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By Mike Leone
July 28, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA. Mercer Raceway Park was able to dodge the scattered thunderstorms and complete the ninth straight event as the following drivers celebrated in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane as part of the seventh annual "Sprint Slug-Out": Todd Bauer-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars 1, Gale Ruth, Jr.-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars 2, Rod George-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars 3, Rodney Beltz-American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Brian Booher-Tire Express Stocks Cars, Todd Canter-Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and Pete Wearing-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
Making just his second appearance of the season, Todd Bauer opened the night by leading from green-to-checkered in the first 15-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature holding off a furious charge by Rod George for his first overall win of the season on the circuit. "I saw him on the inside down here and I just ran the next lap just as hard as I could," revealed the Clarion, Pa. winner. "Then I don't know where we were from there. I'm just glad to get a win here."
Bauer took off from the pole position with Andy McKisson in tow. George, who started seventh, made it to fifth on the opening lap then took fourth from Danny Holtgraver on lap two, while eighth starting Scott Bonnell followed in fifth one lap later. The events only caution came when Broc Martin spun off turn four and hit the wall with five laps completed. When racing resumed, George drove around Arnie Kent for third in turn.
Up front, McKisson began pressuring Bauer on lap seven. George then closed in on McKisson on lap 10, while Bauer began to pull away. George was all over McKisson on laps 11 and 12 before finally making the move off turn four on lap 12 for second. Using the outside, George quickly ran down Bauer and appeared primed for another late race pass for the win. George hounded Bauer hard. Bauer went low in turns three and four on the final lap and George got a great run off the top, but Bauer shut the door right at the finish as George lifted brushing the wall.
The victory was just the third of Bauer's career circuit-wide in his Kriebel Gas/Fisher Racing Engine-powered #45 as his other wins came on July 11, 2004 at Tri-City Speedway and July 1, 2006 at Mercer. McKisson continues to impress with his third straight top three finish in third. Kent and Bonnell were fourth and fifth. Completing the top 10 were Holtgraver, Carl Bowser, western Ohio 360 invader J.R. Stewart, Paul Kish, and Jason Dolick. Topping the heats over the 21-car field were Bauer and Kent.
Gale Ruth, Jr. has been close throughout his career to winning features at the western Pennsylvania dirt tracks. This year Ruth has got out front and led laps with a season best third on July 7. On Saturday night, Ruth slayed the giant by leading all 15 laps of the second Sprint Car feature holding off a late race charge by Scott Bonnell for his career first win.
"Man I don't think this is real," expressed the Pleasantville, Pa. driver after his popular win. "I never thought I'd get here. It's been so hard. I was dreaming about this and I'm glad it came true and happened here. I've always wanted to win one here. My dad and grandpa both won here, now I finally got one. The car was perfect, just flawless and I was going as hard as I could every lap. I have to thank my sponsors, my dad, brothers, uncle, Rich McConnell, and Brad for helping. This is a true blessing. I have to thank the good Lord because without him I wouldn't be here. And I have to thank the all the fans. I sure do appreciate it."
Ruth blasted around Brent Matus on the start and began to pull away from the field only to see his lead erased when fifth place running Paul Kish came to a rest with four laps completed, which moved eighth starting Bonnell to fifth. When racing resumed, the battle raged for second with Matus trying to hold off Jason Dolick, Carl Bowser, and Bonnell. Bonnell squeezed past Bowser for fourth on lap seven at the start-finish line then drove around Dolick off turn two for third on lap 10. Bonnell made a similar move on Matus as he did with Bowser sneaking past off turn four for second on lap 11.
By the time Bonnell got to second, Ruth had a straightaway lead and Bonnell got just what he needed when Lindsay Enscoe spun to bring out the caution with 12 laps completed. Ruth though was able to keep Bonnell at bay as he led the final three laps in the John Ruth-owned, Gil Dahlstrom Scrap Metals-sponsored #5x. Matus held on to a season best third. Kent was fourth again with Bowser recording his season best finish in fifth. Sixth through 10th were Dolick, Stewart, Holtgraver, Bauer, and George.
You can't keep a good man down and Rod George proved that by capturing his seventh win of the season in the 15-lap Sprint Car nightcap. Despite starting ninth and having five less laps to work with, George made his way to the front and claimed his career high 19th overall win of the season on the circuit.
"Third time is a charm," said the Kittanning, Pa. star. "Awesome race track again tonight. Frank (Benic) and the crew did a great job for three features. You could run the top, bottom, and middle. The guys really made us work for it tonight. That was great racing all three features, and I have to thank the fans for coming out."
Paul Kish jumped to the early lead with Dolick in tow. Bonnell spun to bring out the caution with two laps completed, which set up a big charge back through the field. George cracked the top five on lap five taking the spot from Matus. Ruth then spun to bring out the second caution with five laps completed. On the restart, Dolick drove hard in turn one and got under Kish for the lead. The caution was just what George needed as he passed Holtgraver for fourth then drove under Stewart for third on lap seven. One lap later, George went under Kish in turn one for second. George quickly ran down Dolick and made the winning move in turns three and four on lap nine. George had opened up a straightaway lead before Kish slowed bringing out the final caution with 12 laps completed.
When racing resumed, Holtgraver passed Dolick for second, but didn't have anything for George as George cruised to his 14th of his career at Mercer and #112 overall in his Dr. John Crawford III/Notary Express/Ankle & Foot Care-sponsored #4. George has now won six of the last seven nights he has competed. After restarting on the tail on lap three, Bonnell flew through the field and made a daring move on lap 13 to drive around both McKisson and Dolick on lap 13 to finish third and earned an extra $100 for being the night's high point man. McKisson had another strong run in fourth. Kent was fifth and joined Bonnell as the only two drivers to finish in the top five of all three features. Completing the top 10 were Dolick, Bowser, Bauer, Matus, and Aaron Shaffer.
Rodney Beltz won on May 5 and May 12, but suffered through some engine woes and mechanical problems. On Saturday night, Beltz returned to victory lane in the 20-lap $800 to-win American Racer/Lias Tire Modified feature to become the division's top winner of the season. "We've been struggling the last couple weeks with motor and car trouble," stated the Ellwood City, Pa. veteran. "Tonight was a much better night. (Gary) Smoker took a race away from me a couple weeks ago so I figured it was my turn."
Frank Guidace jumped out past Dave Cogswell into the early lead, while fourth starting Gary Smoker moved to second on the opening lap. Beltz, who started fifth, took third from Cogswell on lap two. Smoker and Guidace battled hard for the lead running side-by-side between laps four through six before Guidace slipped high off turn two on lap six allowing Smoker to speed by. Guidace would then loop his mount on lap seven moving Beltz to second for the restart. The next seven laps ran off caution-free until point leader Garrett Krummert spun in turn three with 14 laps completed. The caution was just what Beltz needed. When racing resumed, Beltz snuck under and past Smoker in turns one and two. Smoker ran the top trying to find a way by, but couldn't make it work as Beltz collected his 19th career win, which came in the Emig Racing/Blackshear Racing Engines Ford-powered #1.
Smoker held second over ninth starting Jimmy Holden. Eric Gabany came from 12th for a career best fourth and 13th starting Ron Eperthener, Jr. rounded out the top five. Completing the top 10 were Steve Young in the Jim Rombold, Jr. #7, Krummert, Matt Reeher, Jr. Baker, and Brian May. Topping the heats were Guidace and Holden.
Brian Booher continued his magical season with his career high ninth win in the 20-lap Tire Express Stock Car feature. One week after winning the $650 Ken Carbone Memorial, Booher added Saturday night's $500 score holding off a furious fight by Andy Buckley and Mike Pegher, Jr. "Those guys (Buckley & Pegher) are really top runners in the area," stated the Sandy Lake, Pa. racer. "I enjoy running with them. In another couple laps who knows who would have won. The track condition was great and it's been an awesome year."
