For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Lou Long (412-760-9755)
Mercer, PA (May 6, 2014): The All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars will roll into Mercer Raceway Park this Saturday, May 10, to do battle with the Luxaire Heating & Cooling 410 Sprints, which are also presented by McCrudden Heating & Supply. In addition, the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors, Precise Racing Products Open Stock Cars, and Rock Concrete Modified Lites will be on the race card. The gates will swing open at 4 p.m., and racing will begin at 7 sharp, so come out early for the best seats!
Several of the top All Stars racers have close ties to Western Pennsylvania. Three of them cut their teeth on the local speed paths. Dale Blaney, of Hartford, OH, and Tim Shaffer, of Aliquippa, PA, earned points championships in their own back yards before taking their success to the national stage. Each of them have multiple All Stars championship rings. Danny Holtgraver, of Pittsburgh, PA, is ready to repeat the feat, and he pronounced himself ready for the prime time when grabbed a $4,000 victory at the Park on April 19. In addition, the Wild Child, Jac Haudenschild, is driving a car wrenched by Scott Benic, who is the son of our own track manager, Frank Benic.
Back in the All Stars fold is former champion Chad Kemenah, and he will be joined by top young talents like Caleb Helms, Andrew Palker, Cole Duncan, and Duane Zablocki.
Jack Sodeman, Jr., the defending track champion, raced to victory the last time out. The second generation driver from North Jackson, OH, held off a furious charge from Greenville’s Eric “Turkey” Williams. The Kittanning Comet, Rod George, took the opener, so he, too, will be ready to defend the home turf.
Carl Bowser, Brent and Brandon Matus, Scott Priester, Adam Kekich, and many more of your favorites will help carry the colors of Mercer Raceway Park.
Michael Bauer, from Clarion, already has a pair of wins with the Outlaw Sprint Warriors, and he would like nothing more than to display his talents this weekend. It’s no secret that he wants to move up to the 410 Sprints, and another score could help him in that regard. It won’t be easy, though, as more drivers are entering this exciting class. Indeed, third-generation racer Sye Lynch ran second to Bauer recently. Could this be the teen’s moment in the sun?
Titusville’s Curtis J. Bish was awarded the win in the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars after the apparent victor was too light at the scales. Bish wants the next triumph to come on the track, and he will have to fight off three-time and defending champ Rusty Moore, Pat Fielding, Tim Burns, and a host of others to get the win. And, Leigh Wheeler will be looking for some redemption. Because the class will operate under the Open Stock rules, we could see some invaders, too.
Rod Jones, from nearby West Middlesex, just raced to the win with the Rock Concrete Modified Lites. Defending champ Shane Pfeuffer, and former title holder Darrin Gallagher, will look to regain their winning ways. Big George Englert, Mark Marcucci, and Jacob Bova are a few of the other drivers who will be heard from, for sure.
Special event ticket pricing will be in effect for this program, which is presented courtesy of Bonnell’s Rod Shop. Adults can gain admission for $25, while seniors (60+) will come in for $23. For the younger set, $9 student tickets will be available for those ages 9 to 15, while children ages 8 and under will be free. The Family Pass will be a bargain at $52, for that is good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $35.
If you cannot make it to the track this weekend, Saturday Night Live! racing will return on May 17. That will be Twin State Auto Racing Club night, and all members in good standing will be admitted free of charge to the grandstands.
Remember that you can get alerts regarding any postponement of the racing action at Mercer Raceway Park through Rainedout.com. You can sign up for this free service by clicking on the icon at the track’s website and following the simple steps.
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.