Past Press Releases & Results
October 2001
Results from October 2001
September 2001
Results from September 2001
August 2001
Results from August 2001
July 2001
Results from July 2001
June, 2001
Results from June, 2001
May, 2001
Results from May, 2001
April, 2001
Results from April, 2001
Spring, 2001
News from an exciting Spring
October, 2000
Results from October, 2000
September, 2000
Results from September, 2000
August, 2000
Results from August, 2000
July, 2000
Results from July, 2000
June, 2000
Results from June, 2000
May, 2000
Results from May, 2000
April, 2000
Results from April, 2000
Spring, 2000
News from an exciting spring
Winter, 1999-2000
News from a busy winter
September, 1999
Results from September, 1999
August, 1999
Results from August, 1999
July, 1999
Results from July, 1999
June, 1999
Results from June, 1999
May, 1999
Results from May, 1999
April 24, 1999
Felmlee and Dorman Record First Wins at Mercer
April 17, 1999
Weather Cancels Racing at Mercer
April 10, 1999
Hawley and Kristyak Highlight Opening Night Mercer Winners
March 26, 1999
All Systems a Go for April 10 Mercer Raceway Park Opener
 
All Systems a Go for
April 10 Mercer Raceway Park Opener

March 26, 1999

Mercer (PA)...After six months of quietness, the roar of engines will return to Mercer Raceway Park on April 10. Vicki Emig and staff are ready for an exciting 1999 racing season. Emig purchased the 3/8-mile track in late January and has been busy preparing for her first endeavor at promoting a race track. All of the staff that has done such a terrific the job that past two seasons are returning to continue to build on Mercer’s excellence to make it the place to be on Saturday nights. The same five divisions that has been on the weekly card since Mercer reopened in 1994, from its near death, are also returning. The divisions include the Sprint Cars, which will be sponsored by Waste Management; the DIRT Modifieds, the Six-Cylinder Modifieds, which Mercer is the only track in America running them weekly; the West-Penn Limited Modifieds, and the Pure Stocks.

The major change that will provide for better racing will be the handicapping system that will take effect the second week of racing. The top twelve cars that qualify for the feature through their heats will be inverted based on their past three-week point average. New cars will receive one more point than feature winners for handicapping purposes; new cars that finish in the top twelve of the heats will start no worse than 12th in the feature. Fans are getting tired of seeing the fast cars start up front and seeing the same winners week in and week out.

There will also be an incentive plan in effect for all five divisions in honor of the late Bill Emig that continues the trend of making more excitement for the fans. Any Sprint Car or DIRT Modified driver that is to start in the top twelve of the feature has the option of going to the tail; if the driver wins the feature, he will receive an extra $10 for every car he passed. For the Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, and Pure Stocks, the same basis applies except they will receive an extra $100 if they win.

Another of the changes for the better will be the Hoosier DIRT tire rule that will be in effect for the DIRT Modifieds. This will reduce the costs, provide for more competition, and allow Mercer to align itself more with D.I.R.T. Following the lead of Lernerville and Tri-City speedways, Mercer will institute a muffler rule for the Sprint Car and DIRT Modified divisions as of June 1. The minimum requirement will be a Schoenfeld brand 11-inch muffler. The end result will be a drop in the decibel levels of engine noise without affecting speed or horsepower.

A new point system has been enacted that will begin on April 10. The result will be closer point races and less importance placed on the heat events. If a feature winner finishes second in his heat, no longer will it be possible for him to earn less points than if the runner-up in the feature won his heat. This system will also be used for the handicapping point system.

One of themes that will be pursued at Mercer Raceway Park will be entertaining the fans, getting the children involved, and bringing back the excitement of racing action like it was in years gone by. There will be no such thing as a regular show at Mercer. In order to create excitement for the fans, and in order to draw new faces to the track, each night something special will be taking place. This will be continued to be built on in the future. Whether its car cruises, bike nights, kids bike races, autograph nights, demo derbies, Halloween hoot, watermelon days, scout nights, little league nights, fireworks, fan club nights, college nights, corporate nights, etc., Mercer Raceway Park will be where "Saturday Nights Come Alive."

