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By Mike Leone
August 9, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Mercer, PA).Mercer Raceway Park has announced a change in divisions for the Little Guy Nationals on Saturday, September 29, as the Mod Lites will now replace the E-Mods. This will now give the Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites two complete shows for the first time ever. The Friday night portion will be a STAR'S Championship Tour event, while Saturday's event will be non-sanctioned; neither night will award Mercer Raceway Park points. Friday's show will pay a minimum $500 to-win, $50 to-start and Saturday will offer a minimum $600 to-win, $100 to-start. Drivers who compete in both events will receive a discounted entry fee.
"We have been thrilled with the support of the Mod Lites this season," explained owner Vicki Emig. "It's our intent to now make the Little Guy Nationals the biggest event in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio for Mod Lites. McKean County Raceway has a $2,000 to-win E-Mod event the very same day and our counts for E-Mod shows in recent years just haven't been what we have hoped for thus the reasoning for the change."
The Mod Lites are in their first season as a weekly division and have averaged 22 cars per night. Last Saturday, a season-high 34 Mod Lites turned out as Sparky White won the STAR'S make-up feature from July 4 and Eric Hay became the fifth straight new winner in the night's regularly scheduled event. Eight different drivers have won features and 53 different cars have participated.
After meeting with STAR'S director Bill Bauer and being unanimously approved by the Mod Lites on Saturday, the decision was made. Bauer already gathered up $500 last Saturday to add to Saturday the 29th's event and is hoping to confirm additional sponsorship dollars this weekend to continue to build this event. Paul and Debbie Oyler of Oyler Action Photography have already stepped up to offer $75 to the combined highest finishing Sportsman for both days.
"It is our hope that by having two complete shows it will give additional incentive for drivers outside the area to come in and participate, " explained Mike Leone. "There are Mod Lites from Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Canada, and the East Coast we can draw from. It's no secret the weather is generally always a factor during the Little Guy Nationals and a lot of times keeps drivers from coming from far distances. Now just like it is for the Stock Cars, we have three days with Sunday's rain date to get in the two events plus a rain date of the following weekend. The Mod Lites have always supported the Little Guy Nationals well and have continued that throughout this season. Bill Bauer's help and promotion has always been a key and we look forward to working with him to built this event. It's always been his vision to build the Little Guy Nationals into a huge event for the Mod Lites."
Joining the Mod Lites on Friday night, September 28 will be the July 4 T3 All-Star Modified feature paying $1,500 to-win, Stock Cars for $1,000 to-win, Micro Sprints for $750 to-win, plus Mini Stocks. The Mod Lites will return on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. joined by the Stock Cars for $2,000 to-win plus a $300 to-won B feature, and $200 to-win C feature plus the T3 All-Star Modifieds for $2,000 to-win, and a demo derby for $500 to-win.
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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