UPCOMING EVENTS

NEWS FLASH!!!

•  Spend the 4th of July at Mercer Raceway Park.  Full night of racing plus the "KABOOM 100" Enduro!  See the story below.

• Open Stock Cars added to Saturday for $400 to-win, $50 to-start!

• There is still time to enter for the "KABOOM 100".  Click here for rules & entry form.

• Congrats to Andy McKisson-Sprints, Eric Gabany-Modifieds, Steve D'Apolito-602 Stocks, Mark Marcucci-Mod Lites, & Tim Callahan-Mini Stocks.  4 of the 5 features went non-stop!  Press release & results are posted below.

• A press release on the upcoming "Racing for a Cure" American Cancer Society Benefit Night on August 1 has been posted below.

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TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE SATURDAY AT MERCER WITH FULL NIGHT OF RACING & “KABOOM 100” ENDURO
By Mike Leone

June 30, 2009             

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park will celebrate the 4^th of July this Saturday night with a huge night of racing!  It’s two events for the price of one with regular admission prices in effect for a full program of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Open Stock Cars, Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks on the racing card at 7 p.m. followed by the “KABOOM 100” Enduro!

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday night,” stated 11^th year owner Vicki Emig.  “Last year we tried an Enduro with some racing and it went over well.  This year we were unable to bring that exact racing event back so we just decided with it being a holiday we’d run our full program and add the Enduro at the end!  All this for just $11 for adults and $25 for families!”

Mercer Raceway Park is the only Saturday night track running Sprints, Modifieds, and Late Models, and a strong field is expected with some of the area tracks not in competition or not running some of their divisions.  Also announced last week was the addition of the Stock Cars under the “Little Guy Nationals” “open” rules with $400 going to the winner and $50 to-start.  A $200 bonus will be up for grabs if any GM 602 can win the event!

The Enduro will pay the top five finishers with a big $1,000 going to the winner!  Entries are still being accepted at our office or on July 4 on a first-come, first-served basis.  For rules and entry form, check out the website at www.mercerracewaypark.com and click on rules and Enduro. 

Tim Gillette is the defending “KABOOM” winner and will be looking to make it three in a row in Enduro competition as he was also the winner on the January 3 “Jack Frost 150”.  Some of the former and current racers that have already sent their entries in Sprint Car drivers Russ Sansosti and Andy Paden, Modified racer Ryan Hall, FASTRAK Late Model driver Rusty Cade, Stock Car driver Stacy Neubecker, former USAC Silver Crown and Midget driver Robin Bank, former Modified drivers Troy Schaffer, George Davis, and John Larkin, and Mini Stock drivers Dillon Barr and Michael Scharba.

Racing stars Chris Shuttleworth (Sprints), Lonny Riggs (Modifieds), Andy Buckley (Stocks), and Rudy Troples (Mini Stocks) will have their cars in the midway area to sign autographs from 5:30-6:30 p.m.  Fans will want to be sure to pick up a free color collectible autograph card featuring these drivers as the “In the Spotlight” program is presented by The Mahoning Valley Scrappers. 

Current point leaders are Rod George (Kittanning, Pa.)-Sprint Cars, Frank Guidace (Mercer, Pa.)-Modifieds, Max Blair (Centerville, Pa.)-FASTRAK Late Models, Andy Buckley (Stoneboro, Pa.)-602 Stock Cars, Mark Marcucci (West Middlesex, Pa.)-Mod Lites, and Jamey Lee (Fairmount City, Pa.)-Mini Stocks.

“We had some tremendous racing last Saturday,” explained Emig.  “Four of the five features went non-stop and there were only two cautions in the other.  The track was in excellent shape and we have to thank the fans for turning out for one of our biggest crowds in some time.  The competition has been excellent as we’ve had five different Sprint Car winners in the last five weeks!  We’ve only had two Modified drivers able to repeat all season long.  The Mod Lite count matched a season high on Saturday and it was great to see Tim Callahan win his career first in the Mini Stocks!”

Pits open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstand at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.  Warm-ups begin at 6:15 and the first green flag at 7.  Adult admission is $11.  The family pass for mom, dad, and up to four kids 6-15 is $25.  Students 6-15 are $5.  Children five and under and parking are free!  Pit passes are $25.  

Fans will want to take advantage of the SPEEDPASS, which will allow fans to upgrade their general admission tickets for pit passes for just $5 or $10 for the entire family around intermission time.  Also as a reminder, children are permitted in the pits this year, but must be signed in and supervised by their parent or legal guardian.

The season’s fourth open practice will be held next Wednesday, July 8.  Pits open at 4 p.m. with practice 5 until dark.  The rain date is Thursday.  There will be no racing on Saturday, July 11.

MCKISSON DOMINATES SPRINTS FOR 1^ST WIN OF 2009; GABANY BECOMES TOP MOD WINNER AT MERCER; D’APOLITO WINS 2^nd IN STOCKS; #4 FOR MARCUCCI IN MOD LITES; CAREER 1^ST FOR CALLAHAN IN MINI STOCKS

By Mike Leone 

June 27, 2009    

Mercer, PA…A picture perfect night greeted competitors and a huge crowd for “American Patriot Night” Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Andy McKisson-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Eric Gabany-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Steve D’Apolito-GM 602 Stock Cars, Mark Marcucci-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Tim Callahan-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.  An amazing four of the five features went non-stop on the fast, tacky, and dust-free surface!

Cartwright Fireworks put on their first ever show at The Park and received rave reviews with a wide array of displays.  It was Free Butler County Night presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit and Armstrong.  All veterans and scouts were admitted free and were recognized. 

In just his second Mercer start of the year and only sixth race overall of 2009, Andy McKisson put on a dominating performance taking the checkered flag first by over one-half lap ahead of Arnie Kent in the non-stop 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature. 

“This is the same motor from last year,” explained the Strattanville, Pa. driver, who won his first career Mercer feature last August 9 in just his third Mercer start of 2008.  “We didn’t do anything to it other than winterize it and parked it in the corner.  This is the 20^th race on it.  We are under financed this year and doing it out of our own pocket that’s why we’re late coming out this year.  We pour concrete for a living and the weather wasn’t good for that this year.”

Rookie Sprint Car driver Chris Best blasted into the lead at the start with pole-sitter Charlie Holben trailing and fourth starting McKisson to third after one lap.  McKisson hounded Holben for three laps before driving under and past him in turn one on lap four.  Best, who was coming off a career best third on Friday night at Thunder Mountain Speedway, looked strong as he had a half-straightaway lead on lap five.  McKisson though began to reel in Best on lap seven and got alongside the leader on lap eight before making the winning move in turns three and four with an inside pass.

Eighth starting Kent was having one of his best runs of the year as he made a great move diving under Nate Stein for fourth on lap seven and Holben for third on lap 10.  Kent then took runner-up from Best on lap 12.  Meanwhile, all eyes were on point leader and four-time winner Rod George, who started 16^th after problems in hot laps.  George was flying on the outside running above the cushion up on the fence in turns one and two as he made his way forward.  He cracked the top five on lap 11, moved to fourth on lap 14 driving by Holben, then charged under Best for third on lap 15. 

Back up front, McKisson was in a league of his own as the big yellow smiley on his car was as big as the smile on his face when he exited his McKisson & Son Construction/B&W Smith Excavating-sponsored #0 after the non-stop effort timed in 5:02.64.  “Craig Rankin was my mentor and would have been proud tonight,” expressed McKisson after his ninth career win overall.  “When I was growing up, he was someone I knew personally and taught me a lot.  All you kids here tonight need to keep in mind if this is something you want to do, keep your mind to it, and you can make it happen.”

Kent held off George for his second runner-up in the past four races.  Holben matched his best finish of the season on the circuit in fourth after getting by Best on lap 18.  Best dropped to fifth, but it was a great two nights with two top 5s in just his eighth and ninth races of his “410” career.  Completing the top 10 were Gale Ruth, Jr., Stein, Carl Bowser, Eric Williams who won his first career “410” race Friday night at Thunder Mountain, and Dan Kuriger.  Heat winners were Kuriger and Ruth.

Eric Gabany’s career year just keeps getting better as he nailed down his third win of 2009 more than doubling his two career wins prior to the season.  Gabany held off hard-charging Jimmy Holden to win the non-stop 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals Modified feature timed in 5:53.44 to become the division’s top winner of the season.

“That was a great run,” said the happy Mercer, Pa. driver.  “I’m a little warm!  Oh man I thought Jr. Baker was going to get me.  He got a little sideways and I just had enough time to get away.  I knew he (Holden) was going to be there from the beginning.  I had to stay on the bottom because I knew he likes it down there.”

