For immediate release Mercer end of summer blowout announced with the western Pennsylvania sprint championship returning to Mercer!!! By Jim Balentine Jr. Even with the calendar turning into September racing action is still alive at Mercer with the announcement of the end of summer blowout, along with the return of the long traditional Chuck Marsh western Pennsylvania sprint championship to Mercer on Saturday, September 7 along with the big block modifieds, FASTRAK modified’s, mod lites and mini stocks. The sprint cars have a rich tradition at Mercer going back to the early 1960s when they were originally called super modifieds in this area. In 1966 the first ever western Pennsylvania sprint car championship race occurred at Mercer with Ralph Quarterson, the master of Mercer, picking up that inaugural victory. Many Hall of Fame drivers from all over the East Coast have won the special race including Lynn Paxton,Bobby Allen, Kenny Weld, Jan Opperman , Lou Blaney, Buddy Cochran and in 1978 the race was sanctioned by the world of outlaw sprints in their inaugural year with local favorite Johnny Beaber picking up the win. The race continued on into the 2000s with the likes of Brian Ellenberger and Ed Lynch Jr. earning victories.  This unsanctioned 410 sprint show will pay $2500 to the winner which includes a $500 bonus from the Chuck Marsh family and who will etch their name alongside the greats in local sprint car history? The big block modifieds will be competing for $2000 also to win in their portion of the blowout. the modifieds have been racing at Mercer since the inception in 1951 and this season Rex King Sr became the first modified point champion since the division was brought back since the 2005 season and he also won the title during the former Michales ownership in 1995. King Sr now has 18 career victories at Mercer along with veteran Dave Murdick who started his career at Mercer in 1979, also picked up victories this season. finishing third in points was Rex King Jr who also was victorious this season in finishing second behind his father. these three will be the ones to be watching in this race but an outside invader could come in and take the money as well. The FASTRAK modifieds completes their inaugural season at Mercer with many drivers picking up feature wins. Garrett Krummert who is one of the top crate modified drivers in this area picked up wins. Also winning was Eric Martin, Steve Slater, veteran Jerry Schaffer and young Brian Schaffer who picked up his first ever two back to back feature wins in route to his first ever track championship over consistent Shane Izzo. This race will pay $1500 to win with a $500 bonus being donated by Billy Myers garage. The mod lite division this year at Mercer made history as a 17-year-old Vivian Jones who is a fourth-generation in a rich racing family picked up her first ever track championship at Mercer with five feature went to her credit. Father Rod Jones who now has 28 career wins at Mercer was close on her heels all season long. There were also new winners at Mercer also this season with Cole Petrell and Teddy Williams picking up first ever Mercer feature wins. This race will pay $600 to win so it should bring in a huge amount of outside invaders to challenge our regulars. In the mighty Mercer mini stocks the largest average car count ever in the class excited fans throughout the season with car counts averaging 24 each night!!! Joe Campbell picked up the track championship with one feature win while Mike Porterfield who won his first ever at Mercer came in second in points and veteran Shane shook also picked up multiple feature wins. There has been intense racing in the division with many rookies and first-time visitors to Mercer being in the top five weekly so this should be a huge race paying 500 to win. Admission for this special race on September 7 will be only $15 for general admission seniors will be 13 Kids under the age of 13 will be free with an adult. Pit passes will be 35 ,senior and children pit passes will be 30. pit gates open at four grandstands at five hot laps at 6:30 racing at 7. For more information on the track please visit our Facebook page or go to www. mercerracewaypark.com on race day only phone the track at 724-662-1310.