Mercer, PA (May 7, 2013): Saturday, May 11 will be a special day in the history of Mercer Raceway Park. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a concert presented by Sky Pilot. Then, the racing program will feature the popular UNOH All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars and three of the track’s regular classes. Cowboy Brian Steinman will be the guest of honor. He will receive his all-terrain wheelchair during intermission. You won’t want to miss this one!
Several of the All Stars regulars have close ties to the local racing scene. Dale Blaney, of Hartford, OH, sits atop the All Stars’ National and Ohio Regional points. Aliquippa’s Tim Shaffer ranks second nationally and in the top five regionally. Joining the veterans is Pittsburgh’s Danny Holtgraver, who won the last time out at the Park. He currently is fourth in the national standings. Others in the top five nationally are Cap Henry, a winner in the area just last week, and Caleb Helms.
Other national talents expected include Danny Smith, Lance Dewease, also a winner in Western PA last weekend, and Randy Hannagan. The father and son duo of Jac and Sheldon Haudenschild will add to the excitement.
Representing the home team will be current points leader Jack Sodeman, Jr., who has a score to settle with the All Stars. He recently defected from the tour over a dispute regarding appearance money. Brandon Matus upset the All Stars during the 2012 Ohio Sprint Speedweek, and he will want to strut his stuff again in victory lane before the partisan crowd. Former All Star regular and past track champ Rod George is back in the saddle of Jim Chappell’s potent Sprinter. Defending divisional champion Eric Williams, Scott Priester, Dan Kuriger and Bill Jones, Jr. are just a few of the others who will also carry the colors for the Luxaire Heating & Cooling and New Wilmington Motors.
Brian Ellenberger, a former All Stars and World of Outlaws traveler, and Ed Lynch, Jr., the winningest active driver in Western PA, are also expected.
In addition to the UNOH All Stars, taking the track will be the Bonnell’s Collision Center Outlaw Sprint Warriors, the Precise Racing Products Open Stock Cars, and the Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking/Ray’s Racing Collectibles Mini Stocks. Each of these classes will be racing for points and extra cash!
Remember that the concert will begin at 4, as soon as the gates swing open. Sky Pilot will play until 6. Hot laps will start at 6:30 and qualification runs will begin at 7. Heat racing will immediately follow.
During a break in the action, attention will turn to the frontstretch for a special presentation to Cowboy Steinman. He was an up and coming Sprint Car driver who was severely injured in a racing accident last July. Since his release from acute medical care, he has been confined to a wheelchair. Because it was not feasible for him to use a conventional unit to work on his farm or to visit his friends and former competitors in the pits, Steinman reached out to Trac Fabrication, a company located in nearby Volant, for a motorized all-terrain wheelchair.
Purchase of the custom-built wheelchair was made possible by a grant from the Steve King Foundation and the generosity of the racing community. The foundation has helped nearly a hundred racers, crew members and officials since its inception. It was named in honor of a Kansas Sprint Car driver who perished at the Knoxville Raceway in 2006. The foundation has been by Steinman’s side for nearly a year now. Three of its board members, including King’s mother, Naomi, and his sister, Danette, will be on hand for this special occasion.
Admission for this memorable night will be just $23 for adults, $21 for seniors (60+), and $9 for students (9-18). Children ages 8 and under are always free at Mercer Raceway Park. The Family Pass will be a tremendous bargain, at only $48. The Family Pass is good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit passes will be $35.
Remember that alerts regarding a cancellation of any racing event at Mercer Raceway Park can be sent to your smart phone or other electronic device. To sign up, all you need to do is to click on the icon for RainedOut.com on the track’s website and follow the simple instructions, It only takes a few minutes.
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.