Gabany drew the pole position, but Holden wasn’t far behind as he lined up third and overtook Eric Martin for second on the first lap.  Ninth starting Frank Guidace quickly moved forward as he was up to fourth after the opening lap and took third from Rodney Beltz on lap three.  Guidace caught Holden on lap eight.  Traffic came into play on laps 10 and 11 as it became a three-car race for the lead.

Gabany cleared traffic and opened up some ground before Holden caught back up on lap 13.  Gabany again got away until Jr. Baker got sideways coming off turn two on lap 16.  Gabany had to get off the gas and take evasive action going around Baker.  Holden tried to seize the moment, but Gabany moved up just in time to protect the lead.  On lap 17, Holden drove hard to the inside of Gabany in turns one and two getting alongside the leader.  Gabany though maintained the lead by running Holden’s preferred line. 

That was as close as Holden would get as Gabany held on for his fifth career win in his Atlantic Timberframes/Shaver’s Barber Shop/Gabany Automotive-sponsored #3E.  Ironically two of Gabany’s three wins this year have been in non-stop races as his April 18 win was just a tick over one second slower than Saturday night’s run to the checkered.  Holden was second for the third time this season.  Guidace was third as he continued the point lead still in search of his first win of 2009.  Garrett Krummert was fourth over a season-best effort by John Buchanan.  Completing the top 10 were Rick Hall, Matt Reeher, Dave Cogswell, Beltz, and Baker.  Holden and Gabany won the heats.

Steve D’Apolito won his second of the season leading all 12 laps of the non-stop GM 602 Stock Car feature timed in 3:58.40.  “I have to thank my dad, brother, and cousin,” stated the Boardman, Ohio Stock Car standout.  “They’ve been changing tires and doing all kinds of stuff today.”

D’Apolito started second and drove around Russ Coyne on the start.  D’Apolito checked out, while the battle was on for second.  Five-time winner and point leader Andy Buckley slipped high on lap seven trying to pass Coyne and lost third to Shaun Hooks.  D’Apolito would take the checkered by a one-half lap margin of victory in the Buzz Utsinger-owned, Utsinger’s Towing/Race 1-sponsored #84.  Coyne edged Hooks and Buckley for second for his second runner-up of the season.  Coyne also won his second straight heat race. 

Like Gabany, Mark Marcucci is also having a career best season.  He like Gabany entered 2009 with two prior wins, but on Saturday night won his division-leading fourth of the year after his victory in the 15-lap Big Daddy’s Speed Center feature.  “I liked the track- it was awesome tonight,” said the West Middlesex, Pa. racer.  “We got the car setup darn near perfect…fireworks, a win- you can’t beat it!” 

Starting 11^th, Marcucci darted through the pack and was all the way up third after one lap as he trailed leader Mylan Markovich, Jr. and Kotie Kirkbride.  Marcucci and Rick Ament passed Kirkbride for second and third respectively on lap two before Terry Young spun to bring out the night’s first caution in the last race of the evening. 

When racing resumed, Marcucci and Ament overtook Markovich for the top two spots.  Shane Pfeuffer worked his way from his 10^th starting up to third on lap five when he disposed of Markovich.  Lynn Knepper, who was subbing for his son Alan, started ninth and joined the battle when he grabbed third from Pfeuffer on lap nine following the event’s second restart.

The last seven laps went green-to-checkered as Marcucci extended his point lead with his second straight win and sixth of his career in his father’s D&M Excavating & Construction/Harper & Houston Masonry/Broadway Ernie’s Transmission-sponsored #8M.  Ament was second as he’s now finished in the top two in three of his four appearances this year.  Knepper edged Pfeuffer for third.  Kirkbride was fifth for the fifth time in her six starts this season.  Heat wins went to Marcucci and Knepper.

Car 54 where are you!?  In victory lane at Mercer Raceway Park for the first time as Pennsylvania State Trooper Tim Callahan captured his career first victory in the non-stop 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature timed in 5:39.46!  “It’s been a long time coming,” said the happy Grove City, Pa. driver.

Dave Heberling led lap one, while Callahan, who started sixth, made it halfway to the front.  On lap two, John Shannon and Callahan both passed Heberling for first and second respectively.  Callahan got alongside Shannon on lap four and the two raced side-by-side with Callahan nosing ahead to lead the lap.  Callahan would lead the rest of the way driving a great race through lapped traffic for the popular win in his Pizza Joe’s/Ithen Printing/Essroc/Turner Insurance/Custom Lawn Care-sponsored #54 Honda Prelude.

Rookie Lee Lehnerd continued his strong season to stay in the championship hunt with his fourth runner-up of the season.  Lehnerd started from the seventh hole and passed Shannon on the final lap to take the second position.  After a terrible start to the season with only a ninth to show in the first six races, Shannon recorded his third straight top five effort and best of the season in third.  Dan McEwen was fourth over point leader Jamey Lee.  Heat winners were Lee and Mike McConnell.

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. ANDY MCKISSON (0)  2. Arnie Kent (18)  3. Rod George (4)  4. Charlie Holben (42G)  5. Chris Best (66)  6. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x)  7. Nate Stein (93)  8. Carl Bowser (10)  9. Eric Williams (7)  10. Dan Kuriger (08)  11. Tony Beaber (3T)  12. Bob Howard (49)  13. Jeff Taylor (17T)  14. Jack Helget (Taylor 71c)  15. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R)  16. Johnny Beaber (Taylor 7B)  17. John McCracken, Jr. (79)-DNS.

Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. ERIC GABANY (3E)  2. Jimmy Holden (28H)  3. Frank Guidace (1G)  4. John Buchanan (93)  5. Garrett Krummert (29)  6. Rick Hall (B2)  7. Matt Reeher (711)  8. Dave Cogswell (8)  9. Rodney Beltz (Emig 1)  10. Jr. Baker (359)  11. Dustin Martin (29D)  12. Rick Kress (222).

GM 602 Crate Stock Cars (12 laps): 1. STEVE D’POLITO (84)  2. Russ Coyne (8c)  3. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65)  4. Andy Buckley (965).

Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. MARK MARCUCCI (8M)  2. Rick Ament (27)  3. Lynn Knepper (10)  4. Shane Pfeuffer (Lawson 40L)  5. Kotie Kirkbride (97N)  6. Kevin Spencer (3K)  7. David Innes (18)  8. Kenny Hall (19)  9. Andy Feil (08)  10. Mylan Markovich, Jr. (2M)  11. Chad Yeager (7)  12. Richard Lawson (70x7)  13. Terry Young (98)  14. Kevin Savacko (76).

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. TIM CALLAHAN (54)  2. Lee Lehnerd (71)  3. John Shannon (14)  4. Dan McEwen (44)  5. Jamey Lee (44J)  6. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33)  7. Mike McConnell (31)  8. Steve Walker (McEwen 4M)  9. E.J. Rarer (3J)  10. Josh Verrill (13)  11. Bill Fuchs (10)  12. Rudolph Troples III (28)  13. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  14. Matt Cwynar (21JR)  15. Michael Thompson (82T)  16. Travis Walsh (1w)  17. Byron Kress (62)  18. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7)  19. Dave Heberling (1H)  20. Pete Blazczak (77)-DNS  21. Jordan Preston (1P)-DNS. 

OPEN STOCK CARS ADDED TO JULY 4 RACING PROGRAM AT MERCER
 

By Mike Leone

June 25, 2009            

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park has announced that the “open” Stock Cars will join the racing card on Saturday, July 4 at Mercer Raceway Park.  Also competing on this night will be the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, M&D Paving Mini Stocks, and the “KABOOM 100” Enduro.  Racing begins at 7 p.m. 

The “open” Stock Cars will run under the “Little Guy Nationals” rules that are used for all open events during the 2009 season.  The 20-lap feature will pay $400 to-win, $50 to-start.  There will be no entry or registration fees, only a $25 pit pass.

“We are constantly being asked from racers to have open Stock Car events,” explained 11^th year owner Vicki Emig.  “We try to work them in as much as possible on our schedule as they have five events this year that pay $1,000 to-win or more.  With a couple area tracks not running them this night and being a holiday weekend, we decided to add them in lieu of our GM 602 Stocks, which will still be able to compete with the open division.  Know that however, we are 100% behind the 602’s and look forward to their growth in the future.”

Stay tuned for an exciting format change coming to the “Little Guy Nationals” on September 25 and 26 that will be announced some time in August. 

Any questions, please call our office at 724-964-9300.  Tech questions can be directed to Brad Hibbard at 330-540-7223.

“KABOOM 100” DRAWING NEAR ON JULY 4; FULL NIGHT OF RACING TO PRECEDE ENDURO

By Mike Leone

June 22, 2009             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mercer, PA…With summer officially here and the Independence Day holiday drawing near, Mercer Raceway Park is prepping for the second annual “KABOOM 100” Enduro to be held on Saturday, July 4.  This year’s event will be held following a complete night of “Saturday Night Live” racing!  The rain date is Saturday, August 15.

