By Jim Balentine
(Mercer, Pa)
A new era of michaels Mercer raceway which is celebrating it’s 75th anniversary season will kick into high gear next Saturday, March 28 with the annual running of the “chiller thriller” featuring the unsanctioned super late models in a $3000 to win event.. along with the Mercer Mercantile IMCA racesaver 305 sprints; top shelf trucking 602 dirt crate sportsman modifieds; the king forest products SCDRA mini stocks; and the crown Vic’s. Sunbelt rentals will return as a corporate sponsor as well as Erme’s distributing/miller lite.
The historic speedway which has been owned by the Michaels family since 2019 will now be in the hands of Earl and wife Michelle Michaels. The staff has been busy since the end of last season with massive upgrades to the facility and a different outlook for 2026 which will include at least 19 events.
The “chiller thriller” has been run as the opening night at Mercer since 2004 and it continues on in its 23RD year.
The super late models will be unsanctioned with an open tire rule and will follow the general guidelines of the local area late model tracks. The minimum weight will be 2300 lbs with driver. The crate late models will be permitted to run and must weigh 2200 lbs. It will pay $3000 to win and $250 to start. They will qualify for their heat race position.
There will be a $500 bonus for sweeping the chiller thriller and the ULMS show Sponsored by M&T Appliances in Bridgeville, PA.
The high horsepower full bodied machines have always put on a great show at the tricky Mercer oval with 3 abreast racing and with the red clay drivers will be racing top to bottom all around the speedway…and with no “home track advantage” it should be an exciting show to see who can be victorious in the event. A lot of buzz has already generated regarding this event with drivers showing interest from stateline, Eriez, Marion Center, Hummingbird, and Wayne county in Ohio as well as some drivers from Central Pennsylvania.
The super late models were at one time the class that opened the season at the “chiller thriller” for many years. John Lee captured the first super late model race since 2017 during last years chiller thriller. Dave Hess Jr. won the super lm feature in April of 2017. Russell King took the win in 2016. Gregg Satterlee-‘14, Rob Blair-‘13, and Mike Knight have been the more recent winners.
Other late model drivers capturing wins at Mercer since 1994 are Dave Scott-3; Keith Barbara -2; Alan Dellinger -2; Dick Barton -1; John mollick -1; Nick Jones-1. The division also ran weekly for one season in 1974 when both Canfield and Butler Speedway closed with Ralph Quarterson the lone champion.
The IMCA racesaver 305. Sprints will have a new sponsor with Mercer Mercantile..Vivian Jones will return to defend her track championship. and more cars are scheduled to compete this year.
Top shelf trucking returns to sponsor the ever-growing 602 dirt crate sportsman modifieds. Last season’s championship came down to the very last lap of the season as Caden Petry picked up his first track title. There should be between 20 to 30 cars competing weekly at the speedway this season with no other track racing the division on Saturday nights.
King Forest products also returns as the sponsor for the SCDRA mini stocks for 2026. Last season Mercer veteran Andy Thompson captured another track championship. The division experienced some growing pains last year with the new rules and regulations however, this year should have an increased field each week.
The crown Vic’s, which were added last year to the schedule, will be back for the first of many shows as many tracks in the immediate area are now adding the division. last year drivers came as far as Hagerstown, Maryland to compete and hopefully a large car count will be there on Saturday night.
Pit gates will open at 4,
Grandstands will open at 5
Hot laps to begin at 6, with qualifying for the super late models and racing to follow.
Grandstand admission will be $20, the new family pass with two adults up to three children under the age of 16 will be $35 and pits will be $35.
There will be an open practice Friday March 27th with a $20 pit admission. The grandstand will be closed. Pits open at 4 pm and practice will be from 5 pm-dark. It is open to any car from any speedway. Please bring your transponder number if it is different from last season to the practice.
There will be a one time $25 registration fee for the super late models and a one time $50 registration fee for all other divisions. Please bring the fee and the registration form found on the website and Facebook to the pit sign in when you pay for your pit pass at a separate window. Bring it to the Friday practice to avoid a delay on Saturday.
For more information on Mercer or potential sponsorship opportunities please visit our new Facebook page or our website: http://www.MichaelsMercerraceway.com You can also contact our promoter Mike Mathieson at (724) 977-9956
or on Facebook messenger.
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