different winner of the season. Garrett Krummert continues to lead the points. The New Castle, Pa. driver is not only looking for his first ever championship as he has leads Brad Rapp by four points, but his first career win as well.
Andy Buckley kicked off the first of three straight special events for the Stock Cars by winning last Saturday's inaugural Steve Guthrie, Jr. Memorial for his third win of the season. Seven-time winner Brian Booher of Sandy Lake, Pa. leads Buckley by 56 points in search of his third straight title. Saturday's Stock Car feature is the fifth annual Ken Carbone Memorial paying $650 to-win. Past winners include Doug Iorio (2003), Gary Norman (2004), Andy Buckley (2005), and Terry Wheeler (2006).
Kenny Meadows scored his first career Mercer win last Saturday in the Mod Lite feature. Five-time winner Rod Jones of West Middlesex, Pa. leads fellow West Middlesex driver Mark Marcucci by 17 points.
Lucas Sprouse notched his sixth win of the season in the Mini Stocks last Saturday night and the Elkton, Ohio driver increased his point lead to 30 over Mike Anderson (Jr.).
Ken Carbone started his racing career in the early '60s and continued to be affiliated with the sport until his passing in 1997. He raced coupes and full-bodied cars. Although he was not a big winner, he loved the sport of auto racing like a champion. His numbers were 232 on the coupe and 20 on the full-bodied cars.
Ken's career slowed down due to an industrial accident at Youngstown Sheet and Tube in 1969. His legs were badly burnt and required skin grafts. This made it more difficult to get in and out of the cars. He would drive into the '70s and would later field cars for other drivers that included Bob Covelli. After his driving and owning days were over, Ken could be found in the pit area helping drivers Bob McCann, Tom Williamson, and Paul Rhodes.
Ken's love of racing was passed on to his four children and grandchildren who would like this opportunity to give back to the drivers who help keep the memories of their father alive with each and every week that they compete here at Mercer Raceway Park. Ken Carbone was born on August 6, 1944 and passed away on November 6, 1997.
Pits open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstands open at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps are slated for 6:15 p.m. and the first green flag will wave at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $11. The family pass for mom, dad, and up to four kids 15 and under is $25. Students 6-15 are $5. Children five and under are free. Pit passes are $25.
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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