Mercer's June 15 "Wingless - The Return/Part III"

> June 6, 2002 > Mercer, PA. Mercer Raceway Park will once again be hosting a national
event
> next Saturday, June 15 at the 3/8-mile clay oval.  The North American Auto
> Racing Series, Inc. (NAMARS) and the American Racing Drivers Club, Inc.
> (ARDC) will once again co-sanction the biggest dirt Midget Car auto racing
> event in the east titled the second annual Northern States Midget Classic.
> Joining the wingless Midget Cars will be the wingless Sprint Cars creating
> an open-wheel doubleheader dubbed "Wingless- The Return/Part III".  The
New
> Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds and Butterfield's Pub Stock
Cars
> will also be on the card.  Chevron East is the title sponsor of the event
> for the second consecutive year.
>
> NAMARS, the largest Championship Midget Car sanctioning body in the world,
> and ARDC, America's oldest Championship Midget Car sanction at 63 years
> strong, will come together with their signature series for their only
clash
> event of the season.  The event will be a national points event for both
> organizations ensuring a large field of midgets.
>
> In 2000, Mark Freeland won the inaugural midget car event, which was a
> stand-alone ARDC show, while Rob Chaney won the wingless sprint portion.
> Last season, the weather was the real story as action was delayed two and
> half hours by rain, then the fog rolled in cutting short the midget car
> feature with Tim Dietz being declared the winner, while the wingless
sprint
> portion was fogged out.
>
> "We're really hoping for some good weather this year," said owner Vicki
> Emig.  "Many people said the 2000 event was the best race they saw and
then
> the weather ruined last year's event.  We know the wingless midgets and
> sprints can put on a great show at Mercer for the fans."
>
> NAMARS, which is based in Speedway, Indiana, journeyed west into the
> Keystone State of Pennsylvania last season for the first time.  The
eastern
> Pa.-based ARDC has made their furthest trip west to Mercer the last two
> seasons.  "We have the perfect location for this show," said Emig.  "We're
> located right in the middle of both organizations and just a few miles
from
> the crossroads of Interstates 79 and 80."
>
> A rich history of Midget Car racing dates back many decades in the eastern
> Ohio/western Pa. area.  However, in recent years a lack of midget races in
> the area has forced the younger fans to watch midgets on television, or
> travel into Indiana or central Pa. to the nearest dirt tracks for midgets.
>
> The event will be the crown jewel on the 2002 ARDC slate and one of the
> premiere events on the 2002 NAMARS schedule.  The Northern States Midget
> Classic will be a 40-lap event paying $2,000 to-win, $200 to-start.
>
>             The Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars will take off their
> wings for the only time in 2002.  Their 30-lap feature will pay $2,000
> to-win, $200 to-start as well and will be a points event.  The 360 bonus
> monies and point system will also be in effect.  Past wingless Mercer
> winners include Troy Preston in 1989, Jamie Smith swept a two-day show in
> 1996, Todd Kane won in the famous Bob Hampshire #63 in 1997, and in 2000
Rob
> Chaney beat Smith with a pass in turn four on the final lap.
>
>             A special autograph session has been organized by ARDC's Tammy
> Rae Benscoter and will take place shortly after the gates open.  Confirmed
> drivers that will be signing autographs include defending three-time
> champion Ray Bull, 1997 champion Ed Stimely, Jr., 2001 rookie-of-the-year
> Marc Dailey, Mark Freeland, the father and son duo of Randy and Duane
> Mausteller, Brian Suchy, 2001 most improved driver Kathy Kurtz, Fred
Schell,
> Scott Zipp, Gary Halteman, Walt Stearly, and rookie Scott Lawrence.
> Jennifer Weaver, the 2002 Ms. Motorsports, will also be on hand to sign
> autographs throughout the night.
>
>             Gates will open at 4:30 p.m.  There will be no time trials, as
> heat races will begin at 7 p.m.  Adult admission is just $13.  Students
6-15
> are $5.  The family pass, which admits mom, dad, and up to four kids, is
> $30.  Children five and under are free.  The pit pass is $25.  For more
> information call 724-964-9300 during the week and 724-662-1310 on race
day.
> Check out www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.  For information on
> NAMARS check out www.namars.com and for information on ARDC check out
> www.ardcmidgets.com.
>
>             Located just west of Mercer, Pa., Chevron East is a world
> supplier of towing equipment for the automotive industry.  Chevron East
> manufactures car carriers, wreckers, industrial tiltbeds, and farm
equipment
> tiltbeds.   They have their trucks at Daytona, Indy, Atlanta, Las Vegas,
and
> hundred of other raceways throughout the country.  As a major employer for
> Mercer County, many of Chevron's employees, vendors, and their employees
are
> major fans of auto racing.  Many of their valued customers both locally
and
> nationwide are involved in racing, either participating or towing at race
> tracks.
>
> Local Chevron representative Jeff McElrath has been a strong supporter of
> Mercer Raceway Park dating back to his co-promotion of the facility in
1997
> and 1998.  McElrath not only is one of the major sponsors at the track,
but
> also sponsors several race cars.  For more information on Chevron East
call
> 1-800-TILTBED or check out their website at www.chevroninc.com.
>


> Mercer Raceway Park is located 3 miles north of I-80, exit 15.   The track
> is 0.5 miles north of SR 258 on US 19, then 0.2 miles east on Fairground
> Road in Findley Township.   The office number is 724-964-9300.  Fax to
> 724-964-0604.  The race track phone number is 724-662-1310.  Our web site
is
> www.mercerracewaypark.com.  E-mail to webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com
&