Mercer Raceway Park Newsletter

Newsletter Issue 3

January 26, 2003

RACE FANS, now that holidays are over and year 2003 has started to set in, the upcoming season is quickly approaching. Let’s hope this extremely cold winter will get everything out of its system so we can go racin’ in April. With Speedweeks in Florida right around the corner, the dawn of the new season is only just over two months away.

First we want to bring you up to date on the banquet. It will again be held at the Yankee Lake Ballroom on Saturday, February 22. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with happy hour until 6:30 p.m. Dinner will begin shortly thereafter with the awards presentation following. The band, “Last Call,” will once again perform. They seemed to be enjoyed by everyone last year. Tickets are $29.50 per person, which includes all drinks. The fete is open to the public. If you’re interested in attending, send a check or money order to Mercer Raceway Park, R.D. #1, Pulaski, PA 16143. The Yankee Lake Ballroom is located on Route 7 just minutes from Brookfield, Ohio.

The Mall Shows pre-season kickoff will begin a little earlier this year. The Southern Park Mall will host the fourth annual Mercer Raceway Park “Dirt Track Race Car Show March 5-9. We had to move the show up one week because of an inadvertent double-booking by the mall. We’ve had numerous requests from drivers to be part of this show this year. We still have plenty of space available if anyone is interested. Forms will be sent out to drivers in early February. Cars will enter the mall after hours Tuesday, March 4 and will exit after hours Sunday, March 9. There is no charge to participate in this show. The mall is located at the intersection of Routes 224 & 7 in Boardman, Ohio.

Our new show this year will be held at the Ross Park Mall – “Thunder in the Park” Steel Valley Motorsports Gala will take place March 20-23. Because of the phenomenal response, a fourth day was added on Thursday. Cars will now enter the mall after hours Wednesday, March 19 and exit after hours Sunday, March 23. The event is now a complete sell-out with 50 race cars plus displays. A who’s who of western Pa. race cars will be on display from amongst some 13 different divisions. The mall is located just minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh on McKnight Road/Truck Route 19.

We’re real excited with how our schedule and brochure is turning out. We believe it’s another quality schedule with a nice mix of special race and family events. We’ve added a couple new special race events and the one’s you’ve come to love will all return. We’re anticipating a release by the end of February.

We can tell you our opening night is slated for Saturday, April 5 with our sprint cars, big-block modifieds, sportsman modifieds, and stock cars. Racing begins at 7 p.m. We are going to rain date opening night for Sunday, April 6 with racing starting at 5 p.m. It’s been 1999 since we have been able to get opening night in and that occurred on April 10.

Hopefully you got to see ESPN2’s broadcast of the Big Rig Semis from our May 26 ATPA Grand American “Spring Nationals”. The initial broadcast on Sunday, December 29 netted the highest ratings for a non-live Motorsports event on the deuce in 2002! We were very pleased with the coverage. Event sponsor Hunter’s Truck Sales & Service got their name mentioned on two different occasions.

The next first-run broadcast will feature the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors on Thursday, February 6 at 2:30 p.m. Be sure to set your VCRs if you won’t be home at that time. It looks like this year’s event will once again be broadcast.

Speaking of the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors, Jordan Lustik was the winner at the Fort Wayne (IN) Memorial Coliseum during the “Winter Nationals” on January 19. The Eighty Four, Pa. resident will have his new tractor on display at the Southern Park Mall. This will be the third consecutive year that the multi-time world champion will be participating.

Those of you that have checked out our website recently probably have noticed numerous changes and updates that begin back in December. We felt it was time we step up the information and content to be more fan-friendly to all visitors.

The Info page was totally overhauled, which now links to 12 pages of content, including seven new pages. A Family Page was also added, which features a photo page of the many activities that takes place at The Park, along with other information. The Photo Gallery page combines other photo link pages and features the 2002 Action Photo page with approximately 100 photos.

The Track History page continues to be updated. Recent additions include a Promoter’s List, Nostalgic Photos, and an In Memory of… page. More updates will follow. Another new page with a link off of the homepage includes a Facility Recognition page.

Now on to some driver news. Christmas was very good to Ron Eperthener, Jr. The Grove City, Pa. driver was informed on Christmas Eve that he was the winner of Bicknell Racing’s annual car giveaway. Eperthener will be in sportsman modified action with a 2003 Bicknell that includes the chassis, body, skid rails, and bumper. Last year, Eperthener purchased a used Bicknell that helped him get back into the top 10 in points with numerous top finishes and made him eligible for the drawing. This will be the first brand-new car that Eperthener has ever had.

