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By Mike Leone
January 2, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA."Crashing Through the Snow" is set to go this Saturday, January 5 at Mercer Raceway Park! Included in this inaugural event are the "Jack Frost 150" Enduro and the "Snowball" Demo Derby. The Enduro will take the green at 1 p.m. followed by the Demo Derby.
After a relatively snow-free November and December, a big snowstorm rolled through on New Years Day to ring in 2008 certainly creating a "Crashing Through the Snow" theme. The track crew has begun work prepping the facility for Saturday's long-awaited event.
As of Wednesday, January 2, 111 drivers including over 45 current and former racers ranging from ages 14 to 64 had pre-entered for the Enduro with at least three more expected on Thursday. The Enduro, which will pay $1,000 to-win and pay down through fifth place, has drawn a lot of interest from a wide array of participants including many racers from all types of divisions. The event is limited to the first 150 cars. There is still time to enter and take part in this event, but those interested should call the office at 724-964-9300. For rules and entry check out www.mercerracewaypa rk.com/endurorul es.htm.
Glenn Noland will be looking for his 17th career Enduro win, but will have to come from the 107th starting spot! After his early Enduro days, Noland was a big winner in the Stock Cars throughout the region before moving up to Late Models and then most recently to the Sprint Car ranks. Another Sprint Car driver taking part in the action is Arnie Kent, who has 19 career wins at Mercer, and will start 35th. Popular former Sprint Car and Modified racer Tommy Marshall III will start 26th.
The 2005 & 2006 Little Guy Nationals Stock Car winner and defending Raceway 7 Champion, Rusty Wheeler, will go from the sixth starting spot. The 2002 Mercer Champion and 2004 Little Guy Nationals winner Shaun Hooks will start 13th. Lernerville Speedway Stock Car Champion and 10-time Mercer winner Mike Pegher, Jr. will start ninth. The 2000 Tri-City Speedway Champion and 2006 Applefest winner Dave Ferringer will start 59th. One of the region's all-time Stock Car greats, Scott Bochek, will start 31st. Stock Car standout and Late Model racer Chris Schneider will start 108th. Other current Stock Car racers in the field include Gary Fisher, Ryan Moyer, Bryan Wagner, Russ Byler, Stacy Neubecker, John Radvansky, Steve Mowery, Bruce Milbert (Jr.), Aaron Fraser, and Jason Wilfong.
Mercer 358 and Sportsman Modified winners Steve Toth and Andy Paden will start 15th and 52nd respectively. Ben Porter, who has competed in various Modified classes at Mercer as well as the Stock Car and Strictly Stock divisions and will race a FASTRAK Late Model in 2008, will start 5th.
E-Mod racer Andy Sweetland, who won Lernerville' s Enduro in September, will start 89th. Long-time E-Mod racer Steve Haefke will start 42nd.
Tim Bish, the 2006 Little Guy Nationals and the 2007 Chiller Thriller Mini Stock winner, will start 49th. Tom Pavelko, who was the Mini Stock winner at Challenger Raceway's Fall Fest in October, will start 62nd. Dillon Barr, who became the youngest winner in the history of Mercer at 14 this summer, will start 81st. Other Mini Stock racers in the field include pole-sitter Carlos Aponte, northern Pennsylvania and New York standout Bruno Mowery, Bud Sergeff, Aaron Hill, Jason Joiner, Ed Bolyard, and Dan Colwell,
Other former racers in the field include Mercer Stock Car winners Dwight Boice and Leigh Wheeler, modified racers Kevin Latshaw, Kyle Ripper, John Larkin, and Merle Black, who is also the car owner and step-father of Modified racer Lonny Riggs, former Sprint Car driver Dan McEwen, Strictly Stock racers Robby Switzer, who is Tri-City's all-time winner with 15 victories, and Dave Bass, along with Pete Blazczak and Mark Latshaw.
Some fathers of current racers competing include Larry Krummert- father to our 2007 Modified Champion Garrett Krummert, Tod Cook- the father of Sprint Car racer Jeremy Cook; and Bill Simmons- the father of Stock Car racer Lauren Simmons.
A complete pre-entry list with starting positions/car numbers and more is posted at www.mercerracewaypa rk.com/enduroent rylist.htm
"This is pretty impressive group of racers," acknowledged 10th year track owner Vicki Emig. "It's like an all-star field from all types of divisions that have never raced together. We have some of the best Stock Car racers in the region over the past 15 years with guys like Glenn Noland, Scott Bochek, Rusty Wheeler, Dave Ferringer, Shaun Hooks, Mike Pegher, and Chris Schneider. Then throws in the likes of Arnie Kent, Tommy Marshall, Andy Sweetland, Steve Haefke, Andy Paden, youngsters Tim Bish and Dillon Barr and it should be very interesting. Who knows maybe a non-racer will surprise everyone!"
The Demo Derby will pay $500 to-win and is limited to 1980 and newer front-wheel- drive cars. Second place will receive $250 with $150 going to third place. If 50 or more cars participate, positions four through six will pay $100, $75, $50. There is no pre-entry or entry fee for the Demo as sign-up will take place on Saturday.
For rules, check out www.mercerracewaypa rk.com/demoderby rules.html.
While the VIP Suites sold out immediately, there are a limited amount of reserved viewing drive-in parking spaces available for $20. Over half of the reserved parking spots have been sold as of Wednesday. Reserved spots now must be purchased at the office in New Bedford, Pa. on Thursday or Friday or will be sold on a first-come, first served basis on Saturday once the general admission gates open at 11 a.m.
Adult grandstand admission is just $5 and $2 for students 6-15. Family passes are only $12 and pit admission is $20. Kids five and under are free. Concessions will be open. For more information on the event, please contact the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. The severe weather make-up date is January 19.
Next Saturday, January 12 the Normandy Banquet Center will be the site of Mercer Raceway Park's annual awards banquet and dinner for the fifth straight year. The Normandy Banquet Center, which is also the Hickory VFW Post 6166, is located on Route 62 just two miles east of Route 18 in Hermitage, Pa.
Doors open at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will follow dinner. The event is open to the public. Ticket information has been mailed out to the drivers. Tickets are $33 per person. If you would like to attend and did not receive the information, please contact our office at 724-964-9300 or e-mail us at webmaster@mercerrac ewaypark. com.
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 September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday after 1 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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