Mercer, PA (June 13, 2012): One of this season’s most anticipated events will take place this Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park when the track plays host to the Auto Racers for Kids Sprint Car Shoot Out. The race will be an open competition, open tire rule, no holds barred thirty lapper paying $3,000 to the winner. That is, if the winner accepts the lucrative prize! While all of Mercer’s Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars are expected, outside invaders may be lured in by the generous purse and the accolades that will go along with the prestigious win. Also participating will be 360 Sprints of the Patriot Sprint Car Tour, as there will be bonus money available to them.

The 2012 edition will be the third charity race held at the Park. In 2010, Jack Sodeman, Jr. won the race and the hearts of the fans when he donated every cent he earned back to the children’s programs benefiting from the special promotion. Brian Ellenberger won the 2011 race. Other Auto Racers for Kids events, held at other venues, were won by Daryn Pittman and Danny Mumaw.

But this is not just a Sprint Car race. The other fabulous five divisions that comprise the Saturday Night Live! racing program will be on hand. The highly competitive Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds will go for 25 laps with $1,000 on the line. The Ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors, the Precise Racing Products Stocks, and the Big Daddy’s Speed Center/Rock Concrete Modified Lites will each race fifteen laps for $500 to win. The Mini Stock winner will receive $250 at the end of the twleve lapper.

In addition to competing on the track, the race teams have already been in a contest to see who can raise the most amount for Auto Racers for Kids charities. At 6:00 p.m., just about the time when hot laps will start, the teams will need to make their final tallies. The most successful fundraising team will get $500. Three other race teams will share in this incentive program.

The Auto Racers for Kids charity was the brainchild of Dave Stewart, of Stewart Financial Services. Former Sprint Car driver Scott Bonnell, of Bonnell’s Collision Service, took the program to another level when he introduced the idea of holding Sprint Car races to benefit area children and youth. Over the years, Auto Racers for Kids distributed more than $100,000 to non-profit entities helping disadvantaged youngsters.

Come out early, as a large crowd is expected. Plus, there will be other activities for the entire family to enjoy!

Gates will open at 4:00, hot laps will start at 6:15, and racing will begin at 7:00.

There will be special event pricing in effect. Adult admission will be $15 and pit passes will be $30. Remember, though, that all proceeds will aid area children and youth.

About Mercer Raceway Park: Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly from late March through late September. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com, www.twitter.com/mercerraceway, or www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.