(Mercer, PA June 2): Despite threatening weather all around the track, Mercer Raceway Park presented a thrilling program of traditional Sprint Car racing with Ohio teenager Cooper Clouse taking the win in the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series event last Saturday. Well, the wings will be back atop the Sprint Cars, as the speedway hosts a Saturday Night Live! program on Saturday, June 4. It will be Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club Night at the Park, with all members in good standing being admitted for free to the grandstands.
There were no points awarded to the 4 Your Car Connection competitors for B.O.S.S. program, so Brandon Matus will enter the June 4 event 19 counters ahead of Jack Sodeman, Jr. in the 410 Sprint Car division. Michael Bauer and Scott Priester are tied for third in the standings. Former champion, Eric Williams, is sidelined indefinitely due to the lingering effects from a crash at another area speedway, so he will surrender fifth spot. Most likely to climb past him in the rankings will be A.J. Flick, Davey Jones, Brent Matus, Alex Paden, and newcomer John Garvin, Jr. These racers and more will be seeking those precious points in order to position themselves for a prime starting spot for the June 11 Midseason Championships.
Jimmy Holden has strung together three wins in a row in teh Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds. And, what is most interesting about that is that he did it all with the same right rear tire on his new car! He liked that tire so much, he gave it a nickname, “Chicken Dinner.” Well, “Chicken Dinner” will not be served this Saturday, as Holden confided that the tire was “giving up on me towards the end” of the race last week. So, the challenge for Holden and company will be to find a suitable replacement. Hoping that he cannot accomplish that will be Kyle Fink, who has two seconds and a third to his credit, along with veterans Lonny Riggs and Tommy Kristyak, both of whom had strong runs last week. And, Jeff Schaffer returned to the track with a new machine, so he should be in the hunt.
Lady Luck was riding with C.J. Jones on Saturday night in the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors. Jones had just taken over second spot on the last lap when leader George Hobaugh, Jr. suffered a flat right rear tire. Jones went by in turn four and scored his first win of the season. Hobaugh will be hoping for better luck this week. Opening night victor Andy Priest will be in the mix, as will be Jacob Gomola, who took a week away from the class to race without a wing against the B.O.S.S. travelers. They will have plenty of stiff competition, including second generation driver Vincent Daugherty.
Defending champ Ryan Moyer dominated the Precise Racing Products Open Stocks, but he is 32 points removed from the lead. William Hurrelbrink holds down the top spot. Pat Fielding, Curt Bish, Shawn Smith, and Garrett Calvert have been knocking on the door, so it will be fun to see who can get to the finish line first. Expected back will be the Wheelers, Terry and Leigh, and a number of other top racers.
With a win the last time out, Doug Jones finds himself at the head of the class in the Rock Concrete Supply Modified Lites. Shane Webb, and former title holder Shane Pfeuffer are withing striking distance, so, watch to see if here are any changes heading into the championship round.
Tyler Fulton’s win moved him ahead of Todd Hanlon, who has dominated the Mini Stock class so far in 2016. Hanlon has three wins to Fulton’s one, but a poor finish last time out hurt his rank. But, a good finish by young Isaac Paden could allow him to move ahead of these two hot shoes. Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles present this popular class.
Chase Metheney and Jordan Simmons have taken wins in the Elder Tractor Sales & Service Junior Sprints, so it is no surprise to see them at the top of the standings. Ayden Cipriano, Roman Jones, Alivia Bish, and Sam Darby will be looking for their chance to shine.
The youngsters will go to the post first, at 5:30, along with the Mini Stocks, and Modified Lites. The power four will move to the speedway at 7, with the Stocks, 358 Modifieds, and both Sprint Car classes in action.
The Pit gates will open at 3:00 and the the spectator gates at 4.
Regular event ticket pricing will apply. Adult admission will be $13, seniors (60+)$11, and students (9-15) $5. The children (8 and under) will be free. The Family Pass is just $28, and that will apply for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $30.
Remember that you can get alerts regarding the cancellation of any racing event at Mercer Raceway Park sent directly to your smartphone or other electronic device. To register, please go to the track’s website, www. mercerracewaypark.com, click on the icon for RainedOut.com, and follow the easy steps.
Marketing partners of Mercer Raceway Park include Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Mercer Hardware, Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants, Scheidemantle Motors, Greenhill Farms Equipment, Inc., the Normandy Banquet Center of Hickory VFW Post 6166, Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service, Pizza Joe’s, Sharon Auto Wrecking, Inc., AMSOIL, Noga Ambulance Service, Inc., Pyrotechnico, Watson’s, Inc., Big Dog Indoor Racing & Hobby, Ritenour Equipment Co., Herr’s Foods, the American Cancer Society, Sunburst Environmental, and Lias Tires.
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, or www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.