Crashing Through the Snow Jan 3 at Mercer; Banquet Jan 17‏

“CRASHING THROUGH THE SNOW” DRAWING NEAR WITH “JACK FROST 150” ENDURO & “SNOWBALL” DEMO JANUARY 3 AT MERCER; BANQUET TO BE HELD JANUARY 17

By Mike Leone



December 6, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


(Mercer, PA)…“Crashing Through the Snow” at Mercer Raceway Park is drawing near! The second annual edition will take place on Saturday, January 3 at 1 p.m. and is being presented by longtime marketing partner Hovis Auto & Truck Supply with his 12 stores throughout western Pennsylvania.



“The Jack Frost 150” Enduro returns with 150 laps of pure excitement around the 3/8-mile track. Last year’s inaugural event was run in all day rain on a frozen track that saw a muddy Leigh Wheeler emerge victorious with over 120 cars entered. The Enduro will pay the top five finishers with a big $1,000 going to the winner.



There is still plenty of time to enter and take advantage of the $50 early registration fee, which includes driver’s pit pass and scorer’s admission into the grandstand. From December 23 on, the entry increases to $100. The Enduro will be cut off at 150 entries. Those that have entered will be receiving their car number and grandstand token in the coming weeks. For rules and entry form, check out the website at www.mercerracewaypark.com.



Following the Enduro will be a smash ‘em, crash ‘em “Snowball” Demo Derby. While last year’s Derby was restricted to 1980 and newer cars, this year’s rules have reverted back to prior year Demo Derbies. The top three spots will pay with $500 going to the winner and if there are 50 or more cars, positions four through six will pay. There is no entry fee for the Demo Derby, only a $20 pit pass. For rules, check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com.



While all the heated VIP Suites sold out immediately, there are still many reserved viewing spots available around turns one and two; however, these all sold out last year before the day of the event. Send a check or money or for $20 to Mercer Raceway Park at 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143 and we will send you back your parking pass.



“We’re looking forward to this year’s event,” expressed 10th year owner Vicki Emig. “We would have never imagined the success of last year’s show especially with the rain and temps in the mid 30s. It was so much fun for both the competitors and the fans! Where can you take your entire family for just $15 for a day of fun outdoors in the middle of the winter? Adults are just $6 and the concession stand will be open as well. I have to thank Hovis Auto & Truck Supply for coming on board and presenting this year’s event.”



Two weeks later, the Normandy Banquet Center will be the site of Mercer Raceway Park's annual awards banquet and dinner for the sixth straight year. The facility will host the affair on Saturday, January 17. The Normandy Banquet Center, which is also the Hickory VFW Post 6166, is located on Route 62 just two miles east of Route 18 in Hermitage, Pa.

"We're thrilled to be going back to the Normandy Banquet Center for our banquet again," stated Emig. "They've done a great job hosting the affair the last five years and have we've heard nothing but praise. The facility is top notch and the food is excellent. The location is perfect and it's a short drive for the majority of our attendees."

Rod George (Kittanning, PA) will celebrate his second straight and third Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car Championship in the past four seasons. Frank Guidace (Mercer, PA) won his second Tire Express Modified Championship in the past three seasons and also became the inaugural McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Model Champion in his first year in a Late Model. Fifteen-year-old Bud Watson (Conneaut, OH) won his first championship of any kind as well as first career win in 2008 in the Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites. Dillon Kineston (New Castle, PA) became the youngest champion in the 57-year of Mercer collecting the M&D Paving Mini Stock Championship.



The top 10 in points of each division will receive their point fund monies and hardware. Numerous special awards will also be given out. Doors open at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will follow dinner. The event is open to the public. Ticket information has been mailed out to the drivers. Tickets are $33.50 per person. If you would like to attend and did not receive the information, please contact our office at 724-964-9300 or e-mail us at webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com.





Final 2008 Points:



Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars: 1. ROD GEORGE (4) 438 2. Arnie Kent (18) 411 3. Gale Ruth, Jr. (5x) 346 4. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 316 5. Brent Matus (33) 313 6. Joe Butera (Matus 3J) 282 7. Jeremy Cook (5) 266 8. Mike Lutz (Chappel 8 & Preston 1P) 256 9. Scott Bonnell (3B) 243 10. Paul Kapuchuck (10) 222.



Tire Express (358) Modifieds: 1. FRANK GUIDACE (1G) 399 2. Gary Smoker (516) 392 3. Garrett Krummert (29) 388 4. Lonny Riggs (Black 58) 364 5. Eric Gabany (3E) 331 6. Rick Hall (B2) 320 7. Jimmy Holden (28H) 292 8. Kevin Green (74) 278 9. Matt Reeher (711) 274 10. Dillon McElrath (7) 266.



McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models: 1. FRANK GUIDACE (1G) 456 2. Rusty Moore (17M) 433 3. Brian Booher (00H) 427 4. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 414 5. Bobby Powel (Bidwell B1D) 369 6. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 299 7. Max Blair (111) 201 8. Steve D’Apolito (84) 190 9. Gary Miller, Jr. (1M) 189 10. Dave Airgood, Jr. (42JR) 168.



Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites: 1. BUD WATSON (15) 491 2. Rod Jones (820) 3. Kenny Meadows (Teague 10T) 444 4. Alan Knepper (1) 433 5. Todd Canter (Teague 9T) 414 6. Terry Young (98) 389 7. Kotie Kirkbride (97N) 381 8. George Englert (11x) 369 9. Mark Marcucci (8M) 359 10. Bill Stivason (116) 356.



M&D Paving Mini Stocks: 1. DILLON KINESTON (19) 479 2. Dan McEwen (44) 477 3. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33) 399 4. Bill Fuchs (10) 388 5. Tyler Powell (36) 383 6. Pete Blazczak (77) 375 7. Ed Haylett (8-ball) 374 8. Scott Gilliland (27) 354 9. Steve Laslo (55) 346 10. John Shannon (14) 320.





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