In other sportsman modified news, Jerry Schaffer will also have a new Bicknell and is expected to be a contender for the championship. Chad Reitz will return for a run at the championship with a new car before a hopeful jump to the big blocks in 2004. Rod Artman will be back in action after a near three-year absence from racing. After a couple runs late in 2002 in a second Jerry Schaffer car, Pud Welsh is expected to return to action.

One of the new faces in the division will be Branden Porter. Porter will be the first sportsman to come from the Buckeye state since 2000. Branden’s car will be owned by his father Ben and will make the long trip from Ashtabula weekly. Porter has competed in the micro sprint division in the past and will still have the micro at his disposal. Sponsorship comes from Bullet Racing Engines in Hubbard, Ohio, Lant Auto Parts, and Prestige Auto Body both of Ashtabula, Ohio. Both cars will be on display at the Southern Park Mall. The Porters are really looking to have some fun this year.

Brian Turk, public relations guru for Andy Priest, sends along word that Priest has picked up Mac Tools as a corporate sponsor for the 2003 season. Other new sponsors include DRP Tachs, CSI, Moroso Products, and Butler Built Seats along. Twelve other associate sponsors will adorn the #21N. The 1998 Sportsman Modified Champion will be in search of his first big-block title behind the wheel of a new house car from Carney, New Jersey’s Speed Palace with power from Don Blackshear Racing Engines. Last year, Priest recorded five top fives in his sprint car and finished second with the 358 modifieds on the Little Guy Nationals, while also competing in Ted Hull’s #41 big-block on Sundays and on the BRP Tour.

Dave Murdick sent a memo to tell us that he will be competing weekly at Mercer in 2003. The Slippery Rock, Pa. driver has purchased a new 2003 Troyer to race in conjunction with his 2002 Teo. One of our strong marketing partners, Armstrong Zoom Internet Cable Service, will return for the second straight year as a sponsor on Murdick’s #61 along with Ritenour Equipment Sales. This will be the first time since 1989 when Murdick tied for fourth in points that he will be a regular in the big blocks.

Big-Block racer, Rodney Beltz, is back on his feet again after having surgery on his knee recently at UMPC Passvant in Pittsburgh. Beltz should be ready to go by opening night and is expected to have his #64 on display at Ross Park Mall.

In speaking with Sprint Car driver Charlie Holben at Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Banquet on January 25, the Cabot, Pa. driver stated that he is going to make an attempt to run with us weekly in 2003. Last year, Holben competed five times at Mercer and recorded two top 10s. His daughter Tiffany can be found signing the national anthem each time they are at the speedway. You’ll be able to see Holben’s fluorescent orange #42G at the Ross Park Mall.

Toni Carbone, daughter of the late racer Ken Carbone, and family will be holding a memorial for Ken at the speedway tentatively on August 2. The family is looking to do plaques for all of the feature winners, gift certificates from racing vendors, tear-offs to all feature starters, and bonus money to the stock car purse. This is a very nice gesture on their part.

Attention drivers and owner: Remember you have an open invitations to send us your team news and it will be published in the next issue.

Stay warm,

Mike Leone J

P.S. The season will be here before we know it!

Newsletter Issue 2

December 19, 2002

RACE FANS welcome back as another month has gone by since issue number one was sent out. Can you believe it’s almost Christmas and 2003 is right around the corner? That means just a little over three months to the start of another racing season.

First some TV news. Mercer Raceway Park will return to the tube as the American Tractor Pullers Association’s Grand American “Spring Nationals” will be shown on Sunday, December 29 at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. This second annual event was hosted at the speedway on Sunday, May 26. A standing-room only crowd that filled the infield watched action in the Big Rig Semis, Unlimited Super Stock Tractors, and the Super Stock 4-Wheel Drive Trucks. If you missed this show, be sure to check out and see it live once again at the speedway on Sunday, May 25, 2003. The second broadcast will be shown on Thursday, February 6 at 2:30 p.m. once again on ESPN2.

Benny Koske, better known as “The Human Bomb”, thrilled the crowd with his explosion during “A Night of Fire” at the speedway on October 12. Back in November, Benny called to let us know that he was once again going to be on “The Jay Leno Show” on November 25. Benny’s first appearance saw him explode in a port-o-john. Unfortunately for Benny and those that stayed up until the end of the show, high winds blew down his fireworks stand that he was going to blow up in and cancelled the act. As a consolation, Benny got to pull the handle and explode a Thanksgiving dinner. Leno said that they would have Benny back in the future.

