Past Press Releases & Results for April, 2000
- April 29, 2000
- Hawley and Priest victorious in Mercer headliners
- April 22, 2000
- Races cancelled at Mercer by inclement weather
- April 15, 2000
- Lutz and Blaney highlight opening night Mercer winners
- April 5, 1999
- Mercer opener cancelled due to wet grounds
Hawley and Priest victorious in Mercer headliners
by Mike Leone
April 29, 2000
Mercer (PA)...The second night of racing was completed Saturday evening at Mercer Raceway Park. Five new winners posed in the Autobody Products victory lane including Jimmy Hawley-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Andy Priest-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Kenny Hardy-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Rick Hall-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Dave Ferringer-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Jimmy Hawley put on a driving clinic coming from 15th to win his first 20-lap Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature of the season. "We’re finally back to where we were last year," said the 21-time 1999 sprint car winner. In the last three races, Hawley has a win at Lernerville, a sixth with the All Stars at Sharon, and a win at Mercer. "I’ve got to thank Matt Draskovich (crew member). He did a great job."
Arnie Kent jumped into the lead at the start leading the 25-car feature field. Cautions for Scott Bonnell and Bill Bailey, who was driving the Gary McCann #94, slowed action in the first three laps. Kevin Andrusky and Jarod Larson battled for second, while Hawley worked himself into fourth on lap nine taking the spot from Rob Eyler. A furious battle for second developed as Andrusky and Hawley passed Larson using the outside on lap 10.
Just prior to a caution for Randy Johnson with 14 laps completed, Hawley moved around Andrusky for second, while Ed Lynch, Jr. took Eyler for fourth. The restart would decide the race as Hawley drove under Kent for the lead going into turn one on the 15th lap. Once in front, Hawley drove off for the win in the Dr. John and Debi Crawford-owned #cIII. "I was getting a lot of good forward bite, and that was the key to victory," said the West Middlesex, Pa driver.
Kent brought his #18 home in second powered by a 360 c.i. engine after blowing the 410 on opening night. Lynch, who started ninth, passed Andrusky on lap 17 to finish third. Andrusky dropped to fourth in a solid run. Opening night winner, Mike Lutz, passed Larson on the 19th lap to finish fifth after starting 14th. Sixth through tenth were Larson, Jamie Smith, Eyler, Tommy Burns, Jr., and Andy McKisson. Kent, Eyler, and Troy Preston won heats over the 25-car field.
"I knew the 10 car (Lou Blaney) was coming, but this week I beat him," said a happy Andy Priest in victory lane following his 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature win. It was Priest’s first Mercer big-block win since May 17, 1997.
Dean Pearson led the first two laps, before third starting Kevin Bolland took over on lap three. By lap four, Priest had moved into the fourth spot after passing Jim Reagle. On lap five, Steve Young, who started fifth, passed Pearson for runner-up just prior to a yellow for a Greg Davis spin. Following the restart, Priest made a move around both Pearson and Young for second.
Meanwhile, Lou Blaney was slowly picking off cars from his 10th starting spot. Blaney passed Pearson and Young to take over third on lap 11. Following a restart for a spin by Carl Murdick, Priest used the outside to get around Bolland on lap 12 for the winning move. Blaney grabbed second from Bolland on lap 14. As the laps ticked off, Priest had just enough to hold off the hard charging Blaney in his WAR-FAB-sponsored #21N. "This is a car I built and I’m real proud. The track was great," said the New Castle, Pa. driver.
Bolland followed Priest and Blaney to the checkers in third. Rodney Beltz came from 15th to place fourth over Tommy Kristyak, who came from the rear after an early spin. Completing the top 10 were Jeff Hoffman, Young, Lonny Riggs, Rick Hall, and Pearson. Heat wins went to Bob Dorman and Blaney over the 22-car field.
It took Kenny Hardy until the final race of 1999 to win his first feature of the season, but only two weeks in 2000 as the Wampum driver picked up the win in the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. Hardy took the lead from Jim Bickel on lap one and never looked back for his 38th six-cylinder win since Mercer reopened in 1994 in the Hardy Trucking #85B. Lou Gentile came from sixth to finish second after passing Randy Ferguson on lap seven. Frank Guidace got around Ferguson for third on lap 12 dropping Ferguson to fourth ahead of Conny Allen at the finish. Hardy also won the heat race.
Rick Hall of Grove City, Pa. won the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. Hall passed rookie J.R. Greer on the opening lap and led all the way in the Carhart-sponsored, Mopar-powered #B2 for his eighth career Mercer sportsman win. Opening night winner, Dave Schrader, who was involved in a seven-car melee on the first lap, came from the tail to finish second. Pearson was third after starting 11th. Chanda Reitz was fourth. Priest, who had a chance to win two features, spun while trying to pass Hall for the lead on lap 11, but did come back to finish fifth at the checkers. Double-duty big-block and sportsman racers, Pearson, Hall, and Priest, won the heats over the 29-car field.