The Enduro will pay the top five finishers with a big $1,000 going to the winner!  Entries are still being accepted at our office or on July 4 on a first-come, first-served basis.  For rules and entry form, check out the website at www.mercerracewaypark.com and click on rules and enduro. 

Tim Gillette is the defending race winner and will be looking to make it three in a row in Enduro competition as he was also the winner on the January 3 “Jack Frost 150”.  Some of the former and current racers that have already sent their entries in Sprint Car driver Russ Sansosti, Modified racer Ryan Hall, FASTRAK Late Model driver Rusty Cade, Stock Car driver Stacy Neubecker, and former Modified drivers Troy Schaffer and John Larkin.

A full “Saturday Night Live” program will be included featuring the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rental Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, GM 602 Stock Cars, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks.

Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands at 4:30.  Hot laps begin at 6:15 with racing at 7 and the Enduro to follow.  Adult admission is just $11.  Students 6-15 are $5.  The Family Pass, which includes mom, dad, and up to four kids 6-15 is $25.  Kids five and under are free. 

RAIN WINS FOR 3^RD TIME SATURDAY AT MERCER AFTER HEATS WERE UNDERWAY

By Mike Leone

June 20, 2009      

Mercer, PA…After six straight completed events to start off the 2009 season, Mercer Raceway Park suffered two straight rain outs on May 9 and 16 before completing another five straight events before rain washed out action on Saturday night, June 20.  What started out as a rainy morning turned to clearing afternoon skies, a clear radar, and a conducive forecast; however, a strong cell formed off Lake Erie and took a direct hit on Mercer County washing out action for the third time this season.

Before the rains came, Steve D’Apolito won the GM 602 Stock Car heat and Carl Bowser captured the first of three scheduled Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car heats on a beautiful, fast tacky track.  A strong field of 23 Sprint Cars gathered.  All drivers signed in to competition will receive 10 show-up points.   Paid rain checks will be good for the next two events.  Stay tuned if the Free New Castle Night presented by Froggy 95 will be rescheduled.

The Living Treasures Animal Park exotic animal display was a hit with the fans as a large audience was present throughout the night.  Matt Spatz from 93.3 “The Wolf” kept everyone hopping in the midway and kids enjoyed the hula hoop contest plus Brent Matus, Mike Pegher, Jr., and Pete Blazczak were on hand to sign on autographs for the “In the Spotlight” autograph program presented by The Mahoning Valley Scrappers. 

Coming up this Saturday night, June 27 will be “American Patriot Night” presented by Walt’s of Mercer Plaza with a new and unique fireworks spectacular.  All Butler County residents will be admitted free presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit and Armstrong plus it’s free admission for veterans with ID and scouts in uniform.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BENEFIT NIGHT RETURNING AUGUST 1; CANCER SURVIVORS ADMITTED FREE

By Mike Leone 

June 15, 2009      

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park has once again joined with the Mercer County Relay for Life to host the second annual “Racing for a Cure” – An American Cancer Society Benefit Event, which will be held on Saturday, August 1 at Mercer Raceway Park in conjunction with a full night of auto racing.

On this night all cancer survivors will be admitted free and those participants of the Mercer County Relay for Life will receive discounted admissions with a portion of those proceeds as well as half of the night’s benefit raffle going to the American Cancer Society.

The drivers in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, GM 602 Stock Cars, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks will have the opportunity to “Race for a Cure”. 

Each race car will carry a $50 sponsorship for someone to purchase an “In Memory of” or “Support of” someone who has been touched by cancer.  Ten-dollar associate sponsorships will fall under the main sponsorship for anyone who may also want to be associated with the car or may have known or knows the person you are racing for. 

The race events will also carry sponsorships; each division will have a minimum of two heat races and one feature event available; heats for $50 and the features for $100.  Individual car sponsorships will be available to each respective driver and eventually offered to the general public in hopes that the majority of the cars can be sponsored.

Once car sponsorships are reserved, drivers can begin selling the $10 sponsorships.  Fans can purchase a $10 sponsorship in conjunction with a car they would like to be affiliated with.  The sale of these sponsorships will be promoted beginning immediately and continue up to the August 1 event. 

“I am so proud to be able to host this event at Mercer Raceway Park,” stated 11^th year owner Vicki Emig.  “Last year we raised over $8,000 for the American Cancer Society on this night.  Along with the above fundraising efforts, we were able to have the flags, scoreboard, and victory lane all sponsored as well.  The way people pulled together for this great benefit was simply amazing and inspiring to everyone.  So many people have been affected by cancer.  I lost my own father to cancer and his legacy is part of the spirit of Mercer Raceway Park today.”

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, sponsoring a car, or anything else related to this event, please call our office at 724-964-9300.

KURIGER SCORES UPSET CAREER 1^st SPRINT WIN; SMOKER REPEATS IN MODS; #4 FOR BLAIR IN FASTRAK; BUCKLEY & LEE CAPTURE 5^TH WINS IN STOCKS & MINIS; MARCUCCI NABS 3^rd IN MOD LITES

By Mike Leone 

June 13, 2009      

Mercer, PA…While heavy rain was only about a mile south of track, only a couple brief showers and sprinkles fell with two huge rainbows to the east as Mercer Raceway Park completed racing on Saturday night.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Dan Kuriger-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Gary Smoker-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Max Blair-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Andy Buckley-GM 602 Stock Cars, Mark Marcucci-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Jamey Lee-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.  A big crowd turned out for $10 Family Night presented by Door World of Hadley and Armstrong.

Dan Kuriger scored an upset career first win for the little guys Saturday night in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature.  In his sixth year of Sprint Car racing, Kuriger entered the night with just five career top fives circuit wide, but has shown flashes of brilliance the past couple seasons.  On a fast, heavy track, Kuriger thrilled the crowd with a breathtaking performance flying around the fence above the cushion in turns one and two and around the cushion in turns three and four.

“I’m tired,” expressed the cool and calm Freedom, Pa. pilot, who was a former go-kart standout.  “I was trying to go above the ruts and keep the wing speed up through the corners and it worked out for me.  I was glad to see that caution because I was stuck in traffic for three or four laps so it helped me out.  I owe everything to my dad.  He works on it in the garage all winter and summer long.  He builds the motors and does everything.”

Nate Stein took off in the early lead using the outside around Kuriger, while Arnie Kent passed Eric Williams for third on the opening lap.  Gale Ruth, Jr’s season debut in his own #5x didn’t go well as he jumped the wheel of Carl Bowser sending him flipping in turns three and four, but he was okay.

On lap four, Kuriger drove high in turn one and got a great shot of momentum off the outside of turn two to blast by Stein down the backstretch for the lead.  Kuriger quickly pulled away from the field on lap five.  Point leader, Rod George, who started 12^th, worked his way into the top five on lap 11 taking the spot away from Jeff Taylor.

Kuriger was flying as he opened up a big lead, but that lead was shrinking in a hurry as he was jammed up in heavy lapped traffic on laps 13 and 14.  George meanwhile continued to pick off cars as he took fourth from Williams on lap 14 just before a caution for Sprint Car rookie Chris Best, which was just what Kuriger needed as it gave him a clear track on the restart. 

When racing resumed, George advanced to third when he drove around Kent off the outside of turn two.  George quickly ran down Stein for second, while Kuriger maintained his advantage.  It took until turn four on the final lap before George snuck under Stein for second, but up front Kuriger crossed under the checkered flag first for a popular win in the Don Kuriger-owned, Rock Concrete/J.B. Concrete Products/T.E.L. Private Investigating #08.

Stein easily turned in his best career “410” effort in third as he had just two career top 10s and a best finish of eighth (June 14, 2008 at Mercer) prior to Saturday night.  Kent was fourth over a hard charging 10^th starting Andy McKisson in his season debut at Mercer and just third start overall of 2009.  Completing the top 10 were Williams, New York’s Chris Shuttleworth, Carl Bowser, central Pa. racer Bob Howard in his first Mercer start of 2009, and New Jersey’s Jeff Taylor.  Ruth and George won the heat races.

After destroying his car at Tri-City Speedway on May 24, it didn’t take long for Gary Smoker to put his new car in victory lane.  Smoker captured the 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals Modified feature in a former Pete Bicknell car for his second win of the season.

“We totaled the car out a couple weeks ago,” explained the Mercer, Pa. driver.  “My brother and his partner Dave Jenkins decided we needed to update so here we are.  It runs good.  I have to thank the good Lord for blessing me with a good race and giving me the win so I owe it to him.”

