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SMALL CAR NATIONAL OPEN COMING FRIDAY AT MERCER; $7 ADULT & $18 FAMILY ADMISSION FOR RACING PLUS "KABOOM 150" ENDURO
By Mike Leone
June 30, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mercer, PA.A new event will debut this Friday night, July 4 at Mercer Raceway Park. The "Small Car National Open" will be presented by Truk Rodz by Jones Performance and include the STAR's Championship Tour for Mod Lites, 270 Micro Sprints, the INEX Legend Cars, Mini Stocks, and the "KABOOM 150" Enduro. Racing begins early at 6 p.m. and the rain date is Saturday and Sunday. Admission is just $7 for adults, families are only $18, and students 6-15 just $3.
The Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites will be competing in the second of three STAR's Championship Tour events held this season at the Park. The 20-lap feature will pay $600 to-win and a strong field of cars is expected. Todd Canter of Warren, Ohio is the current point leader at Mercer looking for his first win of the season. Defending track champion, Rod Jones, is the division's all-time winner at Mercer with 12 wins including two this season.
The 270 Micro Sprints will make their first of two appearances of the season before returning for the Little Guy Nationals on September 26. The 20-lap feature will pay $500 to-win. There is no entry fee for the Micro Sprints. There have been an amazing 17 different winners in the 20 Micro Sprint races held all-time at Mercer. Only Jim Young, Steve Dunmire, and Jay Groves have been able to repeat. Single winners include Rod Jones, Maria Mayerchak, Kevin Schaeffer, Matt Wingard, Karlin Miller, Terry Schaeffer, Mike Himes, Danny Holtgraver, J.J. Metheney, George Hobaugh (Jr.), Sean McAndrew, Mikey Schall, Todd Reusser, and Brian Kishbaugh.
Making their first ever appearance will be the Legend Cars in an INEX-sanctioned National Touring/Regional Qualifier event. Forty-seven events make up their 2008 schedule of events, which include stops in California, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Washington, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma, New York, Georgia, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, as well as Saskatoon, Canada, and Castle Donnington, UK. For more information, go to www.600racing. com.
Rounding out the racing card will be Mercer's own M&D Paving Mini Stocks with an increased purse.
After the successful "Jack Frost 150" Enduro held last January, Mercer Raceway Park decided to add a second enduro titled the "KABOOM 150. The "KABOOM 150" will be 150 laps with $1,000 going to the winner and paying down five positions. The event will follow the completion of the racing action. As of Monday, 69 cars were pre-entered. Those still wishing to register can go to www.mercerracewaypa rk.com, click on rules, and then the Enduro link. The entry fee is now $100, which still includes drivers' pit pass and grandstand admission for their scorer. Entries will be accepted on race day.
The inaugural "Jack Frost 150" drew 118 cars and was won by former Stock Car racer Leigh Wheeler. The "Jack Frost 150" will return on Saturday, January 3, 2009.
"We're always looking at trying new things," explained Vicki Emig. "People have always asked us to do enduros so after the successful Jack Frost one, we decided to give one a shot in the summertime. We figured we'd actually try racing with this one. The Micro Sprints are always wanting to race at Mercer so this is a good date that doesn't conflict with any other tracks. The Mod Lites always support the STAR's shows and it'll be the first ever appearance by the Legends Cars. We've cut admission prices and we just want everyone to have fun and kickoff the Independence Day holiday with us."
Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m. and grandstands at 3:30, hot laps are at 5:15, and racing begins at 6. Adult admission is $7. Students 6-15 are $3. Children five and under are always free. The family pass, which admits mom, dad, and up to four kids, is $18. Pit passes are $30.
Truk Rodz by Jones Performance is located at 1 Jones Way, West Middlesex, PA. For more information, check out their website at www.jonesperformanc e.com or call 1-800-451-1600.
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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