Past Press Releases & Results for April, 2001
- April 28, 2001
- Kriess wins first ever in Mercer Sprints; Myers returns to victory lane in Modifieds
- April 21, 2001
- Rain washes out action at Mercer
- April 14, 2001
- Brian Ellenberger & Tommy Kristyak victorious in Mercer opener
- April 7, 2001
- 50th anniversary season opener postponed at Mercer
Kriess wins first ever in Mercer Sprints; Myers returns to victory lane in Modifieds
By Mike Leone
April 28, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Mercer Raceway Park returned to action on Saturday night with four new winners in the Moore’s Auto Body victory lane. Taking wins were Gary Kriess, Jr.-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Les Myers-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Andy Priest-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Miller-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. Cody Smith was victorious in the first of six "Gladiator Series" Demolition Derbies. It was McElwain Family of Dealerships "Meet Your Hero" Night for the Stock Cars and over 400 color autograph cards were given out.
Gary Kriess, Jr. held off fast closing Jimmy Hawley to win his first career Mercer feature in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car main. "I’ve had some pretty bad luck this season," said the Butler, Pa. driver from victory lane. "It’s been a rough couple weeks at Lernerville (Speedway) and the last time I was here my throttle stuck, but this makes up for it."
Kriess immediately jumped out in front of Troy Preston at the start. Jason Jacoby was on the move from his fifth starting spot and grabbed third from Kevin Andrusky on lap four. Kriess caught lapped traffic on lap nine as a great race developed from second through sixth positions between Jacoby, Andrusky, Arnie Kent, and Jimmy Hawley. Kent and Hawley both slipped under Andrusky for fourth and fifth at the half-way mark. Jacoby then took runner-up from Preston in turn four on lap 12.
Two cautions during laps 15 and 16 slowed action and bunched up the field. Hawley drove by Preston for third on lap 17, then got under Jacoby for second in turn two with two laps to go. Kriess appeared headed for victory over Hawley, but a caution for Rob Eyler, who stopped in turn four, brought out the final caution for a one-lap shootout.
When racing resumed, Hawley got a little wide on the backstretch allowing Kriess to hold on for a two car-length margin of victory. "You don’t want to know what was going through my mind and what I was thinking on that last yellow," revealed Kriess, who wheeled his father Gary, Sr.-owned, Ronald Kradel Financial Services/CD-Zone-sponsored #55J to his fourth career Sprint Car win. "I knew Jimmy (Hawley) back there so I had to run pretty hard."
Preston and eighth starter, Tom Quarterson, both got by Jacoby on the final lap to take third and fourth respectively, and dropped Jacoby to fifth. Completing the top 10 were Andrusky, 22nd starter Tommy Burns, Jr., Andy Priest, Gary McCollum, and Gary Edwards. Of note, Kriess became the 16th different driver to win a Sprint Car feature in the last 21 events at Mercer. Heat winners for the 22-car field were Kriess and Hawley.
Les Myers was victorious in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature for the first time at Mercer since June 22, 1996. "It’s been awhile," exclaimed the veteran Reno, Pa. driver in victory lane. "It’s actually been 11 years since I’ve run this car number x3."
Rick Hall led the first four laps from the pole position before fifth starter, Frank Guidace, took charge on the fifth circuit. Myers used the outside to race from his sixth starting spot into second on lap six taking the spot from Hall. One lap later, Myers made the winning move when he passed Guidace racing under the first-year big-block driver in turn two.
Guidace spun on lap 10 and did a 360-degree to spin to keep moving, but lost second and third to Lou Blaney and Carl Murdick. Jeff Hoffman, who started 12th, raced by Murdick for third, then took over second from Blaney on the lap 11 restart. Four cautions between laps 12 and 16 slowed action. Hoffman, who was driving for Dave Schrader, slowed on lap 18 moving Blaney and Murdick back to second and third.