Dave Ferringer of Cochranton, Pa. came out on top of a wild, barn-burner 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature. Ferringer, who started sixth, battled with opening night winner, Leigh Wheeler, for the entire race. Kevin Thompson led the first five laps before getting sideways and yielding the lead to Wheeler and second to Ferringer. Wheeler and Ferringer preceded to put on quite a show for the packed grandstands. The two raced side-by-side on lap 11 as Ferringer nosed ahead to lead lap 12. A caution with one lap to go set up a wild finish. The two raced side-by-side on the final lap making slight contact, but at the checkers, Ferringer pulled out his first career Mercer win in the Lowry Auto Body-sponsored #02. Brian Miller came from the tail after an early spin and nearly passed Wheeler at the checkers as the top three could have been covered by a blanket. Gary Robinson came from 21st to finish fourth ahead of Brian Booher. Heat victors over the 29-car field were Todd Titus, Wheeler, and Thompson. Andy Buckley won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. JIMMY HAWLEY 2. Arnie Kent 3. Ed Lynch, Jr. 4. Kevin Andrusky 5. Mike Lutz 6. Jarod Larson 7. Jamie Smith 8. Rob Eyler 9. Tommy Burns, Jr. 10. Andy McKisson 11. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 12. Brad Ellenberger 13. Gary Edwards 14. Gary McCollum 15. Jamie McKinney 16. Doug Kekich 17. Mike Marano II 18. Randy Johnson 19. Randy Kriegisch 20. Scott Bonnell 21. Jason Jacoby 22. Mike Woodring 23. Bill Bailey 24. Troy Preston 25. Larry Clay.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. Lou Blaney 3. Kevin Bolland 4. Rodney Beltz 5. Tommy Kristyak 6. Jeff Hoffman 7. Steve Young 8. Lonny Riggs 9. Rick Hall 10. Dean Pearson 11. Carl Weatherby 12. Jerry Bickel 13. Randy Myers 14. Steve Barr 15. Greg Davis 16. Rob Kristyak 17. Randy Chronister 18. Jim Reagle 19. Carl Murdick 20. Bob Dorman 21. Don McKnight-DNS 22. Dick Rankin-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. KENNY HARDY 2. Lou Gentile 3. Frank Guidace 4. Randy Ferguson 5. Conny Allen 6. Jim Bickel 7. Rick Kress 8. Mont Mattocks 9. Harold Michaels-DNS 10. Mark McEwen-DNS.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. RICK HALL 2. Dave Schrader 3. Dean Pearson 4. Chanda Reitz 5. Andy Priest 6. Randy Rodemoyer 7. Rick Ryder 8. Gary Bollinger 9. J.R. Greer 10. Zack Moran 11. Doug Updyke 12. Bill Baptiste 13. Darrell Combs 14. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 15. Andy Paden 16. Mike Kelley 17. Gary Smoker 18. John Buchanan 19. Tom Mattocks 20. Barry Bulfone 21. Rod Artman 22. Jim Thompson-DNS 23. Kevin Latshaw-DNS 24. Ricky Rabiroads-DNS 25. Bob Young-DNS 26. Scott Kay-DNS 27. Greg Unrue, Jr.-DNS 28. Buck Buchanan-DNS 29. Joe Gibson-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. DAVE FERRINGER 2. Leigh Wheeler 3. Brian Miller 4. Gary Robinson 5. Brian Booher 6. Gary Miller, Jr. 7. John Reiser 8. Kevin Thompson 9. Willie Aley 10. Terry Kroner 11. Ed Hays 12. Andy Thompson 13. Tommy Dembowski 14. Ray Bailey 15. Tim Zuschlag 16. Todd Titus 17. Jim Brunson 18. Albert Hays 19. Bill Schall, Jr. 20. Dan Fedorchak 21. Andy Buckley 22. Mike Aley 23. Dan Lewis 24. Jeff Kravec DNQ-Jesse Umstead, Kevin Bailey, Chuck Kerr, Byron Brannon, Jr., Rick Anthony.
Races cancelled at Mercer by inclement weather
by Mike Leone
April 22, 2000
Mercer (PA)...For the second time in three weeks, racing at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday evening was cancelled due to inclement weather. Join us Saturday, April 29 for the Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and the Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars. It will be sportsman modified autograph night.
