FASTonDIRT 410 sprints return to Mercer for $4000 to win FRIDAY AUG 22ND. Penn/Ohio Pro stock touring race along with IMCA racesaver 305 sprints; DIRT 602 crate sportsman, SCDRA mini stocks and Mod lite/dwarf cars.
By Jim Balentine
(Mercer,Pa)
The methanol breathing 900 hp Aaron Fry-led Honest Abe roofing FASTonDIRT 410 sprint cars presented by Ti-22 performance will make it debut appearance of 2025 at Michaels Mercer raceway presented by Sunbelt Rentals in a $4000 to win contest on FRIDAY AUG 22ND. The Penn/Ohio pro stocks will compete in a touring race paying $1000 to win along with our regular three classes on the final night of points with IMCA racesaver 305 sprints, Top Shelf trucking DIRT 602 crate sportsman modified , King’s forest products SCDRA mini stocks, and the return of the Mod lites/dwarf cars will also be in competition for a super SIX division evening.
Pits will open at 4 pm. Grandstands will open at 5 pm. Drivers meeting will be at 5:30. Hot laps will be at 6 with FASTonDIRT sprint qualifying to follow and Racing after that.
Grandstands :$20 adults ;$18 seniors; 13 and under free
Pit passes:$35 adults; Kids 10 under $30
The past two FASTonDIRT sprint shows at Mercer have had over 30 cars at both events. AJ flick picked up the Jeff Gilliland memorial last season winning over $9000 and Bob Felmlee picked up the western Pennsylvania sprint car championship in 2023. Last year‘s point champion for the FAST series Brandon Spithaler will be on hand to defend his title while Jeremy Kornbau will be driving the Barris #32 410 sprint. Ricky Peterson is leading the way in FAST points and there has not been a repeat winner this season!!!
For race teams planning to attend, the standard FAST payout for the main event is as follows: 4000, 2000, 1500, 1200, 1000, 800, 700, 600, 550, 500, 480, 460, 440, 420, 410, 400, 400, 400, 400, 400. Heat races will pay: 40, 30, 20, 10 thanks to the help of Patriot Capital Financial, All Pro Cylinder Heads, Inc., JLT Enterprises, and Victory Fuel. Bonus awards for "hard luck" and "hard charger" are supplied by Helms & Sons Construction and Excavation. There are NO membership, registration or entry fees to race with FAST.
All cars must be on 4 corner Hoosier Racing Tires with the right rear a choice of the following spec compounds: D15A, H15, Medium or Medium 1. The left rear must be a D12A or H12. They do not require teams to run the same right rear tire all night. FAST will have tires available at the track. Wings must be flat top with a maximum 2" wicker bill. Cars must weigh 1,425 pounds, with driver, after qualifying and after racing events.
The pro stocks once a regular weekly class will run a Penn/Ohio sanctioned touring race paying $1000 to win and $150 to start. Joey Zambotti won last years little guy nationals and the chiller thriller this March but long time competitors such as Penn/Ohio point leaders Chris Withers, Bobby Whitling, and John Boardman are always a threat to win. Over 50 drivers have accumulated points for the touring series which is being led by Bobby Whitling followed by Tim Bish. To be eligible for touring points and series money, you must register with the Penn/Ohio series.
The IMCA racesaver 305 sprint cars will be ending their point battle with last year’s track champion Vivian Jones looking to repeat this season. Former track champ Jarrett Rosencrance is 67 points behind and Aaron Marano 82 back and Mike Mathieson 83 behind.
The DIRT 602 crate sportsman modified class sponsored by Top Shelf trucking should have another great field of cars as all local crate modified are permitted to compete with only minor rule modifications with no GM bottle cap seals. Caden Petry with his 1st career win last Saturday has vaulted into the point lead with former champ Jordan Ehrenberg a scant 16 points behind. Pat Lane is 24 behind and last weeks point leader Gage Priester who had mechanical issues fell back to 4th 41 points behind.
The SCDRA mini stocks sponsored by King’s Forest products have the closest final point battle. Former track champion Andy Thompson after picking up his 22nd career win in the division last Saturday is only 10 points ahead of Randy Ealy and Joe Campbell who won his 1st Mercer feature since 2019 in the make-up race. Carl Ealy is 40 points behind.
Also for the 1st time since 2020 the Mod lite/dwarf cars will make an appearance in conjunction with Blanket Hill Speedway near Kittaning, Pa. Paying $500 to win. The driver with the best average finish between the 2 tracks will receive and extra $100. The late Mark Marcucci sits alone atop the win list with 41. Many drivers from the Deerfield, Ohio area are expected to attend along with the Blanket Hill regulars.
The yellow and the red AMBIT transponders can both be used at the speedway. All cars must have a transponder and none are available to rent.. raceivers are mandatory default channel 454.000.
Concessions will be open. 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 facility at all locations. Pets are permitted but MUST be on a leash no longer than arms length. We are a cash or credit facility.
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 them at 724.300.3239 and ask for Mercer Raceway rates.
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.
- administrator on Aug 19, 2025
- Article Date: 8/18/2025