Victory Lane photos from Mercer Raceway Park for all three weeks they have run have been uploaded to our new gallery site…
March 28 – Despite forecasts calling for 70% chance of storms, sunshine and no rain within hundreds of miles allowed Mercer Raceway Park to kick off the 2009 season Saturday night with the popular “Chiller Thriller”. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Rex King-BRP Modified Tour, Tim Deutsch-Stock Cars, Randy Hall-United E-Mod Series, and Kevin Kilgore-M&D Paving Mini Stocks. The unfavorable forecast didn’t keep the racers and fans away as 122 cars turned out in the four divisions and a strong crowd.
April 4 – After kicking off the season one week ago with the “Chiller Thriller,” Mercer Raceway Park was back in action on Saturday night for the five-division “Saturday Night Live” opener. Saturday night more appropriately fit the “Chiller Thriller” moniker as a stiff wind blew and temps dipped to the low 30s by nights end. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Rod George-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Gary Smoker-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Mike Pegher, Jr.-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Rod Jones-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Pete Blazczak-M&D Mini Stocks.
April 11 – Mercer Raceway Park was able to complete the third straight event to start the 2009 season off on Easter Eve. For the second straight week, temps never got out of the 40s and dropped to the low 30s by night’s end with a stiff wind, but the quick five-division show was run off in just over three and half hours as a hearty crowd and 101 cars from five states plus Canada filled the pit area. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane were Gary Kriess, Jr.-Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Travis Shingledecker-Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, Max Blair-4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Mark Marcucci-Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and Kevin Kilgore-M&D Mini Stocks.
The racing season is finally getting cranked up for me now as I continue to recover from my recent hospital stay. And contrary to what some may have said or thought, the run away car did not hit me on Sunday night. I was able to get out of the way (and thanks for the helping hand to track official Rick Hughes). I did fall, rather hard actually, but I’m basically okay, and once again rudely reminded that I’m not as young as I once was!