Lutz and Blaney highlight opening night Mercer winners
by Mike Leone
April 15, 2000
Mercer (PA)...A big crowd turned out as racing resumed at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday night for the first time in 2000. Recording the first wins of the year were Mike Lutz-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Dave Schrader-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Leigh Wheeler-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. "This feels so good," said a jubilant Mike Lutz after climbing out of his winning car following the 20-lap Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature. Lutz took the lead from Scott Bonnell on lap eight and went on for the win. "I’m thankful the Powell’s gave me chance. I think this still proves I can do it," said the Hermitage, Pa. driver. Flying the Sherwin Williams colors, the "Fairview Flyer," Scott Bonnell used the pole position to set the early pace. Gary Edwards, who started second, yielded the spot to Lutz on the opening lap as Jamie Smith, Scott Young, and Jimmy Hawley also got by. Hawley moved up one more spot to fourth on lap four when he drove by Young. Bonnell caught the back markers on lap five as Lutz and Smith closed in. The lap car of Mike Roxberry blocked Bonnell on the eight circuit allowing Lutz to make the winning move on the back stretch. Bonnell faded to fourth when Smith got around on lap eight and Hawley on lap 11. Lutz opened up a straightaway advantage on Smith and Hawley with five to go. Lutz’s lead was erased when the only caution of the event was displayed for Bonnell, who broke a torque tube with 18 laps completed. The last two laps went green to checker with Lutz taking the R&R Engine Rebuilders-sponsored, Robert and Richard Powell-owned #27 to victory lane. The win was Lutz’s first at Mercer since August 9, 1997 when he drove the Chuck Steinbrick #92 to the win. It was the Powell Brothers first Mercer win since a victory by Tom Quarterson on August 22, 1998. The race for second kept the crowd on the edge of its seat as Smith and Hawley put on a fierce battle through lap traffic the last nine laps with Smith on the bottom and Hawley on the extreme outside. Smith was able to edge Hawley for runner-up at the checkers. Gary Kriess, Jr. had a strong run coming from 12th to take fourth over Troy Preston. Wisconsin’s Scott Young made his first-ever Mercer appearance and came home sixth as Mike Kekich, Edwards, Rob Eyler, and Andy McKisson completed the top five. Bonnell, Hawley, and Preston were heat winners over the 25-car field.
Lou Blaney just keeps on winning. The Hartford, Ohio driver recorded his first overall win of 2000 in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature. "It’s always nice to win; especially the first one here at Mercer," said Blaney. "These fans don’t know how much I appreciate them." Despite starting on the pole, it was far from an easy win for the veteran Blaney. Andy Priest would pass Carl Murdick, Rob Kristyak Jim Rasey, and Lonny Riggs from his sixth starting spot all on the first lap to move into second. Blaney, Priest, and Rasey pulled away from the field as they caught lap traffic on lap seven. Priest applied heavy pressure on the inside, while Blaney stayed on his typical outside lane. On lap nine, Priest made a thrilling four-wide move on the back stretch to take the lead as he and Blaney split the lap cars of Mark Sevin and Doug Duncan At the half-way point, Priest and Blaney distanced themselves from the field until a caution for the lap cars of Sevin and Duncan. Following another caution for Bill Dorman, racing resumed on lap 13. It was here when Priest got just enough sideways to allow Blaney to retake the lead. Blaney survived another caution and went on for his 21st Mercer victory since 1994 by a half of a straightaway over Priest. Blaney has now won four of the last five big-block features at Mercer dating back to last season in his Troy-Alan Chevrolet/Carpenter’s Towing/Colonial Metals-sponsored #10. Jim Rasey had a career-best Mercer run in site, but allowed 11th starter, Tommy Kristyak, to get by on lap 16 for third. Then Rasey lost fourth and fifth to 12th starter, Rodney Beltz, and Murdick. Rasey fell to sixth at the checkers with Lonny Riggs, Steve Young, Chris Schiffer, and Kevin Bolland completing the top 10. Heat victors over the 26-car field were Riggs, Blaney, and Murdick.
Lou Gentile captured the 15-lap Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature. The Youngstown, Ohio driver came from sixth to take the lead from Frank Guidace on the third circuit and never looked back for his 28th Mercer win since 1994. Gentile has now won eight of the last 11 six-cylinder features dating back to last season in the Emig #1. Guidace, the only other car on the lead lap, was a distant second. Conny Allen was the lone finisher in third, one lap down. Randy Ferguson and Kenny Hardy were credited with fourth and fifth. Guidace won the heat over the eight car field.
