All Star Sprints At Mercer Saturday

May 2, 2017 by Lou Long

(Mercer, PA May 2, 2017): Mercer Raceway Park will be ready for its biggest event of the 2017 season, the annual visit of Tony Stewart’s All Stars Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars. On Saturday, May 6, the Precise Racing Products 410 Sprint contingent must bring their A game to defend their home turf.

The Arctic Cat All Stars are coming off a three-race swing through Central Pennsylvania, where local talents dominated the action. So, the touring professionals will be looking for some redemption. They will get two cracks at the Western Pennsylvania racers, as the fun will start Friday at Lernerville Speedway before moving to the tricky Mercer oval.

Leading the way will be defending All Stars champion, Chad Kemenah, and he has a pair of Calebs–Helms and Armstrong–nipping on his heels. Ryan Smith, Tim Shaffer, and Dale Blaney will add depth to the roster. Crossing over to the All Stars side will be four names familiar to the Mercer fans. Brent and Brandon Matus, Brandon Spithaler, and John Garvin are among the bountiful crop of rookies on the All Stars tour. They would like nothing more than to score the victory on their former home track, even if it will be for the “visiting team.”

Jack Sodeman, Jr., the defending track champion and current points leader, will do his best to keep the gold and the glory for the Mercer faithful. Jimmy Seger and Michale Bauer, both graduates from the ranks of the Bonnell’s Rod Shop 305 Sprints, will lend their assistance, along with George Hobaugh, Jr., Dan Kuriger, and Dan Shetler. Shetler just finished in the top five in an All Stars event in the midstate, so you know he can contend at the Park. Expected to return is A.J. Flick, winner of the opening race at Mercer. Flick hurt a motor racing at anothe area speedway, so he plans to spend more time on the shorter tracks of the region in the weeks ahead.

Two other divisions will be in action. In the Turn 4 Toilets 358 Modifieds, Jimmy Holden will be gunning for his fourth consecutive feature win. Lonny Riggs, Frank Guidace, J.R. McGinley, and Kyle Fink will challenge. And Andy Priest and Darin Gallagher will square off once again in the Bonnell’s Rod Shop 305 Sprints. Priest has the edge in feature wins, two to one, but they are tied atop the points standings. Gregg McCandless, C.J. Jones, Mike Marano, II, and Mike Miller are others who will be in the mix.

The gates will open at 4 p.m., and practice will start at 6:30, followed by qualifications for the All Stars. So, come out early to get your favorite seats.

There is plenty of free parking and camping space (no hookups) will be available.

Special event ticket pricing will apply. Adult admission will be $25, seniors (60+) $23, and students (9-15) $9. The children (8 and under) will be free! The Family Pass will be offered for $52, and that will apply for two adults and up to four minors of any age. Pit Passes will be $35.

Saturday Night Live! racing will resume on May 13 and 20, with the latter being Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night as well.

Remember that you can get alerts regarding the cancellation of any racing event at Mercer Raceway Park sent directly to your smartphone or other electronic device. To register, please go to the track’s website, www.mercerracewaypark.com, click on the icon for RainedOut.com, and follow the easy steps.

Marketing partners of Mercer Raceway Park for 2107 include Hovis Auto & Truck Supply, Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants, Scheidemantle Motors, Greenhill Farms Equipment, Inc., the Normandy Banquet Center of Hickory VFW Post 6166, Ritenour Equipment Center, Pizza Joe’s, AMSOIL, Noga Ambulance Service, Inc., Pyrotechnico, Watson’s, Inc., Big Dog Indoor Racing & Hobby, Herr’s Foods, the American Cancer Society, Sunburst Environmental, and Lias Tires.

About Mercer Raceway Park: 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 from late March through late September. For more information, check out www.mercerracewaypark.com, www.twitter.com/mercerraceway, or www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark.