|
By Mike Leone
August 4, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA.Mercer Raceway Park completed the 10th straight program on Saturday night as the following drivers celebrated in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane: Arnie Kent-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Gary Smoker-American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Brian Booher-Tire Express-Stocks Cars, Sparky White-Big Daddy's Speed Center Star's Championship Mod Lite Tour, Eric Hay-Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and Mike Anderson (Jr.)-M&D Paving Mini Stocks. It was "Pack the Track" Fan Appreciation Night presented by Froggy 95.1 and all of the cars and drivers were on the speedway during intermission for the second "Meet Your Heroes" autograph night.
Arnie Kent has had a disappointing year for his standards with only a victory in the wingless race on May 19, but Saturday night Kent set a blistering pace dominating the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature for what may have been his biggest margin of victory ever topping Broc Martin by more than nine seconds.
"I've been struggling all year," acknowledged the New Castle, Pa. winner. "I can't go anywhere in the heat races. My crew works hard and put a good setup underneath it. Frank (Benic) does an excellent job with the track and we had a good time tonight."
New Jersey's Jeff Taylor led the field to green with Martin trailing. Kent, who started sixth, found the outside to his liking moving past Brent Matus for fifth on the opening lap then drove past last week's career first winner Gale Ruth, Jr. and around Chris Shuttleworth for third on lap four. Kent closed on Martin on lap six just before the event's only caution was displayed for newcomer Cory Good, who looped his mount with six laps completed.
When racing resumed, Taylor and Martin were able to hold off Kent on lap seven, but Kent made his move on lap eight. Kent shot around Martin on the outside racing off turn two for second. Kent's great run off the topside of the speedway allowed him to get a under Taylor entering turn three for the lead. Kent then immediately pulled away from the field.
The battle for second and on back was quite thrilling as positions changed nearly every lap with five yellows cars battling from second through seventh. Martin finally was able to work his way past Taylor for second on lap 14. Andy McKisson has been a great story with his impressive runs over the last month in his first year being a Mercer regular. McKisson got to the track late and had to tag the second heat race then worked his way through into the feature handicap line-up where he started ninth. McKisson was running seventh on lap 16 when he made his move. The yellow #0 made a great move to pass the yellow #3B of Scott Bonnell and the yellow #38K of Duffy Smith for fourth on lap 17. McKisson then disposed of the yellow #17T of Taylor for third on lap 18.
Kent was long gone as the last 14 laps went non-stop taking the checkered flag by 9.32 seconds over Martin. For Kent in his Equipment Rental Options/Image Factory-sponsored #18 the win was his 17th of his career in 410 action at Mercer, 18th of his career overall at Mercer, and 21st of his career overall. Teenage rookie Broc Martin, who is the younger brother of Jamie Martin, made just his 10th career start and fourth at Mercer and impressed everyone with a fine second place finish. Martin entered the night with a career best finish of eighth at Ohio's Lakeville Speedway.
McKisson was a fast-closing third and has now finished in the top four in five of the last six features. Mike Lutz was another driver that made a late charge. The June 30 winner sat eighth on lap 17, but in two laps passed Rod George, Smith, Bonnell, and Taylor to finish fourth. Taylor, who finished third on Friday night at Clinton County Speedway, was a Mercer career best fifth. Completing the top 10 were Bonnell, Ruth, Smith, newcomer Jack Sodeman, Jr., and Shuttleworth. Brent Matus and point leader George won the heats over the 18-car field.
Gary Smoker came out on top of the 20-lap American Racer/Lias Tire Modified feature for the third time this season topping Rodney Beltz and joined Beltz as the division's only three-time winners. More importantly Smoker's win his milestone 40th of his career overall at Mercer. "This feels good," expressed the Mercer, Pa. veteran. "We had a bad night last week and made some bad decisions, but we came back. I have to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for keeping me safe and riding with me in that car."
Eric Gabany took off from the pole position with the lead with Steve Young trailing. On lap three, Lonny Riggs spun necessitating the yellow. Under caution, Young exited with smoke trailing from the J.R. Greer #11t yielding second to sixth starting Smoker. When racing resumed, Smoker passed Gabany for the lead and then Gabany spun in turn four collecting Brad Rapp, Rich Whitney, Rick Hall, and Beltz. Back under green flag conditions, 11th starter Mike Stine passed both Frank Guidace and Matt Reeher for fourth on lap five. The laps ticked off caution-free. Point leader and ninth starter Garrett Krummert began to close on Smoker on lap 14, while a three-car battle ensued for third with 14th starting Jimmy Holden trying to hold off Stine and Beltz. Stine had just passed Holden for third when Holden slowed bringing out the event's final caution with 15 laps completed, which moved Beltz to fourth.
