(Mercer, PA September 19, 2016): Mercer Raceway Park will host the 17th Annual Little Guys Nationals this Friday and Saturday, September 23 and 24. This traditional season-ending event will feature seven different classes of car in competition. It is one of the most popular and exciting racing events held at the speedway.

Two of the classes seem to gather the most amount of attention during this festive weekend. The Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds always attract some New York invaders to do battle with the Mercer regulars. And, the Precise Racing Products Open Stock Cars will be challenged by the stars and cars of the Penn Ohio Stock Car series on Friday night. While Saturday’s Stock Car races will not be sanctioned, there will be no shortage of action for the racers in that class, as there could be three, yes, three features depending on the number of entries.

Jimmy Holden captured the track championship in the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds, and he will try for his third Little Guys crown. Lonny Riggs had a strong season, and he could earn his fourth Little Guys title, which would tie him with Frank Guidace for top honors in that category. Guidace has been a part-time performer at Mercer this season, and he could be in the field looking for one for the thumb. Kyle Fink, Sid Unverzagt, Jeff Schaffer, Jr. and Sr., Kevin Green, J.R. McGinley, and many more drivers are expected to compete.

William Hurrelbrink had an outstanding season in the Precise Racing Products Open Stocks, but he will have his hands full with the likes of Ryan Moyer, Russ Byler, and many others. Expected in for the top-dollar events will be Chris Schneider, the winner of two out of the last three runnings of this prestigious event. Add in talents like former track champion Rusty Moore, Rusty Martz, Curtis Bish, Andy Buckley, Bobby Whitling, Randy Wyant, Rod Lasky, and Brent Johnson, to name a few, it will be an accomplishment just to make the A Main. And that’s is why there will be those three features on Saturday night. Track management wants to give as many drivers as possible a fair chance to have a good payday and the bragging rights that go along with a win on Little Guys weekend.

Andy Priest will be looking for a little redemption in the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors. Priest had some bad racing luck on Championship Night, when he lost the track championship to Jimmy Seger. These two racers will be fighting tooth and nail for top honors. Darin Gallagher, Mike Marano, II, Jacob Gomola, Cody Bova, George Englert, Gregg McCandless, Greg Dobrosky, and others could factor in as well.

Doug Jones would like to put an exclamation mark on his championship season in the Rock Concrete Supply Modified Lites, but he will have to contend with racers like Mark Marcucci, Shane Pfeuffer, Vivian Jones, and more.

The Mini Stocks will be racing this weekend as well. Tyler Fulton would like to build upon his track championship under the twin banners of Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles, while Roman Jones wants to take top honors in the Elder Tractor Sales & Service Junior Sprints.

Joining these five classes will be the 270 Micro Sprints and the two barrel e-Mods.

Friday’s program will have features only for several of the classes in order to save some time. However, all seven classes will have heats and features on Saturday.

Racing on Friday will commence at 6:30 p.m. The pit gates will open at 3 and the spectator gates will open at 4. Racing Saturday will start at 3 p.m. Pit gates will open at 1 p.m. (or, possibly, sooner to accommodate the huge field of cars expected). The spectators will also be admitted at 1 p.m.

Tickets on Friday will be $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (60+), and $7 for students (ages 9-15). The children (ages 8 and under) will be admitted for free. A Family Pass will be available for $32, and that will admit two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $30.

On Saturday, the ticket prices will be as follows: adults, $17; seniors $15, and students $7. The Family Pass will cost $35 and a Pit Pass will be $35.

There will be no combination tickets or two-day passes offered.

There will be plenty of free camping, with no hookups available.

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.