TWO GREAT EVENTS JOIN ON SATURDAY WITH BILL EMIG MEMORIAL & “RACING FOR A CURE”; BIG-BLOCK MODIFIEDS BACK WITH 410 SPRINT CARS, LATE MODELS & MORE!

By Mike Leone

July 28, 2009            

Mercer, PA…Due to last Saturday’s rain out, two wonderful events will come now together this Saturday night, August 1 at Mercer Raceway Park.  The rescheduled Bill Emig Memorial will join the second annual “Racing for a Cure” American Cancer Society Benefit Event. 

The annual Bill Emig Memorial will highlight action presented by new marketing The 911 of Pest Control Ehrlich.  The Big-Block Modifieds, Luxaire Heating & Cooling 410 Sprint Cars, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, GM 602 Stock Cars, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks in double features including the Leland Haylett Memorial will be in action.  It’s also Anderson Bros. Tool/SK Took Corporate Night.

“I believe everything happens for a reason and maybe it was meant to be that this all came together,” explained 11^th year owner Vicki Emig.  “Last year’s ‘Racing for a Cure’ was highly-successful and how fitting will it be to now have both my father and Leland’s memorial races on the same night as both passed away from a form of cancer.  What a night it will be with the two memorials, the Sprint Cars, Late Models, and more!”

The region’s longest running memorial event has been held at various venues for different Modified divisions over the past 18 years to honor the legacy of Bill Emig as the 2009 season marks the 40th anniversary of Emig Racing.  This year’s event will be the 16th consecutive year held at Mercer.

The 25-lap feature will pay $1,500 to-win.  Holden’s Custom Fire Rings has created a special gold-colored design for this memorable event, which will be presented to the winner.  The Holden Family competed with Bill’s cars for many years on the circuit.

Many former Mercer favorites will be returning led by 105-time Mercer winner Tommy Kristyak. Kristyak, a modern era legend at Mercer Raceway Park, was most recently a champion in the big-block division in 2004.  He also has Bill Emig Memorial crowns in 1999 and 2004.

Andy Priest, who recently won his 100th career race in the Ted Hull #41 at Tri-City Speedway, has had many fierce battles over the years with Kristyak.  Priest, of New Castle, Pa., was actually the inaugural Bill Emig Memorial winner in 1992 at Lernerville Speedway and would love to win his first at Mercer. 

Hard charging New Yorker Ron Cartwright, Jr., who has made several appearances over the years, will make the trek south.  Another New York racer, Phil Vigneri, Jr., actually made the trip down last week and then competed Sunday at Tri-City Speedway.  Vigneri’s return is a possibility.  Jeremy Paup, Jason Longwell, and Kyle Fink will be on hand along with many other racers that were planning on competing last week to challenge Mercer’s best 358s like Frank Guidace, Eric Gabany, Jimmy Holden, Lonny Riggs, Garrett Krummert, Gary Smoker, Rick Hall, and others.

One driver itching to get back out on the track is local favorite Steve Young.  The “Tiny Terror” owns 26 career Mercer wins and three track championships, but hasn’t competed the last two seasons.  Young and car owner J.R. Greer are waiting on the completion of their motor and are expected soon.

Standard Big-Block Modified rules will apply; however, all cars will be allowed to utilize any 92-inch tire. The weight rule is 2400 pounds for all Mercer-legal 358s and 2500 for all others. All Mercer-legal 358 Modifieds will receive 10 show-up points for competing.  There will be no new car registration fee.

The 410 Sprint Cars are coming off their third straight non-stop feature!  Will they be able to do it again with 25 laps the distance and $1,500 on the line?   Last time 27 cars filled the pilled area.  The Sprints have averaged 22 cars per night with 71 different cars competing this season! 

Late Model fans will be excited to know that Mike Blose has joined that FASTRAK ranks!  The Super Late Model standout has made the switch and is hitting FASTRAK full-bore in order to qualify for the Grand Nationals coming in October!  Last weekend, Blose competed in both Touring Series events with top five finishes and had a top 10 on Sunday at Tri-City.  Blose will be at Mercer on Saturday for the $600 to-win minimum event along with a possible appearance by Tom Snyder, Jr., who is coming off his career first FASTRAK Touring Series win last Friday at Dog Hollow Speedway.  With many of the top teams heading to Eldora Speedway to compete, will there be a new winner? 

The GM 602 Stock Cars, Mod Lites, and Mini Stocks will also be competing for precious points toward their 2009 championship races.  As stated earlier, the Mini Stocks will run in double features with the first being the “Leland Haylett Memorial” paying a minimum of $200 to-win, $50 to-start for racers that have competed at Mercer this season, while the second will be open to all competitors and will be points-paying.

Current point leaders are Rod George (Kittanning, Pa.)-Sprint Cars, Frank Guidace (Mercer, Pa.)-Modifieds, Max Blair (Centerville, Pa.)-FASTRAK Late Models, Andy Buckley (Stoneboro, Pa.)-602 Stock Cars, Mark Marcucci (West Middlesex, Pa.)-Mod Lites, and Jamey Lee (Fairmount City, Pa.)-Mini Stocks.

Drivers will again be racing “In Memory of” or “In Support of” their loved ones. Cars can be sponsored for $50 and associate sponsors for $10 with all money going to the American Cancer Society.  Drivers are urged to complete their paperwork and return it to our office for pre-planning either by mail, fax to 724-964-0604, or e-mail to webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com.  Also, heat races, features, and various other items are Forms and money will be accepted on Saturday as well.

 

Pits open at 3:30 p.m. and grandstand at 4:30 p.m. Warm-ups begin at 6:15 and the first green flag at 7. Adult admission is $15. The family pass for mom, dad, and up to four kids 6-15 is $35. Students 6-15 are $7. Children five and under and parking are free!  Pit passes are $30.

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 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. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest. Text the word "MERCER" to 29222 for race event and special family and discounted promotions