MERCER HOPES FOR BETTER WEATHER FOR SECOND HALF OF SEASON; RECAP OF
SCHEDULE CHANGES NOTED
By Mike Leone
June 29, 2008
Mercer, PA.After the worst weather start ever to a season of a racing,
Mercer Raceway Park hopes the second half of the season will bring
sunshine and dry weather. After 15 scheduled events, only one, the world
championship truck and tractor pull on May 24 was a sunny day without a
chance of rain. Seven of the 14 race events have been rained out and all
the seven completed after either been threatening, cloudy and cold, or
have been delayed by rain.
"This is my 10th year and I've never experienced anything like this,"
acknowledged owner Vicki Emig. "It's been a very challenging year on
everyone from management, to the track crew, to the fans and drivers each
and every week. I want to thank everyone for their support thus far and
their patience and understanding dealing with the weather week in and week
out. After getting people at the track three times and having to send them
home, we made the decision yesterday with the forecast to cancel early.
Last Saturday was stressful with the severe storms and having to evacuate
everyone with the tornado sirens blaring. It turned out that severe storms
hit again Saturday shortly before race time. It's really a no-win
situation for anyone on these nights."
Following Wednesday's open practice from 5 p.m. until dark, Friday night,
July 4 is the inaugural "Small Car National Open" presented by Truk Rodz
by Jones Performance. Along with the "KABOOM 150" Enduro paying $1,000
to-win a full night of racing will be on tap for the STAR's Championship
Tour Mod Lites, INEX Legend Cars in a National Touring Event, Micro
Sprints, and Mini Stocks. Racing begins early at 6 p.m. Adult admission is
only $7, families $18, and students 6-15 just $3. Rain date is Saturday &
Sunday, July 5-6.
With all the rain outs, many of the promotions have had to be rescheduled.
The rained out Free Venango County Night presented by Allegheny
Toyota/Scion will take place on July 12. The "Racing for a Cure" American
Cancer Society Benefit will be held on August 2 as already $7,500 has been
raised with the pot to grow through the event date. On August 9, the Free
New Castle Night presented by Augustine's Italian Village and Froggy 95
will take place. Saturday's rained out fireworks spectacular presented by
Walt's of Mercer Plaza will be held on August 16, while Free Butler County
Night presented by McClymonds Supply & Transit and Armstrong Cable will
take place on August 23.
Two upcoming special race events to pencil on your calendars are July 26
and August 16. The inaugural "Open Wheel Shootout" in conjunction with the
annual "Bill Emig Memorial" presented by FireDEX of Butler will take place
on Saturday, July 26. The Tire Express Modifieds will be racing in one of
their richest events of the season and for the first time ever three
different classes of Sprint Cars will be competing. The Luxaire Heating &
Cooling 410 Sprint Cars will race for $1,500 to win as no other regional
Sprint Car races will be held this night. The PA 305 Sprint Series will
make their maiden voyage to western Pennsylvania and the Limited Sprint
Cars will make their first ever appearance at Mercer. The Big Daddy's
Speed Center Mod Lites and M&D Paving Mini Stocks will also be racing for
extra money.
On August 16, "The Return" will see the Big-Block Modifieds back for the
first time in two and half years in a BRP Tour-sanctioned event. The
McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models will also compete in a special event.
If sponsorship is obtained, the event originally scheduled for $800 to-win
would become a Northeast Touring Series show. Fireworks and autograph
night for the Big-Block Modifieds will also be held along with increased
monies for the Mod Lites and Mini Stocks.
Last month the announcement was made that Mercer Raceway Park has changed
from the handicap line-up system used since 1999 to the top 12 redraw
format- the new format went into effect on June 14. The Sprint Car purse
was adjusted with a purse increase as positions 7-24 were increased with
$175 now to start. Last week, the track crew laid down 600 tons of new
clay.
"We're looking at July as the start of a new season with a fresh slate,"
explained Emig. "We based our schedule this year on affordability with the
state of the economy and gas prices without ever imaging the horrendous
weather we'd face night in and night out. It's been a challenging season
and we've had to adjust and move on. We'll start with our practice on
Wednesday, which is supposed to have nice weather and look forward to a
fun event on Friday night. We invite everyone out for just $7 or bring the
families for $18 and spend the holiday at The Park for a night of fun.
Then we'll get back into our weekly action on the 12th."
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 late mornings
and after 1:30 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 or e-mail
to
webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com.
Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypa
rk.com
for the latest.