Despite a late start in getting everything organized for the ‘99 season, currently a 24-race schedule has been released. The biggest night of the year will take place on September 18 as it will be the 3rd Annual Chuck Marsh Memorial. The Sprint Cars will be featured in a 30-lap feature for a minimum of $4,000 to-win. The DIRT Modifieds will be in action for $1,500 to-win and the Pure Stocks will complete the card with a $500 to-win feature. Also that night, the fans will be treated to a fireworks display. On July 3, it will be the Bill Emig Memorial Night. The DIRT Modifieds will be in action for a 50-lap feature with a minimum of $3,000 going to the winner in what will be the biggest Modified race in the history of Mercer. Also that night, the Six-Cylinder Modifieds and Pure Stocks will join the action. July 24 will be the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Eckerd 300 Syracuse qualifier. The DIRT Modifieds will again be highlighted on August 14 when the Bicknell Racing Products DIRT Modified Tour ‘99 makes a stop for the series’ sixth and final tour event of the season. The PCTC Senior Series will make a return that night for the first time in more than two years. September 4 will be dubbed as "Fall Frenzy". The 305 Sprints will make their first ever Mercer appearance. The Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, and Pure Stocks will also join in on the action. That night there will be no 410 Sprints or DIRT Modifieds due to the Sharon Nationals at the nearby Sharon Speedway. We want to bring back the excitement of mid-season and season championship nights as was in years gone by. June 26 will be the "Mudslinger" Mid-season Championship Night and August 21 will be the Dirt Cup Season Championship Night. Points will end on August 28. On that night, a drawing will be held and a Richard Petty "Winston" Driving Experience will be given to a lucky driver. In order to be eligible, drivers must compete in at least 50% of the races held between April 10 and August 21. Also that night, one lucky fan will win a ticket for the Richard Petty "Ride-Along" program.

Demo derbies will take place on May 15 and August 28. June 12 will feature the Vintage American Race Cars in an exhibition race. Their cars will also be on display throughout the night enabling the fans to get a closer look at these historic machines. Bike races for the kids will occur on June 5 and August 7. Currently ten corporations have jumped on board in the short amount of time for corporate nights.

In order not to take any monies from the track, Six-Cylinder Modified driver, Lou Gentile, whose car is owned by Emig, will be donating his winnings to a different charity throughout Mercer and Lawrence counties each night. Some of the charities that will benefit will be the Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Something else new for this year in order to make it more affordable for families to be able the come to the track will be the family ticket price. Two adults and up to four children will be admitted for $23. And there will be no increased admission for any shows in 1999! All races will be $10 for adults. Kids six to fifteen will be $5 and children five and under will be admitted free. Pit admission is $18. Join us as the fun and excitement
begins on April 10! Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

 

 Return to Top of Page

 

 

 

Hawley and Kristyak Highlight
Opening Night Mercer Winners

by Mike Leone

April 10, 1999

Mercer(PA)...A big crowd turned out on a clear and cool evening as MercerRaceway Park kicked off the campaign of new owner Vicki Emig on Saturday, April 10. A fast and efficient five division program was run off in lessthan four hours under great track conditions. Checking into victory lane were Jimmy Hawley, West Middlesex, Pa.-Waste Management Sprint Cars; Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, Pa.-MercerPros.com DIRT Modifieds; Lou Gentile,Youngstown, Oh.-Miller Lite/Amsoil Six-Cylinder Modifieds; Gary Smoker,Mercer, Pa.-Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modifieds; and Gary Robinson, Greenville, Pa.-Butterfield’s Pub Pure Stocks.