Up front, Myers had the event under control for his 12th career Mercer Big-Block Modified win in his Details by Doug/McCarty Vynal Graphics-sponsored #x3. "I put this deal together myself, but I’ve got to thank Gale Ruth for giving me a lot of parts so I can get out here and run with these guys."
Blaney held on for second. Rodney Beltz, who started 19th, passed Murdick on the last lap to take third. Murdick and Dean Pearson completed the top five. Sixth through tenth were Kevin Bolland, Tim Doran up from 20th, Bob Dorman, Guidace, and Hall. Heat winners over the 34-car field went to Don McKnight, Pearson, and Carl Weatherby. Lonny Riggs won the B main.
Andy Priest’s victory in the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature broke the tie with Gary Smoker to become the all-time winner in the division with 20 wins. Priest started the event from fifth and took third from Andy Paden on the opening lap. Priest then used the lap two restart to pass Curt Matthews for runner-up. The winning move came on lap four when Priest went to the inside of John Buchanan in turn three. Once in front, Priest of New Castle, Pa. drove on to the victory in the Ted Hull-owned, MPR Lumber/Griffin-Bossard Chevrolet-sponsored #41. Buchanan nipped Gary Bollinger at the checkers for second. Tom Mattocks raced from 17th to finish fourth over Randy Rodemoyer. Paden, Gary Smoker, and Priest won the heats over the 27-car field. Al Priester won the B main.
Defending track champion, Brian Miller of New Wilmington, Pa., fended off hard charging Andy Buckley for the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature win. Miller took over the top spot from Andy Thompson on lap two. Willie Aley passed Thompson for second on lap six. Buckley joined the race for the lead on lap eight when he passed Thompson for third, then edged Aley for second at the line one lap later.
Buckley was all over Miller in the closing laps. The final lap saw Buckley get under Miller for the lead in turn one, but Miller stayed patient and got back under him on the backstretch to retake the lead and the win. For Miller, it was his sixth career Mercer win, which came in the Terry Hoover-owned, Rolling Hills Golf Course/Ed & Jerry’s NAPA-sponsored #99m. Buckley settled for second. Ron Iorio, who started 10th, passed Aley in the closing laps for third. Aley dropped to fourth at the finish over Gary Robinson. Taking heat wins over the 37-car field were Miller, Iorio, and Bill Hanna. Gary Miller, Jr. and Dave Ferringer won the two B mains.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. GARY KRIESS, JR. 2. Jimmy Hawley 3. Troy Preston 4. Tom Quarterson 5. Jason Jacoby 6. Kevin Andrusky 7. Tommy Burns, Jr. 8. Andy Priest 9. Gary McCollum 10. Gary Edwards 11. Rob Eyler 12. Gregg McCandless 13. Buddy Cochran 14. Nathan Hines 15. Chad Hill 16. Mike Shearer 17. Arnie Kent 18. Mike Kekich 19. Brian Staph 20. John Toth III 21. Jack Sodeman, Jr. 22. Brian Woodhall.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. LES MYERS 2. Lou Blaney 3. Rodney Beltz 4. Carl Murdick 5. Dean Pearson 6. Kevin Bolland 7. Tim Doran 8. Bob Dorman 9. Frank Guidace 10. Rick Hall 11. Rob Kristyak 12. Gary Risch, Jr. 13. Chad Reitz 14. Tommy Kristyak 15. J.R. McGinley 16. Jeff Hoffman 17. George Davis 18. Don McKnight 19. Lonny Riggs 20. Joe Crawford 21. Carl Weatherby 22. Rob Curtis 23. Scott Gurdak 24. Jimmy Faas-DSQ 25. Lou Gentile-DSQ DNQ-Mark Sevin, Red Fordyce, John Boyer, Jr., Rick Kress, Steve Young, Larry Johns, Lee Miller, Dave Reges, Ron Took.