(Mercer, PA June 8, 2017): With two successful Sprint Car specials in the books, the attention at Mercer Raceway Park will turn to the Mid-season Championships. Plus, this Saturday’s program will also be Meet Your Heroes Night, presented by Herr’s Snack Foods. Fans will get to meet and greet their favorite drivers. So, bring your cameras and autograph books to the track on June 10 for this popular event.
Unlike previous editions of the Mid-season Championships, no special handicapping or race procedures will apply. The program will be conducted as if it were a normal Saturday Night Live! event. The race will not award double points, either, but racers will find more dollars in their pay envelopes, and some special prizes will also be awarded.
Jack Sodeman, Jr. will lead the pack of Precise Racing Products 410 Sprint Cars. He has one win on the season, but he must feel proud about his stellar fourth place run against the Arctic Cat All Stars Circuit of Champions. Sodeman was the top local racer that night. He has a 26 point margin over Michael Bauer, who also has a victory this season. Third place man, A.J. Flick won the opener, but that did not count towards the season championship, so he needs another tally to make up some ground. Other top talents expected to compete are Davey Jones, Jimmy Seger, George Hobaugh, Mike Lutz, Dan Kuriger, Gale Ruth, Sr., Rod George, and Dan Shetler. Will Danny Holtgraver get his first win of the season? You need to be there to find out first hand.
The Turn 4 Toilets 358 Modifieds have been putting on some tremendous racing. Jimmy Holden started the year hot as a firecracker, scoring three wins, but Kyle Fink has matched that performance in recent weeks. Holden sits atop the standings, but Fink is mired in fifth, having missed a race along the way. The division’s other winner, Lonny Riggs, holds down the second spot.Sid Unverzagt, Jr. and Richard Whitney are also in the top five in te standings.
In the Bonnell’s Rod Shop 305 Sprint Cars, Darin Gallagher leads steady Gregg McCandless by 41 heading into the championship round. Jeremy Kornbau, Mike Marano, II, and early leader Andy Priest are the others in the top five. Priest has had motor problems of late, so can he rebound with a win?
The Rock Concrete Supply Modified Lites will be back on the docket this week. Only three points separate Shane Webb from Bobby Springer, and Jason Johnston is only 16 marks off the pace. All three are gunning for their first titles at the Park. But, don’t count out former champ Mark Marcucci, who has moved up to fourth despite missing a couple of early season tilts.
Tyler Fulton has just four points more than Bill Fuchs in the battle for the Ray’s Racing Collectibles and Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking crown. Tim Callahan, Isaac Paden, and Pat Hanlon are other prime candidates for the win. The Mini Stocks have been pulling big fields and they have presented some of the most exciting action at the speedway, and this week should be no different.
The gates will open at 4 p.m., and hot laps and qualifications are slated for 5:30, with heat racing to follow thereafter.
Regular event ticket pricing will apply. So that means adults will be admitted for $13, seniors (60+ for $11), and students (9-15) for $5. Children (ages 8 and under) will be free, as always. The economical Family Pass will be available for a mere $28, which applies to two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $30.
If you cannot make it to the track for the Mid-Season Championships, come out June 17 or June 24 for more Saturday Night Live! action. Remember that the June 17 show will also be Twin State Auto Racing Fan Club Night, which means that all members in good standing will be admitted to the stands free of charge. And, circle July 1 on your racing calendars, as that will be Fireworks night, courtesy of Bonnell’s Rod Shop and Pizza Joe’s. There will be three, yes, three divisions of Sprint Cars racing that night!
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 for 2107 include Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants, Scheidemantle Motors, Greenhill Farms Equipment, Inc., the Normandy Banquet Center of Hickory VFW Post 6166, Ritenour Equipment Center, Pizza Joe’s, AMSOIL, Noga Ambulance Service, Inc., Pyrotechnico, Watson’s, Inc., Big Dog Indoor Racing & Hobby, 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.