Mercer, PA (July 11, 2012): Mercer Raceway Park will stage a big homecoming party for the FASTRAK Northeast Regional Late Model Series this Saturday. The series traces its roots to the track. Former owner and promoter, Vicki Emig, and former Race Director, Mike Leone, are the Co-Directors of the touring group. Two of its young lions, Max Blair and Mike Pegher, Jr., cut their teeth on the tricky oval. Many other drivers, like steady Butch Lambert, also called Mercer home. It will be the first appearance for the series at the track since current owner and promoter, Bill Altman, acquired the facility.
The FASTRAK series is an economical brand of Late Models. All cars are powered by GM crate engines, costing approximately $5,300. Compare that to the costly powerplants in the Super Late Model division, where $40,000 price tags are often the norm.
The FASTRAK Northeast Regional series just completed a grueling five-day stretch of races in Ohio and Pennsylvania. That was the “Cross the Borders” Speedweek. Blair emerged as the champion of the mini-series by a slim two point margin. The other FASTRAK drivers will be ready to challenge him, but it won’t be easy to dethrone the king. Blair has six touring series victories to his credit so far this year!
One of the most exciting aspects of the FASTRAK series is the development of young talent. The field will include Lauren Longbrake, a teenager from Columbus, OH, and Ryan Montgomery, a teen from Fairmont, WV, among others.
In addition to the full show of FASTRAK Late Models, fans will see five of the track’s regular classses in action. Only the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars will have the night off. But winged Sprint Car fans will get to see the Ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors. Last week’s winner, Chris Matthews, will be going for the repeat. J.R. McGinley is hoping that lightening will strike again, as he pulled off his first career win in the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds.
Will Mark Marcucci get back on his horse? He came up short in the Modified Lites presented by Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Rock Concrete. Marcucci was knocked off by Jeff Teeters last week.
Similarly, the kingpin of the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars, Rusty Moore, lost to Shaun Hooks. Hooks was making his first start in quite a spell at the Park, but there will be others ready to take on the defending champ.
Todd Gabriel will be raring to go with his colorful Mini Stock as well.
The racing action will start at 7:00 p.m., and the gates will open at 4:00 p.m.
The special event ticket pricing will be in effect. So, adults will pay just $15 for a night of thrills and chills. Seniors will be admitted for $13 and students for $7. Children ages 8 and under will be admitted free, as usual. The Family Pass will be $32, and that is good for two adults and up to four children of any age. Pit passes will be $30.
If you cannot make it out to the track this weekend, the Sprint Slugout will be held on July 21. That show will also include the ARDC Midgets, so it will be a delight for the fans of open wheeled racing.
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.