Mercer, PA June 6: This Saturday, at Mercer Raceway Park, racers in all six regular divisions will be in action and precious points will be on the line. In four of the classes, a position or two on the racetrack at the end of the night could result in a change at the top of the championship standings.
Defending Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car champion Bob Felmlee holds a slim two point margin over Scott Priester. Jimmy Light, the winner of the last feature contested at the track, sits sixteen points back. Just a single point behind him is Eric Williams. Dan Kouriger is fifth, 38 points in arears.
Rod George, a perennial favorite in the Sprints, fell out of the top ten when he missed a race as a result of an engine failure suffered at Lernerville Speedway. The engine was shipped out for repairs, so the planned week off could not have come at a better time for him.
A new name is at the head of the list in the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds. Rob Curtis, in his first full season competing in the class, also holds a two point lead. Defending champ Jimmy Holden is closing in, though. Lonny Riggs is thirteen points behind the leader. Kyle Fink and J.R. McGinley round outthe top five.
Frank Guidace was hotter than a firecracker at the start of the year, but he, too, is sidelined with engine woes. He is mired in eleventh in the standings, but he is capable of reeling off the wins that could get him back in the hunt.
Justin Whitesell has soared to the top of the Ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors rankings. He has a nine point advantage over Jimmy Morris. Veteran Joe McEwen, Rob Felix and Chris Matthews complete the top five.
Defending champ Guy Griffin got an early start on his retirement from the sport when he sold his potent machine to Michael Bauer. The sophomore driver should have it repainted and renumbered for this week’s action. The car is a proven winner, so watch for him to be a contender.
In the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars, there is a tie for the points lead. Curtis J. Bish, with a little help from Danny Exley, is knotted up with defending champ Rusty Moore. Exley filled in for Bish who was away on business. Darrin Hyde is a mere fifteen points back. Matt Wagner and Brandon Johnston are fourth and fifth.
Jerry Batcher leads Steve Longwell, Jr. and Pete Blazak by 37 points in the Mini Stocks. Tyler Fulton and Rudy Troples need a couple of good runs to challenge them.
Mark Marcucci has a commanding lead in the Modifed Lites presented by Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Rock Concrete. Kotie Kirkbride, who is in the midst of her best season, rides in second. Bill Stivason and Rick Ament are within striking distance of her. Jason Johnston is fifth.
The gates swing open at 4 p.m., and these drivers, and many more, will come streaming in for the Staurday Night Live! program. The first green flag will waive at 7 p.m.
Ticket prices will be $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $5 for students. Children 8 and under are always admitted free. The economical Family Pass will cost $28, and that will be good for two adults and up to four children of any age. Pit passes will be just $25.
And coming up on June 16, the annual Auto Racers for Kids charity event will be on tap. Extra purse money will be on the line, along with bragging rights! Who can forget when Jack Sodeman, Jr. scored the big win and then donated his prize money to the cause. Remember that the proceeds of this program will benefit area children and youth. Special event pricing will prevail for this memorable night.
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 outwww.mercerracewaypark.com, www.twitter.com/mercerraceway, orwww.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.