SPRINTS TO RACE WINGLESS SATURDAY AT MERCER

SPRINTS TO RACE WINGLESS SATURDAY AT MERCER; $10 FAMILY NIGHT WITH KIDS BIKE RACES & VINTAGE RACE CAR EXHIBITION
By Mike Leone

August 7, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Mercer, PA)…Mercer Raceway Park will look to complete the 11th straight program of the season this Saturday night, August 11. While the weekly five divisions, the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Tire Express Stock Cars, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks will all be action, one twist to the night will be that the Sprint Cars will race wingless for the second time this season! It’s $10 Family Night presented by Armstrong with kids bike races plus the Vintage American Race Cars will be on display and compete in exhibition races.
Sprint Car racing has long been associated with Mercer Raceway Park and other than a few All Star races in the 70s, traditional wingless Sprint Car acing was the norm until the 80s. On Saturday night, the wings will be coming off for the final time this season highlighted by a $1,500 to-win feature.
“We always enjoy having wingless events at Mercer Raceway Park,” explained ninth year owner Vicki Emig. “The fans seem to enjoy it plus it always tightens the competition by adding a new twist. We get some locals that don’t normally compete with us plus we’ve gotten some calls from a few Ohio wingless racers that have expressed interest in coming. The best thing is that there will be no increase in admission and all families can enjoy the night for just $10!”
Since 1989, ten wingless events have been run. Four-time track champion, Jamie Smith leads the way with three wins totaling $7,300. Other winners include 2002 and 2003 champion Troy Preston, who won the 1989 event, wingless standout racers Todd Kane (1997), Rob Chaney (2000), and USAC star Mat Neely (2006), and track regulars Rob Eyler (2004) and Doug Stanley (2005), and Arnie Kent (2007).
The final $10 Family Night presented by Armstrong will admit mom, dad, and as many accompanying kids 15 and under for the big night.
The kids bike races will be held during intermission. They are open for kids 12 and under and helmets are required. All kids must have their parent or legal guardian sign them up to participate, which will take place behind the grandstands in the midway area from approximately 5 until 8 p.m. Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Dean Dairy, and Eat ‘n Park in Grove City will provide the prizes.
“We always like combining the $10 Family Nights and kids bike races together,” explained owner Vicki Emig. “We always get a great turn out on these nights and it gives kids with families an added incentive to come along with our great racing action.”
The Vintage American Race Cars (VARC) will make their annual stop. They will display their cars of yesteryears behind the grandstands for fan’s viewing pleasure and then will compete in an exhibition heat and feature later in the night.
Fresh off a dominating win last Saturday night, Arnie Kent will look to make it two-in-a-row and make a clean sweep of the wingless events this season. The New Castle, Pa. driver kept himself mathematically alive in the title chase as he trails seven-time winner Rod George by 70 points despite missing one night.
Gary Smoker matched Rodney Beltz with his third win of the season in the Modifieds and more importantly recorded his milestone 40th career Mercer win. Meanwhile, atop the standings is young Garrett Krummert. The New Castle, Pa. racer leads Steve Young by 31 points as he is not only in search of his first ever title, but first career win as well.
Like Smoker, Brian Booher also recorded a milestone victory with his 30th of his career at Mercer matching Alan Dellinger atop the all-time Stock Car win list. The Sandy Lake, Pa. driver leads everyone at the track with 10 wins and holds a 61-point lead over Andy Buckley in search of his unprecedented third straight championship.
All of the top five in the Mod Lite points struggled in both features last week as no one took advantage to gain valuable points. Rod Jones was able to retake the point lead by just two over fellow West Middlesex, Pa. driver Mark Marcucci despite outnumbering him in victories six to two. Sparky White and Eric Hay became the latest two new winners in the division as the streak now goes to five straight races with new winners. A season-high 34 cars were on hand last Saturday night.
Mike Anderson (Jr.) closed within 10 points of Lucas Sprouse in the Mini Stock standings with his second win last Saturday night. Sprouse of Elkton, Ohio still leads the division with seven victories. Last week a season-high 17 cars turned out as 25 different cars have now competed this year.
Regular admission prices are in effect Saturday with adults just $11, students 6-15 $5, children five and under free, family passes $10, and pit passes $25. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with grandstands at 4:30, hot laps at 6:15, and racing at 7.

Mercer Raceway Park is 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 late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round after 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.