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OPEN WHEEL SHOOTOUT TO INCLUDE 3
DIVISIONS OF SPRINTS & BILL EMIG MEMORIAL SATURDAY AT MERCER By Mike Leone July 22, 2008 Mercer, PA.Mercer Raceway Park will host the inaugural "Open Wheel Shootout" presented by FireDEX of Butler this Saturday, July 26 featuring three divisions of Sprint Cars, the Bill Emig Memorial for the Tire Express Modifieds, the Big Daddy's Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks with racing beginning at 7 p.m. It's Anderson Bros. Tool Corp. Night. The Bill Emig Memorial remembers the late Bill Emig, father of 10th year track owner Vicki Emig. Over the years the events has annually been one of the biggest events of the season for the division at each track it has run at and has featured Six-Cylinder Modifieds, Big-Block Modifieds, and 358 Modifieds. This year, the event will pay $1,500 to-win and again be one of the two major events of the season for the Tire Express Modifieds. Frank Guidace is the defending race winner and also leads the points. Also staring in the event will be three different divisions of Sprint Cars- 410s, 305s, and the Limiteds. If completed, it will be the first time three different divisions of full-size Sprint Cars race on the same night in the region. Leading the way will be the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars in a 25-lap, $1,500 to-win event. A strong field of cars is expected with no other regional tracks racing Sprints. Last week, Rod George pulled out a thrilling second win taking the fourth straight victory away from All Star Brian Ellenberger with the white flag waving over a season-high 22-car field. Arnie Kent of New Castle, Pa. is the current point leader in search of his first win of the season and first ever title. Making their first ever appearance will be the PA 305 Sprint Series. The Series began competition in 1998 and this year is their 10th anniversary season. The Series holds most of their events at Path Valley and Hesston Speedways along with special events at Williams Grove, Lincoln, and Port Royal Speedways. The highly-competitive class uses Racesaver 305 sealed spec engines. The Series was scheduled to make their first ever appearance in 2004 at Mercer, but that event was rained out. For more information on this series, check out their website at www.pa305sprints. The Limited Sprint class will round out the sprint car portion of the event with their first ever appearance as well. The Limiteds compete primarily at Sharon Speedway under the direction of long-time racer Guy Griffin, who is anxious to compete once again at Mercer. Griffin was the 1997 Big-Block Modified Champion and also has four wins each in both the Big-Block and Six-Cylinder Modified divisions at Mercer. The Limiteds feature a 327 c.i. 450 hp sealed Chevy engine with spec shocks, spec top wing, spec headers and spec Goodyear right rear tire. The open wheel Mod Lites will also be part of the event along with the Mini Stocks- both running for increased purse monies. Todd Canter of Warren, Ohio continues to lead the Mod Lite points as he yet to finish of out of the top six, but is still in search of his first win of the season. Mercer's Dan McEwen holds down the point lead in the Mini Stocks. Last week, 15-year-old Chris Myers topped a season-high 24-car field to win his season's fourth victory, while 14-year-old rookie Dillon Kineston won his career first race in the July 12 make-up feature. "We're always trying to come up with something different for the fans," stated Emig. "I always look forward to my dad's memorial event each year as it holds special meaning for my family. This year we decided to do an Open Wheel Shootout and figured this would be the perfect night to do it. Fans will have a real treat with the biggest Modified event of the season to date along with three different classes of Sprint Cars for the first time ever! I'm thrilled to have FireDEX of Butler join our long list of marketing partners at The Park." Pits open at 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps begin at 6:15 with racing at 7 p.m. Adult admission is $15; students 6-15 are $7; children five and under are free; the family pass is $35; and pit passes are $30. FireDEX of Butler, Inc. has been coming to the rescue of homeowners and businesses in their time of need for more than 25 years. You can count on their immediate response 24/7 to any water, fire, smoke, storm, mold, or vandalism emergency. For more information, call 724-452-7400 or check out their website at www.firedex. 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 September. 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. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypa |
