Mercer, PA (September 18, 2012): Mercer Raceway Park will close out the 2012 racing season with the 13th Annual Little Guy Nationals this Friday and Saturday, September 21-22. Well over a hundred drivers are expected to compete in six exciting racing divisions. You won’t want to miss this signature event.
Complete programs will be held each night.
The approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds will be in action both nights. Friday’s race will pay a cool grand to the winner and Saturday’s victor will take home twice that amount. Rob Curtis, the 2012 divisional champion, will have to fight off his arch rival, Jimmy Holden, as well as other talented Mercer regulars like Lonny Riggs, J.R. McGinley, Rick Hall, Frank Guidace, Ron Eperthener, Matt Reeher and many more if he’s to take home the extra loot. But, with this much money on the line, invaders like Randy Chrysler, Ron Cartwright, Dave Murdick or Jeremiah Shingledecker just might try to pull off the upset. Each of them have been to victory lane at the Park in prior editions of the LGN.
The Precise Racing Products Stock Cars will be running under the Open Stock rules, so the region’s best are likely to turn out to challenge Mercer’s best. Rusty Moore, the two-time track champion, will have Curtis J. Bish, Bob McCann, Dan Lewis, Russ Byler, Brandon Johnston and others also trying to defend the home turf. The Friday Stock Car race will also pay $1,000 to win. But, Saturday, there will be two features. The first will pay $1,500 to win and the second will be $1,000 to win.
Joe McEwen will make his first appearance as the Mercer track champion in the Ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors. He’ll be gunning for a $500 payday Friday and $700 on Saturday. Jimmy Morris, C.J. Jones, Justin Whitesell, Dennis Wagner, Mike Miller, and Michael Bauer are just some of the talents who will try and stop him.
The Modified Lites, presented by Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Rock Concrete will compete both nights under the STARS Modified Lites banner. This national event is likely to attract drivers from Canada, New York, Delaware, and maybe even Texas! Mark Marcucci would like nothing more than to back-up his track championship with a win against some of the best in the business. If he can do it, he’ll take home $500 on Friday and $1,500 on Saturday.
The Mini Stocks will vie for $200 to win each night. Steve Longwell, Jr. seek to hold off his teammates, Steve Longwell, Sr. and Joel Wisser, and all other challengers.
Last but not least, the Micro Sprints will run for $500 and $700, respectively. Overt 20 pre-registrations have already been received in this class alone!
Racers wanting to take advantage of the pre-registration discount will be able to do so by submitting their forms to the track office on or before Thursday. Forms can be obtained by clicking on the Little Guy Nationals link on the track website, www.mercerracewaypark.com, or by contacting the track office.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. Friday and racing will begin at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, pit gates will open at noon, and spectator gates will open at 2:30. Racing will begin at 4 p.m.
The following ticket prices will apply on Friday: adults $13, seniors $11, students $5, Family Pass $28, Pit Pass $30. On Saturday, the following prices will be in effect: adults $15, seniors $13, students $7, Family Pass $32, Pit Pass $35. Children ages 8 and under are free on both nights. The Family Pass is good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit pass holder will receive a $5 discount of they present their Friday wrist band at the Pit Ticket Window on Saturday.
There will be a raindate for this event. If one night of the two-day program is lost to weather, it may be made up on Sunday. However, if both days are lost to weather, the entire schedule will be pushed back to the next weekend, September 28-29.
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.