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Past Press Releases from Spring 2001

March 7, 2001 Mercer announces 2001 schedule of events

Febraury 24, 2001 Mercer honors drivers at 2000 Awards Banquet

February 12, 2001 ATPA Grand American Pulling Event coming to Mercer

Mercer announces 2001 schedule of events By Mike Leone March 7, 2001 Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park recently released its 2001 schedule of events. Opening night has been set for Saturday, April 7 for the Sprint Cars, Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds, and Stock Cars. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m. Bolland Machine and New Castle School of Trades have returned for the second straight season to sponsor the Big-Block and Sportsman Modified divisions respectively. Mercer’s own Butterfield’s Pub has signed on for the fifth consecutive year as the Stock Car division sponsor. "I believe we’ve put together the most exciting and action-packed schedule in the 50-year history of the facility," said third-year track owner Vicki Emig. "We have a nice mix of special race and family events to go along with our great four-division grassroots racing weekly program. We have 22 races that are increased purse events." The May 19 Bill Emig Memorial will be the richest non-sanctioned event in the history of our region for Big-Block Modifieds. Over $20,000 will be up for grabs in three 25-lap $1,500 to-win, $150 to-start feature events alone. Also on the card that night will be the Sportsman Modifieds and Stock Cars racing for $500 to-win. Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Inc. will be the title sponsor of this unique event. A much-anticipated event will occur on Sunday, May 27 as Mercer Raceway Park will be the site of a world championship pulling event. ATPA will sanction the Big Rig Semis, the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors, and the Super Stock 4-Wheel Drive Trucks. This two-day "American Thunder Weekend", which will also encompass racing on Saturday night, will be presented by Hunter’s Truck Sales & Service, Inc. The "tops" will be coming off on June 23 as Chevron East presents "Wingless-The Return". The Northern States Midget Classic will be a 40-lap non-winged midget car event with the midwest-based NAMARS organization challenging the east coast’s ARDC in a first ever clash event. The sprint cars will also shed their wings for the only time of 2001 in a $2,000 to-win event. July 21 will be a very special night as the raceway celebrates its first 50 years. "The Gold Cup" 50th Anniversary Event will feature all four of the weekly divisions in increased purse events. The Sprint Cars and Big-Block Modifieds will both chase the $2,000 top prize, while the Sportsman Modifieds and Stock Cars battle for $500 to-win each. This event is to reunite former drivers, cars, and participants. All former Mercer Raceway Park retired drivers will be admitted free! National Cash Advance will help make this night possible. Returning for the third consecutive year will be the August 18 "Sprint Slug-Out". This year’s event has been increased to $2,500 to-win due to the great support the last two years. A $500 to-win wheelie contest for the Sprint Cars will sure thrill the fans along with increased purse events for the Big-Block Modifieds and Stock Cars. The Sprint Cars will again be highlighted on September 15 with the running of the 5th annual Chuck Marsh Memorial. The Sprints will battle for $5,000 to-win and will be joined by the Big-Block Modifieds and Stock Cars in increased purse events. The night is made possible by Grove City Paving and the family and friends of Chuck Marsh. The inaugural "Little Guy Nationals" impressed a lot of people last year. This year’s event will even be bigger as it will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6. On Friday night, the Micro Sprints will run a complete show for $600 to-win along with preliminaries for the York E-Mods. Then on Saturday, along with the $1,000 to-win York E-Mod Xtreme Open Feature, the 358 Modifieds will race for $2,000 to-win, and the Stock Cars will pay $1,200 to-win. A Stock Consolation Feature will also be run paying $300 to-win. "The Gladiator Series" will be the six-event demo derby slate offering points on April 21, May 19, May 27, July 7, August 18, and October 6. The top three point cars will be eligible for the point fund. Mercer Raceway Park is the official home of the Dave Blaney Outlaw Driving Experience. Fans will have the opportunity drive a sprint car or do the ride-along program on three Sundays-May 13, June 24, and August 19. Not too many racing facilities can match the special family events scattered throughout the spring and summer months. "We really worked hard in the off-season putting together special nights that the whole family can enjoy," stated Emig. "We are going to be giving away over $15,000 of value in sponsored prizes throughout the year. And the best part is, all of these events are just $23 for mom, dad, and up to four kids." McElwain Family of Dealerships have come on board to sponsor our five "Meet Your Heroes" Nights. Fans can obtain autographs and pictures starting March 17 at our mall show at Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio. The remaining four nights are April 28, June 16, July 7, and August 11. The first 300 kids on each of these nights will receive a free custom autograph card. Former Sprint Car star and current TNN color commentator, Brad Doty, will be coming to the track on May 12 for autographs and pictures. Appearing with him will be his famous #18 Coors Light Sprint Car. June 2 will be known as Summer Fun Kickoff presented by Sandcastle and Idlewild. Over 150 tickets will be given away that night to these parks. Kids will also get to meet Kennywood’s Garfield. The following week will be Mahoning Valley Scrappers Night. All little leaguers will be admitted free. Over 100 tickets will be given away to the Cleveland Indians’ Niles, Ohio-based minor league affiliate. The team’s mascot, "Scrappy", will be at the track to meet the kids, and 300 kids will receive an official Rawlings baseball. June 16 has been designated as Jr. Fan Night. The famous Nickelodeon "Rugrats" will make an appearance as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. Kids will be able to meet Chuckie, Angelica, and Tommie. The Aut Mori Grotto Clowns will also entertain the young ones. The first of two kids bike races for the season will be held. Kids 12 and under will receive a free treat bag when they enter the gates. Our country’s independence will be celebrated on June 30 with American Patriot Night. For the second straight year, all veterans of war will be admitted free. And all fans will enjoy the spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Walt’s of Mercer Plaza and Pizza Joe’s. The facility will hold the second annual Mercer Raceway Park Vacation Bible School July 9-13. Last year, over 300 kids attended and as many as 14 different denominations participated. Life Force Ambulance will present E.M.S. Community Sireeeen Night on August 4. This will be a regional safety awareness night. Fans will have the opportunity to meet their local rescue squads, and fire trucks, ambulances, and the STAT-MEDVAC Helicopter will be on display. "Kidz Dayz" will take place on August 25 sponsored by Armstrong Cable Services. All kids 12 and under will be admitted free. There will be over $5,000 in prizes given away to the children. September 8 will close out the special family events with Fan Appreciation Night. One lucky fan will leave the raceway this night with an Opryland Hotel Country Christmas Tour thanks to Anderson Coach & Tour. Our track champions from 2001 will be behind the grandstands for autographs, and all kids 12 and under will receive a free checkered flag. Our color tri-fold schedules will be available at all of the local mall shows. Watch for upcoming press releases on the individual events. For more information contact our office daily at 724-964-9300. For the latest, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com.

