Mercer Raceway Park

Mercer, PA (April 9, 2013): After a successful Chiller Thriller, Mercer Raceway Park will host its first Saturday Night Live! event of the 2013 racing season on April 13. And, to add to the excitement, the points chase will begin immediately for all six of the classes. All but one of the reigning champions are expected to be on hand to begin their title defenses.

Eric Williams, of Greenville, will look to build upon a remarkable 2012 racing season. In addition to snaring his first championship at Mercer Raceway Park, “Turkey” was a top five finisher at Lernerville Speedway last year. He will go to the post in his familiar number 7 Sprint Car. He will get plenty of competition from Scott Priester, pilot of the Martha Dionise number 15. Although he did not pick up a feature win, Priester was one of the most consistent runners at the speedway. The father and son duo of Brent and Brandon Matus, and many more, will be on hand. The 410 Sprint Car division will be presented by Luxaire Heating & Cooling and New Wilmington Motors in 2013.

The Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modified class will be up for grabs in 2013, as Greenville’s Rob Curtis is likely to miss the opening event. His car owner, Larry Riffe, reported last week that the team has yet to secure some needed financial support for the campaign. There will be no shortage of talent, though. Former champions Jimmy Holden and Frankie Guidace are ready. Mix in veterans like Lonnie Riggs, Matt Reeher, Ron Eperthener, and Kyle Fink, and young drivers like Max Smoker and Makayla Guidace, and you have the makings of a pretty stout field.
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Mercer, PA (April 6, 2013):  Robbie Blair held on for the win in the Chiller Thriller for the NDRL’s ULMS Late Models in the season’s opening event at Mercer Raceway Park. Veteran David Scott dominated the FASTRAK Northeast Series race, while invader Kevin Morehouse did likewise in the NDRL UEMS Modifieds. Chris Schneider survived the Open Stock feature to earn a cool grand.

“With a couple of laps to go there, I got into extra lapped cars and I didn’t know whether to try to pass them or just follow them around,” Blair said. He watched for an opening, but when he got it, it was big enough to allow the second place runner, Mike Knight, and third place man, Dave Hess, Jr., to follow. That set up an amazing three lap run to the checkers. Knight tried the inside coming off turn two on the final lap, and Hess worked the outside, but Blair had just enough steam to hold them both off.

Robbie Blair and John Garvin paced the the 30 lap feature event. At the drop of the green, Blair surged ahead, with Garvin holding off Mike Knight, Keith Barbara and Dave Hess, Jr.
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Mercer, PA (March 10, 2013):  In a little more than two weeks, Mercer Raceway Park will come back to life as it will play host to the annual Chiller Thriller. That’s right, on Saturday, March 30, two divisions of Late Models will be in action, along with the UEMS E-Modifieds and Open Stocks! This will be the only opportunity that the ULMS Super Late Models will race on the tricky oval, and it will be the first of two appearances for the FASTRAK Late Models.

Then, on April 6, Saturday Night Live! racing action will start. Mercer’s six exciting divisions will take to the speedway. In anticipation of this event, Mercer Raceway Park is pleased to announce the new roster of divisional sponsors.

The headline division, 410 Sprints, will boast two sponsors for 2013. Once again, Luxaire Heating and Cooling will back the fire-breathing Sprint Cars. Joining the party will be New Wilmington Motors.

The Outlaw Sprint Warriors will run under the banner of Bonnell’s Collision Center in 2013.

Approved Toilet Rentals is back again as the sponsor for the 358 Modifieds.

Precise Racing Products likewise returns to support the Stock Cars.

The Modified Lites will have dual sponsorship for the coming season, as both Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Rock Concrete will do the honors once again.

The Mini Stocks will also have dual sponsors in 2013. Eperthener’s Auto Wrecking and Ray’s Racing Collectibles will be their new benefactors.

About Mercer Raceway Park: Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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 from late March through late September. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com, www.twitter.com/mercerraceway, or www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.

Mercer, PA (January 20, 2013): Mercer Raceway Park celebrated the end of its 61st season of racing with the annual banquet and awards ceremony at the Normandy Banquet Center, in nearby Hermitage, PA. Taking the top honors were Eric Williams (Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars), Rob Curtis (Approved Toilet Rentals 358 Modifieds), Joe McEwen (Ti22 Performance Outlaw Sprint Warriors), Rusty Moore (Precise Racing Products Stock Cars), Mark Marcucci (Big Daddy’s Speed Center/Rock Concrete Modified Lites), and Steve Longwell, Jr. (Mini Stocks). A number of special awards were also conferred upon C.J. Jones (Rookie of the Year), J.R. McGinley (Most Improved Driver), and Martha Dionise (Special Recognition for Longevity and Dedication to the Sport). In addition, an exciting slate of racing events were announced for the 2013 season.

Toni Carbone has all of the photos from the banquet online now.

When Eric Williams was recognized by emcee Mike Dutko for his award in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, some good natured turkey calls were heard. Williams, whose nickname is Turkey, parlayed one win into his first career track championship. The young electrician from Greenville announced that he will be back to defend his title.
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