Little Guys Nationals Preview at Mercer Raceway Park

Little Guys Nationals Preview at Mercer Raceway Park

Story By: Lou Long/Mercer Raceway Park

Photos by: Tommy Hein/RacersGuide.com

(Mercer, PA July 19, 2017): This Saturday, July 22, Mercer Raceway Park will host the first ever Little Guys Nationals Preview. The event will capture some of the excitement and most of the variety of the season-ending spectacular, to be held October 6 and 7. The feature winners this Saturday night will be guaranteed starters for both nights of the prestigious LGN event! But, there is more. Second place finishers will get a provisional that can be used either night of the two-day fall classic. And, the hard charger in each division will earn a free Pit Pass that can be redeemed on Friday night of the LGN. This will be the speedway’s opportunity to thank the loyal racers for their support of this new program and to reward the high achievers for their efforts.

The headline division for this weekend’s racing will be the Turn 4 Toilets 358 Modifieds. Jimmy Holden has been the top racer in he class, so far, but He has gotten some stiff competition from the likes of Lonnie Riggs, Kyle Fink, Sid Unverzagt, J.R. McGinley and many more. The Little Guy Nationals always attracts some of the best invaders in this division, so it will be interesting to see if any outsiders try to crash the party this weekend.

The Bonnell’s Rod Shop 305 Sprints will bring their winged excitement to the speedway, too. Darin Gallagher and Andy Priest have multiple wins in 2017, but Gregg McCandless notched his first score last week, and he could do it again! Cody Bova, Mike Marano, II, and others will be in the hunt, as well.

The Rock Concrete Modified Lites had one of their largest turn-outs last week, but it was the familiar face of Mark Marcucci who graced victory lane. Can he salt away a guaranteed starting spot?

In the Mini Stocks, the action has been fast and furious, with Tim Callahan and Bill Fuchs swapping the top position in the standings. Callahan has it now on the strength of a feature win, but you cannot count out Fuchs. Nor can you ignore Tyler Fulton, who got an able assist from his friend, Ed Haylett, who drove Fulton’s machine to a top finish in the Ray’s Racing Collectibles and Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking sponsored troupe.

Adding to the fun will be the Open Stocks, 270 Micro Sprints, and the Young Guns Junior Sprints.

The Precise Racing Products 410 Sprints will be off this weekend.

The gates will open at 4 p.m., with time trials starting at about 5:30. The heat racing will immediately follow.

Despite all of this racing action, regular ticket pricing will prevail. So, that means that adults will be admitted for $13, seniors (60+) for $11, and students (9-15) for $5. The children will be admitted for free. The Family Pass will be offered for the bargain price of $28, and that will apply for two adults and up to four minors of any age. The Pit Pass will be the customary $30.

Then, coming up on July 29, the Precise Racing Products 410 Sprints will return, making it a Saturday Night Live! racing event. Bicycle races will be held for the children, courtesy of Turn 4 Toilets and Ray’s Racing Collectibles. Remember that all children must have their helmets in order to compete.

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 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.