Jeff Gilliand & Al Priester Memorials Highlight High Paying Event At Michaels Mercer Raceway For Friday Special
News Director 
Story By: JIM BALENTINE / MICHAELS MERCER RACEWAY – MERCER, PA – On a special “Friday night lights” Friday August 23rd Michaels Mercer Raceway will present their last 410 sprint car feature of the season with the Ohio based Aaron Fry led FAST TI22 performance 410 sprints competing for $7500 to win and $450 to start as of this writing plus lap money and a dash for cash in the prestigious “Jeff Gilliland Western Pa. sprint car championship”.
The “Al Priester Memorial for 602 crate modifieds will also be on the bill racing for a record $1771 to win, as well as the final point night for the Racesaver 305 sprints and the mini stocks.
Local hot shoe, Brandon Spithaler is leading the points for the FAST 410 series. Indiana’s Zane DeVault and Michigan’s Bobby Elliot are trying to catch Spithaler for the title.
The race is being held in memory of Jeff Gilliland who passed away at just 50 years old Jeff loved the races, especially sprint cars. His grandfather Richard Hawley as well as Jeff’s 2 uncles, Lloyd Hawley and Vern Hawley, and our cousin, Jimmy Hawley (his favorite) were all race car drivers locally.
Jeff was able to be in the pit often when he was younger and healthier.
Friday, August 23rd the “Jeff Gilliland Memorial western Pennsylvania sprint car championship Race” featuring the FAST on Dirt 410 sprints cars will be running for a record $7500 to win and $450 to start plus lap money and other contingency prizes.
The historic “Western pa sprint car championship”began in 1966 with a 100-lap event with Ralph Quarterson as its first winner. Quarterson went on to win the next three events until the race was canceled in 1970. The race was revived in 1971 and remained a 100-lap event until 1977, where it was reduced to 50 laps.
The 1978 Western PA Sprint Championship was sanctioned by the World of Outlaws and was won by Johnny Beaber of Gibsonburg, OH. The race ran until 1982 before it returned in 2004. The all star circuit of champions sanctioned the event in the 2010s. Adam Kekich won in 2019 and 2020; Sye Lynch in 2021, 16 year old Leyton Wagner won in 2022 and six time track champion and 24 time feature winner Bob Felmlee won it last year.
The winners list is a hall of fame group of legendary drivers. Ralph Quarterson (5), Bobby Allen (4), Johnny Beaber(2), Ed Lynch, Jr. (2), Brian Ellenberger (2), Adam Kekich (2), Kenny Weld (1), Jan Opperman (1), Buddy Cochran (1), Lynn Paxton (1), Lou Blaney (1), Carl Bowser (1), Danny Holtgraver (1), Tim Shaffer (1), Darryn Pittman (1), Sye Lynch (1), Leyton Wagner (1), Bob Felmlee (1).
The evening will also include the Al Priester memorial for the 602 crate modifieds which as of now pays $1771 to win
On July 6, 1970 Allen Priester later to be known as “Big Al” was born the son of George and Edna Priester. Al married his wife Tammy on August 10, 1991. He started his family in 1992.
Al started his love for racing with his father beginning with a stock car and moving onto modifieds. Al enjoyed racing with his son with their family and friends in the stands. The memorial is paying at least 1571 to win and has gained the interest of many upstate NY teams. There will also be a Chinese auction and a silent auction behind the grandstands before the races start. All proceeds will benefit St Jude children’s hospital.
The Competitive Racesaver 305 sprints have yet to have a repeat winner will be racing as well as the mini stocks who have had 3 winners in 4 events.
- Pit gates will open at 4 pm
- Grandstands open at 5 pm
- Qualifying at 7 pm
- Racing to follow immediately after.
Concessions will be open but outside food and drink are permitted inside. Coolers must fit between the bleachers with no glass. Alcohol is permitted. Lawn chair seating is permitted in the grassy area by the fence. We are a cash or credit card facility at all ticket booths and concessions.
Camping is permitted at no charge with No hook ups available. Please park your campers along the tree line by the pits and also behind the grandstand as well. Please park perpendicular to the tree line to allow as many campers as possible.
The rodeway inn right off of I-80 at rt 19 is the host hotel of Michaels mercer raceway with plenty of trailer parking. Please call the hotel directly at 724-748-3030 and mention the raceway when booking your room for a discounted rate.