Eric Gabany raced out to the early lead in search of his third win of the season, while Smoker, Frank Guidace, and Garrett Krummert passed Rick Hall for second through fourth respectively.  Smoker and Guidace chased Gabany as the laps ticked off caution free.  On lap nine, Gabany got snuck behind the lapped car of Wayne Bice coming off turn two and down the backstretch, which allowed Smoker to fly by on the outside for the lead. 

Guidace got past Gabany for second while making contact in traffic on lap 12.  Guidace was trying to run down Smoker, but a flat tire cost him his shot at his first win of the season.  Smoker wasn’t challenged the rest of the way in the MBMR, Inc./Bells Portable Restrooms-sponsored, D&D Racing-owned #516 for his 16^th of his career in the division and 44^th overall at the track.  Smoker and Gabany are now the division’s only two-time winners of the season. 

Jimmy Holden, who started seventh, was able to finish second after getting under Gabany in turn four on the final lap.  The two made contact with Gabany unable to finish the race.  Krummert was credited with third.  Guidace came back to finish fourth with Hall dropping to fifth.  Sixth through 10^th were Rodney Beltz, Gabany, Matt Reeher, Jr. Baker, and Bice.  Heat wins went to Guidace and Holden.

Defending FASTRAK Late Model National Weekly Series Champion, Max Blair, captured his fourth Mercer win of the season in the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection-sponsored feature and unofficially took over the 2009 national lead from Mike Pegher, Jr. 

“The track was a little choppy,” described the Centerville, Pa. point leader.  “If you could get rid of the ruts that was a beautiful surface.  You could really race on it and pass.  The place was unreal tonight- fast and racey.  When you can have fast and racey together, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Mike Anderson, Jr. took off in the lead from the pole position with Butch Lambert and Brian Booher getting by Steve Hollabaugh for second and third.  Blair, who started fourth, moved up to third on lap four when he went under Hollabaugh in turn one and then made the identical move on Booher two laps later for third.  On lap eight, Blair dove under Lambert in turn four to grab second.  The contact allowed Booher to also get by in third. 

Blair ran down Anderson and by the halfway point he was right on the leader.  Blair would make his winning move on lap 11 when he drove to the inside of Anderson in turn four and made the pass stick.  The event’s only caution was displayed for Ben Black and Chris Force with 13 laps completed.  When racing resumed, Blair pulled away, while everyone turned their attention to 11^th starting Pegher, who grabbed fourth from Lambert and then third from Booher on lap 16.  Up front, Blair was too much as he nailed down his fourth win of the season and all-time division-leading seventh of his career at Mercer by a margin of 4.44 seconds in his Eagle Hoist & Winch/Specialty Products/Loney Timber/Moody Welding-sponsored #111.

For the second straight race, Anderson was able to hold off Pegher for second.  Booher was fourth over a strong run by Gary Miller, Jr., who started 15^th.  Lambert and Hollabaugh dropped to sixth and seventh respectively as Bill Thomas, Bud Watson, and Bryan Force completed the top 10.  Heat victors were Lambert and rookie Michael Mitchell.

Andy Buckley made it five out of six in the GM 602 Stock Cars winning the non-stop 12-lap feature for his milestone 30^th career Mercer win after a bonsai opening lap pass going from fourth to the lead.  “I sat there in the lineup and thought about,” revealed the Stoneboro, Pa. driver when asked about his winning move.  “Steve (D’Apolito) has been really fast.  I thought, ‘I’m going to go for it on the top and try it’.  I watched all those races and didn’t see anyone do it.  These tires are like stones so I didn’t have anything to lose.  You put 12 cars on the track that are even and it will be a heck of a race.”

D’Apolito passed Russ Coyne for third on lap two then got under Hooks in turn two to take second on lap seven.  D’Apolito ran down Buckley and for the second straight week was all over him trying every possible way around, but Buckley had just enough to hold on for the victory in his McClung Auto Body/World of Wheels-sponsored #965.  Hooks was third over Coyne, who won the heat race.

Mark Marcucci entered the 2009 season with just two career wins after being shutout of victory lane in 2008.  This year has been a different story as a brand new car has propelled to him to more than doubling his career win total after his third win of the season in the 15-lap Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lite main Saturday night.  “The car was a bit loose, but I was able to manage,” explained the West Middlesex, Pa. racer, who also took over the point lead.  “A couple times I thought I was going to lose it, but it worked out.”

Marcucci started third and grabbed second from Garrett Krummert on the opening lap.  Marcucci made the winning pass on lap two driving under Shane Pfeuffer.  Marcucci quickly pulled away and when the checkered flag fell in the non-stop event his margin of victory was 10.45 seconds in the D&M Excavating & Construction/Harper & Houston Masonry/Broadway Ernie’s Transmission-sponsored #8M.      

Krummert, who was subbing for Levi Spinneweber, edged Pfeuffer for second after making the pass in lapped traffic on lap 12.  Terry Young and niece Kotie Kirkbride finished fourth and fifth respectively.  Alan Knepper and Pfeuffer won the heats. 

Point leader Jamey Lee made it two in a row and his division leading fifth of the season by earning the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature win.  “Everyone is running real good now and it’s making for good racing,” stated the Fairmount City, Pa. driver.

Mike McConnell passed Ed Haylett, Bill Fuchs, and John Shannon all on the initial lap to take the early lead.  Seventh starting Dan McEwen and 12^th starting Lee passed Shannon for second and third on laps two and three respectively.  Lee moved to second on lap four when he around McEwen.  Lee raced side-by-side with McConnell for the lead on lap six before going to the inside of the leader in turn one on lap seven to make the pass stick. 

McConnell stayed right with Lee hoping he would make a mistake, but Lee kept a smooth line to hold on by just one car-length in his Thomas Elliot Insurance-sponsored #44J.   McConnell just missed a career first win, but settled for a career best second over McEwen, Lee Lehnerd, and Shannon.  Heat winners were Lehnerd and Lee. 

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. DAN KURIGER (08)  2. Rod George (4)  3. Nate Stein (93)  4. Arnie Kent (18)  5. Andy McKisson (0)  6. Eric Williams (7)  7. Chris Shuttleworth (11)  8. Carl Bowser (10)  9. Bob Howard (49)  10. Jeff Taylor (17T)  11. Gale Ruth (1R)  12. Chris Best (66)  13. Jack Helget (Taylor 71c)  14. Johnny Beaber (Taylor 7B)  15. Tony Beaber (3T)  16. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x)  17. Terry Young (VanTassel 69x).

Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. GARY SMOKER (516)  2. Jimmy Holden (28H)  3. Garrett Krummert (29)  4. Frank Guidace (1G)  5. Rick Hall (B2)  6. Rodney Beltz (Emig 1)  7. Eric Gabany (3E)  8. Matt Reeher (711)  9. Jr. Baker (359)  10. Wayne Bice (66)  11. Rick Kress (222).

4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111)  2. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72)  3. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1C)  4. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H)  5. Gary Miller, Jr. (1M)  6. Butch Lambert (27)  7. Steve Hollabaugh (3H)  8. Bill Thomas (22)  9. Bud Watson (2)  10. Bryan Force (69)  11. Chris Haines (35H)  12. Chris Force (68)  13. Jamie Brown (135)  14. Ben Black (27B)  15. Michael Mitchell (19)  16. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D)-DNS.

GM 602 Crate Stock Cars (12 laps): 1. ANDY BUCKLEY (965)  2. Steve D’Apolito (Utsinger 84)  3. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65)  4. Russ Coyne (8c).

Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. MARK MARCUCCI (8M)  2. Garrett Krummert (Spinneweber 10s)  3. Shane Pfeuffer (Lawson 40L)  4. Terry Young (98)  5. Kotie Kirkbride (97N)  6. Bill Stivason (116)  7. Chad Yeager (7)  8. Andy Feil (08)  9. Richard Lawson (70x7)  10. Alan Knepper (10)-DNS.

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. JAMEY LEE (44J)  2. Mike McConnell (31)  3. Dan McEwen (44)  4. Lee Lehnerd (71)  5. John Shannon (14)  6. Max Smoker (409)  7. Bill Fuchs (10)  8. Dillon Barr (15)  9. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7)  10. Rudolph Troples III (28)  11. Brad Shaffer (17)  12. Michael Thompson (82T)  13. Dan Koebler (62)  14. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  15. Tim Callahan (54)  16. Pete Blazczak (77)  17. Shannon Heberling (1H)  18. Matt Cwynar (21JR)  19. Steve Walker (McEwen 4M)  20. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33)-DNS.

WHITT WINS $5,000 IN INAUGURAL USAC NATIONAL SPRINT SERIES APPEARANCE AT MERCER; BELTZ IS 6^TH DIFFERENT MODIFIED WINNER IN 7 RACES; BUCKLEY MAKES IT 4 OF 5 IN STOCKS; LEE WINS 4^TH IN MINIS

By Mike Leone 

June 6, 2009         

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park held the inaugural invasion by the USAC National Sprint Car Series on Saturday night as part of the Eastern Tour/Pennsylvania Swing finale.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Cole Whitt-USAC Sprint Cars, Rodney Beltz-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Andy Buckley-GM 602 Stock Cars, and Jamey Lee-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.  A large crowd turned out for “The Wheelman” presented by Rotondo Weirich.