In between newsletters, we announced that we will be putting on a car show at Ross Park at the Pittsburgh-based facility. After seeing the “Dirt Track Race Car Show” at sister Simon Properties, Southern Park Mall, mall management asked Mercer Raceway Park if we’d be interested in putting on a show for 2002. Because it was already late March, we booked the show for 2003.

Since the release went public on December 2, the response and interest has spread like wildfire. Approximately 35 drivers have already stated they want to participate. Amongst the classes of cars represented include sprint cars, big-block modifieds, sportsman modifieds, late models, limited late models, stock cars, e-mods, micro sprints, legacy cars, and much more.

This show should be spectacular and what a place to showcase racing! A note of thanks to Don Gamble, who has really helped to gather cars and spread the word throughout the Pittsburgh area. Gamble has already secured 14 race cars. His help has been truly appreciated. Any drivers out there that are interested need to let us know as soon as possible as space is moving quickly. The same goes for any vendors interested in participating. The dates for show again are March 21-23.

Not to be overshadowed, the “Dirt Track Race Car Show” will again take place at the beautiful Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio March 12-16. This show has always had a great gathering of race cars that represent Mercer Raceway Park.

Trafficranking.com reports that www.mercerracewaypark.com is in the top 17% of the top 700,000 websites! That’s a tribute to everyone who frequents our website.

The following section will give an update on our drivers. Dean Pearson sold his ’99 Troyer to pal Randy Chronister. This will update Chronister’s equipment by 10 years. Pearson utilized a Bicknell for the first time last season.

J.R. Greer has purchased a new 2003 Bicknell that will have a Rombold big-block motor for Steve Young. Steve is the defending two-time sportsman champion and I’m sure will be glad to get back to the big-block class after taking a year off. The team’s primary sponsors will remain Montgomery Truss & Panel and Calcium Chloride Sales. Their new car can be seen first hand at Ross Park Mall.

Greer’s car from last year is now in the hands of former micro sprint racer Chris Dye, who is also expected to compete in the big-block class. Meanwhile, Greer’s engine will be aboard Rich Ferguson’s #15 next season, who will move back to the sportsman class.

Another former micro sprint racer, Chuck Miller of Grove City, will make the jump into the sprint division with a 360 motor. Former asphalt and late model driver, Tracy Potter, has purchased a sprint car from Scott Bonnell. Potter is expected to compete with a 360. His car will be on display at Ross Park Mall as well.

New Castle’s Rusty Moore is building a new car for himself along with his brother Jarrot and Shaun Hooks. Jarrot did not compete in 2002, while Shaun is coming off of his first championship season. Hooks said he’ll take advantage of all of the stock car changes. Runner-up Bobby Whitling is also building a new stock car that will be compatible to compete at all of the area speedways.

The big news that came out on Tuesday was that Jimmy Hawley has accepted a ride in the Pete Grove #70 sprint car. Hawley will get a chance to do some traveling in 2003 as the team’s schedule will consist of 50% All Star races, 25% local races, and 25% open shows throughout Pa. and Ohio as well as close-proximity World of Outlaw shows. Last year, Grove and Jason Dolick were behind the wheel of his #10 and #70 360 and 410 on different occasions throughout the year at Mercer. Hawley will also compete in the 360 shows at Mercer.

The B.R.P. Modified Tour held their banquet on December 7. Champion Ron Smoker indicated he will return to defend his title. The Tour will make two stops at Mercer in 2003 including the Bill Emig Memorial on May 31 and “On Tour 2003” on September 6.

I'll end this again with some “did you knows” from the season. Did you know...

...with his big-block and late model wins in 2002, Alan Dellinger became the first driver at Mercer to win races in a stock car, e-mod, big-block modified, and late model?

…Tommy Kristyak is the active all-time Mercer winner with 95 victories, which includes 45 in a six-cylinder, 42 in a big-block, and 8 in a sportsman?

…Andy Buckley’s four wins in 2002 moved him to fourth place on the all-time stock car win list?

…a total of 203 different drivers competed throughout the year in the stock car division from five states plus Canada?

…that there has never been a repeat winner in the four races contested in both the open 358 modified and 360 sprint classes?

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Mike Leone J

P.S. Hang in there as we’re working on some other developments that will be announced in the coming months!

Newsletter Issue 1

November 18, 2002

RACE FANS it's almost been one month since Tracey Fritter took the final checkered flag of the season in the Modified Lite feature on October 19. I thought I'd start this newsletter to keep your engines running and remind you that April is only a little over four months away. This will be a monthly effort keeping you updated on tidbits not always found elsewhere.

