All Stars Embark on 26th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek

The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions is set to kick off the 26th Annual UNOH Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by RacingJunk.com. KS Sales & Service has also rejoined the All Stars in 2008 to help make the week of events another roaring success. The 2007 Speedweek was one of the best yet with Dale Blaney nearly picking up the $50,000 bonus winning 3 of the 7 races. Shane Stewart was the most consistent driver walking away with the 2007 Ohio Speedweek Champion’s trophy.

The 2008 version of Ohio Speedweek has some minor changes in scheduling from 2007. The week kicks off with a warm up night at Waynesfield Motor Sports Park on Saturday June 21st. The All Stars have some special promotions for the fans at Waynesfield as one lucky fan will walk away with an extra $5000 in his pocket. Fans will register for a chance to draw from 24 starting positions and if the car that wins the A-main was drawn, they’ll go home with $5,000.

Waynesfield is just the beginning of a week of action and fun for drivers and fans as the series then moves on to Attica Raceway Park on Sunday, Wayne County Speedway on Monday, Hilltop on Tuesday, Skyline Speedway on Wednesday, Fremont Speedway on Thursday, Limaland Motorsports Park on Friday, and then Eldora Speedway on Saturday for the $10,000 to win finale.

Once again the $50,000 bonus money is in place for any driver that can win 4 of the 7 events and must attend all 7 events to be eligible. In 2006, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won 3 races and in 2007 Dale Blaney won 3 races. The possibility of winning that bonus is real and the past two Speedweeks prove it can be done with a little luck and a lot of hard work.

Keep up with all the news and action at www.ohiospeedweek.com and www.allstarsprint.com or listen live to DC Bash and the BAS Racing Network on www.dirtvision.com

MERCER CHANGES TO PILL DRAW LINE-UP FORMAT; SPRINT PURSE RESTRUCTURED WITH $175 TO START

MERCER CHANGES TO PILL DRAW LINE-UP FORMAT; SPRINT PURSE RESTRUCTURED WITH $175 TO START
By Mike Leone

June 12, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Mercer, PA)…When racing action resumes this Saturday night, June 14 at Mercer Raceway Park drivers in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tire Express Modifieds, McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks will experience a change in format and Sprint Car drivers will see a change in payoff.
Effective this Saturday night, June 14, Mercer Raceway Park will utilize a pill draw format to determine the first 12 starting spots of all of the feature line-ups. The standard initial draw for heat race line ups will remain unchanged. New drivers will not be penalized in any manner. Beginning with the next event, the previous week’s feature winner or the next time the driver returns, will start 12th. This rule will not apply to special events.
“This is one of the hardest decisions that I have had to make since I purchased the speedway almost 10 years ago,” expressed owner Vicki Emig. “We have always believed in the handicap line-up system as it has given many racers the ability to win features that otherwise may not have, and we know there are a lot of racers that believe in the system and will hate to see it go; however, today is a different time. There aren’t as many racers competing in the region and we really can’t afford to deter anyone. This will be a simple system that everyone can understand. Now everyone will be on equal footing when they pull through the gate.”
The second change will take place in the Sprint Car division. The top two spots will now pay $1,100 and $800 rather than $1,300 and $850; however, positions 7th through 24th have been increased with the biggest change being $175 to take the green rather than $125. The entire 24-car field purse has actually been increased.
“We sent letters to all of the Sprint Car drivers and talked to many of them, and have taken into consideration what they have had to say,” explained Emig. “Most are in favor of spreading the money out instead of so much on top. Hopefully this 40% increase will help racers that need the money the most and give these racers some extra incentive to come. We want to be able to preserve the tradition of Sprint Car racing at Mercer Raceway Park into the future. By going to the pill draw and making this purse adjustment, hopefully that’s a step in the right direction.”
Saturday night is Free Crawford County Night presented by the Oncology Wellness Institute of Meadville Medical Center and Armstrong along with $10 Family Night presented by Auto Service Express and Armstrong and $5 Bike Night presented by Renegade Classics Outlet Store. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstand gates open at 4:30. Warm ups begin at 6:15 and racing begins at 7.
Mercer Raceway Park is located just minutes from both Interstates 79 & 80 just off Route 19 at 555 Fairground Road, Mercer, PA. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com or call the office at 724-964-9300. For information on race day, call the track at 724-662-1310