When green replaced yellow, Beltz made a great move to get under and past both Stine and Krummert for second. It was a four-car race for the lead on lap 17 and then on the 18th circuit Stine disposed of Krummert for third. Smoker was able to keep Beltz at bay in the D&D Racing-owned, Kristyak's Service Plaza/MBMR Inc./High Reach/Omac Inc.-sponsored #516 for his leading 12th of his career in the division. Beltz was second over a close third by Stine, who made just his second appearance of the season after finishing runner-up in points last year. Guidace was fourth ahead of Krummert. Rounding out the top 10 were Riggs, Hall, Reeher, Whitney, and Jr. Baker. Heat victors were Beltz and Guidace over the 16-car field.
Making his first ever appearance, Sparky White opened the night by winning the 20-lap $500 to-win July 4 Star's Championship Mod Lite Tour make-up feature. "This is an awesome track," stated the Delmar, Delaware winner. "I want to thank everyone for coming out."
Point leader Mark Marcucci jumped out past Eric Hay for the early lead. White, who started sixth, was up to third after the completion of the first lap then passed Hay for second on lap two. Marcucci was able to lead the first seven laps, but two cautions with seven laps completed slowed action. Marcucci didn't get up to speed on the restart as White, Brian Woodhall, and Hay moved past for the first three spots. White went on to lead the last 13 non-stop laps for his first win in the Floyd Carey #16. Woodhall and Tim White battled hard swapping second and third back and forth numerous times with Woodhall coming out on top for good on lap 19 to place second. Tim White of Salisbury, Maryland was third in his first ever appearance and is Sparky's uncle driving the second Floyd Carey entry. Fourth and fifth went to brothers Matt and Mikey Hay, while their father Eric finished sixth.
Eric Hay started on the pole position for the second time of the night, but this time his sons and the rest of the competitors behind him in the night's regularly scheduled 15-lap Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lite feature. With a season-high 34 cars on hand, the higher payoff was used as Hay claimed the $300 top prize. "I got this ride and took advantage of it," explained the Somerset, Pa. winner. "It was a beautiful track tonight. I've been with these cars for probably 15 years now. I started slacking off the last couple years because I got two boys pushing me. They were covering my backdoor tonight. This is just my fourth race of the year and I haven't seen victory lane in two or three years."
Eric survived six cautions and a late charge by his son Matt to take his first ever Mercer win in the Richard Lawson-owned, Rock Concrete-sponsored #40L. Eric became the fifth straight new winner and eighth different winner of the season in the division's inaugural campaign. Two-time winner Matt Hay completed a great night bettering his fourth in the first feature with a runner-up after starting ninth. Woodhall, who started 10th, passed Sparky White on lap 14 to finish third giving him a second and third on the night. White was fourth over Ben Black, who recorded his best finish since a runner-up on opening night. Heat winners were Matt Hay, Eric White, and Rod Jones. Chris Logan won the B main.
Brian Booher won for the third straight week and track leading 10th time of the season in the 15-lap Tire Express Stock Car feature. Booher has now tied Alan Dellinger for the most wins all-time in the division at 30. "It's so exciting," exclaimed the Sandy Lake, Pa. winner. "I have an awesome crew. They put this car together every week for me to drive it. I love racing these guys. It's good competition and I'm having a lot of fun. We're going to keep doing what we're doing."
Despite starting eighth, Booher raced his way to third after the completion of the first lap and then took second on lap two from Shaun Hooks. Rookie Matt Wagner led the first two laps before a caution for Rod Laskey. When racing resumed, Booher made the winning move. Meanwhile, 10th starting Andy Buckley worked his way into contention taking third from Tim Deutsch on lap nine then drove under Terry Wheeler for second off turn four on lap 12. Buckley got what he needed when Randy Wyant brought out two consecutive yellow flags with 12 and 14 laps completed. Buckley tried his best, but was unable to get past Booher who brought the Terry Hoover-owned, Ed & Jerry's Auto Service/Harry & Tim's Roofing/Brad McEwen Garage Doors-sponsored #00H under the checkered flag first. Booher has now earned $1,500 for his three straight wins. Booher and Hooks won the heats.