Its been a long time coming, but Jimmy Hawley finally returned to victorylane at his home track by scoring the 20-lap Waste Management Sprint Car win in the #cIII for car owner Dr. John Crawford III. Central Ohio drivers Eric Hysong and Tim Kern led the 25-car field to green for the first feature of the 1999 season. Kern, who was injured in a crash a week ago at Attica Raceway Park and whose car was run over by a push truck during push-off, jumped into the early lead in search of some better luck. Tommy Burns, Jr. got by Rob Chaney for third on the start, then passed Hysong for second going through turns one and two. The two made slight contact with Hysong receiving front-end damage ending his night and bringing out the first caution. Hawley, who started 11th, was moving through the pack. On lap two, Hawley made an outside pass of both Bob Felmlee and Chaney coming off turn four for third position. Bob Whitace came to rest necessitating the second caution with two laps completed, and John Nervo needed the wrecker after hitting the wall. Bob Felmlee also spun to avoid the incident. When racing resumed, Hawley continued to make his trek to the front getting by Burns for second with an inside move in turn one. On lap five, rookie driver Mike Roxberry spun collecting Gary Edwards, then as Kern was coming around had nowhere to go and looped his mount as his bad luck streak continued. This moved Hawley into the lead with Burns third. Jamie Smith, who started ninth, now was up to third when he passed Chaney on lap five at the starter’s stand. Whitacre brought out the fourth and final caution when he stopped with eight laps completed. Felmlee was now working his way back to the front as he passed Mike Kekich for fifth on lap 15. At this point, Hawley stretched his lead to a straightaway over Burns as the two raced through heavy traffic. A battle for third began to develop as Chaney was racing with Smith and in the meantime Felmlee was catching the two. Back up front, Hawley cruised to his first Mercer win since August 20, 1994, the year when Mercer reopened. Burns ran a solid a second. Chaney drove it hard into the outside of turn four on the final lap and edged Smith at the stripe for third. Smith and Felmlee were fourth and fifth. Sixth through tenth were Kekich, Scott Bonnell, Chuck Wilson, Jason Jacoby, and Arnie Kent. Heats for the twenty-five Sprints were won by Kekich and Hawley. Ohio drivers Paul Weaver, Mike Linder, and Eric Manfrass made their first ever Mercer appearances.

Tommy Kristyak continued his dominance of the DIRT Modifieds at Mercer taking the 20-lap feature win. Rick Hall and Randy Myers brought the 25-car field down to green with Hall taking the early advantage. Jeff Schaffer passed Dean Pearson and Del Rougeux on the opening lap for third. Carl Murdick and Kristyak, who started eight and 10th respectively, ran down Schaffer and the three put on quite a battle for the show position during laps four through seven. It was then on lap seven when Murdick got by Schaffer for good, and then on the next lap, Kristyak also disposed of Schaffer for fourth. Murdick ran down Myers by lap 11, and Kristyak also entered the battle for second. As Murdick slipped high on the 11th lap, Kristyak snuck under him for third. Brothers Todd and Troy Schaffer, who ran Six-Cylinders last year, tangled with Troy getting upside down. Before racing resumed, Myers came to rest putting him on the tail for the restart and moving Kristyak to second and Murdick to third. When action again took to the track, Kristyak made the winning move on lap 12 dropping Hall back to second. The rest of the race went green to checker with Kristyak in his #26z scoring his fourth straight Mercer win dating back to last season. Hall was able to hold off a great run by Murdick for runner-up. Jeff Schaffer was fourth over Dave Murdick. Rounding out the top ten were Joe Crawford,
Pearson, Jerry Bickel, Jimmy Faas, and Del Rougeux. Crawford and Kristyak won the heats.

After ending the year winning double features, Lou Gentile put the Emig Racing #1 back into victory lane in the 20-lap Miller Lite/Amsoil
Six-Cylinder Modified main. Gentile raced by Harold Michaels on the start for the lead. Kenny Hardy also got around Michaels for second on the first lap. Gentile and Hardy pulled away from the field as the laps ticked off. Hardy stayed right with Gentile and on lap 14, was all over the leader as the two raced around the lap car of Bill Adams. Gentile was able to withstand Hardy’s pressure for the win. Frank Guidace elected to start at the tail and came back to get third. If Guidace would have won, he would have received the $100 bonus put up by the track, a $100 bonus from his sponsor Alltel, and a $50 bonus from Bud Miller. Carl Weatherby and Michaels were fourth and fifth. Hardy and Weatherby were heat winners.

Gary Smoker won the 15-lap Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modified Feature to become the all-time Mercer Limited Modified winner. Teammates Mike Kristyak and Smoker led the field to green with Smoker getting by on the start. Don McKnight dropped Kristyak to third on lap one. Ninth starter, Jeremiah Shingledecker, drove his way into third as he passed Kristyak on lap six. At the half-way point, Shingledecker spun and kept going, but lost third to Skinny Hall. On lap nine, Scott Kay and Ron Eperthener, Jr. both got by Hall for third and fourth. But up front, Smoker went on for his 13th career Mercer win in the Kristyak’s Service Plaza #401. McKnight was second ahead of Kay, Eperthener, and Hall. Taking the heats were Shingledecker and John Buchanan.

