Mercer, PA (July 1, 2013): Three of Western Pennsylvania’s favorite sons will play for the visiting team on Saturday, July 6, when Mercer Raceway Park hosts the UNOH All Stars Circuit of Champions. Leading the way will be Dale Blaney, who tops the Ohio Region and National points standings for the touring series. Close behind him in both rankings are another champion, Tim Shaffer, and the young buck, Danny Holtgraver. The home team will include Eric Williams, defending track champion and current points leader, as well as Scott Priester, and Jack Sodeman, Jr. With many other talented drivers sure to be on hand, this will be one of the most anticipated contests of the 2013 season at the Park.
The All Stars come rolling into town following the grueling Ohio Sprint Speedweek, which featured six races at different venues over a nine-day period. Two of the programs were lost to rain. Blaney took the last leg of that series, and the Wild Child, Jac Haudenschild, copped a pair of wins. Aliquippa’s Tim Shaffer emerged with the Speedweek crown even though he never graced victory lane. Surprisingly, Shaffer is still searching for his first win of the season! He would like nothing more than to crack the ice in his own backyard.
Shaffer will have plenty of competition, though. Holtgraver was spectacular in his last appearance at Mercer Raceway Park, taking a pair of victories on the same night. One came against the tough 360 Sprints of the Patriot Sprint Tour, when he started dead last, and the other came in the track’s own 410 Sprint division, presented by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and Ralph Butch, Inc. That brought the Pittsburgh native’s win total to three on the tricky oval this season. Another All Star pilot who emerged victorious in 2013 at the Park is the exciting young Ohio driver, Cap Henry.
Nationally known stars, like Justin Henderson, Greg Wilson, and Danny Smith, are also expected.
Defending the home turf will be Eric Williams, who won the last time out. His Mid-Season Championship tally was his first of the year and it came by just .003 seconds, surely one of the closest contests in the venerable history of the track. Second that night was Jack Sodeman, Jr., while Scott Priester, Dan Kuriger and fast-closing Rod George completed the top five.
With a $5,000 check awaiting the winner, regional talents like Brian Ellenberger, Ed Lynch, Jr., and Mike Lutz may also converge on Mercer.
In addition to the fire-breathing 410 Sprints, the show will also include the Bonnell’s Collision Center Outlaw Sprint Warriors, the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars (operating under the Open Stock rules), and the Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking/Ray’s Racing Collectibles Mini Stocks.
Pizza Joe’s will present a fireworks spectacular that will delight young and old alike.
The gates will open at 4, with practice beginning at 6:30, and racing at 7.
The adult admission price for this special event will be $23. Seniors (60+) will join the fun for only $21. Students (ages 9-15) will be admitted for $9. Children ages 8 and under will be free. The Family Pass will be a tremendous bargain at $48, and that will allow two adults and up to four minors of any age to enter. Pit Passes will be $35.
However, if you are a veteran with proper identification, or a scout in uniform, you, too, will be admitted free of charge.
If you cannot make it to the speedway for this event, come on out July 13 for a Saturday Night Live! program featuring all six of the track’s exciting classes. That will be the night we race for the cure! On American Cancer Society Night, all survivors of that dreaded disease will be admitted free.
You can get the latest news and results from Mercer Raceway Park by tuning in to Rappin’ on Racing. The longest-running motorsports talk show can be heard live on the internet by clicking on to www.speedwayproductions.biz at 6 p.m. every Monday. The voice of the speedway, Mike Dutko, presents the report on the previous week’s action and he introduces the coming attraction. Host Don Gamble frequently has interviews with the Park faithful. This week’s guest was Smokin’ Joe McEwen. If you missed the broadcast, don’t fret, all programs are archived for your listening pleasure.
Remember that you can get alerts regarding the cancellation of any racing event at Mercer Raceway Park sent directly to your smartphone or other electronic device. To register, please go to the track’s website, www.mercerracewaypark.com, click on the icon for RainedOut.com, and follow the easy 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.