Mercer, PA (August 16, 2014): Andy McKisson took advantage of a miscue by divisional rookie A.J. Flick to take the lead on lap 12, and then held off the youngster in the final laps to claim victory at Mercer Raceway Park in the 410 Sprints presented by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and McCrudden Heating & Supply. It was the veteran’s first win of the season after getting a late start on the action. The evening’s events, including bicycle races for the children, was made possible by Approved Toilet Rentals and Ray’s Racing Collectibles.
Jimmy Holden overtook the point leader, Kyle Fink, with three laps in the books, and went on to victory in the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modified feature. The win propelled Holden into the points lead by just four counters, with the double-point finale on September 6 looming on the horizon. In the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars, Rusty Moore cruised to his sixth win of the season in his quest for a fourth straight point championship. C.J. Jones ran out front through the entire contest for the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors. George Englert captured his fifth feature win in the Rock Concrete Modified Lites. Steve Longwell, Jr. wore the nightcap for the Mini Stocks running under the twin banners of Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles.
Michael Bauer hopped into the lead from the pole for the 410 Sprint Car feature offered by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and McCrudden Heating & Supply. The divisional rookie led the field to the first caution, which came on the fourth lap for Dennis Wagner. The restart gave Andy McKisson and A.J. Flick the opportunity to surpass Bauer. After a brief tussle, Flick rode the cushion to the lead.
Flick and McKisson began to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. While doing so, McKisson began to apply the pressure to Flick, who is also in his first season of 410 Sprint Car racing. Flick held his own, but when his car popped a wheelie coming off the second corner, McKisson powered ahead on the inside groove.
McKisson held control through two more cautions. During this interval, Carl Bowser snuck by Flick, but that was merely a temporary setback. On the restart, with 18 laps in the books, Flick went to the top side of the raceway and passed him for second. Flick began to close in on the leader, but a caution for debris on lap 21 seemingly ended his bid for a career first victory. McKisson opened a three car length advantage on the restart, but Flick fought back. While Flick did close the gap on the veteran, McKisson had enough smoke to hold him at bay for the win.
Carl Bowser held off Eric Williams for the third spot. Williams benefited from a rare mistake by Rod George, who spun while running in the top five. George regrouped, and kept the car moving, but lost valuable track position. That misfortune hampered him in his battle with Williams for the track title, as Williams will lead him by 24 points heading into the double-point event held on September 6. Brandon Matus was fifth, and Bauer sixth, followed by George, Brent Matus, Adam Kekich, and Arnie Kent.
The heat winners were George, McKisson, and Dan Kuriger. Thee was no B Main.
Tommy Kristyak and Kyle Fink paced the field to the start of the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modified feature event. Kristyak got the advantage entering the first turn, but fink slipped under him in turn two to grab the lead. While they fought for position, Jimmy Holden held down third, waiting for his opportunity to pounce. It came on just the third lap, wen he powered off turn two to take the lead away from Fink. Kristyak continued on fourth, but he tangled with a lapped car in turn one with five laps completed. Kristyak slowed immediately and retire from the fray.
The lone caution of the race came on lap eight, when rookie Kyle Martell spun coming off turn four. While Holden continued to lead Fink on the restart, Frank Guidace moved to the third position. Rookie Brian Schaffer moved into fourth when the green was displayed. That bumped Brian FInk back to fifth in the car normally driven by Shayne Izzo. Shawn Fleeger led Matt Reeher, Tom Holden in his son Kyle’s machine, Rich Whitney, and Jeff Schaffer, Jr.
The remaining laps wound off without any further interruptions. Holden crossed first, with Kyle Fink, Frank Guidace, and Brian Schaffer next. Brian Fink placed fifth, despite having heavy contact with Schaffer at the finish line. Fleeger, Reeher, Tom Holden, Whitney, and Martell completed the top ten.
The division ran an experimental format for this event, as all cars took time during their hot lap sessions, The evening’s fastest qualifier was Holden. The heat winners were Dan FInk and Brian Schaffer. Kristyak was the dash winner for the six fastest qualifiers. There was no B Main.
In the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars, Rusty Moore cruised to yet another victory in his quest for a fourth straight point championship at Mercer Raceway Park.
Ryan Moyer took the early lead in the feature for the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars, but there was a wild three car battle for the second position. Trusty Rusty Moore prevailed, and took off after the leader. Moore got his chance on the first restart, when he powered ahead of Moyer. Curtis J. Bish soon followed suit. They were the first two racers to cross the finish line. Moyer held the third position to the checkers. Bobby Heim and Bob McCann completed the top five.
Pat Fielding, William Hurrelbrink, Bob Schwartzmiller, John Stajnrajh, and Josh Seippel were sixth through tenth.
The preliminaries went to Curtis J. Bish and Fielding. There was no B Main.
The Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors went to the post with C.J. Jones on the pole. He grabbed a lead that he would never relinquish. Mike Marano, II ran in the second position through most of the event. However, Cody Bova charged up from the 16th starting position to take it away from him. Joe McEwen logged another top five finish with his experimental GM 602 Crate Engine. Teenage Clay Roney placed fifth.
