Mercer, PA (July 15, 2014): After a weekend dedicated to the Modified division, Saturday Night Live! racing action will resume at Mercer Raceway Park on July 19. That will be Racing for the Cure Night benefiting the American Cancer Society. All cancer survivors will be admitted free of change starting when the gates open at 4 p.m.
Lonny Riggs did all of the Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modified racers proud by defeating the BRP Modified Tour in round one of Smackdown! It was the first time in the history of the traveling series that a Mercer-legal car defended the home turf. He will get a chance to do it again when the Big Blocks return on July 27 to make up for the rained out show from last Sunday. Between now and then, though, Riggs will do battle with his peers. Heading that list will be points leader Kyle Fink, of Strattanville, who is gunning for his first track championship. His recent victory moved him ahead of Jimmy Holden by a mere seven markers. Eric Gabany, J.R.McGinley, Frank and Makayla Guidace, and more than a dozen other contestants are expected to be at the track this week.
The 410 Sprint Cars will be back in action, of course, competing for points towards the championship presented by Luxaire Hating & Cooling and McCrudden Heating & Supply. The last time that the winged machines were on hand, Eric “Turkey” Williams of Greenville received a wedding present of sorts when he scored his first victory of the season. Another triumph could narrow the advantage currently held by points leader and defending champion, Jack Sodeman, Jr., of North Jackson, OH. They battled all the way to the final race of 2013 season in the championship contest. Riding third and still within striking distance is Rod George, from Kittanning. He has a recent score at the Park and, since then, he also prevailed at another area track, making him one of the region’s hottest drivers.
Adam Kekich, Brandon Matus, and Scott Priester have a good three-way tussle going on for the other positions in the top five in the Sprint Car rankings. A bit further back, Dan Kuriger and divisional rookie A.J. Flick are wrestling for the seventh spot. Veterans Brent Matus and John McCracken round out the top ten. It is noteworthy that McCracken used an old, borrowed car the last time out to climb back into contention. Lurking just outside the top ten are Dennis Wagner, Bill Jones, Jr., and Francis Sesco.
Jimmy Morris, of Fowler, OH, will look to build upon his points lead in the Bonnell’s Rod Shop Outlaw Sprint Warriors. He raced to victory last week after burning the midnight oil getting ready to come to the track. Morris mentioned in this post-race interview that Dennis Wagner helped him to get the machine ready, but it was rival Joe McEwen who opened up his garage in the wee hours to permit Mrs. Morris to pick up some much needed parts. While Morrris and Wagner were turning the wrenches, their young children were nearby playing cards and racing their toy Sprints on the shop floor.
Andy Feil remains close enough that he could overtake Morris for the title. George Hobaugh, Jr. is still searching for his first win at the Park, even though he has won elsewhere in the region. Cody Bova is nipping at his heels, though. C.J. Jones has been fast all season long, but he sometimes finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, knocking him out of commission. A number of younger drivers make this one of the most exciting divisions at the track.
Unfortunately, one such racer who may miss the week will be Kotie Kirkbride. She had a spectacular crash last week in turn four when her steering failed. She was not hurt, but her car was badly damaged. It will take plenty of hard work and extra resources to get her back on the track.
Trusty Rusty Moore just keeps on trucking in the Precise Racing Products Stock Cars. Even though he started dead last, he drove to the win last week. Can he do it again? Moore will continue to line up at the rear of the field until some other driver knocks him off. That may be easier said than done. Earlier in the season, Pat Fielding, Leigh Wheeler, and Curtis J. Bish were able to defeat Moore, so they would be the likely candidates to upset the three-time and defending champion.
Will Big George Englert do another flap dance? Each time he takes the checkered flag first in the Rock Concrete Modified Lites, he loosens the roof flap and pushes it skyward in a salute to the fans. He has done it often enough that he now has almost a 150 point lead over his closest rival, young Jacob Bova. Chris Logan, Mike Flockerzi, and Josh Deems will try to keep the lid locked on Englert’s car. They may get some help from drivers like Shane Pfeuffer, Mark Marcucci, and many more.
Mike McConnell leads the Mini Stock rankings, but he will face stiff competition from the likes of Trooper Tim Callahan, Caleb Hickok, Tyler Fulton, and many others. They are racing for the crown offered by Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles.
Practice begins at 6:30 p.m., and racing starts at 7, as usual.
Regular event ticket pricing will prevail. That means that adults will pass through the gates for $13, seniors (60+) for $11, and students (9-15) for $5. Children (8 and under) will be admitted free of charge. The Family Pass will be available for $28, and that will benefit two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $25.
If you cannot make it to the Park this week, there will be another Saturday Night Live! program on July 26. That will be followed by the make-up date for the BRP Modified Tour on July 27.
You can follow the action on the track with your favorite social media. You can also get live feeds from the track’s electronic timing and scoring system sent directly to your smart phone or other electronic device.
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.