Making a return after an 11-year hiatus, Dave Schrader returned to racing Saturday night and made it profitable by winning the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature. The Endeavor, Pa. driver started 11th and moved by Ron Eperthener, Jr. for third on lap three and took runner-up from Rick Ryder on lap six. Chanda Reitz was trying to become the second female in the history of Mercer Raceway Park to score a win as she took the lead on lap two, but gave up the top spot to Schrader in lap traffic on the back stretch on lap eight. Schrader drove a smooth and consistent line as he cruised to the win by a straightaway over Reitz in his familiar #6PACK sponsored by Hickory Creek Beverage and Cornerstone Lounge. Third through fifth were Ryder, Andy Paden, and Randy Rodemoyer. John Buchanan and Ron Eperthener, Jr. were heat winners over the 19-car field.
Leigh Wheeler won an action-filled 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature for his third career Mercer win. The Stoneboro, Pa. driver started second and passed teammate Brian Booher on the opening lap. Brian Miller, who started fourth, and Matt Lux, who started fifth, quickly qualified themselves as contenders. Miller passed Booher for second on the first lap, and Lux grabbed third from Booher on the fourth go-around. On lap eight, Wheeler slipped too high coming off turn four allowing Miller to take over. Wheeler didn’t give up though as he used the outside to make the winning move on lap 11. Wheeler edged Miller by a car length in his #2W at the checkers just-in-time as he had a rear right flat and left rear losing air in victory lane. Lux was a close third for his best career Mercer finish. Dan Lewis came from ninth to take fourth over Gary Robinson. Taking heat wins over the 30-car field were Miller, Lewis, and Robinson. Ray Yuran won the B main.
Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Car Feature Finish: 1. MIKE LUTZ 2. Jamie Smith 3. Jimmy Hawley 4. Gary Kriess, Jr. 5. Troy Preston 6. Scott Young 7. Mike Kekich 8. Gary Edwards 9. Rob Eyler 10. Andy McKisson 11. Jason Jacoby 12. Scott Priester 13. Jarod Larson 14. Kevin Andrusky 15. Mike Roxberry 16. Gary McCann 17. Scott Bonnell 18. Dan Shetler 19. Brad Miller 20. Jim Bailey 21. Mel Straley 22. Gary McCollum 23. Goob Schuller 24. Mike Marano II 25. Arnie Kent-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU BLANEY 2. Andy Priest 3. Tommy Kristyak 4. Rodney Beltz 5. Carl Murdick 6. Jim Rasey 7. Lonny Riggs 8. Steve Young 9. Chris Schiffer 10. Kevin Bolland 11. Rick Hall 12. Bill Dorman 13. Gary Risch, Jr. 14. Rob Kristyak 15. Mark Sevin 16. Tim Doran 17. Dean Pearson 18. Carl Weatherby 19. Dave Murdick 20. Jeremiah Shingledecker 21. Randy Myers 22. Don McKnight 23. Doug Duncan 24. Todd Schaffer 25. Gerry Bruce 26. Jim Reagle-DNS.
Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Feature Finish: 1. LOU GENTILE 2. Frank Guidace 3. Conny Allen 4. Randy Ferguson 5. Kenny Hardy 6. Jim Bickel 7. Rick Kress 8. Harold Michaels.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified Feature Finish: 1. DAVE SCHRADER 2. Chanda Reitz 3. Rick Ryder 4. Andy Paden 5. Randy Rodemoyer 6. Skinny Hall 7. Ron Eperthener, Jr. 8. Buck Buchanan 9. J.R. Greer 10. Fred Sasse 11. Gary Bollinger 12. Brian Sadler 13. Doug Updyke 14. Barry Bulfone 15. James Thompson 16. Mike Kelley 17. Zack Moran 18. John Buchanan 19. Mike Mathieson-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car Feature Finish: 1. LEIGH WHEELER 2. Brian Miller 3. Matt Lux 4. Dan Lewis 5. Gary Robinson 6. Brian Booher 7. Albert Hays 8. Dave Ferringer 9. Jim Brunson 10. John Reiser 11. Gary Johns 12. Jeff Kravec 13. Rick Anthony 14. Bill Schall, Jr. 15. Mike Aley 16. Dan Fedorchak 17. Tommy Dembowski 18. Ray Yuran 19. Tom Vincent 20. Willie Aley 21. Gary Miller, Jr. 22. Tim Zuschlag 23. Chuck Kerr 24. Ed Hays DNQ-Jesse Umstead, Kevin Bailey, Ray Bailey, Todd Titus, Kevin Thompson, Andy Buckley.
Mercer opener cancelled due to wet grounds
By Mike Leone
April 5, 2000
Mercer, PA…The 2000 season opener for Mercer Raceway Park scheduled for Saturday, April 8 has been cancelled due to wet grounds. Three straight days of rain, and snow showers on Wednesday morning left officials with no choice but to postpone the opener.
Hopefully better weather will prevail for racing on Saturday, April 15. The Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and the Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars will be in action with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and the first race at 6:30 p.m.
For more information call 724-964-9300 during the week or 724-662-1310 on race day. Check out www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
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