Mercer, PA (June 18, 2014): Mercer Raceway Park will present the Mid-Season Championships this Saturday, June 21, with gates opening at 4 p.m., and racing commencing at 7 p.m. It will also be the first of two Meet Your Heroes Nights, presented by Herr’s. That promotion gives fans of all ages the opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite drivers before they strap in to vie for double points in all six of the track’s racing classes.
In the Mid-Season Championships, the highest ranking drivers in the seasonal points standings will get preferred starting spots for their feature events. To be eligible to claim their advantageous positions, the high point drivers must be among the top 12 qualifiers in their respective divisions.
Eric Williams, of Greenville, knows that drill. He is gunning for his third straight Mid-Season Championship in the 410 Sprint Cars, offered by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and McCrudden Heating & Supply. Another victory would help Turkey regain his points title. He currently sits in third, but he is within striking distance of the leaders. Third generation driver Brandon Matus, of Wampum, is the points leader, by just four counters, over defending champion Jack Sodeman, Jr. Sodeman hails from North Jackson, OH.
Rod George, another former Sprint Car champion, ranks fourth, but he flipped dramatically on the back stretch the last time that he raced at the Park. He will try to keep the rubber side down, so that he can narrow the gap in the point standings.
Adam Kekich, a recent winner, and Dennis Wagner, the only racer using a 360 powerplant in his car, are other top Sprint Car pilots who can be counted on this Saturday. Joining them near the front of the pack could be Scott Priester, Brent Matus, Dan Kuriger, John McCracken, Carl Bowser, and divisional rookie A.J. Flick. Flick just registered his career-best run by placing sixth in the Auto Racers for Kids charity race won by Ed Lynch, Jr.
In the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds, Kyle Fink will try to pad his points lead with another Mid-Season Championship. The multi-time winner from Strattanville will be challenged by Jimmy Holden, a former point king. Eric Gabany has been red hot of late, and he would like another victory as he is gearing up for the onslaught of the BRP Hoosier Tire Big Block Modifieds next month. Shawn Fleeger continues his impressive season, and a win this Saturday would be monumental. You see, he has never won a Modified feature! Could this be the week that he breaks the ice?
Veteran driver, and former champ, Frankie Guidace, will have his say so in the ultimate outcome, as will J.R. McGinley, Lonny Riggs, Rich Whitney, Makayla Guidace, and rookie contender Kyle Martell. Two other rookies, Brian Schaffer, and his cousin, Jeff Schaffer, Jr., will also be in the mix. Shayne Izzo is tied for twelfth in points, so he will need one of those other racers to encounter some misfortune in the qualification events in order to get a preferred starting spot.
Andy Feil now leads the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors standings. He has a nine point margin over Jimmy Morris, who is also seeking his first crown. Divisional rookie George Hobaugh, Jr. is third, but, with a little luck, he could supplant those two at the top of the list. Michael Bauer, the perennial favorite in the class, has slipped to fourth in the points due to missing an event. Bauer destroyed his dominant car a few weeks back, and he hopes to make his return to the speedway this week. C.J. Jones will wheel “Diablo” once again in his quest for victory. He earned a cool grand last week in the Auto Racers for Kids benefit program.
Cody Bova, Mike Marano, II, Eric L. Williams, Evan Kornbau, Mike Miller, Devin Litwiler, and Chad Matthews could also get preferred starting spots with good performances in their heat races this Saturday.
Trusty Rusty Moore once again tops the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars. He is a three-time and defending champion in the class. He also has taken the last three Mid-Season Championships. Moore has gotten stiff competition this season, though. Pat Fielding, Leigh Wheeler, Curtis J. Bish and William Hurrelbrink have all been racy. Ryan Moyer, Bob Schwartzmiller, Curtis L. Bish, Tim Burns, Tim Bish, Gary Miller, Jr., and Bobby Heim will also try to lock in one of those preferred starting spots.
The Mid-Season Championship run may well break the tie at the head of the Rock Concrete Modified Lite rankings. George Englert is dead even with defending title holder Shane Pfeuffer. Pfeuffer won this event last season on his way to the championship. Former high point man Darin Gallagher is third, but he could vault by them both with a good contest. Chris Frank, Jacob Bova, Chad Shearer, Mark Marcucci, Don Cain, Mike Flockerzi, Chris Logan, and Shane and Cory Webb will try to build upon their prior successes.
Mike McConnell has a 51 point advantage in the Mini Stocks, presented by Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles. Trooper Tim Callahan could cut into that margin with a competitive outing. Tyler Fulton, the leading winner in the class this season, is another driver who will try to close the gap on McConnell. Pete Williams, Shane Shook, Roger Wigton, Patricia Riffe, Caleb Hickok, Steve Longwell, Sr., Matt Cwyanr, Ed Haylett, and his pal, Rudy Troples will also be in the thick of the action.
Regular event ticket pricing will apply for the Mid-Season Championships. That means that adults will be admitted for $13, seniors (60+) for $11, and students (9-15) for $5. Children (8 and under) will be admitted free of charge, as is customary. The economical Family Pass will be $28, and that is good for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $25.
If you cannot make it to the track this weekend, Saturday Night Live! racing will continue on June 28. The Vintage Dirt Cars will also be in action that night.
Fans can enhance their racing enjoyment at the Park by following their favorite social media outlets. They can also get live updates from the track’s electronic scoring system sent directly to their smart phones.
Remember that you can get alerts regarding any postponement of racing action at Mercer Raceway Park through Rainedout.com. You can sign up for this free service by clicking on the icon at the track’s website and following the simple 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.