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. ANDY PRIEST 2. John Buchanan 3. Gary Bollinger 4. Tom Mattocks 5. Randy Rodemoyer 6. Al Priester 7. D.J. Schrader 8. Andy Paden 9. Rick Hall 10. Jerry Schaffer 11. Curt Matthews 12. Mark Angerett, Jr. 13. Zack Moran 14. Steve Young 15. Rick Ryder 16. Brad Watson 17. Dave Coggswell 18. Fred Sasse 19. Bill Adams 20. Allen Ferry 21. Buck Buchanan 22. Greg Unrue 23. Gary Smoker 24. Bill Baptiste DNQ-John Jones, Chanda Reitz, Leroy Johnson, Jr.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. BRIAN MILLER 2. Andy Buckley 3. Ron Iorio 4. Willie Aley 5. Gary Robinson 6. Rusty Moore 7. Shaun Hooks 8. Gary Miller, Jr. 9. Andy Thompson 10. Bill Hanna 11. Russ Kapalin 12. Terry Wheeler 13. Bill Wheeling 14. Greg Beach 15. Kevin Thompson 16. Tony Bruno 17. Rick Anthony 18. Dan Fedorchak 19. Pat Wilcox 20. Rick Norco 21. Mike Aley 22. Terry Kroner 23. Dave Ferringer 24. Ray Bailey, Jr. DNQ-Bob Hays, Tim Zuschlag, Jeff Kravec, Erick Cwynar, Jim Miller, Ed Lombardo, William George, Sr., Todd Titus, Andy Bolland, Lonnie O’Brien, Robert Caszatt, Jr., Bill Schall, Jr., Brian Felmlee.
Rain washes out action at Mercer
By Mike Leone
April 21, 2001
Mercer (PA)...Racing action at Mercer Raceway Park for Saturday night, April 21 was cancelled by rain. It was the second cancellation in three weeks.
Coming up this Saturday night will be a complete show of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. It will also be the first of six "Gladiator Series" Demolition Derbies. The Stock Car division will be highlighted for their McElwain Family of Dealerships "Meet Your Hero" Night. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Racing at 6:30 p.m.
For more information call 724-964-9300 Monday through Friday after 12 noon. Check out www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
Brian Ellenberger and Tommy Kristyak victorious in Mercer Sprint & Modified Opener
By Mike Leone
April 14, 2001
Mercer (PA)...The 50th anniversary season since racing started at Mercer Raceway Park kicked off Saturday night. The following drivers recorded opening night wins: Brian Ellenberger-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tommy Kristyak-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Gary Smoker-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Gary Miller, Jr.-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars.
Brian Ellenberger was the recipient of Jason Jacoby’s misfortune on the final lap to record his second career Mercer win in the 20-lap Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car event. Jacoby flipped his mount on the final lap handing the lead to Ellenberger. "I felt bad for Jason Jacoby," said the Butler, Pa. resident in victory lane. "I knew when he entered that corner he was going to hit that rough stuff. I had a great race car. It was a good race track and I had a lot of fun tonight."
After drawing the number one pill, Jacoby quickly took charge of the race, while Gary Edwards passed Ryan Coniam for second. Mike Kekich, who started sixth, raced around Coniam for third on lap three. Jacoby had opened up a straightaway lead by lap four over Edwards prior to catching the backmarkers on lap five.
Ellenberger, who started 10th, also got around Coniam for fourth on lap five. At the half-way point, Ellenberger drove by Kekich for third on the backstretch. Ed Lynch, Jr., who started 12th, and got bogged down in nearly an early race incident, was on the move passing Scott Bonnell and Kekich on laps 12 and 13 for fourth using the outside lane.
While Jacoby continued to maintain his lead, Ellenberger and Lynch ran down Edwards and took over second and third on laps 15 and 16 respectively. Ellenberger and Lynch battled for second, while closing on Jacoby. With the white flag waving, traffic appeared as if it was going to be the tell tale, but Brian Woodhall stopped to bring out the caution with 19 laps completed.