If you have driven past the speedway recently, you probably have seen that the entire remaining old guardrail has been pulled out of turns one and two. New guardrail will take its place meaning that new fencing, guardrail, and concrete surround the entire track. Also, work has continued by Frank Benic and crew on increasing the pit area to allow for additional parking. Those of you that were at the track for some of our fall shows saw just how maxed out we were. We had to open the back gate when we got full. The new area will now help accommodate at least another 20 cars.

The 2003 schedule is coming around nicely. It won't officially be released until late February, but stay tuned for some of the shows. Special trademark shows that fans and drivers have come to love will again return. A couple other things are also in the planning stages.

Troy Preston was named Mercer Raceway Park's Contingency Connection "Hurst Cup" by Mr. Gasket Champion based on a formula which encompassed drivers’ top five and top ten percentages factored in with their attendance percentage throughout the regular season. The West Middlesex, Pa. driver will receive $500 in product certificates, an elaborate Hurst Cup trophy, a championship jacket, and a team support sponsorship package from Mr. Gasket that includes a $2,500 product account for all seven Mr. Gasket companies, a RJS driver fire suit, a graphics kit for the race car and trailer, three team uniforms, six t-shirts, a championship pen, and a tech hotline for technical support and simplified ordering. Preston's along with 39 other speedways were eligible for five cash prize drawings in Last Vegas, Nevada on November 7 ranging from $5,000 to $500. Preston's name however failed to be drawn.

Kidd's Jewelry in Greenville, Pa. is going to provide custom, engraved watches for our five champions this year. Troy Preston, Tim Doran, Steve Young, Shaun Hooks, and Todd Bauer will get to select from among four very classy watches. Owner Allen Kidd is fan at the speedway weekly and is a sponsor of Andy Paden's #24 sportsman modified. Keep Kidd's in mind for your holiday shopping or any occasion.

Geoff Ballard will be our new videographer for 2003. Geoff did some work in September and October and will do it full time in 2003. He does some great work and will have more available than just videos. He's starting a website at www.vtpv.com. You can get in touch with him at 724-6994080.

Each fall, the division rules are taken a hard look at. This year, more than ever in the stock car division some changes, what we feel for the better, were made. Many were common sense changes that had simply aged over time, while most others were non-performance and durability related. The stock car changes have already been hammered out and can be viewed at www.mercerracewaypark.com/03stockchanges.html. It will be another banner season for the stocks.

Very minor adjustments will be made to the sportsman modifieds. Last year was a new step in getting this to become a sealed-engine division. It was a successful season with a record car count average of nearly 27 per night and Chad Reitz, Bill Adams, and Jerry Schaffer all winning their firsts. The sportsman can expect the largest schedule of increased purse events in the history of the division.

On the mend: Staple Nash and Rick Ryder. It's been a tough fall for both of these racers. Nash was injured in the 360 sprint show on September 28. He has been seeing a specialist in Indianapolis to see what can be done for his left arm that his limited feeling and mobility. Many of you read about Ryder's near brush with death in a trucking accident in South Carolina when a roll of plastic fell on him. Ryder has begun a sixth-month recovery process. I'm sure both drivers can use some cheering up. Nash can be reached at 11465 Pekin Rd., Newbury, OH 44065 and Ryder's residence is at 268 Glasgow Rd., Gibsonia, PA 15044. Get well guys.

Condolences go out to the Bickel Family on the recent passing of Mabel. Mabel's husband Johnny was one of the original owners of the speedway and many will remember "Mabel's Fine Foods". Mabel was an aunt to long-time Mercer modified racers Jim and Jerry Bickel.

Attention drivers and owners: if you want to send me your plans and any updates for the 2003 season, e-mail them to webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com and we'll include them in the next newsletter.

Mark the following dates on your calendar: the annual awards banquet and dinner will be Saturday, February 22 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom near Brookfield, Ohio and Wednesday-Sunday, March 12-16 for the 4th annual Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio. We're working on another show that I think many will be pleasantly surprised about. Stay tuned!

I'll end this with some did you knows from the season. Did you know...

...there were 13 different sprint winners in 19 races?

...with his four wins this season, Tommy Kristyak now trails Lou Blaney by just one win (32-31) in the big-block modifieds since the track reopened in 1994?

...the sportsman modifieds had record high car counts of 32 on June 29 and July 13?

...137 different stock cars competed during the Little Guy Nationals on October 4, 5, & 19?

...84 different drivers from six different states plus Canada competed in a 360 sprint?

...from April 20 through October 19, there were no rain outs before the gates opened? When we say we're racing, we're going to make every attempt possible to get the show in.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Leone J

P.S. Vicki Emig was one of seven nominated by Racing Promotion Monthly for the Mid East region’s 2002 Promoter of the Year for the second consecutive year.