Super Late Models Back at Michaels Mercer Raceway Along With 410 Sprints & Mini Stocks for “Chiller Thriller”
3 min readBy Jim Balentine
(Mercer,Pa)
After a long absence since 2017 the high powered super late models will make their highly anticipated return to Michaels Mercer raceway at the annual kickoff for the tracks 73rd season at the “chiller thriller” slated for Saturday April 6 2024. The 410 sprints will make their debut for the “chiller thriller” in an unsanctioned $3000 to win event. And the mini stocks will compete for $500 to win.
The super late models will be unsanctioned with an open tire rule and will follow the general guidelines of the local area late model tracks. The minimum weight will be 2300 lbs with driver. It will pay $2500 to win and $250 to start.
The high horsepower full bodied machines have always put on a great show at the tricky Mercer oval with 3 abreast racing and with the new red clay put down last year the drivers will be racing top to bottom all around the speedway…and with no “home track advantage” it should be an exciting show to see who can be victorious in the event. A lot of buzz has already generated regarding this event with drivers showing interest from stateline, Eriez, Marion Center, and Wayne county and Attica in Ohio as well as some drivers from Central Pennsylvania.
The super late models were at one time the class that opened the season at the “chiller thriller” for many years. Dave Hess Jr. won the last super lm feature in April of 2017. Russell King took the win in 2016. Gregg Satterlee-‘14, Rob Blair-‘13, and Mike Knight have been the more recent winners.
Other late model drivers capturing wins at Mercer since 1994 are Dave Scott-3; Keith Barbara -2; Alan Dellinger -2; Dick Barton -1; John mollick -1; Nick Jones-1. The division also ran weekly for one season in 1974 when both Canfield and Butler Speedway closed with Ralph Quarterson the lone champion.
The fire breathing 410 sprint cars will make their first ever appearance at the chiller thriller in an unsanctioned $3000 to win event. 2 time defending track champion Adam Kekich should be on hand, as well as four-time track champion Jack Sodeman Jr., Hall of Fame driver and multi time track champ Bob Felmlee, Brandon Spithaler and the leading feature winner over the past couple seasons in the division, AJ Flick.
The mini stocks will be in competition for a $500 to win event and with the new rule package for 2024 it should bring some different drivers to the historic speedway. 4 time track champion Andy Thompson, Randy and Carl Ealy, Josh Eakman and others will be ready to take on the outside invaders trying to defend their home turf. A large turn out is expected for the event.
General admission
$20 Seniors $18
Pit passes $35 seniors $30
Hot laps 6 pm
racing at 7 pm
pits open 4pm
grandstands 5pm
410 sprint payoff
1 3000
2 1300
3 1000
4 750
5 650
6 550
7 500
8 450
9 425
10 400
11 375
12 375
13 375
14 350
15 350
16 350
17 300
18 300
19 300
20 300
21 300
22 300
23 300
24 300
$100 Tow/Non-Qualifiers
Super Lm payoff 4.6.24 24 cars
1.$2500
2.$1500
3.$1000
4.$800
5.$650
6.$550
7.$500
8.$450
9.$400
10.$375
11.$350
12.$300
13.$275
14.-24. $250
For more information on Mercer or potential sponsorship opportunities please visit our Facebook page or our website: www.MichaelsMercerracewaydotcom You can also contact the track at 724-662-1310 or on Facebook messenger.