(Mercer, PA July 6, 2016): Mercer Raceway Park will host six divisions of racing this Saturday, July 9, starting at 5:30. It will be a Saturday Night Live! racing program with one exception: there will be no 4 Your Car Connection 410 Sprint Cars. Top billing will go to the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds, the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors, and the Precise Racing Products Open Stock Cars. The undercard will be the usual threesome of the Elder Tractor Sales & Service Junior Sprints, the Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles Mini Stocks, and the Rock Concrete Supply Modified Lites. It will be point racing for those classes in advance of the double-point Mid-season Championships coming up on July 16.
Jimmy Holden roared to another win in the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds last weekend, but he still finds himself six markers behind Kyle Fink. That is because the Auto Racers for Kids program did not count towards the point chase. Lonny Riggs has a five point margin over Tommy Kristyak for third, but they are a ways behind Fink and Holden. Jeff Schaffer, Jr. holds down the fifth spot in the standings. Other top contenders will be Sid Unverzagt, Jr., Frank Guidace, J.R. McGinley, Kevin Green, and Jeff Schaffer, Sr.
The Bonnell’s Rod Shops Outlaw Sprint Warriors will be led into action by Andy Priest, who dominated the race last weekend. But, there will be plenty of young pilots looking to knock off the veteran racer. Mike Marano, II, Eric L. Williams, Darin Gallagher, Cody Bova, and Vincent Daugherty will be among them. Gregg McCandless will try for another win, after recently getting number one after a ten-year hiatus. Rod Jones and Mike Miller also bring considerable experience, so they will be in he hunt, too.
William Hurrelbrink has quietly amassed a lead of nearly sixty points over last year’s champion, Ryan Moyer, in the Precise Racing Products Open Stocks. Bobby Heim got the win last weekend, and he will try to double up, so he can make a big move in the standings. He is mired in nineteenth, after getting a late start for the season. Pat Fielding, Curt Bish, and Shawn Smith will be among the other contestants for the top spot.
Doug Jones has a thirty-point margin over Shane Webb, but some stiff competition will come from Shane Pfeuffer, Mark Marcucci, Kenny Meadows, Jacob Bova, Kurt Eckstrom, and Jason Johnson in those Rock Concrete Supply Modified Lites. But, could this be the weekend that young Vivian Jones breaks through for the win?
Teenager Isaac Paden sits on top of the standings in the Mini Stocks presented by Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles. Tyler Fulton is within striking distance, but Shane Shook, Jacob Rice, and a host of others will fight for the win.
Can anybody stop Jordan Simmons? The lad has reeled off four consecutive wins in the Edler Tractor Sales and Service Junior Sprints. What is more, he has scored heat wins, too! Chase Metheney, Roman Jones, Ayden Cipriano, and Sammy Darby are gunning for him.
The pit gates will open at 3 p.m, and the spectator gates will open an hour later. Racing starts at 5:30 for the first three classes–Junior Sprints, Mini Stocks, and Mod Lites–and the remaining classes will go to the post at about seven p.m.
Regular ticket prices will apply. So, adult admission will be $13, seniors (60+) $11, and students (9-15) $5. The children (8 and under) will be admitted for free. The Family Pass will be $28, and that is good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. The Pit Passes will be $30.
July 16 will be the Mid-season Championships. It will be the first Meet Your Heroes Night, presented by Herr’s Snack Foods. It will be American Cancer Society Racing for a Cure Night, with cancer survivors being admitted for free. Also, free admission will be available for members in good standing of the Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club.
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.