Former go-kart racer Mike Anderson (Jr.) won in his first ever start on May 5. It took Anderson three months later to return to victory lane in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stocks as he topped a season-high 17-car field Saturday night. Anderson of Harmony, Pa. started eighth and made the winning move on lap six passing Bill Fuchs and went on for the victory in his father Mike's #72. Dan Nagy worked his way from the 14th starting spot to finish a season best second. Last week's winner, Pete Wearing, came from 11th to finish third, which was his worst finish of the season. Ed Haylett was fourth ahead of Mike Mathieson. Anderson and Wearing captured the heats.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars: 1. ARNIE KENT 2. Broc Martin 3. Andy McKisson 4. Mike Lutz 5. Jeff Taylor 6. Scott Bonnell 7. Gale Ruth, Jr. 8. Duffy Smith 9. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 10. Chris Shuttleworth 11. Skip Dougherty 12. Brent Matus 13. Mike Dehner 14. Rod George 15. Jack Helget 16. Joe Butera 17. Cory Good 18. Dan Kuriger-DNS.
American Racer/Lias Tire (358) Modifieds: 1. GARY SMOKER 2. Rodney Beltz 3. Mike Stine 4. Frank Guidace 5. Garrett Krummert 6. Lonny Riggs 7. Rick Hall 8. Matt Reeher 9. Rich Whitney 10. Jr. Baker 11. Jimmy Holden 12. Kevin Green 13. Rich Whitney 14. Steve Young 15. Brad Rapp 16. Dillon McElrath-DNS.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Star's Championship Mod Lite Tour July 4 make-up (20 laps): 1. SPARKY WHITE ($500) 2. Brian Woodhall 3. Tim White 4. Matt Hay 5. Mikey Hay 6. Eric Hay 7. Todd Canter 8. Jeremy Adamik 9. George Englert 10. Doug Stanley 11. Kenny Meadows 12. Ben Black 13. Bud Watson 14. Chris Logan 15. Angie Grzelak 16. Bill Stivason 17. Jeff Teeters 18. Mike Evans 19. Jarred Barclay 20. Charles Campbell 21. Mark Marcucci 22. Rod Jones 23. Lynn Knepper 24. Levi Spinneweber 25. Kevin Meadows-DNS 26. Tom Klein-DNS 27. Adam Murphy-DNS DNQ: Kotie Kirkbride, Mark Brighton, Alan Knepper, Johnny Brunner, Wilbur Juillerat, John Gerula, Jr.
Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites: 1. ERIC HAY ($300) 2. Matt Hay 3. Brian Woodhall 4. Sparky White 5. Ben Black 6. Chris Logan 7. George Englert 8. Angie Grzelak 9. Bill Stivason 10. J.J. Metheney 11. Kotie Kirkbride 12. Kenny Meadows 13. Jeff Teeters 14. Bud Watson 15. Lynn Knepper 16. Mikey Hay 17. Rod Jones 18. Jeremy Adamik 19. Garrett Krummert 20. Tim White 21. Doug Stanley 22. Mark Marcucci 23. Levi Spinneweber 24. Mike Evans DNQ: Alan Knepper, Frank Dunkle, John Gerula, Jr., Wilbur Juillerat, Chad Yeager, Matt Snow, Charles Campbell, Jarred Barclay, Heather Scherrbaum, Todd Canter.
Tire Express Stock Cars: 1. BRIAN BOOHER 2. Andy Buckley 3. Terry Wheeler 4. Tim Deutsch 5. Rod Laskey 6. Russ Byler 7. Matt Wagner 8. Randy Sprouse 9. Randy Wyant 10. Jim Flaherty, Jr. 11. Shaun Hooks 12. Bill Vance, Jr.-DNS 13. Rick Norco-DNS.
M&D Paving Mini Stocks: 1. MIKE ANDERSON (JR.) 2. Dan Nagy 3. Pete Wearing 4. Ed Haylett 5. Mike Mathieson 6. Steve Polkabla 7. Bill Fuchs 8. Leland Haylett 9. Rudolph Troples 10. Dillon Barr 11. Gary Fleming 12. Wally Stearns 13. Kris Anderson 14. Lucas Sprouse 15. Mike McConnell 16. Don D'Onofrio-DNS 17. Skinny Hall-DNS.
Upcoming Events:
8/11 Wingless Sprints ($1,500), Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks plus kids bike races. $10 family night presented by Armstrong.
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.
8/25 Bill Emig Memorial presented by M&M Insurance featuring Modifieds for $2,000 to-win plus Sprints ($1,500), Stocks ($500), Mod Lites ($300), & Mini Stocks ($60). National Riffle Association Night- $5 for card-carrying members and $5 for their significant other.
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.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
|
|