Booher started third and raced side-by-side with pole-sitter Pegher for the first three laps before getting by for good on the third circuit. Buckley started back in 12th and worked his way into contention. Buckley raced three-wide with Rod Laskey and Chris Haines for third on lap seven, but it wasn't until lap 11 until he took over third from Haines. The remainder of the race saw the front three battle it out. Buckley and Pegher traded slide jobs swapping second back and forth with Buckley taking the position for good on lap 19. Buckley was all over Booher, but couldn't make the pass as Booher collected his 29th career win in the Terry Hoover-owned, Ed & Jerry's Auto Service/Harry & Tim's Roofing/Brad McEwen Garage Doors-sponsored #00H. Pegher and Terry Wheeler were third and fourth. Haines dropped to fifth, but the second year racer recorded his fourth top five in the last five races. Heat wins went to Booher and Buckley over the 18-car field.
Todd Canter has been oh so close this year to his elusive first Mercer win and finally on Saturday night Canter put it all together coming from 15th to win the 15-lap $300 to-win Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lite feature. Canter became the third different new winner in the last three weeks and joined his teammate Kenny Meadows, who won his first ever at the track two weeks ago. "So close, yet so far away," acknowledged the Warren, Ohio victor. "Oliver (Teague) is like a dad to me- I love him to death. He's the whole outfit. I have to thank him and my teammate Kenny Meadows."
Lynn Knepper led the first four laps of the event. On lap five, it was three-wide for the lead with 10th starting Doug Stanley taking over as Canter was now up to third. One lap later, Canter made the move for second. Canter's winning move came following a restart with seven laps completed as he took over from Stanley. Mark Marcucci passed Stanley for second on lap 12, but didn't have anything for Canter, who was also victorious earlier this season at West Virginia's Tyler County Speedway in the Ollie Teague-owned, Job Rite Pools & Spas-sponsored #9T. Stanley dropped to third. After winning a career first last Sunday at Blanket Hill Speedway, Bill Stivason recorded his first ever top five at Mercer in fourth. Angie Grzelak was fifth for her third top five of the season. Stanley and Rod Jones won the heat races over the 18-car field.
Pete Wearing of Callery, Pa. won for the second time of the season in the M&D Paving Mini Stocks. Wearing started the event from ninth and passed Dan Nagy for second on lap seven. Wearing and leader Mike Anderson (Jr.) ran side-by-side for the lead on lap 10 with Anderson holding on. The two teenager friends battled over the last laps. Wearing got a great run down the backstretch on the final lap and raced alongside Anderson going into turn three. The two made slight contact in turn four as Wearing came out on top for the win in the Rege Wearing-owned, Slippery Rock Dunes-sponsored #111. In nine races, Wearing has yet to finish worse than second. Nagy, who led the first five laps, settled for third for the second straight week. Point leader Lucas Sprouse was fourth with Ed Haylett completing the top five. Bill Fuchs and Anderson won the heats over the 14-car field. Two new cars brought the total number of cars competing this season to 23.