by Mike Leone

For the third straight Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park, late in the afternoon the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped more than 10 degrees, but this time unexpected rain fell from the clouds.

A brief rain delayed action during the heat races, but the track was worked back in and the heats were completed before the heavy rains came in, but it was not before Arnie Kent was victorious in the wingless Sprint Cars. Five laps of the American Racer/Lias Tire Modified feature were in the books before getting rained out.

Kent loves racing Sprint Cars wingless, but before Saturday night the New Castle driver was never able to crack victory lane. In 15 career non-winged starts, Kent had two second-places to show, one at Hickory Speedway in 1997 and another at Mercer in 2003. But on Saturday night, Kent's love for traditional sprint car racing finally paid off as he captured the Luxaire Heating & Cooling event earning $1500 holding off Rod George and denying him of four straight wins on the western Pennsylvania circuit.

Sprint Cars took to the already tacky surface with light rain falling that continued throughout the event. Kent drew the pole position and was able to muscle his way into the lead with George trailing. Davey Jones brought out the first caution when he spun off the backstretch with two complete.

When racing resumed, Kent continued to lead but George began challenging the leader on lap five. The two raced side-by-side on laps five and six with George on the bottom and Kent on the top; meanwhile, Mike Dehner passed two-time winner Danny Holtgraver for second on lap six. Holtgraver was then passed by Gale Ruth Jr. for fourth before he exited the event.

Scott Priester made his first start of the year, but his night ended when he came to a rest bringing out the second and final caution with eight laps completed.

When racing resumed, George was all over Kent trying every move possible. George again got under Kent in turns one and two on lap 11, but got sideways off turn two allowing Kent to open up more than a half-straightaway lead.

As the laps ticked off, George cut into Kent's lead every lap and really closed on lap 16, while Mike Lutz began to pressure Ruth for fourth. George was right there hoping to find a way around or a Kent slip.

On the final lap, George drove in hard and got a great run off turn four and was right on Kent's bumper, but came up on car-length shy in his bid for his fourth straight win on the circuit.

For Kent in his Equipment Rental Options/Image Factory 18, the win was his first overall of the season, first ever in a non-winged car, 16th of his career in 410 action at Mercer, 17th of his career overall at Mercer, and 21st of his career overall.

George has still not finished worse than second in five Mercer starts this season as the 2005 champion leads the points. Dehner's continued his career best season with a career best third place finish for his third top five of the season.

In six previous seasons of competition, Dehner had failed to finish in the top five with last year's sixth-place in the non-winged event his best career finish to date.

Lutz made his second start of the season in Troy Preston's 1P and was able to pass Ruth on lap 18 to finish fourth. Ruth was fifth in his first start of the season.

Ralph Spithaler Jr, who owns three career wins at Mercer, made his first start of the season and was sixth. Ohio invader Mike Burkin made his first ever appearance and was seventh. Joe Butera made his third career non-winged start, but first ever at Mercer and recorded a career best finish in eighth ahead of his car owner Brent Matus. Bill Kiley completed the Top Ten in his first start of the season.

A huge night will be now be set for this Saturday, May 26 as it will truly be fan appreciation night. Fans will see the regular five divisions in action plus the Modified and Mod Lite make-up features all for just $5 for adults, $12 for families, and $2 for students 6-15 on Pack the Track Night presented by Froggy 95.1. It’s also Meet Your Heroes Autograph Night during intermission.

May 27) All-American Spring Nationals World Championship Pulling Event. Big Rig Semis, Smoker Tractors, Street Diesel 4x4 Trucks, & Street Semis. Pulling begins at 6:30. Rain date Mon, May 28 at 5pm.

June 2) Jeff Hoffman Memorial presented by Hoffman Door Co. Mods ($2000), Sprints ($1500), Stocks ($500), Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks plus 5/19 make-up features for Stocks & Mini Stocks

June 9) Sprints, Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, and Mini Stocks plus Demo Derby. Free general admission for all Venango County residents. General Electric Diesel Engine Plant Corp. Night. Gates open at 4:30 hot laps at 6:15 and racing at 7pm.

Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through early October. 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) Mike Lutz

Luxaire Heating & Cooling Heat 2) Danny Holtgraver

A-main (20 laps) 1 Arnie Kent 18, 2 Rod George (Crawford 4), 3 Mike Dehner 17, 4 Mike Lutz (Preston 1p), 5 Gale Ruth Jr 5, 6 Ralph Spithaler 56s, 7 Mike Burkin 48, 8 Joe Butera (Matus 33), 9 Brent Matus 33, 10 William Kiley 4k, 11 Richard Reinhart 7, 12 Scott Priester 11x, 13 Danny Holtgraver D4, 14 Davey Jones 76. 410nw