Mercer honors drivers at 2000 Awards Banquet By Mike Leone February 24, 2001 Brookfield (OH)...Mercer Raceway Park celebrated the 2000 season in grand style Saturday night, February 24 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield, Ohio for the annual awards banquet and dinner. Around 500 people filled the hall honoring the drivers and remembering the memories of the last year of the millennium. The top ten drivers in each of the five divisions received their point fund monies and plaques. The following 2000 track champions also received an engraved Mercer Raceway Park championship watch: Jamie Smith-Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars, Lou Blaney-Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds, Lou Gentile-Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Rick Hall-New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds, and Brian Miller-Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars. Last season, Mercer Raceway Park began a tradition of awarding special achievements at its banquet. Five of those awards were given out Saturday night. Three individuals were honored with the "Special Achievement" Award. The first two were distributed to Keith Schilling and Brian Turk. These two were instrumental in making Mercer Raceway Park the first dirt track in the state of Pennsylvania to receive certification as Motor Sports Safety Workers trained to the Operations Level from the office of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. Schilling heads up Life Force Ambulance, while Turk is the safety director at the track. Norton, Ohio sprint car driver, Mark Murphy, was awarded the third. Murphy used a homemade chassis and engine that were built in his basement by his family to capture his first career win on August 26 after 15 years of trying. The 2000 "Horizon" Award went to stock car driver Matt Lux. This 26-year-old up and coming charger, disposed of his fear and intimidation of Mercer on June 3 when he captured his first ever Mercer win. The Franklin driver went on to win eight additional feature events including the $1,000 to-win Little Guy Nationals. Lux is moving on to greener pastures, as he will move up into the late model division this year. Even though Lou Blaney has won many races and awards over his lustrous career, his win on July 15 during the USNA Modified event was one to remember. The Hartford, Ohio driver passed Northeast superstar, Billy Decker, on the next to last lap to the delight of the hometown fans to capture the $2,000 win. This win was a special moment during the season, one that earned Blaney the "Legacy" Award. Blaney received a standing ovation from the those in attendance. The final award, the "Living Legend", was a well-deserved honor that went to Mercer’s all-time winner, Ralph Quarterson. Historian Walt Wimer has 132 documented wins for Quarterson since 1968; however, Quarterson won many features in the years prior that puts him over the 150-win plateau. Quarterson joins Buddy Cochran as the two winners of this prestigious award. Also honored with first career win plaques were sprint car drivers Jason Jacoby and Mark Murphy, along with sportsman modified driver Rick Ryder. Drivers with perfect attendance received a framed certificate to honor their dedication to the raceway in 2000. Jamie Smith picked up his third Axa Advisors Sprint Car crown in the past five years driving his GBG/Butterfield’s Pub/AGIP-sponsored #5. Despite only a single victory, the Sewickley, Pa. driver recorded 8 top 5s and 15 top 10s on his way to the $1,500 title. Completing the top 10 with wins in parentheses were Arnie Kent (1), Kevin Andrusky (1), Gary Edwards, Tommy Burns, Jr. (2), Rob Eyler, Jason Jacoby (1), Jimmy Hawley (5), Gary McCollum, and Mike Kekich. Other winners were Ralph Spithaler, Jr., Ralph Engel, Jr., Mike Lutz, Tom Quarterson, Mark Murphy, Ed Lynch, Jr., Rob Chaney, and Mark Keegan. For the second straight season, Lou Blaney won the Bolland Machine Big-Block Modified Championship in his Colonial Metal Products/Carpenter’s Towing/Troy Alan Chevrolet-sponsored #10. The $1,200 title put Blaney’s 2000 Mercer earnings at over $21,000! The Hartford, Ohio driver competed in 18 of the 19 events, recorded 11 wins, and missed the top 5 on only one occasion. Rounding out the top 10 with wins in parentheses were Tommy Kristyak, Carl