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars #1 (15 laps): 1. TODD BAUER ($800) 2. Rod George 3. Andy McKisson 4. Arnie Kent 5. Scott Bonnell 6. Danny Holtgraver 7. Carl Bowser 8. J.R. Stewart 9. Paul Kish 10. Jason Dolick 11. Gale Ruth, Jr. 12. Brent Matus 13. Aaron Shaffer 14. Lindsay Enscoe 15. Butch Beasley 16. Broc Martin 17. Mike Dehner 18. Robert VanTassel 19. Bryan Grove-DNS 20. Joe Butera-DNS 21. Chris Shuttleworth- DNS.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars #2 (15 laps): 1. GALE RUTH, JR. ($800) 2. Scott Bonnell 3. Brent Matus 4. Arnie Kent 5. Carl Bowser 6. Jason Dolick 7. J.R. Stewart 8. Danny Holtgraver 9. Todd Bauer 10. Rod George 11. Aaron Shaffer 12. Mike Dehner 13. Lindsay Enscoe 14. Paul Kish 15. Andy McKisson 16. Robert VanTassel 17. Butch Beasley-DNS 18. Broc Martin-DNS 19. Bryan Grove-DNS 20. Joe Butera-DNS 21. Chris Shuttleworth- DNS.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars #3 (15 laps): 1. ROD GEORGE ($800) 2. Danny Holtgraver 3. Scott Bonnell 4. Andy McKisson 5. Arnie Kent 6. Jason Dolick 7. Carl Bowser 8. Todd Bauer 9. Brent Matus 10. Aaron Shaffer 11. Mike Dehner 12. Lindsay Enscoe 13. Paul Kish 14. J.R. Stewart 15. Gale Ruth, Jr. 16. Robert VanTassel 17. Butch Beasley-DNS 18. Broc Martin-DNS 19. Bryan Grove-DNS 20. Joe Butera-DNS 21. Chris Shuttleworth- DNS.
American Racer/Lias Tire (358) Modifieds (20 laps): 1. RODNEY BELTZ ($800) 2. Gary Smoker 3. Jimmy Holden 4. Eric Gabany 5. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 6. Steve Young 7. Garrett Krummert 8. Matt Reeher 9. J.R. Baker 10. Brian May 11. Frank Guidace 12. Lonny Riggs 13. Rich Whitney 14. Dave Cogswell 15. Kevin Green.
Tire Express Stock Cars (20 laps): 1. BRIAN BOOHER ($500) 2. Andy Buckley 3. Mike Pegher, Jr. 4. Terry Wheeler 5. Chris Haines 6. Tim Deutsch 7. Rick Norco 8. Rod Laskey 9. Shaun Hooks 10. Matt Wagner 11. Matt Keith 12. Dave Ferringer 13. Randy Sprouse 14. Russ Byler 15. Bill Vance, Jr. 16. Ryan Moyer 17. Lauren Simmons 18. Bob Sloss-DNS.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. TODD CANTER ($300) 2. Mark Marcucci 3. Doug Stanley 4. Bill Stivason 5. Angie Grzelak 6. J.J. Metheney 7. Levi Spinneweber 8. Lynn Knepper 9. Garrett Krummert 10. John Decker 11. Alan Knepper 12. Wilbur Juillerat 13. Chad Yeager 14. Matt Snow 15. George Englert 16. Rod Jones 17. Kenny Meadows 18. Kotie Kirkbride.
M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. PETE WEARING ($60) 2. Mike Anderson (Jr.) 3. Dan Nagy 4. Lucas Sprouse 5. Ed Haylett 6. Leland Haylett 7. Mike Mathieson 8. Wally Stearns 9. Rudolph Troples 10. Gary Fleming 11. Jeff Gatrell 12. John Shannon 13. Bill Fuchs-DNS 14. Don D'Onofrio-DNS.
Upcoming Events:
8/1 (Wed) Open practice for all divisions from 5 p.m. until dark.
8/4 Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks plus the 7/4/07 Star's Championship Tour Mod Lite make-up feature. "Pack the Track" Night with $5 adult, $12 family, $2 student admission. "Meet Your Heroes" autograph night presented by Froggy 95.1
8/11 Wingless Sprints ($1,500), Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks plus kids bike races. $10 family night presented by Armstrong. "Mascot Mania"
8/18 Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. All students $1 plus hot dogs, fries, popcorn, and sods $1 for everyone presented by Coca-Cola. Free general admission for all Beaver County residents.
Gates open at 4:30 with hot laps at 6:15 and racing at 7 p.m.
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.mercerracewaypa rk.com for the latest.
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