Fresh off his win Thursday night at Big Diamond Raceway, teenager Cole Whitt made it two in a row capturing the 30-lap USAC National Sprint Car feature worth $5,000.  “I just rolled around out there before the race started and I kind of felt it,” described the Alpine, California racer when asked about his outside winning move on Jesse Hockett in his first ever Mercer start.  “We had the first start called back and I noticed I gained some ground so I thought ‘alright hopefully no one saw that’.  I had to get up there quick, make it happen, get out front, and hold off Levi (Jones) because I knew he was fast.”

Grandview Speedway winner, Jesse Hockett, raced to the early lead with Darren Hagen, Jones, and Whitt in pursuit.  Whitt moved to third on lap two past Jones.  One lap three he drove around his teammate Hagen off the outside of turn four and one lap used the same move to get around Hockett to lead lap four.  Hockett would lose two more spots on lap five when Hagen and Jones went by. 

It was a three-car race for the lead as lapped traffic became a factor on laps 12 and 13.  Jones used the lapped car of Scott Priester to get by Hagen for second on lap 16.  Jones was all over Whitt as the two ran side-by-side for the lead on lap 18, but a caution by Priester ended the battle.  Jones appeared to have the faster car and searching for a way around, but the event’s final caution for a spin by Andrew Korte with 26 laps completed pretty much sealed the deal for Whitt.

When racing resumed, Whitt got a great restart and though Jones hounded the leader over the final four circuits, Whitt had the preferred line and crossed the finish line first in the Keith Kunz-owned, Red Bull-sponsored, Bullet Chassis, Brannan Engine/Chevrolet-powered #67.  The victory was the third of the season and fifth of Whitt’s career in USAC Sprint Car competition as the young racer won’t even turn 18 for another two weeks.

Jones brought Tony Stewart’s #20 home in second over Whitt’s California teammate Hagen.  Hockett dropped to fourth ahead of Dave Darland.  Completing the top 10 were Damion Gardner, Tracy Hines in Tony Stewart’s second entry, Jerry Coons, Jr., Scotty Weir, and Chris Windom.  Andy Priest of New Castle, Pa. was the top finishing local in 13^th as he made his first Sprint Car start in two and half years.  Gardner set fast establishling a new non-wing track record with a lap of 16.598.  Heat winners were Coons, Henry Clarke, and Brad Sweet, who drives Kasey Kahne’s #9.  Gardner won the Semi. 

After a season of struggles, Rodney Beltz took advantage of his pole position and led all the way holding off a valiant effort by Frank Guidace for his first win of the season in the non-stop 20-lap, $800 to-win Approved Toilet Rental Modified feature.  “It’s been awhile,” stated the Ellwood City, Pa. driver, who became the sixth different winner in seven races this season.  “It’s been a rough road for this car this year.  It’s running better, but still has a little bit more left.  I knew he (Guidace) was back there and figured it would be a good race.  I figured if I stayed in that lane I would be ok.”

Beltz took off in the lead, while third starting Guidace got under John Buchanan for second on the opening lap.  Buchanan slipped high on the backstretch on lap one allowing fifth and sixth starting Eric Gabany and Gary Smoker to drive by.  The laps ticked off as Guidace began to close on Beltz at the halfway point.   Three laps later Guidace and was right on the leader as the two raced side-by-side.  Beltz continued to hold on as Guidace tried every line and lane on the 3/8-mile track. 

On the final lap, Guidace drove in hard on the bottom of turns one and two getting under Beltz.  Guidace made slight contact with Beltz as Beltz had enough momentum to maintain the lead off turn two and down the backstretch.  Guidace tried one last ditch effort driving hard to the inside of Beltz through turns three and four.  It was a drag race down the frontstretch, but Beltz with the preferred line had a little more momentum as his margin of victory was less than one-half car-length.    

Beltz’s fourth career “358” win came in the Emig Racing #1 and was his milestone 20^th of his career overall at Mercer, but first since July 28, 2007.  Point leader and defending champion Guidace settled for his third straight runner-up finish and fourth of the season as he remains winless in the ’09 campaign.  Smoker passed Gabany on lap 17 to finish third.  Gabany dropped to fourth over last week’s winner Jimmy Holden.  Sixth through tenth were Buchanan, Mark Frankhouser, Matt Reeher, Jr. Baker, and Mark Bailey.  Beltz and Gabany won the heat races.

After being defeated for the first time one week ago by Steve D’Apolito, Andy Buckley turned the tables holding off D’Apolito for his fourth win in five races in the non-stop 12-lap, $400 to-win GM 602 Stock Car feature.  “I could hear him,” acknowledged the Stoneboro, Pa. winner.  “I knew if I slid up off the bottom, I didn’t think he would get me.  Steve’s good, he’s going to win some races.”

D’Apolito started fourth and passed both Shaun Hooks and Russ Coyne on the opening lap for second.  In almost a repeat of the non-stop Modified feature that saw Guidace hound Buckley, D’Apolito was all over Buckley the last eight laps trying every line and move imaginable, but Buckley had the preferred line as he won his 29^th of his career in his McClung Auto Body/World of Wheels-sponsored #965.  D’Apolito was a very close second.  Coyne passed Hooks on lap 10 to finish third dropping Hooks to fourth at the finish.  Buckley won the heat race.

Jamey Lee of Fairmount City, Pa. extended his point lead over last week’s winner Lee Lehnerd by holding off the 18-year-old rookie to win the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature for his division-leading fourth of the season.   

Lee started the event in eighth, but was up to fourth after the first lap.  Lee passed Ed Haylett on lap two for third and inherited second when leader Mike McConnell pitted with a flat tire.  Though Pete Blazczak was handed the lead, he would never lead a lap as Lee took over on the restart. 

Lehnerd, who started 11^th, worked his way through the field and passed Blazczak for second on lap eight right before the event’s final caution.  Lehnerd ran an extreme high line right along the wall chasing Lee over the final four laps, but Lee had just enough to win by two car lengths in his Thomas Elliot Insurance-sponsored #44J.

USAC National Sprint Car Series (30 laps, $5,000): 1. COLE WHITT (Kunz 67)  2. Levi Jones (Stewart 20)  3. Darren Hagen (Kunz 67)  4. Jesse Hockett (Buch 13)  5. Dave Darland (Rotondo/Weirich 2B)  6. Damion Gardner (71)  7. Tracy Hines (Stewart 21)  8. Jerry Coons, Jr. (Hoffman 69)  9. Scott Weir (Baldwin 5)  10. Chris Windom (17)  11. Bud Kaeding (29)  12. Henry Clarke (Kunz 67)  13. Andy Priest (21N)  14. Arnie Kent (18)  15. Charlie Holben (42G)  16. Brad Sweet (Kahne 9)  17. Andrew Korte (Yeley 1)  18. Scott Bonnell (3B)  19. Mike Miller (Burkey 57)  20. Scott Priester (11).

Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds (20 laps, $800): 1. RODNEY BELTZ (Emig 1)  2. Frank Guidace (1G)  3. Gary Smoker (516)  4. Eric Gabany (3E)  5. Jimmy Holden (28H)  6. John Buchanan (93)  7. Mark Frankhouser (03)  8. Matt Reeher (711)  9. Jr. Baker (359)  10. Mark Bailey (14B)  11. Lonny Riggs (Black 58).

GM 602 Crate Stock Cars (12 laps, $400): 1. ANDY BUCKLEY (965)  2. Steve D’Apolito (Utsinger 84)  3. Russ Coyne (8c)  4. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65).

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps, $75): 1. JAMEY LEE (44J)  2. Lee Lehnerd (71)  3. Pete Blazczak (77)  4. John Shannon (14)  5. Dan McEwen (44)  6. Mike McConnell (31)  7. Max Smoker (409)  8. Troy Lehnortt (46)  9. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  10. Bill Fuchs (10)  11. Dillon Barr (15)  12. Rudolph Troples III (28)  13. Michael Thompson (82T)  14. E.J. Rarer (3J)  15. Dave Heberling (1H)  16. Ricky Mellinger (Nagy 71B)  17. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7)  18. Matt Cwynar (21JR)  19. Steve Walker (McEwen 4M)  20. Josh Verrill (13)  21. Brad Shaffer (17)  22. Dan Nagy (17B).