Gary Robinson picked up the win in the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Pure Stock Feature. Robinson passed Tim Mailliard and Charlie Baptiste on lap one for the lead. Tenth starter, Dwayne Clay, was already up to third when he took Todd Titus for the spot on the fifth lap. Jim Riffenberrick, who started alongside Clay in the ninth spot, caught back up to Clay and got by him for third on the eighth lap. In the closing laps, Mailliard and Riffenberrick
closed on Robinson, but Robinson was able to hold on for the win in the Cresswell’s Auto Align/Speir Homes #44R. The #44R has now won four straight races and six of the last eight dating back to last season, including the last race of last season when Robinson’s brother, Rick, won. Mailliard recorded a career-best second over Riffenberrick, Rick Anthony, and Titus, who had his first career top five. Dan Lewis, Robinson, and Brian Miller won the heats over the 36-car field. Gary Norman won the consy.

 
Waste Management Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY
2. Tommy Burns, Jr. 3. Rob Chaney 4. Jamie Smith 5. Bob Felmlee 6. Mike Kekich 7. Scott Bonnell 8. Chuck Wilson 9. Jason Jacoby 10. Arnie Kent 11. Paul Weaver 12. Mike Linder 13. Buddy Cochran 14. Dan Leech 15. Troy Preston 16. Eric Manfrass 17. Mike Roxberry 18. Troy Cochran 19. Tim Kern 20. Ed Etzel 21. Bob Whitacre 22. Gary Edwards 23. John Nervo 24. Gale Ruth, Jr. 25. Eric Hysong.

 

MercerPros.com DIRT Modified Feature Finish: 1. TOMMY KRISTYAK
2. Rick Hall 3. Carl Murdick 4. Jeff Schaffer 5. Dave Murdick 6. Joe Crawford 7. Dean Pearson 8. Jerry Bickel 9. Jimmy Faas 10. Del Rougeux 11. Skip Deane 12. Mike Gordon 13. Jamie Smith 14. Randy Myers 15. Don Blaney 16. Jim Reagle 17. Steve Young 18. Troy Schaffer 19. Todd Schaffer 20. Dan Campbell 21. Skip Moore 22. Ron Took 23. Mark Sevin-DNS 24. Bill Dorman-DNS 25. Tom Armstrong-DNS.

 

Miller Lite/AMSOIL Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Kenny Hardy 3. Frank Guidace 4. Carl Weatherby 5. Harold Michaels 6. Bill Adams 7. Rick Kress 8. Randy Ferguson 9. Dana Gearhart 10. Conny Allen 11. Gregg McCandless-DNS 12. Jerry Schaffer-DNS 13. Kevin Nagy-DNS 14. Steve Barr-DNS.

 

Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modifieds: 1. GARY SMOKER
2. Don McKnight 3. Scott Kay 4. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 5. Skinny Hall 6. Jeremiah Shingledecker 7. Rick Ryder 8. Rob Kristyak 9. Chanda Reitz 10. Steve Walsh 11. Allen Ferry 12. Randy Rodemoyer 13. Dave Norcross 14. Boyd Johnson, Jr. 15. Mike Kristyak 16. Jeff Miller 17. John Buchanan.

 

Butterfield’s Pub Pure Stocks: 1. GARY ROBINSON 2. Tim Mailliard 3. Jim Riffenberrick 4. Rick Anthony 5. Todd Titus 6. Bill Hanna 7. Dwayne Clay 8. Tom Tuite 9. Brian Miller 10. Pat Hile 11. Charlie Baptiste 12. Bill Banick, Jr. 13. Chuck Kerr 14. Terry Faas 15. Rick Norco 16. Willie Aley 17. Brian Mathieson 18. Gary Norman 19. Dan Lewis 20. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 21. Jim Davis 22. Buck Sevin 23. Andy Buckley 24. Jeff Covelli 25. George Davis-DNS


DNQ-Jim Brunson, Tony Bruno, Mike Faas, Steve Reed, Tim Zushlag, Al Priester, Ed Hays, Ray Bailey, Kevin Bailey, Jeff Natale, Leigh Wheeler.