When racing resumed, Jacoby went low in turn two, got into a rut, and flipped ending a great run and a shot at his second career win. Ellenberger then was able to keep Lynch at bay on the restart to collect his first Mercer win since August 26, 1998 in his Hunter’s Truck Sales & Service/AGIP/Carriage City Car Wash-sponsored #20. "It was a good race," said Ellenberger. "I knew Lynch was breathing down my back on that last restart, and I wanted to make sure I got him."
Lynch had to settle for second after winning the first two events of the season at Lernerville Speedway. Kekich held off Edwards at the line for third, while Bonnell completed the top five. Rounding out the top 10 were Tom Quarterson, Brad Ellenberger, Rob Eyler, Arnie Kent, and Canada’s Coniam. Heats for the 26 cars went to Brad Ellenberger, Lynch, and Edwards.
"I love this place," exclaimed Stoneboro, Pa.’s Tommy Kristyak following his win in the 20-lap Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified feature. After contemplating to take a sabbatical from racing over the off-season, Tommy Kristyak returned with a vengeance to lead all the way for the win.
Kristyak took the lead after drawing the number one pill, while the race was on behind. From his fifth starting spot, Dean Pearson raced under Lou Gentile for fourth on lap two, then disposed of Don McKnight for third prior to a caution for Lee Miller’s spin with seven laps completed. Just before the caution, Lonny Riggs had taken the lead from Kristyak only to lose it when the yellow came out. The caution was a tough break for Riggs, who then lost second to Pearson on the restart.
The man on the move was New York’s Ron Smoker. Smoker started 11th and entered the battle just past the half-way point of the event. Making just his fourth ever Mercer start, Smoker drove to the inside of Riggs for third on lap 13 making it a three-car race with six laps to go. Les Myers then dropped back Riggs another spot on lap 14 right before the final caution appeared for Steve Young and Carl Murdick, who tangled.
When green replaced yellow, Smoker went to the inside of Pearson and nosed ahead at the start-finish line for second on lap 15. Smoker caught Kristyak and was all over the veteran for the remainder of the event, but Kristyak was able to hold on in the #26z for his 27th career Big-Block Modified win since the track reopened in 1994. Standing in victory lane for the first time at Mercer since July 3, 1999, Kristyak relayed, "I want to thank Scott Kay (new car owner) for bugging the heck out of me to do this deal, Montgomery’s for coming along and giving us the extra parts we need, Carlon Hine for building a great engine, and my wife for letting me do this again."
Pearson was a solid third. Lou Blaney, who started 12th, passed Riggs and Myers in the closing laps for fourth dropping Myers to fifth and Riggs to sixth. Completing the top 10 were Rodney Beltz, Frank Guidace, Rob Kristyak, and Carl Weatherby. Heat winners over the 29-car field were Pearson, Blaney, and Murdick. Mike Sutton won the B main.
Gary Smoker of Mercer, Pa. won the 20-lap New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified feature to tie himself with Andy Priest at 19 for the most all-time wins in the division. Rick Ryder led the first six laps before the initial caution was displayed for Andy Priest, who lost the rear-end, after coming from eleventh to second. The third place car of Bill Adams also dropped from the event moving Allen Ferry and Smoker to second and third for the restart. When racing resumed, Smoker took command and Ferry followed getting around Ryder. Smoker was never seriously challenged over the remaining laps for the win in his Kristyak’s Service Plaza #401. Ferry turned in a career best Mercer finish in second. Steve Young came from 20th to finish third after passing Ryder for the spot on lap 19. Ryder held off Chanda Reitz for fourth. Priest and Smoker won the heats over the 23-car field.
