Super LM’s, Pro Stocks Back At Michaels Mercer Raceway For 74th Season Opener Saturday
Story By: JIM BALENTINE / MICHAELS MERCER RACEWAY – 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 74th season at the “chiller thriller” slated for this Saturday March 29 2025.
Also on the card will be :
- Racesaver 305 sprints
- DIRT 602 crate sportsman (DIRTcar rules but fire suppression and full containment seat highly recommended) RUSH sealed motors and tires are allowed)
- Pro stocks(penn/Ohio rules)
- SCDRA mini stocks
The super late models will be unsanctioned with an open tire rule (Hoosier and American racer) and will follow the general guidelines of the local area late model tracks. The minimum weight will be 2300 lbs with driver. The crate late models will be permitted to run and must weigh 2200 lbs. It will pay $3000 to win and $250 to start. They will qualify for their heat race position. Every late model driver will have to pay a one time $25 registration fee along with their pit pass.
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 red clay 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 ever growing Racesaver 305 sprint class should have a mix of seasoned veterans and new rookies compete for the 1st time in 2025. Last years track champ Vivian Jones who beat past champion Jake Gomola by a mere 1 point and longtime 305 racers Andy Priest, Jeremy Kornbau, Jimmy Morris among others will be back to take on the latest class of young drivers to make their first start in the class. Every 305 driver must pay a one time $50 registration fee for the season along with their pit pass.
The newly adapted DIRT crate sportsman class will compete for the first time in 2025 as the crate modified class now will be able to run with New York State DIRT rules enabling local and upstate New York and eastern Pa drivers the ability to compete in both sections of the commonwealth. Longtime Mercer veteran Eric Gabany took the track championship last year defeating Jeff Schaffer Sr. by a mere 13 points. Gage Priester, Pat Lane, Jim Bryce will be on hand as well along with many other drivers as all crate modifieds from the West Pa/ Eastern Ohio area will be permitted to compete in this event with the possibility of an overflow fields of DIRT 602 crate sportsman. Every 602 crate modified driver must pay a $50 one time registration fee along with their pit pass.
The mini stocks now fully under the SCDRA sanctioning body should prove to be interesting this season with competition as close as ever while racing for the highest amount to win weekly in $400. Carl Ealy picked up another track title while new faces near the top emerged with Devin Haley, Corey Bice, Chuck Davis and Andrew Thompson round out the top 5. Andy Thompson one of the biggest winners in this division will surely return to victory lane in 2025 there may also be new faces as many other competitors from different speedways will now be legal to compete. Every mini stock driver must pay a $50 one time registration fee for the entire season along with their pit pass.
The pro stocks once a regular weekly class will again run under the Penn/Ohio sanctioned rules. Curt J. Bish, Joey Zambotti, and Jacob Wheeler have been the most recent winners but long time competitors such as Bobby Whitling, Josh Sieppel, and Chris Withers are always a threat to win. Every pro stock driver must pay a $25 one time registration fee for the season.
Pits will open at 3 pm.
Grandstands will open at 4 pm. Drivers meeting will be at 4:30. Hot laps will be at 5 with late model qualifying to follow. Racing will begin at 6 pm.
Grandstands
- $20 adults
- $18 seniors
- 13 under free
Pit passes
- $35 adults
- $30 seniors
- Kids 10 under 30
