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BIG-BLOCK MODS BACK AT MERCER SATURDAY AFTER 2 ½ YEARS IN A BRP TOUR EVENT; DOUBLE FASTRAK LATE MODEL FEATURES, FIREWORKS, AUTOGRAPHS & MORE HIGHLIGHT NIGHT
By Mike Leone
August 12, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Mercer, PA).Mercer Raceway Park will hold a special racing event this Saturday, August 16. "The Return" will include the BRP Tour for Big-Block Modifieds, McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models in double features including the July 12 make-up, the Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks with racing at 7 p.m. A spectacular fireworks display will take place after sunset presented by Walt's of Mercer Plaza.
The Big-Block Modifieds will bring their ground-pounding excitement to Mercer Raceway Park Saturday night in a BRP Tour-sanctioned event. The region's top big blocks will be on hand like point leader Brian Swartzlander, Kevin Bolland, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Joe Crawford, Dave Murdick, the return of Tommy Kristyak and many more to take on Mercer's own top small blocks like that are up to the challenge including Gary Smoker, who already has a BRP Tour win earlier this season at Tri-City Speedway. Numerous Mercer 358 small blocks are expected to compete.
The 30-lap feature will pay $1,300 to-win. Should a Mercer-legal 358 small-block win the event, he will earn an extra $500 and if not $200 for being the highest finishing one courtesy of Approved Toilet Rentals.
Ron's Lawn Service and McGoingle Ambulance have kicked in $300 for Mercer's own regular 358s. The second through fifth highest finishing drivers in Mercer's top 20 in points will earn $125, $75, $50, and $50 respectively.
19 Pitt Stop Pub and new owner Merle Black will be sponsoring a six-lap $500 dash for the top three big blocks and top three Mercer small blocks with $150 going to the winner, $100, $75, $70, $60, $50. They will also be hosting a post-race party at their Route 19 location.
The last BRP Tour event run at Mercer was on May 20, 2006 and won by Rex King, who in fact has won the last three shows scoring both wins in 2005. Other BRP Tour winners at Mercer with wins in parentheses are Lou Blaney (3), Kevin Bolland (2), Alan Dellinger, Tommy Kristyak (1), Ron Smoker (1), and Brian Swartzlander (1). The average car count has been 37.
"We're looking forward to the return of the big blocks at Mercer," stated 10th year owner Vicki Emig. "The time is right and it's great to see all the support from Jerry Schaffer, Ron Samol, Brad McGoingle, and Merle Black with all the bonuses that just give racers extra incentive."
The McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models will be running double features. First up on the night's agenda will be the 20-lap make-up feature from July 12. Then a new complete program will be run with $800 going to the winner of the night's regularly scheduled 25-lap event. Frank Guidace of Mercer is the current point leader by 22 over Brian Booher.
The Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites will be going after $300 to-win. Bud Watson of Conneaut, Ohio is fresh off his first career win and vaulted into the point lead for the first time. The 15-year-old sophomore racer has a 10-point lead over defending champion Rod Jones, who flipped last week and missed two events this season.
Dillon Kineston returned to victory lane last Saturday in the M&D Paving Mini Stocks for the second time this season and extended his point lead to eight over Dan McEwen. The 14-year-old racer hails from New Castle, Pa. The Mini Stocks will also be racing for extra money on Saturday.
A special autograph session will be held from 6 to 6:30 p.m. behind the grandstands for current Big-Block Modified drivers and retired winners.
Sometime after sunset, a spectacular fireworks display will be held presented by Walt's of Mercer Plaza. This was the display that was rained out back on June 28.
"We had considered doing double features for the Late Models on this night," explained Emig. "Then when we got into the make-up situation decided to add that to this night with the one less division and instead pay a higher purse for the regular feature. The fireworks are also a nice add to this show and we invite everyone out early to meet the modified racers and see some of the old restored cars."
Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4:30. Warm ups begin at 6:15 and racing begins at 7. Adult admission is $15, students 6-15 are $7, and kids five and under are free. Pit passes are $30.
Mercer Raceway Park is located just minutes from both Interstates 79 & 80 just off Route 19 at 555 Fairground Road, Mercer, PA. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypa rk.com or call the office at 724-964-9300. For information on race day, call the track at 724-662-1310 |
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