MERCER RELEASES DETAILS ON “CHILLER THRILLER”

MERCER RELEASES DETAILS ON “CHILLER THRILLER” 2008 SEASON OPENER; MARCH 29 RACE TO INCLUDE STEEL-BLOCK LATE MODELS FOR $2,000, OPEN STOCKS FOR $1,000 PLUS MINI STOCKS
By Mike Leone

November 3, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mercer, PA…Following the inaugural “Crashing Through The Snow” on January 5, Mercer Raceway Park will officially open the 57th anniversary season on Saturday, March 29 with the running of the “Chiller Thriller”. The event will have a new twist and change of line-up as the Steel-Block Late Models will highlight the show and will be joined by the Stock Cars and Mini Stocks. A fourth division may be added. The rain date will be the following Saturday, April 5. If the event is completed, April 5 will be the first regular show.
“Due to the change in this event we wanted to get the info out early to the public,” explained owner Vicki Emig. “Many drivers don’t get their cars ready until later on, but with this early announcement and the substantial payoffs for this event we feel this will give drivers the incentive to get ready for March 29.”
Though the “Steel-Blocks” will be the division name, the event will encompass all non-super/open Late Model divisions throughout the region and more importantly will be a great test for the new FASTRAK Late Models, which will appear weekly at Mercer in 2008. The 30-lap feature will pay $2,000 to-win. A complete payoff will be released in the future.
“These Late Models are really catching on at tracks all across the region,” stated Emig. “The competitiveness and quantity of cars has been impressive especially this past season at places like Challenger and Central PA. With falling car counts at our Super Late Model events over the past few seasons, we felt the need to change the format of this event. It’s going to give our FASTRAK racers a chance to test before their season starts officially and the opportunity to compete for a large purse right off the bat.”
Though the Stock Car division will not be on the weekly card at Mercer in 2008, they will again be participating in the “Chiller Thriller” using the open competition “Little Guy Nationals” rules. The 25-lap feature will pay $1,000 to-win. A complete payoff will be released in the future.
“The Little Guy Nationals is one of our favorite events that the Stock Car guys always support and appreciate,” explained Emig. “We decided to bump up this show from $500 to-win to $1,000 to-win giving guys incentive to travel in when there are no other races going on throughout the region. We hate the fact that we had to drop the Stocks from our weekly card, but this is one way to give regional racers the opportunity and incentive to come and race with us.”
The ever-growing Mini Stock division will be the third division part of the season opening “Chiller Thriller”. Their 15-lap feature will pay $150 to-win. Started with just one car on opening night in 2007, the Mini Stocks ended the season strong with 27 cars participating in the final event and more than 40 cars throughout the season.
“We’re thrilled with the growth of the Mini Stocks,” stated Emig. “They are an affordable, fun class that continues to draw interest taking racing back to its earlier roots. With their great support last season, we decided to add them to this show and give them a good paying event to start the season.”
A fourth division is under consideration, specifically the E-Mod class. The E-Mods have been part of past “Chiller Thrillers”. The proposed 20-lap feature would pay $500 to-win if there is enough interest to get a full field of cars. Mercer Raceway Park is asking for input from E-Mod racers if they want to compete in this event to contact our office either via phone at 724-9649-9300 or e-mail us at webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com.
Mercer Raceway Park held its first auto race on July 26, 1951 and 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 September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. 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.