(Mercer, PA August 9, 2016): This Saturday, it will be the second round of Smackdown! The Big Block Modifieds of the BRP Modified Tour will invade Mercer Raceway Park to take on the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds. The show will be presented by M & G.

Outwardly, the cars look the same, but hidden under the sheet metal are two different engine packages. Most of the cars that race on the Modified Tour sport 467 cubic inch engines, although there are some even bigger powerplants! The Approved Toilet Rentals cars that compete regularly at the track have smaller, 358 cubic inch engines. But, to make up for the difference in horsepower, the Approved Toilet Rentals machines get to weigh less. The differences in the rules are designed to level the playing field. But, over the years, the Big Blocks have had their way, winning the vast majority of the contests at Mercer Raceway Park. Earlier this season, Rex King, Jr. took the feature for the Modified Tour. Can he repeat? Or, will Jimmy “the Jet” Holden steer his car to victory lane for the home team? Holden’s car was not ready for the first round, so these young drivers have not gone head-to-head in 2016.

Joining Rex King, Jr. will be his father, Rex King, Sr. It is hard to believe that Senior has not won a single race in the 2016 season. Always tough at Mercer, King Sr. would like nothing better than to through the monkey off his back with a big win. But racers like Dave Murdick, Jr., Brad Rapp, Kevin Bolland, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Garrett Krummert, and many more will be on hand to represent the challengers.

In addition to Holden, the Mercer faithful can cheer on recent winner Lonny Riggs, who was the first racer to defend the home turf against those Big Block Mods. Kyle Fink, Frank Guidace, Tommy Kristyak, Sid Unverzagt, Jr., Kevin Green, Jeff Schaffer, Jr. and Sr., and others will be on hand as well.

Which team will J.R. McGinley Kevin Hoffman play for? Both racers have has two cars, one with a trusty 358 and one with the bigger engine. Which rules package will they choose to follow?

These questions, and more will be answered at about 7 p.m. when all of the Modifieds will get their turn on the speedway. In addition to the Modifieds, the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors and the Precise Racing Products Open Stocks will be part of the second half of the racing program.

Remember that, at 5:30 p.m., the first three star divisions will hit the track. That will be the Rock Concrete Supply Modifed Lites, the Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles Mini Stocks, and the Elder Tractor Sales & Service Junior Sprints.

In addition to the exciting racing, there will be a giveaway program for the children. Two lucky youngsters will be drawn at random to win free bicycles, courtesy of Coca Cola, the official beverage supplier at Mercer Raceway Park. No purchases are necessary. All the children need to do its to go to the MRP Kids Club table inside the front gate to sign up!

The ticket prices for this special event will be as follows. Adult admission will be $17, seniors (60+) will be $15, and students will be $7. Children (8 and under) will be free. The Family Passes will be available again. So, for just $35, two adults and up to four minors of any age will be admitted. Pit Passes will also cost $35.

Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates will open at 4 p.m.

If you cannot make it to the track for this week’s Modified Smackdown!, come on out on August 20 for the Summer Shooutout! That program will feature the 305 Sprints from the FAST Series, that is the Fremont-Attica Sprint Tour. There will be racers coming in from Western Ohio to take on the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors! Who will get the bragging rights in this historic first contest? Then, on August 27, it will be Championship Night for the Saturday Night Live! racers. Double points will be on the line and divisional champions will be named. Who will earn the prestigious point titles?

Racers need to submit their registration forms for the 17th Annual Little Guys Nationals, coming up on September 23 and 24. The forms can be obtained at the pitboard on any race night, by going to the track website, www. mercerracewaypark.com, or by calling the track office, 724-662-1310. Early entries will save money off the regristration fee, so get your forms in now!

Remember, too, 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.