Mercer Raceway Park
April 3, 2010

FASTRAK OPENER TO BLAIR AT MERCER RACEWAY PARK

By Mike Leone
Mercer, PA…After a spectacular opener one week ago, Mercer Raceway Park was able to survive the record warmth, high winds, and scattered showers to complete the five-division “Saturday Night Live” opener on Saturday night as another large crowd turned out. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire victory lane were Mike Lutz-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Lonny Riggs-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Max Blair-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Steve D’Apolito-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and Dan Bish-M&D Paving Mini Stocks.

Defending track champion and 2008 FASTRAK National Weekly Series Champion Max Blair started off the 2010 season right by winning the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection Late Model feature event. “This is the nicest this track has ever been,” expressed the 20-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver. “It’s gorgeous and smooth. There were a lot of wrecks, but that’s just part of racing. It’s early and everyone’s hungry. This is my sixth year racing and I’ve never won the first race of the season and this is completely 100% for my grandma, who passed away a little over a year ago.”

Making his FASTRAK debut, Kevin Decker jumped out to the early lead. Fifth and sixth starting John Lacki and Blair advanced to second and third on lap two. Blair dove under Lacki on lap four to take the second spot. Blair was right on Decker on lap five and had just made the pass when the caution was displayed for Mike Anderson, Jr.

When racing resumed, Blair and Shane Bambarger both passed Decker for the top two spots. Another E-Mod driver making his FASTRAK debut was Justin Tatlow, who had worked his way from eighth to third and was challenging Bambarger for second when the two tangled on the backstretch with 13 laps completed.

The accident moved 14th starting Kyle Zimmerman to second. The last seven laps went caution-free as Blair raced on to his all-time division leading eighth career win in his #111, which was worth $600 with 23 cars on hand. Zimmerman’s second was his best ever at Mercer. Mike Blose was third. Bud Watson came from the back after an early race accident to place fourth over Decker. Lacki came from the back after an accident on lap seven to finish sixth over 2009 Western PA Rookie-of-the-Year Joe Martin. Jason Fosnaught, Shawn Schaltenbrand, and Bryan Force were seventh through tenth. Topping the heats were Bryan Force, Blair, and Chris Force.

4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Kyle Zimmerman (z17) 3. Mike Blose (5) 4. Bud Watson (2) 5. Kevin Decker (07) 6. John Lacki (7) 7. Joe Martin (55) 8. Jason Fosnaught (J19) 9. Shawn Schaltenbrand (26) 10. Bryan Force (31) 11. Sean Puz (33) 12. Justin Tatlow (81) 13. Justin Kreider (29) 14. Jason Stanke (44) 15. Tommy Dembowski (79) 16. Jamie Brown (135) 17. Shane Bambarger (68B) 18. Ben Black (27B) 19. Bob Vogt, Jr. (30) 20. Leigh Wheeler (Smith 717) 21. Chris Force (68) 22. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 23. Dwayne Pond (Bidwell B1D).

Luxaire Heating & Cooling (410) Sprint Cars (20 laps, $1,500 to-win): 1. MIKE LUTZ (Chappel 8) 2. Jason Dolick (D12) 3. Bob Felmlee (6) 4. Ed Lynch, Jr. (2L) 5. Jack Sodeman, Jr. (23Jr) 6. Brian Ellenberger (22) 7. Charlie Holben (Dionise 15) 8. Carl Bowser (10) 9. Brandon Matus (13) 10. Danny Holtgraver (D4) 11. Jeff Taylor (17T) 12. Brad Knab (38) 13. Lindsay Enscoe (96) 14. Brent Matus (33) 15. Jack Whitmore (21) 16. Dan Kuriger (08) 17. Pete Miller III (3) 18. Joe McEwen (Paden 11W) 19. Rod George (4) 20. Chris Shuttleworth (11) 21. Scott Bonnell (3B).

Approved Toilet Rentals (358) Modifieds (20 laps): 1. LONNY RIGGS (Black 58) 2. Jimmy Holden (28H) 3. Joe Kubiniec (19) 4. Frank Guidace (1G) 5. Gary Smoker (516) 6. Dustin Martin (29D) 7. Chris Dye (03) 8. Clyde Gumpp (51) 9. Greg Unrue, Jr. (5) 10. Tom Holden (15H) 11. Ron Cartwright, Jr. (2B) 12. Dave Shook (17s).

Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars (12 laps): 1. STEVE D’APOLITO (84) 2. Chris Haines (35H) 3. Russ Byler (06R) 4. Clay Ruffo (14R) 5. Shaun Hooks (Janovick 65) 6. Brandon Johnston (14J)-DNS.

M&D Paving Mini Stocks (12 laps): 1. DAN BISH (4x) 2. Pete Blazczak (77) 3. Lee Lehnerd (71) 4. Jordan Ehrenberg (JD57) 5. Wally Stearns, Jr. (33) 6. Zach Hawk (47) 7. Rudolph Troples III (28) 8. Ed Haylett (8-ball) 9. Randy Sprouse (23s) 10. Cory Eckels (5) 11. Jerry Batcher (Blazczak 7) 12. Lucas Sprouse (24s) 13. Matt McNany (141) 14. Bill Fuchs (10)-DNS 15. Max Smoker (409)-DNS 16. Kevin Kilgore (0)-DNS 17. Mike McConnell (31)-DNS 18. E.J. Rarer (3J)-DNS.