 

 

 Return to Top of Page

 

Weather Cancels
Racing at Mercer

by Mike Leone

April 17, 1999

Mercer (PA)...Mother nature had one more shot of winter in her as unseasonably cold temperatures along with light sporadic rain cancelled action at Mercer Raceway Park Saturday evening. Join us this Saturday evening, April 25, when the Waste Management Sprint Cars, MercerPros.com DIRT Modifieds, Miller Lite/Amsoil Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modifieds, and the Butterfield’s Pub Pure Stocks return to action with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. This week is the Coats for Kids benefit. Bring a coat to help the needy in the area and receive a discount on admission. Current point leaders are Jimmy Hawley in the Sprint Cars, Tommy Kristyak in the DIRT Modifieds, Kenny Hardy in the Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Gary Smoker in the Limited Modifieds, and Gary Robinson in the Pure Stocks. This week the new handicap feature line-ups will take place.

Work has been going on every day at the speedway. Mercer will now have one of the best sound systems in the region. A new state-of-the-art system is now intact. New full-time announcer, Mike Dutko, should now be heard loud and clear. Also, speakers have been put in place for the pits on the backstretch where previously it was near impossible to hear the pit stewart. Trees are being cleared to make room for more parking, which is going to be necessary with last week’s overflow crowd.

On July 17 the "Earthquakers" will be performing from 2-4 p.m. Admission is
$10 which will also include a full night of racing.

 

 

 Return to Top of Page

 

 

Felmlee and Dorman
Record First Wins at Mercer

by Mike Leone

April 24, 1999

Mercer (PA)...The sunshine finally returned to western Pennsylvania allowing Mercer Raceway Park to complete its second night of racing on Saturday evening. The five-division 19-event program was once again run off in less than four hours. Posing in victory lane were Bob Felmlee, Franklin, Pa. -Waste Management Sprint Cars; Bill Dorman, Stockton, Ny. -MercerPros.com DIRT Modifieds; Carl Weatherby, Volant, Pa.-Miller Lite/Amsoil Six-Cylinder Modifieds; Don McKnight, Jamestown, Pa.-Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modifieds; and Gary Norman, New Castle, Pa.-Butterfield's Pub Pure Stocks.


The 1998 Mercer Raceway Park and Tri-City track champion, Bob Felmlee, returned to victory lane for the first time in 1999 by scoring the 20-lap Waste Management Sprint Car Feature win. Gary Edwards and Arnie Kent were on the front row according to the new handicap line-up system. Felmlee, who started fourth, raced by second-generation driver, Jason Jacoby, and Kent on the start for runner-up. On lap three, Felmlee drove by Edwards on the outside in turns one and two for the lead. Opening night winner, Jimmy Hawley, who started ninth, was picking his way through the field cracking the top five on lap five when he passed the number five of Jamie Smith. Two laps later Hawley blasted by Jacoby for fourth on the outside. On the following lap he used the same move for third taking Kent. Hawley continued the trend one lap later on the ninth circuit when he moved by Edwards for the second spot once again using turns one and two, but this time utilizing the inside of the track. At the half-way point, Felmlee built a straightaway lead over Hawley while the two worked traffic. Kent grabbed third by passing Edwards at the line on lap 14. On lap 16, Jamie Smith took fourth as he passed Jacoby and Edwards. Edwards fell back two more spots on the 18th lap when Jacoby and Bonnell slid on by. Back up front, Felmlee maintained his cushion in his World of Wheels/Car*Mate Trailers #6 over Hawley as he went on for the win in the non-stop event timed in 5:32.02. Hawley was second. Kent led Smith to the checkers for third and fourth. Bonnell rounded out the top five when he took the position from Jacoby on lap 19. Sixth through tenth were Jacoby, Edwards, Buddy Cochran, Mike Kekich, and Gary Kriess, Jr. Heat winners were Edwards and Tom Quarterson.


