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MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF MERCER SET TO TAKE PLACE SATURDAY AS USAC NATIONAL SPRINT CAR SERIES INVADES THE PARK FOR THE FINALE OF THEIR EASTERN TOUR
By Mike Leone
June 2, 2009
Mercer, PA…The anticipation is nearly over. Some of the world’s best traditional Sprint Car drivers will convene this Saturday, June 6 at Mercer Raceway Park for “The Wheelman” presented by Rotondo Weirich. The United Auto Racing Club (USAC) National Sprint Car Series will bring their brand of non-winged racing to Mercer Raceway Park for the first time ever in the finale of the Eastern Tour/Pennsylvania Swing! The rain date is Sunday.
“The response and anticipation for this event has been probably been bigger than any event scheduled in my 11-year tenure,” explained Vicki Emig. “Just about everywhere I go people comment on their excitement to see USAC at Mercer! Mercer’s bullring and unique configuration will be sure to make for an exciting night! This will be fans only chance to see USAC in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio this season and the weather is looking good for Saturday.”
USAC has been the springboard for many of NASCAR’s top racers like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman. Drivers like J.J. Yeley, A.J. Foyt, John Andretti, Kenny Schrader, and Mike Bliss were also USAC veterans. The late Kenny Irwin, Jr. was a former USAC star and up and coming NASCAR drivers when he tragically lost his life in a crash.
Today, Stewart and former Sprint Car racer and NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne field top USAC teams. Levi Jones and Tracy Hines pilot the #20 and #21 rides, while Brad Sweet is behind the wheel of Kahne’s #9. Those drivers will be chasing after current point leader and veteran driver Dave Darland, who all will be making their first ever appearances at Mercer.
Jerry Coons, Jr. drives what is arguably the most recognizable USAC car in the famous Dynamics #69 sponsored by Kroger, Tide, Bounty, and Pringles. California racers Damion Gardner, who is one the nation’s most exciting non-wing Sprint Car racers and Bud Kaeding, who is the son of the legendary great Brent Kaeding will be on hand.
Other top runners include Jesse Hockett, who is featured on the cover of this month’s Sprint Car & Midget as being one of the nation’s most versatile drivers competing in just about every class of Sprint Cars in the land and Kevin Swindell in his Toyota-powered #1. Swindell of Germantown, Tennessee is the son of legendary Sprint Car racer Sammy Swindell.
Phoenix, Arizona’s Chad Boat- the son of traditional Sprint Car great Billy Boat and top names like Red Bull racer Cole Whitt, Bryan Clauson, Darren Hagen, and Robert Ballou, Chris Windom, Scotty Weir, and Henry Clarke will also be in action. With its closer proximity to Indiana and the Saturday date, additional teams are possible than those hitting the previous events at Grandview, Williams Grove, and Big Diamond.
Local racers Arnie Kent (2007 Mercer non-wing winner), Scott Bonnell (2001 Tri-City Speedway non-wing winner), Scott Priester (runner-up to Bonnell at Tri-City in 2001), Andy Priest (99 career wins), Charlie Holben, Gale Ruth, Jr. (five career winged wins in the past two seasons), and Craig Folmar (two-time 2009 Mercer winner) are expected to compete amongst others.
The 30-lap USAC feature will pay $5,000 to-win, $400 to-start. A first ever “Meet Your Heroes” will be held on the speedway as the fans will be able to meet the USAC stars just before the cars are pushed off for their feature.
Also competing will be the Approved Toilet Rental Modifieds in an $800 to-win event, the GM 602 Stock Cars for $400 to-win, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks racing for extra money.
There are a limited amount of private VIP Suites available, 10x10’s at $250 and one 10x20 for $500. If interested, please contact our office. Suites do not include tickets, but packages are available with do include tickets and/or catering.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. Advanced ticket holders will be admitted into the grandstands at 4 p.m. for preferred seating and will receive their pre-race pit pass at this time. Grandstand tickets will go on sale at 4:30 p.m. Warm-ups for Sprint Cars begin at 6 p.m. followed by Sprint Car time trials at approximately 6:30 and racing at 7.
Adult admission is just $20 with students 6-15 $7 and kids five and under free. The Family Pass is $45, which includes mom, dad, and up to four kids 15 and under. Children five and under are free. Pit passes are $35 for non-USAC members.
Rotondo Weirich (RW) is headquartered in Lederach, Pennsylvania- about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia. RW has produced over 50,000 pre-cast concrete modular units for correctional facilities in the United States and internationally. RW’s repeat clients include the Federal Bureau of Prisons and private prison operator, Corrections Corporation of America. RW is regarded as the foremost pre-cast modular prison cell manufacturer in the design/build environment. For more information on Rotondo Weirich 215-256-7940 or check out their website at
www.rotondoweirich.com.
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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
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