Gary Miller, Jr. drove an impressive race to score the 15-lap Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car feature win. Miller took the lead on the opening lap from Shaun Hooks. Fellow New Castle, Pa. driver, Rusty Moore, would prove to be Miller’s only challenge of the night. Moore, who started seventh, passed Mike Aley and Hooks for second on lap five. Lap six saw Miller and Moore race side-by-side for the lead. But on the following lap, Miller pulled away in his G&J Radiator/K&K Dynamics-sponsored #1 for his fifth career Mercer win. Moore was second over 11th starting Gary Robinson, Andy Buckley, and Lynn Hostetler. Heat victors over the 32-car field were Buckley, Hostetler, and Robinson. Dave Ferringer won the B main.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. BRIAN ELLENBERGER 2. Ed Lynch, Jr. 3. Mike Kekich 4. Gary Edwards 5. Scott Bonnell 6. Tom Quarterson 7. Brad Ellenberger 8. Rob Eyler 9. Arnie Kent 10. Ryan Coniam 11. Mike Lutz 12. Andy Priest 13. Jimmy Hawley 14. Todd Bauer 15. Jamie Smith 16. Jason Jacoby 17. Mike Woodring 18. Mike Kaminski 19. Dan Taylor 20. Ricky Ferkel 21. Brian Woodhall 22. Kevin Andrusky 23. Troy Preston 24. Gary McCollum 25. Gary Kriess, Jr.-DNS 26. Butch Beasley-DNS.
Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. TOMMY KRISTYAK 2. Ron Smoker 3. Dean Pearson 4. Lou Blaney 5. Les Myers 6. Lonny Riggs 7. Rodney Beltz 8. Frank Guidace 9. Rob Kristyak 10. Carl Weatherby 11. Kevin Bolland 12. Don McKnight 13. J.R. McGinley 14. Carl Murdick 15. Joe Crawford 16. Chris Schiffer 17. Rick Hall 18. Mike Sutton 19. Lou Gentile 20. Lee Miller 21. John Boyer 22. Steve Young 23. Mark Sevin 24. Dave Reges 25. Rob Curtis-DNS DNQ-Rick Kress, Bob Dorman, Chad Reitz, George Davis.
New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. GARY SMOKER 2. Allen Ferry 3. Steve Young 4. Rick Ryder 5. Chanda Reitz 6. D.J. Schrader 7. Gary Bollinger 8. Randy Rodemoyer 9. Al Priester 10. Rick Hall 11. Leroy Johnson, Jr. 12. Barry Bulfone 13. Jerry Schaffer 14. Joe Gibson, Jr. 15. Bill Adams 16. Greg Unrue 17. Andy Priest 18. Curt Matthews 19. Brad Watson 20. Andy Paden 21. John Buchanan-DNS 22. Dave Cogswell-DNS 23. Zack Moran-DNS.
Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. GARY MILLER, JR. 2.Rusty Moore 3. Gary Robinson 4. Andy Buckley 5. Lynn Hostetler 6. Greg Beach 7. Shaun Hooks 8. Kevin Thompson 9. Rick Norco 10. Dave Ferringer 11. Mike Aley 12. Rick Anthony 13. Bob Sloss 14. Willie Aley 15. Tony Bruno 16. Dan Lewis 17. Bob Hays 18. Andy Thompson 19. Glenn Pupino 20. Brian Miller 21. Dan Fedorchak 22. Jim Green 23. Jeff Kravec-DNS 24. Ray Bailey, Jr.-DNS 25. Bill Schall, Jr.-DNS DNQ-William George, Sr., Lonnie O’Brien, Bill Kirschner, Don Greenlee, Ed Hays, Jim Miller, Erick Cwynar.
50th anniversary season opener postponed at Mercer
By Mike Leone
April 6, 2001
Mercer, PA…The 50th anniversary season opener scheduled for Saturday night at Mercer Raceway Park has been postponed due to wet grounds. Heavy overnight rain showers that lasted throughout Friday morning drenched the facility leaving track officials with no choice but to cancel opening night.
"We were set to go Thursday night," said track owner Vicki Emig. "Everything had dried up real nice with the two days of sunshine, but the heavy rain this morning was too much to allow the track crew to finish up some remaining improvements and properly prepare the track for action."
Opening night has now been pushed back a week to Saturday, April 14 with the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, the Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, the New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and the Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars all in action. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.
For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 Monday through Friday, or check out www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
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