Bill Dorman survived a wild and crazy 20-lap MercerPros.com DIRT Modified Feature for his first win of 1999. On the first lap, six cars tangled including Tommy Kristyak, Scott Rodgers, Rodney Beltz, Troy Schaffer, Mike Gordon, and Randy Myers. All six cars restarted. Skip Deane, who started fifth, passed Tom Armstrong for second, while Rick Hall followed in third on lap two. Then Rodgers and Dave Murdick collected each other. When green flag racing resumed, Dorman continued his advantage, but on the same lap the fourth place car of Armstrong spun causing the third caution. Rick Hall swapped positions with Deane for second on lap three, and lap five Steve Young got around Deane for third right before the fourth caution waved for a Lonny Riggs and Jerry Bickel spin. Carl Murdick, who started eighth, now was in third passing Deane and Young on the restart. Lou Blaney, who scratched from his heat and started 21st, was driving through the pack and on the restart drove to the outside to pass Deane and Young as well for fourth. The second place car of Rick Hall spun necessitating the fifth caution with six laps completed. At this point the top five were Dorman, Murdick, Blaney, Deane, and Beltz. On the restart, Beltz passed Deane for fourth and one lap later drove by Blaney on the backstretch for third prior to a spin by Guy Griffin. Beltz was flying after restarting at the rear and blew by Murdick on the backstretch for second on lap eight as he clearly had the fastest car. An excellent four-car battle was developing for the lead with Dorman holding off Beltz, Murdick, and Blaney. Todd Schaffer spun bringing out the caution with nine laps in the books. When racing resumed, Blaney moved into the show position driving by Murdick. On lap 11, Beltz tried to go to the inside to pass Dorman for the lead coming off turn four, but hit a slick spot and spun as the yellow waved for the eighth and final time. The last ten laps ran non-stop without too much excitement unlike the first ten laps. Dorman was able to hold off Blaney for the win in his self-owned #19. Murdick was third for the second straight time. Rob McClimans came on late to finish fourth after starting 20th in a former Jimmy Horton car. Guy Griffin came back to finish fifth after restarting on the tail on a lap-eight restart. Sixth through tenth were Young, Riggs, Deane, Rich Ferguson, and Bickel. Kristyak and Griffin were heat winners over the 24-car field.


Three-time defending track champion, Carl Weatherby, returned to victory lane for the first time in 1999 taking the 20-lap Miller Lite/Amsoil Six-Cylinder Modified win. Gregg McCandless took the lead from the pole position on the start. Weatherby, who started seventh, was already up to third on lap two when he passed Conny Allen. It was lap five when Weatherby took runner-up from Randy Ferguson. On lap seven, Weatherby made his move for the lead driving by McCandless on the backstretch. Kenny Hardy got around Ferguson for third on lap eight. Just past the half-way mark, Hardy and McCandless battled for the runner-up with the two swapping positions. Hardy got by for good on lap 13. But Weatherby had things under control as he put his Ed & Jerry's NAPA sponsored #919 in victory lane. Hardy was second for the second straight time. McCandless was third for his best finish since a third on July 25, 1998. Lou Gentile was fourth after coming from the back twice and failing on his bid for the bonus. Ferguson was fifth. Gentile and Hardy won the heats.


After coming close on many occasions last season and finishing runner-up last week, second-year driver, Don McKnight, recorded his first career win taking the 15-lap Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modified Feature. McKnight started sixth and passed Scott Kay, Skinny Hall, Ron Eperthener, Jr., Rick Ryder, and Rob Kristyak all on the first lap for the lead. Kristyak assumed second. Ninth starter, Rick Hall, was up to third when he passed his father, Skinny, on lap 10. Kristyak closed on McKnight in the closing laps, but McKnight was able to hold on for the win his #67. The race went green to checker in four minutes and 53 seconds. Rick Hall was third. Gary Smoker failed in his bid for the bonus, but made it up to fourth at the finish. Kay completed the top five. Heats went to Skinny Hall and Smoker.


