Past Press Releases from Winter, 1999-2000
January 3, 2000
USNA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR INAUGURAL RACE SEASON
Mercer July 15-16.
January 2, 2000
ARDC Midgets coming to Mercer on June 24!
Note: Will be joined by the wingless sprints.
December 5, 1999
Improvements continue at Mercer as track prepares for exciting Y2K
December 4, 1999
Hickory, Mercer, Sharon, and Tri-City Speedways release standard sets of rules for all divisions
October 3, 1999
Local speedways combine efforts for 2000
 

USNA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR INAUGURAL RACE SEASON

-$110,000 Race Kicks Off Season at NYS Fairgrounds May 20-

 

For More Information: Gale Mitchell, USNA, 315-487-6086

January 3, 2000

SYRACUSE, NY - United Speedways of North America (USNA) today officially announced that its first race will be held Saturday, May 20 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York.  The 200-lap, big-block modified race will feature a $110,100 purse.

USNA's series point fund will total $360,000, with $100,000 going to the overall series point champion.

USNA's complete schedule of race dates and purses for the 2000 season includes:

  • May 20-NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY ($110,100)
  • June 10-Bridgeport Speedway, Bridgeport, NJ ($58,350)
  • July 17-Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY ($51,200)
  • July 1-TBA
  • July 8-Albany/Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY ($51,200)
  • July 15-16-Mercer Raceway Park, Pulaski, PA ($150,000)
  • July 22-Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA ($58,35)
  • August 12-TBA
  • August 26-Bridgeport Speedway, Bridgeport, NJ ($58,350)
  • September 4-New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY ($58,35)
  • September 16-Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY ($58,350)

"We are pleased to welcome each of our participating tracks on board for what promises to be a very exciting first season of USNA dirt track racing," said USNA President David Panasci. "Each of the track owners and promoters shares our long-term commitment to the growth and propriety of the sport of dirt track racing."

"We are also confident that our lucrative purse structures will bring a new level of racing excitement to both drivers and race fans, which is our primary objective."

Panasci added that USNA's official rules and regulations will be made available by January 15.

For more information about USNA's 2000 race season, call 315-487-6086 or visit its Web site at www.usnaracing.com.

United Speedways of North America is a limited liability corporation created for the purpose of developing a sanctioning body to compete in the dirt short track auto racing market across the Northeastern U.S.

 

 
ARDC MIDGET SERIES SET TO BEGIN 61ST YEAR WITH RACE AT LINCOLN (PA) SPEEDWAY ON APRIL 15; "NON-WING" EVENT AT MERCER JUNE 24; CLUB BUSY WITH "OFF-SEASON" ACTIVITIES


By ARDC Communications
 
January 2, 2000
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores Midget Series is getting set for its 61st season of competition in 2000, and organization booking agent Bruce Lee has been busy through December inking dates for meets for the year ahead. As usual, there will be a mix of dirt and paved tracks on the still-developing schedule, and, while the "Mighty Midgets" will use their wings for a majority of the events, at least two races will be run as "non-wing" shows - this continuing a popular trend in recent years.
 
In fact, the first of the wingless midget races on the schedule is at a first-time venue for the ARDC. That event, on Saturday night June 24, takes place at the 3/8-mile clay Mercer Raceway Park, recognized as one of Western Pennsylvania’s finest tracks.
 


The ARDC will open its 2000 campaign at Pa.’s half-mile clay Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night, April 15 with the wings on. Later in the season, on August 19, the ARDC returns to Lincoln - but this time for a non-wing event. Lincoln was also the site of ARDC winged and non-winged meets last year. Also on the April 2000 slate for the ARDC is a race at the high-banked clay Path Valley Speedway in Spring Run, Pa., that event taking place on Saturday night, April 29.
 
Once again, the ARDC will run events in conjunction with the New England-based Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA). Already slated are ARDC/NEMA co-meets at the 5/8-mile paved Oswego (N. Y.) Speedway on Saturdays July 8 and September 2. Famed for its Supermodified competition, Oswego has been a favorite for the Midget racers over the years as well.
 
In the meantime, the members of the ARDC will be busy as usual during the winter, as they participate in a variety of off-season activities.
 
This Saturday, January 8, two highly-respected individuals in the ARDC and auto racing - four-time ARDC driving champion Leigh Earnshaw Jr. and master mechanic Ken "Mr. Offenhauser" Hickey - will be honored by the 250 member Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA), with induction into that group’s prestigious Hall of Fame. Also being inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame that evening, in ceremonies during the organization’s annual convention at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Trevose, Pa. are four-time Indy 500 winner A. J. Foyt, Super Stock drag racing great Dave Strickler, NASCAR driver and car owner legend Junior Johnson, and Northeast dirt Modified stock car standout Will Cagle.
 
Then, it’s off to the "show circuit" for the ARDC, as the club will have an information-filled booth at the 15th annual Pennzoil Motorsports racing show at the Fort Washington (Pa.) Expo Center the weekend of January 14-16. The ARDC booth will have the cars of 1999 driving champion Bryan Kobylarz and last season’s Rookie of the Year Kevin Bastian on display, and club members and officials will be there to meet the show attendees and give out information on the upcoming season. And, Kobylarz (Friday evening from 5:30 to 10; Sunday from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m.; and at various times on Saturday) and Bastian (Sunday from 2 to 6) are among the ARDC competitors who will at the booth and signing autographs for fans during the weekend. Local midget driving favorite Fred Schell of Phoenixville, Pa. will be there on Friday from 1 to 5:30; while Saturday’s line-up of ARDC drivers at the display includes Ray Bull and Jill Canuso (11 to 3); six-time champion Nick Fornoro Jr. (2 to 4); A. J. Ernesto (5 p. m.) and Mark Freeland and Jim Jackson (7 to 10.) Jackson, from Sweet Valley, Pa., was named ARDC’s "Most Improved Driver" for 1999.
 
Now "on-line" is the new-edition American Racing Drivers Club web site, at www.ardcmidgets.com. That site includes on-going information on ARDC events and activities, with race results, point standings and photos available to the viewer.


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IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE AT MERCER AS TRACK PREPARES FOR EXCITING Y2K

by Mike Leone
 
December 4, 1999
 
Mercer (PA)...While the 1999 racing season came to a close on September 18, Mercer Raceway Park is moving forward toward 2000 with steady improvements. The facility will have a new look to it come next season as work has been progressing throughout the Autumn months. The old catch fence has been removed and workers have been hard at work putting in new poles to prepare for the new catch fence. A new flag stand will also be constructed. Ditches around the speedway have been filled. The track has again been reclayed adding to the fine surface that was apparent last season. New women’s restrooms are also being built. Many other improvements that have been taking place will all add to the general appearance.
 
The awards banquet will again be held at the Yankee Lake (OH) Ballroom on Saturday, February 26. Champions that will be honored include Jimmy Hawley, West Middlesex, Pa.-Waste Management Sprint Cars; Lou Blaney, Hartford, Oh.-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 Bill Hanna, Jamestown, Pa.-Butterfield’s Pub Pure Stocks.
 
Officials are hard at work planning for what should be the most exciting year in the history of Mercer. The 50th season will begin Saturday, April 8, which is slated as the Y2K opener featuring the Sprint Cars in a $2,000 to-win show. Also on the card will be increased purse events for the DIRT Modifieds and Stock Cars. Much more news concerning next season will be released throughout the winter months. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300.
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HICKORY, MERCER, SHARON AND TRI-CITY SPEEDWAYS RELEASE STANDARD SETS OF RULES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
 
by Mike Leone and Brian Spaid 
 
December 5, 1999
 
BUTLER, PA ... Officials of four local speedways have nearly completed several days of work on the 2000 rules for their competitors. Since late September, Mercer Raceway Park, New Castle's Hickory Speedway, Sharon Speedway and Tri-City Speedway officials have met to coordinate rules as part of their effort to unify racing in the Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio region.
 
"There has been a lot of compromise," noted Mercer and Sharon’s Chief Tech Inspector Mark Posey. "There is a little bit more work to do, and the promoters hope to have everything finalized by the end of this month."
 
The new rules are available from all of the tracks and are also posted on the Mercer and Tri-City websites, which are www.mercerracewaypark.com and www.tricityspeedway.com.
 
In the Super Sprints, which compete at Sharon, Mercer and Tri-City, the most significant changes have come in the form of weight and engine limitations. Following the lead of the All Star Circuit of Champions, all Super Sprints must weight 1,200 pounds without driver after each event. No bolt on weight will be allowed. Under the hood, Mercer and Tri-City have adopted Sharon's 410 cubic inch rule. The 305 Sprints and Micro Sprints will continue to race at Hickory.
 
"We have received a good response from our competitors regarding the new Super Sprint rules," stated Sharon head Ed Skillman. "Most other rules are unchanged from this last season."
 
The DIRT Modified rules will be patterned after Tri-City's 1999 rules at all tracks. The soft compound DIRT Hoosier tire rule will be in effect, and syping, buffing and grooving will be allowed. Of note, the Sportsman Modifieds, which compete each week at Mercer and in a few events at Tri-City, will now comply with the DIRT Sportsman rules set forth in the DIRT Rulebook because the same rules were adopted by the West Penn Limited Modified division, with the exception of the tire rule.
 
The biggest area of compromise was achieved in the Stock Car division, formerly known as Pure Stocks. The rules at all four tracks varied and, after much discussion, a new set of rules was drafted.
 
"I'm proud of the progress we made with the Stock Cars," noted Mercer Promoter Vicki Emig. "Each track had to make some changes to their current rules and there were some intense discussions, but we worked through those issues. We also agreed to change to name of the division to Stock Cars. Hickory made this move in 1997 and Sharon followed in 1998. We think it is wise because the cars are more advanced."
 
Of significance, the Stock Cars can utilize body styles from 2000 car models as well as prefabricated bodies, which have become very popular in other areas of the country.
 
Additional news from all four tracks will be forthcoming. For more information, contact any of the above tracks directly or Mike Leone (724) 748-3358 or Brian Spaid (814) 432-2181.
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LOCAL SPEEDWAYS COMBINE EFFORTS FOR 2000


by Mike Leone and Brian Spaid
 
October 3, 1999
 
Barkeyville (PA)...In an effort to promote the betterment of motorsports in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, four local speedways have combined efforts for the Year 2000.
 
Sharon Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, New Castle's Hickory Speedway and Tri-City Speedway have announced plans to work together in order to coordinate division rules and attempt to lower costs for racing competitors. The tracks also hope to combine promotional efforts to enhance racing in general.
 
"This entire effort stemmed from a meeting we had with Ed Skillman to coordinate special shows for next year," noted Tri-City Co-Promoter Mike Graham. "When Ed told us that he was moving Sharon to Friday nights, we started talking about greater things."
 
That discussion expanded to include Vicki Emig of Mercer and Tom Mayerchak of Hickory. "I believe this is one of the best things I've heard in local racing for some time," stated Emig. "We have a chance to bring our tracks together and offer our racers the opportunity to run three nights a week without confusion. They have long requested that tracks work together, and we are giving them what they want."
 
Likewise, Skillman was excited about the prospects. "This will give us all a chance to finally make racing better for everyone," said Skillman. "We're looking forward to our move to Fridays next year, and these talks have convinced me that Sharon will continue to grow."
 
Although Mercer and Hickory both race on Saturday nights, Mayerchak does not see any problem with joining the other three tracks in this effort. "Most of the divisions at Mercer and Hickory are different," said Mayerchak. "I think we all need to work toward similar rules at all tracks. If we can accomplish that goal, it will improve the financial aspect of racing for all of our race teams."
 
None of the above promoters want to exclude other local speedways from joining them. "We invite all other local tracks to contact us in order to be a part of our efforts," said Roger Crick, who is Graham's Co-Promoter at Tri-City. "If we all work together, we can benefit all of our fans and race teams 100%."
 
More news and information will be released by Sharon, Mercer, Hickory and Tri-City throughout the winter months.
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