Evan Kornbau, Eric L. Williams, Devin Litwiler, Andy Feil, and Dan Demyan completed the top ten.
There was a three-car tangle midway through the race, involving Ken Rossey, Andy Feil, and Jimmy Morris, all of whom were fighting for positions in the top ten. Morris was the most disappointed of them, as he was eliminated from the race.
The heat winners were Jones and Demyan. There was no B Main.
Jones expressed his gratitude to several sponsors and supporter, including Joe Demyan of Knuckle Busters; Mark from Economy Trailers, and Bryan Sheidemantle, of Sheidemantle Motors. He also thanked Adrienne and Gary Edwards, and, of course, the Sodeman family.
George Englert did yet another roof flap dance as he sped to the win in the Rock Concrete Modified Lites. Jason Darocha fought off Chris Logan for the second spot. Levi Spinwebber crossed ahead of early leader Aaron Meister. Mark Marcucci, Sr., Doug Jones, Shane Webb, Preston Roach, and Josh Deems were the next drivers to finish the event.
The heat winners were Spinwebber and Darocha. There was no B Main.
Steve Longwell, Jr. passed his father on his way to victory in the Mini Stocks running for
Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles. Trooper Tim Callahan was second. with Caleb Hickok in third. Point leader Mike McConnell was fourth, and the senior Longwell was fifth. Todd Gabriel led Shane Shook, Russ Grossman, Rudy Troples, and Patricia Riffe to the checkers.
The heat wins went to Longwell, Jr., and Callahan. There was no B Main.
The bicycle races were presented by Approved Toilet Rentals and Ray’s Racing Collectibles. Tops in the 4 to 6 age bracket was Ricky Tucker. Dalton Gabriel was first in the 7 and 8 year old class, and the senior division, for children 9 through 14, was Jeremy Kornbau. Afterwards, all children participating received milk and received congratulations from the Pennsylvania Dairy Queen. Dalton Gabriel and Alvia Bish won the respective drawings for bicycles presented by the sponsors.
Next week, Mercer Raceway Park will host a two-day program for the All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars. The first evening will conclude with a party hosted by the loyal, local
410 Sprint Car drivers. There will be a live band and other festivities. On Sunday morning, breakfast will be sold at the Main Concession stand before the church service. After the service, there will be a pig roast and other fun filled activities, including a dunk tank. Proceeds for the pig roast and dunk tank will go toward the Western Pennsylvania Injured Drivers Relief Fund.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling/McCrudden Heating & Supply 410 Sprint Cars: Andy McKisson, A.J. Flick, Carl Bowser, Eric Williams, Brandon Matus, Michael Bauer, Rod George, Brent Matus, Adam Kekich, Arnie Kent, Dan Kuriger, Scott Priester, Bill Jones, Jr., Brandon Cornelius, Francis Sesco, Dennis Wagner, Gale Ruth, Jr., Charlie Cornelius, Gale Ruth, Sr., Chris Pochiro, George Hobaugh (DNS).
Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds: Jimmy Holden, Kyle FInk, Frank Guidace, Brian Schaffer, Brian Fink, Shawn Fleeger, Matt Reeher, Tom Holden, Rich Whitney, Kyle Martell, Jeff Schaffer, Jr., Makayla Guidace, William Schaffer, Don Blaney, Kole Holden, Carl Weatherby, Tommy Kristyak, Lonny Riggs (DNS), Randy Kriegisch (DNS), Clyde Gumpp (DNS).
Precise Racing Products Stock Cars: Rusty Moore, Curtis J. Bish, Ryan Moyer, Bobby Heim, Bob McCann, Pat Fielding, William Hurrelbrink, Bob Schwartzmiller, John Stajnrajh, Josh Seippel, Gary Miller, Jr., Garrett Calvert, Curtis Bish.
Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors: C.J. Jones, Cody Bova, Mike Marano, II, Joe McEwen, Clay Riney, Evan Kornbau, Eric L. Williams, Devin Litwiler, Andy Feil, Dan Demyan, Alex Paden, Darren Pifer, Ken Rossey, Harold Braden, Jim Morris, Chad Matthews, Michael Bauer (DNS).
Rock Concrete Modified Lites: George Englert, Jason Darocha, Chris Logan, Levi Spinwebber, Aaron Meister, Mark Marcucci, Sr., Doug Jones, Shane Webb, Preston Roach, Josh Deems, Jacob Bova, Mike Flockerzi.
Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking/Ray’s Racing Collectibles Mini Stocks: Steve Longwell, Jr., Tim Callahan, Caleb Hickok, Mike McConnell, Steve Longwell, Sr., Todd Gabriel, Shane Shook, Russ Grossman, Rudy Troples, Patricia Riffe, Tyler Fulton, Jamie Tasker, Chad Fry, Ed Haylett, Roger Wigton, Pete Blazak (DQ).