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MERCER HOPES FOR BETTER WEATHER FOR SECOND HALF OF SEASON; RECAP OF SCHEDULE CHANGES NOTED
By Mike Leone
June 29, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA.After the worst weather start ever to a season of a racing, Mercer Raceway Park hopes the second half of the season will bring sunshine and dry weather. After 15 scheduled events, only one, the world championship truck and tractor pull on May 24 was a sunny day without a chance of rain. Seven of the 14 race events have been rained out and all the seven completed after either been threatening, cloudy and cold, or have been delayed by rain.
"This is my 10th year and I've never experienced anything like this," acknowledged owner Vicki Emig. "It's been a very challenging year on everyone from management, to the track crew, to the fans and drivers each and every week. I want to thank everyone for their support thus far and their patience and understanding dealing with the weather week in and week out. After getting people at the track three times and having to send them home, we made the decision yesterday with the forecast to cancel early. Last Saturday was stressful with the severe storms and having to evacuate everyone with the tornado sirens blaring. It turned out that severe storms hit again Saturday shortly before race time. It's really a no-win situation for anyone on these nights."
Following Wednesday's open practice from 5 p.m. until dark, Friday night, July 4 is the inaugural "Small Car National Open" presented by Truk Rodz by Jones Performance. Along with the "KABOOM 150" Enduro paying $1,000 to-win a full night of racing will be on tap for the STAR's Championship Tour Mod Lites, INEX Legend Cars in a National Touring Event, Micro Sprints, and Mini Stocks. Racing begins early at 6 p.m. Adult admission is only $7, families $18, and students 6-15 just $3. Rain date is Saturday & Sunday, July 5-6.
With all the rain outs, many of the promotions have had to be rescheduled. The rained out Free Venango County Night presented by Allegheny Toyota/Scion will take place on July 12. The "Racing for a Cure" American Cancer Society Benefit will be held on August 2 as already $7,500 has been raised with the pot to grow through the event date. On August 9, the Free New Castle Night presented by Augustine's Italian Village and Froggy 95 will take place. Saturday's rained out fireworks spectacular presented by Walt's of Mercer Plaza will be held on August 16, while Free Butler County Night presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit and Armstrong Cable will take place on August 23.
Two upcoming special race events to pencil on your calendars are July 26 and August 16. The inaugural "Open Wheel Shootout" in conjunction with the annual "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by FireDEX of Butler will take place on Saturday, July 26. The Tire Express Modifieds will be racing in one of their richest events of the season and for the first time ever three different classes of Sprint Cars will be competing. The Luxaire Heating & Cooling 410 Sprint Cars will race for $1,500 to win as no other regional Sprint Car races will be held this night. The PA 305 Sprint Series will make their maiden voyage to western Pennsylvania and the Limited Sprint Cars will make their first ever appearance at Mercer. The Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites and M&D Paving Mini Stocks will also be racing for extra money.
On August 16, "The Return" will see the Big-Block Modifieds back for the first time in two and half years in a BRP Tour-sanctioned event. The McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models will also compete in a special event. If sponsorship is obtained, the event originally scheduled for $800 to-win would become a Northeast Touring Series show. Fireworks and autograph night for the Big-Block Modifieds will also be held along with increased monies for the Mod Lites and Mini Stocks.
Last month the announcement was made that Mercer Raceway Park has changed from the handicap line-up system used since 1999 to the top 12 redraw format- the new format went into effect on June 14. The Sprint Car purse was adjusted with a purse increase as positions 7-24 were increased with $175 now to start. Last week, the track crew laid down 600 tons of new clay.
"We're looking at July as the start of a new season with a fresh slate," explained Emig. "We based our schedule this year on affordability with the state of the economy and gas prices without ever imaging the horrendous weather we'd face night in and night out. It's been a challenging season and we've had to adjust and move on. We'll start with our practice on Wednesday, which is supposed to have nice weather and look forward to a fun event on Friday night. We invite everyone out for just $7 or bring the families for $18 and spend the holiday at The Park for a night of fun. Then we'll get back into our weekly action on the 12th."
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 or e-mail to webmaster@mercerrac ewaypark. com. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypa rk.com for the latest.
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