By Jim Balentine (Mercer,PA)
After a week off Michaels Mercer Raceway presented by Sunbelt rentals will be back in action this week as they present the Schaffer family memorial for the top shelf trucking DIRT 602 crate sportsman paying at least $2000 to win which is the highest paying crate modified event in the area for 2025. also the RUSH non wing sprint cars will make their debut appearance along with the IMCA racesaver 305 sprints; and SCDRA King’s forest products Mini Stocks. The previously announced Crown Vic division will not be in attendance on this evening.
The Schaffer name at Mercer almost goes back to the very beginning of the 74 year old speedway. 3 of the 5 Schaffer brothers began competing at Mercer in the mid 1950s with Andy #53, Bill #17, Paul #15 and nephew Frank. Younger brothers “big Ed” #10 and “big Al” #14 Schaffer beginning racing at Mercer in the 1960s. even sisters Rosie and Marie competed at Mercer with Cindy the only original family member who never competed at the speedway. Multiple generations of the Schaffer family have completed regularly at Mercer with brothers Jimmy, and Jeff and Jerry, capturing many feature wins and track championships in the 90s though last year and offspring third generation drivers such as Brian who picked up three straight crate modified track championships from 2019-2021; Jeff Jr., who has won 4 crate modified feature events, Todd, Troy, Billy and Trevn, who is starting his crate modified career after competing in mini stocks. Mercer will be celebrating the memory of the original six who laid the foundation for the following generations to follow in their footsteps.
It has been an exciting year for the top shelf trucking dirt 602 crate sportsman as in seven races there have been seven different winners. Todd English, Eric Gabany, Jordan, Ehrenberg, Bill Adams, Pat Lane, Caden Petry, Jim Bryce and Karston King all have wins this year and would like nothing better than to capture the Schaffer memorial this Saturday night. The RUSH modifieds are permitted to compete which should bring a large field.
Finishing position extra money to be given to the drivers in the pits after the feature. 1st $200 gift card Russ King Racing 2nd $200 gift card Big Daddys speed Center 3rd $200 gift certificate Eric Gabany Racing 4th $444 turn 4 toilets and Will Schaffer 5th $400 Andy Schaffer Family 6th 7th 8th 9th $200 In memory of Wayne Black 10th $500 Ed Schaffer Family 11th $100 Rays Racing collectibles 12th $100 Gift card for rays racing collectibles 13th 14th $411 Family of Al Schaffer 15th $500 Family of Paul Schaffer 16th 17th $500 Family of Bill Schaffer 18th $200 gift certificate Eric Gabany Racing 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th $200 gift card Russ King Racing
As of now the following payout for the 602 crate modified race has been confirmed…However, please note that this amount will continue to grow as additional sponsors participate. It will pay a minimum of $2000 to win and $200 to start. 1st $2000 2nd $1250 3rd $1000 4th $550 5th $425 6th $400 7th $220 8th$220 9th $220 10th $220 11th $220 12th$220 13th $200 14th$200 15th $200 16th $200 17th $200 18th $200 19th $200 20th $200 21st $200 22nd $200 23rd $200 24th $200
Jerry Schaffer will present the feature winner with two checkered flags autographed by the entire field of cars, one to keep as a commemorative, and one to hand out to a special person in the grandstands. Jerry also has a last lap pass challenge where if a driver completes a last lap pass for the win the driver will receive an extra $200 cash in victory Lane from Jerry.
The RUSH non wing sprint cars will make their first ever appearance at Mercer after racing some unsanctioned events during the Little guy nationals. Non wing sprint car racing at Mercer produced some exciting racing on the tricky Mercer oval for decades with Mercer being the final track in the area to mandate the wings in 1980. Blaze Myers with 11 wins and John Mollick with 9 have been at the top of the RUSH sprint car rankings this year. Zach Morrow and 19 time Mercer winner Arnie Kentalso have wins on the season with an amazing 35 different drivers have competed with the RUSH series this year. Andy Priest, Blaze Myers and John Mollick have captured crate sprint wins at Mercer.
The IMCA Racesaver 305 sprints with Vivian Jones a back to back point champion and the King’s forest service SCDRA mini stocks with point champion Andy Thompson will also be on the card .
Grandstands will open at 5 PM and admission will be $20. 13 years and under are free to the grandstands. Pits will open at 4 PM. Pit passes will be $35 ages 10 and under are $30.
Drivers meeting will be at 5:30 Followed by sprint heat in motors then hot laps then racing to follow.
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. There will be NO reserved seating so come early for the best seats.
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..
For anyone coming to Mercer The rodeway inn is our tracks host hotel..just off of I-80 on rt 19 just 2 miles south of the racetrack. The Inn has plenty of parking for haulers and also has a bar lounge area with a Mexican restaurant.
Please call and ask for the Mercer Raceway rate. Our 4 legged friends are welcome too!!!
The yellow and the red AMBIT transponders can both be used now at the speedway. All cars must have a transponder and none are available to rent.. raceivers are mandatory default channel 454.000.
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; cot 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
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