Weatherby (1), Rodney Beltz, Dean Pearson (2), Rick Hall, Carl Murdick, Tim Doran (1), Don McKnight, and Steve Young (1). Other winners were Andy Priest (3) and Billy Pauch. Lou Gentile earned his first ever Mercer Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modified Championship. The Youngstown, Ohio driver had a stellar season with 8 wins, 12 top 5s, and 13 top 10s in the Emig Racing #1. All of Gentile’s $5,000+ season winnings were donated back to the community through non-profit charities. Second through tenth in points with wins in parentheses were Randy Ferguson (1), Frank Guidace, Conny Allen, Jim Bickel, Kenny Hardy (5), Harold Michaels, Rick Kress, Bill Adams, and Mark McEwen. Of note, Hardy won what may be the final six-cylinder modified event ever on September 9, and Kress finished in the top 10 for the first time in his career. Rick Hall captured his first career New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modified title. The Grove City, Pa. driver won one feature, while earning 7 top 5s, and 9 top 10s in his father’s CARHARTT/Hall’s Safety Equipment-sponsored #B2. In her first full season of competition at Mercer, Chanda Reitz finished in the runner-up spot with 11 top 10s. Finishing third through tenth in points with wins in parentheses were Rick Ryder (1), Andy Priest (7), Andy Paden, Randy Rodemoyer, Gary Smoker (2), Dean Pearson, Tom Mattocks, and John Buchanan (2). Other winners were Dave Schrader and Steve Young. Brian Miller scored his first career championship taking the Butterfield’s Pub Stock Car title. The New Wilmington, Pa. driver finished the year with 2 wins, a track high 13 heat wins, 15 top 5s, and a track high 18 top 10s in 21 starts for car owner Terry Hoover in his Fitzgerald Painting/Plain Grove Paving-sponsored #99M. For third straight year, Gary Robinson came up just short of his first title in second with two wins. Completing the top 10 in points with wins in parentheses were Brian Booher (2), Dave Ferringer (4), Gary Miller, Jr. (1), Matt Lux (9), John Reiser, Jim Brunson, Leigh Wheeler (1), and Rick Anthony. Track announcer Mike Dutko emceed the event and thanked the sponsors, employees, press, drivers, owners, and all of the fans for making 2000 a success. The New Bedford Lions were thanked for their help all season long in conducting a "legal" benefit raffle, which contributed to the point fund. A moment of silence was had for all of the people we lost in 2000 and early 2001. Harry Elder, Jr. and C.H. McCutcheon of Elder Sales and Service of Stoneboro, Pa. and Elder Ag & Turf of East Palestine, Ohio presented Frank Benic with the keys to a new John Deere Gator for use at the speedway during 2001. The 2001 season was highlighted with many upcoming special events. The complete schedule will be released March 1. Watch for upcoming press releases on the second annual Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show" at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio March 14-18, and the 2001 season. For the latest information check out our web site at www.mercerracewaypark.com. You can reach the office daily at 724-964-9300. Final 2000 Mercer Raceway Park Points: Axa Advisors 410 Sprint Cars: 1. Jamie Smith 537 2. Arnie Kent 531 3. Kevin Andrusky 527 4. Gary Edwards 475 5. Tommy Burns, Jr. 438 6. Rob Eyler 429 7. Jason Jacoby 381 8. Jimmy Hawley 361 9. Gary McCollum 325 10. Mike Kekich 319. Bolland Machine Big-Block Modifieds: 1. Lou Blaney 609 2. Tommy Kristyak 507 3. Carl Weatherby 484 4. Rodney Beltz 478 5. Dean Pearson 451 6. Rick Hall 450 7. Carl Murdick 440 8. Tim Doran 385 9. Don McKnight 341 10. Steve Young 305. Miller Lite Six-Cylinder Modifieds: 1. Lou Gentile 557 2. Randy Ferguson 550 3. Frank Guidace 489 4. Conny Allen 456 5. Jim Bickel 447 6. Kenny Hardy 442 7. Harold Michaels 424 8. Rick Kress 372 9. Bill Adams 278 10. Mark McEwen 247. New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds: 1. Rick Hall 462 2. Chanda Reitz 439 3. Rick Ryder 414 4. Andy Priest 406 5. Andy Paden 393 6. Randy Rodemoyer 374 7. Gary Smoker 372 8. Dean Pearson 354 9. Tom Mattocks 348 10. John Buchanan 338. Butterfield’s Pub Stock Cars: 1. Brian Miller 643 2. Gary Robinson 533 3. Brian Booher 523 4. Dave Ferringer 512 5. Gary Miller, Jr. 511 6. Matt Lux 464 7. John Reiser 441 8. Jim Brunson 418 9. Leigh Wheeler 416 10. Rick Anthony 412.

