By Jim Balentine
(Mercer,PA)
After the season opening Chriller Thriller in March…Michaels mercer raceway presented by Sunbelt rentals will try again for the season opener with the Rick and Bob Ryder memorial for modifieds paying $4018 to win and $418 to start plus many contingencies making the total amount over $27,000!!! Mike Turner and Deanne Byers are donating $189 to the hard charger and John McGinley will pay $100 to each heat winner.
Our regular 3 divisions will begin the point battle with The IMCA Racesaver 305 sprints, Top shelf trucking DIRT 602 crate modifieds who will be racing for $1000 to win, and the King’s Forestry mini stocks will compete for $500 to win.
Rick Ryder was a former modified driver that raced in all modified classes at Michaels Mercer Raceway. He had scored two feature wins in his career before retiring and becoming a car owner. The cars that he helped and owned, went on to win multiple features and a track championship at his favorite track, Michaels Mercer, Raceway. In May of 2022 Rick passed away from heart complications, and 8 months later his son “Big” Bob Ryder was lost to heart complications. Both were always available to lend a hand in the pits to other drivers, or to give insights on ways to improve their racing
A group decided that the best way to keep their memories alive and their passion for racing and the modifieds is to have the biggest race in the area in their honor so Shayne Izzo and Nathan Roddy sat down and discussed the way to honor these two fine men, and the Ryder memorial was created. 2 years ago “Money” Matt Williamson won a thriller over Eric Gabany who came from 7th to finish 2nd. Garrett Krummert, Rex King Jr. and Will Thomas rounded out the top 5.
The format and modified rule book will follow the BRP Tour/Michaels Mercer Raceway rules. After a pill draw for the heats the top qualifying cars will redraw for the starting positions in the feature. A dash will be run to set the next batch of cars for the feature for 13th-20th place. The remainder of the field is to be determined on the amount of cars present.
Ryder Memorial Lap Sponsors:
1. Makayla Shannon
2. State Street Furniture Oil City, PA
3. Chas Wolbert
4. Chas Wolbert
5. Chiappini Electric LLC.
6. Erica Ryder
7. Brittany Barnes
8. Amy Wimer
9. Oakland Rampart Equipment
10. In Memory of Lou Blaney and Sue Balentine by Jim & Donna
11. Ryder & Roman (Rick’s grandsons)
12. Branden Goodman Photography
13. Root Water Service LLC
14. Schaffer family memorial race
15. Garrett & Jess Mohrbacher
16. Chiappini Electric LLC.
17. Brittany Barnes
18. Amber Plaisted
19. Jerry rents Toilets
20. Brandi and Brayden Ryder
21. Kozar excavating
22. Brittany Barnes
23. Brandi and Brayden Ryder
24. Dylan Mandell
25. Chiappini Electric LLC.
26. Dylan Mandell
27. Ed&Jerry’s Auto Service
28. Amber Plaisted
29. Ryder Racing
30. Wesley Plaisted
31. Barbara & Dave Plaisted
32. Dave & Emily Plaisted
33. Dawn & Russ Plaisted
34. Tammy, Zac and Marissa Edwards
35. Grove City Bowl-O-Drome
36. Kozar excavating
37. Patty Shingledecker/Garage Bar
38. Stephenson Equipment
39. Ryder & Roman (Rick’s grandsons)
40. Kozar excavating
All drivers must have raceivers working and use the yellow westhold or red ambit transponder system. Every driver that has not raced at Mercer this season must complete a registration form for every car and bring that with them with the fee to the pit shack when they sign in. The form is available online.
Pits Open 4pm
Grandstands 5pm.
Hot laps 6 pm
Racing at 7 pm
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.
Michaels Mercer raceway presented by Sunbelt rentals is sponsored by H&H materials; SRM slippery rock materials; Sunbelt rentals; Sandy lake auto parts; Heckman diversified; Sara Cipriano/Novus mortgage; Brocon industries; 21st century energy group; On it automotive; Wabtec corporation; Amsoil; Ben Bissett Chevrolet; Kristyak’s korner; Country fair; Big daddy’s speed center; J&J Sauer; RKR(Russ King Racing); Mercer mercantile; King’s sanitation; Big sky landscaping; Brown’s towing; Top shelf trucking; King forestry; Big Dog R/C park; Hoosier tire.
For more information on Mercer or potential sponsorship opportunities please visit our Facebook page or our website: www.MichaelsMercerraceway.com You can also contact our promoter Mike Mathieson at (724) 977-9956 or on facebook messenger.
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