FOLMAR NAILS DOWN 2^ND MERCER SPRINT WIN; HOLDEN WINS 1^ST IN MODS; SCOTT BEATS YOUNG GUNS FOR 1^ST FASTRAK WIN; D’APOLITO ENDS BUCKLEY’S REIGN IN STOCKS; CAREER 1^ST FOR LEHNERD IN MINIS; #2 FOR KNEPPER IN MOD LITES

By Mike Leone 

May 30, 2009      

Mercer, PA…It was a short week after the “Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic” on Monday as Mercer Raceway Park was in action on a sunny Saturday evening that brought out a huge crowd on the 10^th event of the season.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Craig Folmar-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Jimmy Holden-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, David Scott-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Steve D’Apolito-GM 602 Stock Cars, Alan Knepper-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Lee Lehnerd-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.  It was Free Venango County Night presented by Jolley Industrial Supply and Small Planet Comics & More passed out 500 comics books to the kids.

Craig Folmar was a relative unknown to many in western Pennsylvania prior to the 2009 season.  He did have success early on his career in Micro Sprints and scored 13 career 305 Sprint wins with 12 of them coming at Virginia Motor Speedway.  Folmar turned some heads in his first ever appearance to Lernerville Speedway on opening night this year with a fourth then a runner-up effort in Mercer’s opener.  On April 25, Folmar scored his first career “410” win at Mercer and five weeks later picked up #2 in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car feature Saturday night. 

“This is a great place,” acknowledged the Philipsburg, Pa. racer.  “It’s a pleasure coming out here and running for all these fans.  It’s not too far, two and half hours.  This is a new team that we put together in the middle of last year.  We struggled a bit, but I have the best crew I’ve ever had and winning it is for them.  My job is easy when they set a car up like that.  I have to thank Glenn Ray for G&R Excavating and Demolition.  If it weren’t for him, we’d be parked.”

Folmar passed Arnie Kent and Chris Best on the opening lap for second as he followed Eric Williams around in the opening laps.  Williams, who has suffered a couple heartbreakers already this season while running up front, was looking to redeem himself as he looked strong.  Monday’s winner Rod George was making his way from his 11^th starting spot and cracked the top five at the conclusion of lap four as he was looking to make it three-in-a-row. 

By lap five it was a six-car race for the lead with Williams holding off Folmar, Kent, Rob Eyler, Best, George, and Carl Bowser.  On lap six, Williams was entering turn three when he lost a wheel, but did a good job to save it and keep the car from getting upside down.  When racing resumed, Folmar took off with Kent, Eyler, and George chasing.  The four were battling for the lead as Kent was right on Folmar and just about to enter lapped traffic when Jack Helget spun and Gale Ruth, Sr. slowed with 12 laps completed.

When green replaced yellow for the final time, Folmar was pretty much unchallenged over the last eight laps.  His only scare came on the final lap when newcomer Eli Deshaies of Rhode Island got sideways in turns three and four ahead of him.  Folmar went on to take the checkered flag first in his G&R Excavating & Demolition/Summit Recycling, Kriner-powered #81. 

Kent was second for his best finish since a win on August 2 of last season.  After racing side-by-side on laps 15, 16, and 17, point leader George was finally able to slip under Eyler with a turn two move on the inside to finish third.  Bowser was fifth.  New Jersey’s Jeff Taylor beat teammate Johnny Beaber across the line to finish sixth for his season’s best effort.  Best, a rookie in the Sprints, dropped back to eighth, but good enough for his top finish of the year.  Nate Stein came from 16^th to place ninth over Jack Helget.  Heat winners were George and Tony Beaber.

After two runner-ups and a lot of engine woes this season, Jimmy Holden wasn’t about to let this one slip by as he captured his season’s first win in the 20-lap Approved Toilet Rentals Modified feature holding off the challenges of defending champion Frank Guidace.  Holden became the fifth different winner in six races and celebrated by climbing the catch fence.

“I’m ready for a rest now,” stated the Tiona, Pa. driver.  “That was amazing!  I thought he (Guidace) had me when he got underneath me.  I gave him room for awhile.  I pulled him maybe a foot in each turn after that and finally I thought maybe I could sneak it to the bottom and he wouldn’t run into me!  This car has been fast all year if we could have just kept it together.  This is our back-up, back-up, back-up motor with spare parts.”

Rodney Beltz took off from the pole position, while Holden and Guidace passed Rick Hall for second and third respectively on the opening lap.  By lap thee it was a three-car race up front and in turn four Holden was able to slip under Beltz for what would be the winning move.  One lap later in turn three, Guidace was able to get by Beltz for second. 

Holden and Guidace pulled away from the field on lap seven.  Garrett Krummert was on the move from his eighth starting spot cracking the top five on lap 11 then driving by Hall for fourth on lap 13.  The event’s only caution was for a spin by Dustin Martin with 16 laps completed.  On the restart, Krummert got around Beltz for third. 

Up front, Guidace was pressuring Holden as he got alongside the youngster on laps 16, 17, and 18, but Holden remained steadfast using both the high and low lines and not allowing Guidace to get by.  Holden held on for his third career win in the Dean Holden-owned, Holden Precision Machine/Holden Oil & Gas/Jet Water Hauling/DAH Oil-sponsored #28H. 

Guidace was second for the third time in the last four races as the two-time champion is still in search of his season’s first win.  2007 champion, Garrett Krummert, was third over Beltz and Lonny Riggs.  Rounding out the top 10 were Eric Gabany, John Buchanan in his season debut, Matt Reeher, Mike Stine in his season debut, and Hall.  Winning the heats were Krummert and Guidace.

David Scott has found a new home this year.  The former Super Late Model and Sprint Car standout racer picked up the ride in the John and Janet Powell Bullitt Chassis house car competing in the FASTRAK Late Models.  Already with two wins under his belt at two different tracks, Scott added a third Saturday night winning the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection feature event.

“I’ve had fun every time I have driven this thing,” acknowledged the Garland, Pa. racer.  “That (Mike) Pegher kid is so fast, I didn’t figure if we started on the pole and he started last we could beat him.  Max (Blair) and Pegher do a real good job in this class.  It’s hard to beat them sometimes, but old means experience.  We were just here testing tonight because we weren’t that good on Monday.  I told John and Janet we got to pick it up if we’re going to compete with those two.  I’m surprised we’re here in victory lane.”

Ben Black took charge of the event from the pole position, while Scott powered by Joe Martin and Mike Anderson, Jr. for second on the opening lap.  Black and Scott raced side-by-side on laps three and four, but Black was able to hold on, while fifth starting Pegher took third from Anderson before the event’s first caution. 

On the ensuing restart, Scott powered around Black on the outside to lead lap five, while one lap later Pegher took over second with an inside move in turn four.  Pegher caught Scott and the two raced side-by-side on laps seven and eight with Scott on the outside and Pegher on the inside.  Just when it looked like Pegher was going to make the pass stick, he got sideways in turn four allowing Scott to get away.  Pegher closed back in on lap 10 and was all over the leader.  The duo ran side-by-side on laps 13 and 14, but on the 14^th lap Pegher pushed hard in turn four allowing Scott to drive away and Anderson to retake second.

Scott now wouldn’t be denied as he collected his fourth career Mercer win in just his eighth ever start at The Park, which have come over the course of the past eight seasons!  After recording a career best Late Model finish of third on May 2, Anderson bettered that by one with a great runner-up holding off Pegher.  Black turned in a fine performance in fourth for his best finish of the season.  Last year’s Mod Lite champion, Bud Watson, came from 17^th to finish fifth for his career best Late Model finish.  Rookie Joe Martin matched his opening night finish of sixth as Blair, Steve Hollabaugh, Brian Booher, and Bill Thomas completed the top 10.  Heat winners were Scott and Pegher.

Steve D’Apolito led all 12 laps of the GM 602 Stock Car feature for his first career Mercer win.  The multi-time Sharon Speedway champion and Tri-City Speedway Applefest 100 winner dominated the event ending Andy Buckley’s perfect three-for-three streak.  Car owner Buzzy Utsinger gave all of his winnings to track manager Frank Benic.  “He deserves it,” said the Boardman, Ohio winner.  “We’ve had two years of tuning on it, working on it, and making it better- that makes it an advantage.”

D’Apolito’s victory came in the Utsinger’s Towing/Race 1-sponsored #84.  Fourth starting Buckley and Shaun Hooks battled for second with Buckley getting the spot.  Russ Coyne was fourth.  D’Apolito also won the heat race.

Sixteen-year-old Alan Knepper led all 15 laps of the Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lite feature for his second triumph of the season.  “We tightened it up a little bit and that helped out,” explained the Somerset, Pa. driver who took over sole possession of the point lead.  “The track was great tonight!”

Eighth starting Rod Jones and seventh starting Mark Marcucci passed Levi Spinneweber for second and third on laps six and seven respectively, but were no match for Knepper in the Lynn Knepper-owned, Knepper ATV/Bill’s Auto-sponsored #10.  Jones edged Marcucci for second with Spinneweber and newcomer John Gerula, Jr. completing the top five.  Marcucci won the heat race.

