HISTORY TO BE MADE JUNE 6 AS USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CARS SERIES MAKES THEIR INAUGURAL APPEARANCE AT MERCER RACEWAY PARK
By Mike Leone
December 17, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Mercer, PA)…Sprint Cars have had a long and rich history at Mercer Raceway Park. The class has evolved from the coupes in the early 1960s, to the super modifieds in the mid 60s, and then into the traditional sprint cars in the ensuing years.
Throughout the speedway’s 58 years, many special Sprint Car events and various sanctions have made their way to Mercer Raceway Park such as the World of Outlaws, All Stars, URC, ESS, etc.; however, one of the most revered and oldest, the United States Auto Club (USAC), never found its way to Mercer. That will change and history will be made on Saturday, June 6 when the USAC National Sprint Car Series will have the grand finale of the Pennsylvania swing with one of the richest and most prestigious events ever contested at Mercer.
Although USAC has only made two appearances over the years in western Pennsylvania, they have never done so on a track smaller than a ½-mile. Mercer’s 3/8-mile bullring will provide an exciting venue for fans to experience traditional, non-winged Sprint Cars as USAC brings their Indiana-brand of wheel-to-wheel racing to The Park.
The event will be known as “The Wheelman” as it will bring back memories of years gone by when these special breed of men began racing these open cockpit, non-winged beasts. Many special activities will take place including a USAC driver autograph session on the frontstretch just before they strap in to do battle in this historic feature event. This will be the first time ever that all fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal to the drivers and their cars during a major-sanctioned event.
“I think this is a fitting way to mark the anniversary of my 10th year of ownership at Mercer,” stated owner Vicki Emig. “It is a wonderful and memorable way to thank the fans who have supported me throughout my tenure. I believe this event has the potential to be one of the greatest races ever run at Mercer. Just imagine Mercer’s tricky configuration joined with USAC’s reputation for hardcore, on the edge racing and it’s just got to be great!”
Over the past two seasons, nearly 30 of USAC’s best have traveled east to compete in the Pennsylvania swing at Williams Grove, Grandview, Big Diamond, and Hagerstown Speedways. With five events planned in 2009 and more money on the line, a large group of USAC racers will again be expected to travel east. Mercer will be new territory to the vast majority of the USAC racers as they take on the locals that excel in non-winged action.
The USAC Sprint Car Champions list is a who’s who of sprint car racing with some of the best racers that have ever strapped in a race car. Drivers like Tony Stewart, A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Pancho Carter, Johnny Rutherford, Gary Bettenhausen, Ken Schrader, Sheldon Kinser, Tom Bigelow, J.J. Yeley, Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Steve Butler, and Rich Vogler are just a sampling of some of the great USAC Sprint Car Champions.
This will be the first opportunity for many area fans to see Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne’s USAC Sprint Cars in competition. Stewart’s 2008 drivers were Levi Jones (2005 & 2007 champion) and Tracy Hines (2002 champion), who finished second and third in points to Jerry Coons, Jr. Both drivers will be back in 2009 with Stewart. Brad Sweet and Brady Bacon were Kahne’s racers in 2008.
Traditional non-winged Sprint Car racing was the norm at Mercer before wings took over in 1980. Since that time, only 11 non-winged races have been run and none as big as the one that will take place on Saturday, June 6 with a possible rain date of Sunday, June 7.
Advanced tickets are on sale for just $18, which is a $2 savings off the $20 day of event ticket price; however, advanced ticket holders will be permitted into the grandstands at 3:30 p.m. for preferred seating (one hour before general admission tickets go on sale) and will also have pit access free of charge until 5:30 p.m. Advanced tickets will be on sale through May 31 and can be obtained by calling the office at 724-964-9300 or sending a check or money order to Mercer Raceway Park, 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143.
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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
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