Gary Norman always makes occasional visits to Mercer and is always fast, but never can seem to get to victory lane. That all changed Saturday evening as Norman pulled off the 15-lap Butterfield's Pub Pure Stock win. Leigh Wheeler and Jeff Covelli led the field to green. Norman started third and passed Covelli for second on the first lap. A good four-car battle for the lead developed with Wheeler leading the way over Norman, Covelli, and Dan Lewis. A caution for Jim Brunson bunched up the field with four laps completed. On the restart, Norman had enough horses to pull ahead of Wheeler going into turn one. During a caution with six laps completed, Covelli got a flat moving Lewis up to third. When green replaced yellow, Lewis took second from Wheeler on the seventh go-around. A caution regrouped the field for a one-lap shoot-out. But Norman was able to hold on for his first Mercer win since 1994 in his #9 over Lewis and Wheeler as it was as the top three cars who battled for the entire race were all orange cars. Bill Hanna was fourth with Gary Robinson completing the top five. Winning the heats were Doug Iorio, Brian Booher, Norman, and Hanna over the 48-car field. The two B mains were won by Andy Buckley and John Reiser.

 

Results for April 24, 1999

Waste Management Sprint Car Feature Finish:
1. BOB FELMLEE
2. Jimmy Hawley 3. Arnie Kent 4. Jamie Smith 5. Scott Bonnell 6. Jason Jacoby 7. Gary Edwards 8. Buddy Cochran 9. Mike Kekich 10. Gary Kriess, Jr. 11. Tommy Burns, Jr. 12. Randy Kriegisch 13. Gary McCann 14. Dave Penezich, Jr. 15. Dan Leech 16. Troy Cochran 17. Tom Quarterson 18. Bob Whitacre-DNS.
 
MercerPros.com DIRT Modified Feature Finish:
1. BILL DORMAN
2. Lou Blaney 3. Carl Murdick 4. Rob McClimans 5. Guy Griffin 6. Steve Young 7. Lonny Riggs 8. Skip Deane 9. Rich Ferguson 10. Jerry Bickel 11. Scott Rodgers 12. Howard Duff 13. Randy Myers 14. Rodney Beltz 15. Troy Schaffer 16. Tom Armstrong 17. Todd Schaffer 18. Jim Reagle 19. Rick Hall 20. Tommy Kristyak 21. Dave Murdick 22. Mike Gordon 23. Mark Sevin-DNS 24. Randy Ferguson-DNS.
 
Miller Lite/AMSOIL Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish:
1. CARL WEATHERBY
2. Kenny Hardy 3. Gregg McCandless 4. Lou Gentile 5. Randy Ferguson 6. Harold Michaels 7. Bill Adams 8. Jim Bickel 9. Frank Guidace 10. Rick Kress 11. Joe Kane 12. Dana Gearhart 13. Conny Allen 14. Steve Barr 15. Jerry Schaffer-DNS.
 
Quaker Steak & Lube West-Penn Limited Modified Feature Finish:
1. DON MCKNIGHT
2. Rob Kristyak 3. Rick Hall 4. Gary Smoker 5. Scott Kay 6. Skinny Hall 7. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 8. Marty Kristyak 9. Gary Bollinger 10. Rick Ryder 11. Bob Young 12. Jeff Miller 13. Dave Norcross 14. Boyd Johnson, Jr. 15. Steve Walsh-DNS 16. Jeremiah Shingledecker-DNS 17. Doug Upton-DNS 18. Bill Adams-DNS 19. Mike Kelley-DNS.
 
Butterfield's Pub Pure Stock Feature Finish:
1. GARY NORMAN
2. Dan Lewis 3. Leigh Wheeler 4. Bill Hanna 5. Gary Robinson 6. Rick Anthony 7. Tim Mailliard 8. Andy Buckley 9. Shaun Hooks 10. Chuck Kerr 11. Jim Brunson 12. Tony Spaghetti 13. Brian Miller 14. Jim Davis 15. Todd Titus 16. Brian Mathieson 17. John Reiser 18. Brian Booher 19. Buck Sevin 20. Jeff Covelli 21. Doug Iorio 22. Andy Thompson 23. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 24. Bobby Pifer 25. Lisa Whitehouse-DNS 26. Pat Hile-DNS
 
DNQ-Jim Riffenberrick, Charlie Baptiste, Ed Hays, Jeff Kravec, Patty McCann, Rusty Moore, Mike Metelsky, Bill Banick, Jr., Mike Aley, Rick Norco, Kevin Bailey, Pat McMenamin, Terry Kroner, Ray Bailey, Dan Fedorchak, George Davis, Steve Reed, Al Priester, Willie Aley, Bill Wheeling, David Beatty, Lynn Hostetler.
 
 Return to Top of Page