Racing Resumes Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park
Story By:LOU LONG / MERCER SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By:TOMMY HEIN / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Mercer, PA – April 14, 2016- “Let’s Go Racing!” will be the favorite greeting as the racers and fans of Mercer Raceway Park gather on Saturday, April 16. “The third time will be the charm,” said track owner and promoter Bill Altman. “The two previous events were canceled due to snow, rain, and cold temperatures, but the weather forecast this weekend is favorable and everybody is excited to get back in action.”
Very few of the regular contestants at Mercer Raceway Park have had any opportunity to race so far in the 2016 season. Fans will remember that the Mini Stocks got the first green flag of the season several weeks back in the Snow Flake 25, won by Todd Gabriel. Then, Brent Johnson led the way in the Open Stocks during the Chiller Thriller. A couple of the 358 Modifieds took on the Big Block Mods in that program as well. But, this week many more drivers will be on hand, including the first appearances of the season by the two, that’s right, two Sprint Car classes!
As if the racers need any more incentives, there will be extra dollars on the line for each division, courtesy of Bonnell’s Rod Shop, and championship points will be awarded. So, the competition will be fast and furious!
This event marks the debut for the speedway’s fresh, new format. “It is almost like getting two shows for the price of one,” Altman commented. “We are looking forward to this new model.”
At 5:30 p.m., full programs of heats and feature events will be presented for the Mini Stocks, offered by Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles, and the Modified Lites, sponsored by Rock Concrete Supply. The Elder Tractor Sales and Service Junior Sprints will be given the night off. But, next week, they will also be part of the early bird racing.
Then, at 7 p.m., the four-star attraction will take over the speedway. The Precise Racing Products Open Stocks will kick off the second half of the action-packed event. Next up will be the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors and the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds. The 4 Your Car Connection 410 Sprints will get the curtain call. Racers in each of these classes will compete in heats and feature events, too.
Despite the format change, the gates will open at their customary times. Pits will accessible at 4 p.m., and the grandstand seating will start at 4:30. “We have eliminated some of the down time from our program, and we have structured things differently so the fans will know when they need to be at the track to see their favorite drivers in action,” Altman explained.
Tickets will be $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (ages 60 and above), and $7 for students (ages 9-15). The children (ages 8 and under) will be admitted free, as always at the Park. The Family Pass will be available for $35, and that will be good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will also be $35.
April 23 and April 30 will be Saturday Night Live! events, featuring all seven of the track’s classes racing in that new two-tiered program. The latter will be Pittsburgh Circle Track Club night, as all members in good standing will receive free grandstand tickets courtesy of Elder Tractor Sales and Service.
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.