Rookie Lee Lehnerd has been fast all season.  Saturday night it paid off as the youngster led from green-to-checkered in the non-stop 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature.  “I just saw wide open track and I punched it,” described the Cabot, Pa. driver, who competed in this year’s “Jack Frost 150” Enduro.  “I got in a zone and hit my marks.  My heart was pounding!”

Lehnerd started fourth, but had the lead from John Shannon on lap two.  Pete Blazczak and Jamey Lee were able to pass Shannon for second and third on laps five and six respectively, but weren’t able to mount a challenge on the #71 of Lehnerd.  Blazczak edged 12^th starting and point leader Lee, who was looking to make it three in a row.  Dan McEwen was fourth over Tim Callahan in just his second start of the season.  Lee and Blazczak won the heat races. 
 

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (20 laps): 1. CRAIG FOLMAR (81)  2. Arnie Kent (18)  3. Rod George (4)  4. Rob Eyler (5a)  5. Carl Bowser (10)  6. Jeff Taylor (17T)  7. Johnny Beaber (Taylor 7B)  8. Chris Best (66)  9. Nate Stein (93)  10. Jack Helget (Taylor 71c)  11. Eli Deshaies (91)  12. Tony Beaber (3T)  13. Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R)  14. John McCracken, Jr. (79)  15. Eric Williams (7)  16. Jeremy Cook (5L).

Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds (20 laps): 1. JIMMY HOLDEN (28H)  2. Frank Guidace (1G)  3. Garrett Krummert (29)  4. Rodney Beltz (Emig 1)  5. Lonny Riggs (Black 58)  6. Eric Gabany (3E)  7. John Buchanan (93)  8. Matt Reeher (711)  9. Mike Stine (7s)  10. Rick Hall (B2)  11. Jr. Baker (359)  12. Dustin Martin (29D)  13. Mark Bailey (14B).

4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. DAVID SCOTT (Powell 100)  2. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72)  3. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c)  4. Ben Black (27B)  5. Bud Watson (2)  6. Joe Martin (55)  7. Max Blair (111)  8. Steve Hollabaugh (3H)  9. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H)  10. Bill Thomas (22)  11. Chris Force (68)  12. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42JR)  13. Tyler Barris (32B)  14. Bryan Force (69)  15. Chris Haines (35H)  16. Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s)  17. Roger French (-1).

GM 602 Crate Stock Cars (12 laps): 1. STEVE D’APOLITO (Utsinger 84)  2. Andy Buckley (965)  3. Shaun Hooks (65)  4. Russ Coyne (8c).

Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites (15 laps): 1. ALAN KNEPPER (10)  2. Rod Jones (820)  3. Mark Marcucci (8M)  4. Levi Spinneweber (10s)  5. John Gerula, Jr. (54)  6. Terry Young (98)  7. Kotie Kirkbride (97N)  8. Bill Stivason (116)  9. Dustin Salvino (31).

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. LEE LEHNERD (71)  2. Pete Blazczak (77)  3. Jamey Lee (44J)  4. Dan McEwen (44)  5. Tim Callahan (54)  6. Dillon Barr (15)  7. Bill Fuchs (10)  8. Steve Walker (McEwen 4M)  9. Adam Bulfone (19JR)  10. E.J. Rarer (3J)  11. Rudolph Troples III (28)  12. John Shannon (14)  13. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  14. Ricky Mellinger (Nagy 71B)  15. Dan Nagy (17B).

GEORGE WINS 4^th SPRINT FEATURE IN 6 TRIES AT MERCER ON MONDAY; #3 FOR BLAIR IN FASTRAK NE LM SERIES; DELLINGER CLAIMS STOCKS; LEE BAGS #3 IN MINIS

By Mike Leone

May 25, 2009      

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park rounded out American Thunder Weekend on Monday with the running of the “Steel Valley Memorial Day Classic”.  Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Max Blair-FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series, Rod George-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Alan Dellinger-Stock Cars, and Jamey Lee-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.

Max Blair survived some close calls, scrapes, and near misses to win his first FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series event and third Mercer win of the season in the 25-lap, $1,200 to-win 4 Your Car Connection feature.  “I will take responsibility for that deal on the next to last restart,” admitted the 19-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver.  “I came up the race track and didn’t mean it.  I thought I had him cleared and I didn’t do that intentionally.  The track really came around after the first few laps.  It was a really nice track that you could race all over it.”

Making his first ever Northeast Touring Series start, Jason Rider used the outside to race into the lead at the start of the feature with Bill Thomas and Gary Knollinger in tow.  Knollinger, Tom Snyder, Jr., and Bud Watson passed Thomas for second through fourth respectively on lap two.  David Scott, who started 10^th, quickly made his way into contention taking fourth from Watson on lap three.

Snyder used the inside to pass Knollinger for second on lap four then ran down Rider by lap nine.  The leaders were entering lapped traffic on lap 12 before the caution was displayed for Shawn Jett.  On the ensuing restart, Knollinger and seventh starting Blair were able to get past Snyder for second.  After a caution with 12 laps completed, Blair would make the winning move getting by Rider and bringing Knollinger and Snyder with him.

Snyder moved back to second on lap 14 past Knollinger.  Mike Pegher, Jr., who was looking to make it three-for-three in Touring Series competition in 2009, started all the way back in 22^nd, cracked the top five on lap 16 getting by Dan Angelicchio and then moved to fourth on lap 18 dropping Scott back to fifth. 

Following a restart with 19 laps completed, Blair made contact with Snyder and ensued a five car accident.  The accident moved Pegher to third and on the restart grabbed second from Knollinger.  Pegher was all over Blair looking for a way around.  Pegher dove low on the final lap in turn four trying to get under Pegher, but looped his mount doing a 360.

Blair’s victory was the sixth of his career at Mercer in his Eagle Hoist & Winch/Specialty Products/Loney Timber/Moody Welding-sponsored #111.  Knollinger, who finished second to Blair on April 11 at Mercer, came across the finish in second and was followed by Scott, 12^th starting Dan Angelicchio, and 16^th starting Bobby Powell.  Completing the top 10 were Mike Anderson, Jr., Thomas, Carl McKinney, Pegher, and Shane Bambarger in his first ever Mercer start.  Heat winners over the season high 33-car field were Knollinger, Watson, Blair, and Angelicchio.  Jay Watson and Pegher won the B mains.

Rod George took advantage of a front row starting spot and made a nice move to steal the victory away from Rob Eyler in lapped traffic to score his fourth Sprint Car win in six tries this season.  The $1,500 win came in the 25-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling feature. 

“First off I have to thank the fans for hanging around on a week night,” said the Kittanning, Pa. veteran.  “The track was a little slick at first, but the track crew did a great job.  It was one lane in the heats, but you could run three and four-wide in the feature.  I just hit the right spot at the right time to get by Rob.  The other racers did a good job.  It was great racing and a real clean race.”

Eyler raced out to the lead with George, Arnie Kent, and Jack Sodeman, Jr. in pursuit.  George was all over Eyler in the early laps as the two ran side-by-side on laps six and seven.  Lapped traffic was about to come into play on lap nine when a four car incident occurred involving newcomer Josh Davis, who got on his side, along with Jeremy Cook, Eric Williams, and Lindsay Enscoe. 

The man on the move was Gary Kriess, Jr.  Kriess started back in 19^th and on lap 10 followed Cole Duncan past Carl Bowser as the two took over fifth and sixth respectively.  A caution for Dan Kuriger’s spin was the final caution of the event with 11 laps completed. 

George was hounding Eyler and was all over the leader on lap 15.  George would make his winning move on lap 17 driving under Eyler in turn four and making the pass stick.  George was in heavy lapped traffic on lap 18, but made the right moves to distance himself.  George went on for his second straight win and 22^nd of his career at Mercer in the Dr. John Crawford III/Pro Shot Directional Boring/Suzanne Stivason/Max Weiss-sponsored #4. 

Eyler was a solid second.  Sodeman drove by Kent on the backstretch on lap 21 to finish third and was closing on Eyler and George.  Kent held off Duncan, who made his first start of the season.  Sixth through 10^th were Kriess, Bowser, Charlie Holben, Scott Bonnell, and Jason Dolick.  Another great field of 28 cars turned out with Kent, Jeff Taylor, and Sodeman winning the heats.  Kriess won the B main.

After a dominating performance Sunday night at Central PA Speedway, Alan Dellinger made it two in a row winning the 25-lap $1,000 to-win open Stock Car feature to break a tie with Brian Booher to become the division’s all-time winner with 33 wins.  “For early in the summer, the tracks are all nice and slippery and smooth,” described the Hermitage, Pa. winner.  “Man I just love that kind of stuff.  We work real hard to make the car go on a slick track.  We just have a little motor in this and I love it when it works out for the best.”