ATPA Grand American Pulling Event coming to Mercer By Mike Leone February 12, 2001 Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park is proud to announce an American Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA) Grand American Pulling Event will be coming to the facility as part of the two-day "American Thunder Weekend". The Memorial Day Weekend will feature a complete four-division program of racing on Saturday, May 26 and world championship pulling on Sunday, May 27. Monday (Memorial Day) will be utilized as the rain date for the pulling event. The ATPA Grand American Spring Nationals will be the site of the first Big Rigs Pulling Series points event for 2001. Also on the card that night will be the Super Stock Four-Wheel Drive Trucks and the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors, which will be sponsored by Greenhill Farms. A demo derby will complete the evening’s activities. "We’re very excited to be able to host this world championship pulling event at our facility," said third-year owner Vicki Emig. "With us being the 2001 kickoff, we know there is going to be a lot of excitement in the air." A huge ‘AAAA’ level purse will be up for grabs for the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors, which will bring in the very best national level tractors to pull. Dennis Johnson of Nebraska and his AC Tractor, "Shagnastyer", is the defending ATPA national champion. Pennsylvania fans will be anxious to see their own Jordan Lustik of Eighty-Four. Lustik brings with him his famous "Silver Bullet" alcohol-fueled machine. Racing fans will be interested to know that Big-Block Modified title sponsor, Bolland Machine and driver Kevin Bolland, is involved in some of the engine work. Two-time champion, Guy Shingleton, leads the Super Stock Four-Wheel Drive Truck contingent into Mercer for their season debut. The West Virginia driver’s "Shotgun Red" heads the list of the best small-block four-wheel drive trucks in the eastern United States, which features Dodges, Chevrolets, and Fords. The Big Rigs class is expected to draw all of the huge diesel-burning modified semi trucks. Tom Lindsey and his "Built for Business" will be in search of his unprecedented fifth world championship. "We’ve already been getting some feedback from the event before it has even been released to the public," said Emig. "We believe it will be successful because it will appeal to three distinct industries-the farming, trucking, and the four-wheel drive truck enthusiasts." If the event is successful, television coverage has already been promised for next year’s event through ESPN2 or Speedvision. Fans can get their first up close look at these massive, impressive machines at our Southern Park Mall Show in Boardman, Ohio March 14-18. Lustik’s "Silver Bullet" and a Big Rig from Canfield, Ohio will be on display. Both events will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each day for adults. Children 6-15 are $5. The Family Pass, which admits mom, dad, and up to four children, is $23. A special two-day pass will also be offered for $18 for adults and a $40 Family Pass. For more information contact our office at 724-964-9300.

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