4/21/2007 Mercer,PA DANNY HOLTGRAVER D4
by Mike Leone
Mercer Raceway Park kicked off the five-division Saturday Night Live program on a picture-perfect Saturday night after the past two cold, wet weekends. Armstrong presented the first $10 family night as a large amount of families enjoyed the beautiful night.
Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane was Danny Holtgraver in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars. The 17-year old Holtgraver became the latest teenager to collect his first career Sprint Car feature win at Mercer by wiring the feature from green to checkered to hold off veteran Rod George.
"Wow!" exclaimed the Pittsburgh racer. "I saw him a couple times inside of me and I was trying not to mess up and just hold on. I'm a little tired. I had no idea we'd be this good. I'm happier than I could ever be right now."
Holtgraver won the drag race over George into turn one using the outside to take the advantage on the start. Mike Dehner slowed the event when he looped his mount with one lap completed. Under yellow, Michigan invader Ryan Grubaugh exited the event in fourth. When racing resumed, Rob Eyler moved around New York's Chris Shuttleworth for fourth.
The event's second and final caution was for a spin by Jim Chappel, who made his return to racing after a long absence. The caution benefited Eyler, who then raced past Arnie Kent for third when green replaced yellow.
Up front, Holtgraver ran a great line around the outside of the track while George kept the youngster in sight. The laps ticked off with George looking low on different occasions, but Holtgraver did a great job in lapped traffic.
Holtgraver's only slip came on lap 18 when he bobbled off turn two allowing George and Eyler to close in. George was right on the leader on lap 19 and 20 as he drove hard to the bottom of turns one and two, but Holtgraver had enough momentum off the top side of the track to hold on.
Holtgraver took the checkered by two car lengths over George and Eyler, who was two car lengths behind George in third in his West View Motors/Martin Auto/Kargo Sales & Storage D4. Saturday was actually Danny's second career at Mercer after winning with as a 15-year old Micro Sprint star on June 11, 2005.
April 28) Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, and Mini Stocks. Free general admission for all Beaver County residents
May 5) Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, and Mini Stocks. $1 admission for all students. $1 for hot dogs, fries, soda, & popcorn. Twin-State & PCTC Night
May 12) Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, and Mini Stocks plus kids bike races. Bring the family for $10 presented by Armstrong
Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, PA. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. Gates open at 4:30pm with hot laps at 6:15pm and racing at 7pm. The office in New Bedford is open year-round after 1pm Monday through Friday.
For more information call the office at (724) 964.9300 or the track on race day at (724) 662.1310. For the latest, check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Heat 1) Ryan Grubaugh
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Heat 2) Mike Dehner
A-main (20 laps) 1 Danny Holtgraver D4, Pittsburgh; 2 Rod George 4, Kittanning; 3 Rob Eyler 5e, Franklin; 4 Arnie Kent 18, New Castle; 5 Chris Shuttleworth 11, Wellsville, NY; 6 Brent Matus 33, Wampum; 7 Mike Dehner 17, Clarion; 8 Jim Chappel 3J, Fombell; 9 Joe Butera 3J, Wampum; 10 Ryan Grubaugh 00, St.Johns, MI. 410w