Dan Lewis took the early lead from the pole position.  Dellinger, who started seventh, quickly made his way to the front moving to second by the completion of lap three getting by Tim Deutsch and Tim Burns.  Dellinger closed on Lewis on lap five.  The two ran side-by-side on laps five, six, and seven with Lewis high and Dellinger low.  Dellinger finally was able to clear Lewis in turn two on lap seven. 

Dellinger survived three restarts and was never challenged the rest of the way to win his 41^st of his career at Mercer in the Steve Burns, Sr.-owned #19B.  Lewis was second.  Young Tim Bish passed Deutsch on lap eight to finish third.  Rusty Martz came from 11^th to place fourth over Deutsch.  Heat winners over the 18-car field were Dellinger and Lewis.

Point leader Jamey Lee made it two-in-a-row and three on the season in the Mini Stocks.  The victory came in the 12-lap M&D Paving feature and was worth $75.  “It was a good race,” said the Fairmount City, Pa. driver.  “There were a few wild moments where I thought they were going to spin me out.”

Tim Callahan led the first two laps before Josh Verrill and Lee took over the top two spots on lap three.  Lee made the winning move one lap later from Verrill and survived four cautions in the Thomas Elliot Insurance-sponsored #44J.  Dillon Kineston came from 11^th to place second.  Verrill dropped to third, but good enough for a career best third.  Dan McEwen was fourth after starting 17^th and Callahan completed the top five.  Heat winners were Lee and Lehnerd over the 22-car field. 

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars (25 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. ROD GEORGE (4)  2. Rob Eyler (5a)  3. Jack Sodeman, Jr. (23Jr)  4. Arnie Kent (18)  5. Cole Duncan (22)  6. Gary Kriess, Jr. (55)  7. Carl Bowser (10)  8. Charlie Holben (42G)  9. Scott Bonnell (3B)  10. Jason Dolick (D12)  11. Jeff Taylor (17T)  12. Johnny Beaber (Taylor 7B)  13. Tony Beaber (3T)  14. Nate Stein (93)  15. Eric Williams (7)  16. Jeremy Cook (5L)  17. Chris Best (66)  18. Pete Miller III (3)  19. Joe Butera (Matus 3J)  20. Brent Matus (33)  21. Dan Kuriger (08)  22. Danny Holtgraver (D4)  23. Josh Davis (22D)  24. Lindsay Enscoe (96)  DNQ: Gale Ruth, Sr. (1R), John McCracken, Jr. (79), Jack Helget (Taylor 71c), Russ Sansosti (23s).

4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (25 laps, $1,200 to-win): 1. MAX BLAIR (111)  2. Gary Knollinger (38K)  3. David Scott (Powell 100)  4. Dan Angelicchio (14)  5. Bobby Powell (Powell B1D)  6. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72)  7. Bill Thomas (McDaniel 22)  8. Carl McKinney (6M)  9. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1C)  10. Shane Bambarger (68B)  11. Ben Black (27B)  12. Bud Watson (2)  13. Garrett Mott (43X)  14. Bryan Force (69)  15. Tom Snyder, Jr. (1F)  16. Jay Watson (7x)  17. John Watson (Horton 48)  18. Jason Rider (Johnson 76)  19. Joel Prosser (77)  20. Butch Lambert (27)  21. Joe Martin (55)  22. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 17L)  23. Shawn Jett (1J)  24. Steve Hollabaugh (3H)  DNQ: Tommy Schirnhofer, Jr. (8s), Jamie Brown (135), Chris Haines (35H), Kyle Layton (99*), Mike Laughard (38L), Sean Puz (66), Tom Copeland (98), Jon Law (14), Bob Kish (5).

Stock Cars (25 laps, $1,000 to-win): 1. ALAN DELLINGER (Burns 19B)  2. Dan Lewis (64)  3. Tim Bish (1B)  4. Rusty Martz (16M)  5. Tim Deutsch (11D)  6. Andy Buckley (965)  7. Chris Haines (35H)  8. Dave Ferringer (02)  9. Josh Seippel (84)  10. Jim Brunson (1-17)  11. Russ Byler (06R)  12. Rod Laskey (1R)  13. Tim Burns (66)  14. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65)  15. Mike Duritsky (90)  16. Terry Wheeler (2W)  17. Matt Wagner (12)  18. Rob Bates (99B)-DSQ.

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps, $75 to-win): 1. JAMEY LEE (44J)  2. Dillon Kineston (19)  3. Josh Verrill (13)  4. Dan McEwen (44)  5. Tim Callahan (54)  6. Pete Blazczak (77)  7. Lee Lehnerd (71)  8. Bill Fuchs (10)  9. Ed Haylett (8-ball)  10. Rudolph Troples III (28)  11. Dan Nagy (17B)  12. Adam Bulfone (19JR)  13. E.J. Rarer (3J)  14. Shannon Heberling (1H)  15. John Shannon (14)  16. Mike McConnell (31)  17. Jim Edison (48E)  18. Marty Warren, Jr. (05)  19. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7)-DNS  20. Steve Walker (McEwen 4M)-DNS  21. Eric Gabany (3)-DNS  22. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33)-DNS.

HUGE CROWD GREETS USA-EAST OPENER AT MERCER

By Rick Feicht

A super crowd and a beautiful evening for pulling were all part of another great opening event for the USA-EAST Pulling Series at Vicki Emig’s Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday, May 23^rd.  With temperatures hovering in the high 70s and abundant sunshine the grandstands were nearly full in anticipate of another awesome display of power from four championship pulling divisions.   A special guest appearence by 2008 NTPA National Champion Ken Veney from Wadsworth, Ohio and his Unlimited Modified tractor had the fans on the feet just before intermission.  The all-new four-engine “Funny Farmall” Mod was certainly in mid-season form as it blasted down the raceway clay to the delight of the spectators.  Veney will lead a complete class of the unlimited modified tractors into the Canfield Fair over Labor Day week-end this year – the first time that this group of tractors has appeared in the western Pennsylvania or eastern Ohio area for many years.

PRO STOCK DIESEL 4x4

Twenty-Nine of the ultra-powerful diesel pick-ups opened the show at Mercer.  Rules of USA-EAST permit street licensed trucks to ‘bump up’ to the Pro Stock division on two occassions in 2009 and many of the street trucks availed themselves of that opportunity swelling the field to 29.  After the first round a total of twelve had made the pull-off.  This class has improved drastically in the past year and was very impressive in the first hook of 2009.  Justin Wilins who had captured the former Pro Street crown in both ’06 and ’07 has made great strides with his Dodge named “Bad Reputation” from Fresno, Ohio.  Wilkins pushed the green Mopar/Cummins machine to the victory in the pull-off.  The reigning champion from last year, John Lorenz from Dover, Ohio took second with the freshly painted “Grey Wolf”.

Perhaps the most impressive diesel truck of the night was the vastly improved “The Real Deal” owned and driven by Bill DeBenedictus from Mentor, Ohio.  This Dodge had been running in the middle of the pack in past years but showed superior performance to grab third at Mercer.  Joe Gambino from Springville, New York was third with his Brother’s Diesel prepared Dodge.  Gambino was forced to compete in the RWYB class in past years, but the rule changes have opened the door for that machine to run with the Pro Stockers.  And Vince Aftuck from Scio, New York grabbed fifth with his old and steady lime green Dodge.  That truck from the Enterprise Engines Team at Thornville, Ohio is the ‘old’ truck from the Aftuck stable.  Vince is expecting delivery of his newer and more powerful red Dodge in time for the New York opener next week.

John Jordan’s “The Big Stick” Duramax was the top GM finisher at Mercer Raceway.  Jordan from Saegertown, Pennsylvania has moved steadily up through the ranks in diesel truck pulling and is now poised to lay claim to the title of ‘top GM’ in the Pro Stock division.  Misfortune struck two top contenders at Mercer.  The Calvin Miller owned and Sean Hodges driven “On Borrowed Time” Dodge from Guys Mills and Washington, Pennsylvania experienced engine problems after qualifying for the pull-off while former Mercer Raceway champion Matt Cooper from nearby Portersville, Pennsylvania did a hop scotch move at the 100’ mark with “Goin’ The Distance’ and caused the weight rack on the front of the Chevy to dislodge leading to a disqualification.  The other truck with some type of engine problem was the pull-off qualified “Holstein Express” with Matt Springer on the controls from Jefferson, Ohio.

The top street licensed truck in the fray was Salem, Ohio’s Dale Bennett with a GM Duramax entry that is called “Social Security”.  The class at Mercer Raceway was sponsored by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply.

SMOKER SERIES