Mercer, PA (September 6, 2011): Mercer Raceway Park is getting ready for its two big season-ending shows, the Western PA Sprint Car Championship and the Little Guy Nationals. The spotlight will shine on the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars this Saturday, September 10, as the speedway will host the twenty-second annual classic for the 410 Sprints. Then, just two short weeks later, the speedway will present the two-day extravaganza for the support divisions. And, to help get everybody dialed in for these events, there will be an open practice session for all cars this Wednesday, September 8.
The Westen PA Sprint Championship is one of the crown jewel events for the 410 Sprints in this region. Over the years, some of the top talents have come in for this race, and, with $3,000 on the line, we could see an influx of invaders this weekend.
But, in addition to the extra money, valuable track points will be up for grabs. In fact, the race will carry double points, so the outcome of this one race could have a tremendous impact on deciding the divisional championship.
Right now, Bob Felmlee holds a 17 point margin over Rod George in the standings. So there will be a race within the race, which will add extra drama and excitement for all of the fans.
In addition to the championship rivals, all of the track regulars are expected to be on hand for the final 410 Sprint race of the year. Brandon Spithaler, Adam Kekich, Brandon and Brent Matus, Scott Priester and Andy McKisson, to name a few, will try for the extra loot and bragging rights that comes with a win in this prestigious event. Mix in other notable regional drivers like Carl Bowser, Danny Holtgraver and Brian Ellenberger, and possibly some invaders, and you have the makings of an exceptional finale!
While much of the attention will deservedly be on the 410 Sprints, two of the track’s other classes will have similar scenarios.
In the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds, Jimmy Holden and Frank Guidace will slug it out for the championship as well. They have raced hard and clean all year long, swapping the top spot in the points standings frequently. With only 29 points separating them, every position on the track will have double significance!
But, don’t forget the other contenders in this class. Will Lonnie Riggs be back in the Paden 55, or will he go with the fast but sometimes unreliable Black 58? Jeff and Jerry Shaffer will bring their immaculate racers. Ron Eperthener and Eric Gabany have been tough all year, and each have wins to their credit. Mopar Matt Reeher, Rick Hall and Kyle Fink need just a little extra luck, and maybe one of them could break through with a win that would position them well for the Little Guy Nationals.
The other class that will see the championship battle go to the wire is the Big Dog R/C Center Mini Stocks. Pete Blazczak dominated the early part of the season, but a series of mechanical failures have casued his points lead dwindle to 46 markers. Solidly in second, and contending for the top spot, is the division’s hottest driver, Ed Haylett. The veteran of over two decades of racing now has four career wins, and they have all come in the second half of the racing season! Seeing them battle with nearly two dozen other drivers will be lots of fun.
Trusty Rusty Moore has tied the track record for most wins in a season and could use this race to claim sole possession of that honor. But, it will not be easy, as last week’s contest with Gary Miller showed. Despite Moore’s exceptional performance, thePrecise Racing Products Stock Car class has seen growth in numbers and improvement in quality over the course of the year. Racers like Bob McCann, Russ Byler, Dan Lewis, Bob Schwartzmiller, Bob Heim, Shawn Hooks, and many others, have the cars and the capability to challenge for the win. And, with this being the last race before the Little Guy Nationals, outsiders may be on hand to prepare for the big event.
In the Big Daddy’s Speed Center Modified Lites, everybody wants to see if young Darrin Gallagher can claim his first track championship. His steady performances have him well out in front of the rest of the field, but he will still be racing hard to end the year on the highest note possible.
Guy Griffin has control of the standings in the ti22 Outlaw Sprint Warriors, but Dennis Wagner is on fire with numerous wins in recent weeks. Plus, several young drivers have emerged as contenders every time they go the the post, including Justin Whitesell and Michael Bauer. Mix in veteran racers like Gary Edwards, Skip Dougherty and now Andy Priest, and you just can’t be sure who will wind up in victory lane at the end of the night.
Tickets for the Western PA Sprint Car Championship will be just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (60+), and $7 for students (9-15). Children (8 and under) are always admitted free. The popular and economical Family Pass will be available for $30 and that will admit one or two adults and up to four children regardless of age. Pit Passes will be the regualr price, only $25.
Gates will open at 4 p.m., with hot laps starting at 6:30 and racing at 7:00. Come out early, as a large crowd is expected.
If you can’t make it out this weekend for the Western PA Sprint Car Championship, mark your calendars to attend the Little Guy Nationals on September 23 and 24. Details on that program will be addressed in the next pre-race release. As a note to all competitors, though, please remember that all drivers must be at least 16 years of age to be able to race at Mercer Raceway Park.
As noted above, the track will host an open practice session this Wednesday, September 10, to help the teams get ready for these big events.
And, even though the action on the speedway will conclude in just a few short weeks, there will be one final event on the speedway calendar, the flea markets. That’s right, on October 15, come rain or shine, the track will host the annual Racer’s Flea Market and Swap Meet. While that is going on in the pits, there will be the first ever Yard Sale and Flea Market going on in the parking lot. Spaces inside or outside the pit gates will be $20, and there will be a small admission charge for the racers.
About Mercer Raceway Park: Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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 from late March through late September. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com, www.twitter.com/mercerraceway, orwww.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.
