Ralph Quarterson memorial Western Pennsylvania sprint car championship memorial for 410 sprints and Big block modifieds set for Saturday July 18 2020.
By Jim Balentine
(Mercer,Pa)
After nearly 3 months of inactivity due to COVID-19 , Michaels Mercer Raceway roars into action on Saturday, July 18 with the first annual Ralph Quarterson Memorial Night featuring an unsanctioned 410 sprint show and big block modified show both running twin 33 lap feature for $3300 to win each. Both numbers represent Ralph’s most successful tenure in his career running the number 66 sprint car for many many years. Also on the card will be the Fastrak Modifieds, Racesaver 305 sprints, mod lites, mini stocks and the junior sprints.
There will also be fireworks by Jeff Gibson from Gibson fireworks who has always put on a tremendous show with his aerial assault.
Hall of Famer Ralph Quarterson who recently passed away, has been nicknamed the “master of Mercer” Because of his successful career at the three eights mile bent egg oval.
From the time that Ralph started in 1959 until his retirement in the mid 80s he amassed an amazing 149 career wins at Mercer in three different classes: 97 Sprint, 48 Modified and 4 late model. Even more impressive is his success in the points battle as he was the sprint champion in 1965 1966 1967 1968 1975 1979 and 1980 and also was the modified champion 4 years in a row from 1977 to 1980!! He was also the winner of the famous western Pennsylvania sprint car championship five times winning in 1966 1967 1968 1969 and 1979!! His wins are so incredible that in the history of Mercer from records going back to 1966 the closest driver to him in sprint wins is the great Lou Blaney with 45!! In the modifieds he is still third all time with 48 wins and only Lou Blaney and Tommy Kristyak have more!!
The Ralph Quarterson memorial 410 sprint western pa sprint car championship will be unsanctioned with $300 to start and with no other track running 410 sprint cars that night there should be a great field present and with the cancellation of the Kings royal at Eldora maybe even some surprise visitors may attend the historical night.
There will also be a $200 410 sprint hard charger awards by John Bates mobile bail bondsman
The Big block Modifieds have been a staple at Mercer since 1951 with originally the coupe bodies from the 1930s competing each week and with the New York tracks which normally run the modifieds not racing there also could be some New York invaders traveling south to take on our tough local drivers!!
This will be a cant miss show for the history books as we honor the life and career of one of the greatest drivers ever to compete in this area!!!
Prices for the historic show will be Pits $35 seniors $30 kids 10 and under are $30
Grandstands $20
Senior Grandstands $17
13 and under free
Raceivers are mandatory and the Red AMBIT transponders are used. The yellow Westinghouse ones will not work at our track.
There will be a one time $25 registration fee for all drivers competing. Mercer does use the MyRacePass app so you can register to follow along as the evening progresses with lineups and results.
Pits open at 3:00 pm
Stands 4:00 pm
Hot laps for sprints and big block modifieds only at 5:00 pm
Racing at 6 pm
There will be a practice held Wednesday July 15 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Pits only will be $25 per person. The grandstands will be closed.
If any businesses or race fans would like to contribute any prizes or monetary awards for the evening please contact the track via our Facebook page or messenger.
You can also call the track at 724-662-1310 and leave a message.
- Edward Michaels on Jul 05, 2020
- Article Date: 7/5/2020