Racing Fun Back at Mercer Raceway Park
Story By: LOU LONG / MERCER SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By:TOMMY HEIN / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Mercer, PA -April 22, 2016- After a successful “Let’s Go Racing” promotion last weekend, Mercer Raceway Park will offer a full card of Saturday Night Live! racing on Saturday, April 23. Joining the six traditional classes of race cars will be the Elder Tractor Sales & Service Junior Sprints for their first outing of the season.
Brandon Matus, the third generation racer from Wampum, PA, took top honors, and $3,000 to boot, when he captured the opener for the 4 Your Car Connection 410 Sprint Cars. Matus usually hits his stride later in the season, so when he won his first race this early, he served notice that he will be a force to be contended with all year long. But, racers like defending champion Jack Sodeman, Jr. and former kingpin Eric Williams will give him a run for the money.
Jimmy Holden kicked off the defense of his Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modified title with a big victory over a depleted field of cars. More competitors are expected this week, including J.R. McGinley, Kevin Hoffman, and Eric Gabany. And, don’t forget, Frank Guidace has returned to action at the Park!
The Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors saw Andy Priest romp to victory last week. He will have his hands full with the likes of Darin Gallagher, C.J. Jones, George Hobaugh, and many others in the house.
Orange seems to be the hot color for Precise Racing Products Open Stocks, as Leigh Wheeler joined Chiller Thriller winner Brent Johnson in victory lane. Does that mean that William Hurrelbrink or Terry Wheeler win be next? The green machine of defending champion Ryan Moyer cannot be counted out, though.
These four classes will comprise the second stanza of racing, with the green flag waiving for the Precise Racing Products Open Stocks at 7 p.m.
The first round of racing will start at 5:30, with those Elder Tractor Sales Junior Sprints taking to the track. They will be followed by the Mini Stocks, presented by Epertherner’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles, and the Modified Lites, backed by Rock Concrete Supply. Todd Hanlon and Shane Pfeuffer grabbed the wins in their respective classes last week, so they will be looking to double up.
“We had a good first effort with our new format,” said track owner Bill Altman. “We kept things moving, the entire program was finished before 10 p.m., and the track was in great shape.” Altman noted that there were a few bumps in the road, and he is working with the track officials to smooth
them out, so that this week’s program will proceed even more efficiently.
“This is like offering the fans two shows for the price of one.” Altman explained, “fans wanting the full experience can come out at 5:30 and see three classes in action, then, after a short break, the second round of action will begin.”
Ticket prices for this event will be $13 for adults, $11 for seniors (age 60 and above), and $5 for students (ages 9 to 15). The children (ages 8 and under) will be admitted for free, as always. The economical Family Pass will be available for $28, and that will benefit two adults and up to four minors of any age. The Pit Passes will be $30.
Pit gates will open at 4, and the spectator entrances will open at 4:30. Racing will commence at 5:30 for the initial three classes, followed by a 7 p.m. start for the four star component.
If you cannot make it to Mercer Raceway Park this weekend, April 3o will be another Saturday Night Live! program. However, that will be Pittsburgh Circle Track Night, so members in good standing will be admitted for free, 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.< /div>
