FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2010

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BENEFIT NIGHT SATURDAY AT MERCER WITH FREE NEW CASTLE NIGHT; DOUBLE MOD FEATURES PART OF BIG 6-DIVISION PROGRAM

Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park will return to its traditional “Saturday Night Live” racing program this Saturday night, August 7. Along with the Luxaire Heating & Cooling 410 Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy's Speed Center Stock Cars, and the “Leland Haylett Memorial” for the M&D Paving Mini Stocks, the Modifieds will also run their July 24 make-up feature and the Mod Lites will be on the card. Race time is 7 p.m.

For the third straight year, "Racing for a Cure" – An American Cancer Society Benefit Event returns to The Park. The first two events have been tremendously successful raising several thousands of dollars each year. 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. Heat races, the feature events, and other items throughout the facility can be sponsored as well. Fans will also have the opportunity to donate towards this great cause. Also, all cancer survivors are admitted free to this wonderful night.

Saturday is “Hey Neighbor C’mon Over” as all New Castle, Pennsylvania residents will be admitted free into the grandstands for general admission. New Castle residents must simply show valid ID with a New Castle address and will receive free admission along with all accompanying children 15 and under. This year’s event is being presented by new marketing partner Fat Jimmys BBQ on Route 422 just east of the city of New Castle.

“Saturday should be a big event,” stated first year owner Bill Altman. “It’s a chance for everyone to give back to the American Cancer Society and help fight a disease that’s affected so many people. I look forward to all New Castle residents coming out and taking advantage of their free night. It should be a great night of racing with 7 big feature events!”

The Sprint Cars are coming off their highest car count of the year as 26 cars filled the pit area last Saturday night with Jack Sodeman, Jr. becoming the amazing ninth different winner in 11 races this season! Bob Felmlee enters the night with a 19-point advantage on Ed Lynch, Jr. Lynch joins Mike Lutz as the division’s only repeat winners. Felmlee of Franklin, Pa. is trying to win his fourth track championship in four decades! The Sprints will again compete for an area high $1,500 to-win plus a Goodyear Tire certificate.

It’ll be a big night for the Modifieds as they start off the evening with the July 24 make-up feature followed later in the night by their regularly scheduled 20 lapper. After some tough luck during the middle part of the season, Lonny Riggs rebounded for his season’s third win last Saturday night and is the division’s only multiple winner. Jimmy Holden of Tiona, Pa. has a 48-point lead on three-time champion Frank Guidace, who will have multiple opportunities Saturday to cut into that lead.

In his first season of competition at Mercer, Kyle Zimmerman is zeroing in on a championship in the FASTRAK Late Models. The Albion, Pa. second-generation racer though really wants a win and Saturday could be his night. Zimmerman has a big 69-point lead over four-time winner and defending champion Max Blair and will extend that lead on Saturday night.

The Stock Car championship race continues to tighten and is the closest of all of the battles at the track. Steve D’Apolito leads Chris Haines by just six markers as both drivers look for their first ever Mercer championships. Jeff Walters became the division’s newest winner last Saturday. The class continues to make a return to prominence as two more drivers joined the ranks bringing the cars competing to date now up to 23.

Wally Stearns, Jr. will take his pair of fifth place finishes in last Saturday’s double features for the Mini Stocks as he draws closer to his first championship. The Harrisville, Pa. driver is having a dream season with his first three career wins and is the organizer of Saturday’s “Leland Haylett” Memorial event. This year’s race will be open to all Mercer-legal Mini Stocks with the additional funds being added to the already established regular purse. There have been 10 different Mini Stock winners in 14 races!

The Mod Lites will return for their second appearance of the season. On July 10, Mikey Hay captured the victory for his third career win at the track. Rod Jones leads the all-time win list with 20 victories in 58 races. Active Mod Lite racer and defending track champion, Mark Marcucci, is second on the win list with seven checkered flags.

Saturday’s four Shaffer’s Auto Service & Towing “In the Spotlight” drivers are Sprint Car drivers Mike Lutz and Pete Miller III along with Modified racer Matt Reeher and Mini Stock competitor Ed Haylett. The first 300 fans will receive a custom, color autograph card of these four racers. Fans will be able to meet these racers and see their cars in the midway from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m.

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 $12. The family pass for mom, dad, and up to four kids 6-15 is $25. Students 6-15 are $5. Children five and under and parking are free! Pit passes are $25.

Those holding grandstand rain checks from July 24 will be offered the following discounts due to the confusion in the announcement during the thunderstorm: adults $5 off, families $5 off, and students $2 off.

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. Go to www.twitter.com/mercerraceway or Mercer Raceway Park at www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark to stay up to date.