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By Mike Leone
Pulaski, PA…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series will try again to kick off the 2008 season this weekend with two events; first on Saturday at McKean County Raceway and then on Monday at Mercer Raceway Park.
“We’re looking forward to getting our season underway,” stated FASTRAK Northeast Co-Director Vicki Emig. “It’s been a struggle with Mother Nature everywhere thus far so hopefully we get a nice weekend for a change. McKean County was one of the original FASTRAK tracks here in the Northeast and they had the highest car counts last season so we’re expecting a strong field both there and at Mercer Monday.”
The 25-lap features at both McKean and Mercer will pay $1,200 to-win, $150 to-start. Drivers will draw pills to determine the heat race lineups and redraw for the first 12 starting spots of the feature. There is a $50 entry fee. The Goodyear G45 or G50 tires are mandatory. They will be available at the track for $128 each or by calling BWR Performance at 330-509-1999.
Last year, John Lacki and Todd Andrews were victorious in the two Touring events held at McKean, while Dick Barton won the inaugural event at Mercer.
McKean has yet to get a weekly event in this season, while Mercer has completed three FASTRAK weekly-sanctioned events with Frank Guidace, Brian Booher, and Rusty Moore all winning their first ever Late Model features.
No other tracks will be running the FASTRAK Late Models on Saturday or Monday to ensure a strong field of cars at both tracks. Some of the top competitors expected include defending Series Champion Alan Dellinger, Dick Barton, Todd Andrews, John Lacki, Greg Oakes, Bobby Powell, Tom Snyder, Jr., Dave Padula, Mike Pegher, Jr., Max Blair, Justin Kann, Steve Hollabaugh, Carl McKinney, and many more.
“We look for strong car counts and quality cars at all of our Touring events this year,” explained FASTRAK Co-Director Mike Leone. “With five weekly tracks this year and growing car counts this should really help the Touring Series, which we worked hard to put this year’s schedule together and keep all of the events within a reasonable travel time. Tire sales and the total number of participating drivers have already eclipsed last year’s totals.”
Feature payoffs for McKean & Mercer: 1. $1,200 2. $650 3. $450 4. $350 5. $325 6. $300 7. $275 8. $260 9. $255 10. $250 11. $225 12. $210 13. $200 14. $175 15. $165 16. $160 17. $155 18-24. $150.
At McKean on Saturday, pits open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7. McKean County Raceway is a 1/3-mile dirt track located at the McKean County Fairgrounds in East Smethport, Pa. at the intersections of Route 6 and 46. For more information on McKean County Raceway, check out their website at www.mckeancountyraceway.com or call 814-362-6909. The track number on race day is 814-887-2600.
At Mercer on Monday, pits open at 2:30 p.m. with hot laps at 5:15 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. Mercer Raceway Park is 3/8-mile dirt track located just minutes from Interstates 79 & 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. For more information on Mercer Raceway Park, check out their website at www.mercerracewaypark.com or call 724-964-9300. The track number on race day is 724-662-1310.
In other Touring Series news, Raceway 7 has rescheduled their three-time rained out Fall Classic to Friday, July 4. The 2008 FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series is a 12-event slate that will determine the $5,000 champion. In order to accumulate points and be eligible for Northeast Touring Series point fund monies and prizes, drivers must be members of the Touring Series. Drivers can sign up for $95. Night one of the Grand Nationals will be a $2,000 to-win event at Mercer Raceway Park on Saturday, October 4 with nights two and three in the south to determine the $50,000 National Champion. In order to compete in the Grand Nationals, drivers must compete in 15 FASTRAK-sanctioned events and be either a Weekly Series or Touring Series member.
2008 FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series associate sponsors thus far are Race 1, Fame RV Center, Yoder’s Performance Specialty & PRC, Bullitt Chassis, and Fred Beans Parts.
To join our mailing list, simply send an e-mail to fastrakpr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Mike Leone and Vicki Emig can be reached at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. For more information, check out www.fastraknortheast.com.