BONNELL IMPRESSIVE WITH SECOND SPRINT WIN AT MERCER
by Mike Leone
July 7, 2007 Mercer, PA) The fifth straight sunny Saturday saw Mercer Raceway Park host the inaugural Stand On It presented by Truck Rodz by Jones Performance as circle track and drag racing were featured together for the first time ever. Celebrating in the Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic victory lane was Scott Bonnell in the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars.
One month ago, Bonnell made the decision to return to Mercer and the move continues to pay dividends as Bonnell scored his second win in his last four visits on Saturday.
"The guys gave me a great car," acknowledged the Girard racer. "Last week, we had a good car and I messed up in turn one and spun out. I was mad at myself all week and knew I had to come back and win one for these guys. We were really hooked up. I could run the top, but it went away a little at the end,and I pictured Rod driving underneath me.
"It plays on your mind with the scoreboard not working. You don't know what lap you're at or who's behind you. It was tough. You just get out there and run as hard as you can. I have to thank God for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do and that's race."
Brent Matus raced past Ohio teenage rookie Cole Duncan for the lead on the opening lap. Bonnell, who started sixth, got a great start as he used his momentum off the outside of turns one and two to ascend all the way up to second with Gale Ruth, Jr. trailing in third. Mike Dehner slowed and brought out the caution with one lap completed. Under caution Bryan Grove pitted and point leader Rod George exited the event with front-end damage, ending his perfect streak of finishing first or second every night this season.
When racing resumed, Bonnell flew around Matus off turn four into the lead. Danny Holtgraver and last week's winner Mike Lutz, who started tenth, both passed Duncan for fourth and fifth on lap two. The battle heated up for third on lap seven as Ruth tried to hold off Holtgraver and Lutz, while Bonnell pulled away from the field. Holtgraver spun off turn four across the straightaway bringing out the caution with nine laps completed and moved Lutz up to fourth and Arnie Kent into fifth.
Back under green, a four-car race ensued for second with Matus holding off Ruth, Lutz, and Kent. Lutz made the pass of Ruth for third on lap 10 and one lap later swung past Matus for second. By lap 12, Bonnell had a straightaway advantage on Lutz. The final caution was displayed for newcomer Duffy Smith with 13 laps completed. Ruth, Kent, and Holtgraver were all able to increase a position taking third through fifth from Matus on laps 14, 16, and 17 respectively.
Back up front, Lutz didn't have anything for Bonnell, who raced on to his fourth career Mercer 410 Sprint Car win and sixth overall including two 360 scores in his Bonnell's Collision Center/ Fairview Service Center/Sikkens Auto Paint 3B. Lutz continued his strong performances in the last four events, which includes a win, a second, and two thirds. Ruth held off Kent for a career best third place finish. Holtgraver came back to finish fifth. Matus dropped to sixth over the ever-improving Duncan. Smith was eighth in his first appearance since September 18, 2004. Butera was ninth ahead of New Jersey's Jack Helget.
Upcoming Events:
July 14) Sprints, Mods, Mod Lites, Mini Stocks, and the Steve Guthrie, Jr. Memorial for Stocks ($500) plus Kids Bike Races. $10 Family Night presented by Armstrong. Dean Dairy Corp. Night.
July 21) Sprints, Mods, Mod Lites, Mini Stocks, and the Ken Carbone Memorial for Stocks ($650) plus Compact Car Demo Derby. Labor Union Night- $5 admission for card-carrying union members and their significant other. Yellow Book USA Night.
July 28) 7th annual Sprint Slug-Out featuring triple 15s for Sprints plus Mods, Stocks, Mod Lites, & Mini Stocks. Gates open at 4:30 with hot laps at 6:15 and racing at 7 p.m.
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 late mornings and after 1:30 Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com.
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Heat 1) Cole Duncan
Luxaire Heating & Cooling Heat 2) Danny Holtgraver
A-main (20 laps) 1 Scott Bonnell 3, 2 Mike Lutz (Preston 1p), 3 Gale Ruth Jr 5jr, 4 Arnie Kent, 5 Danny Holtgraver D4, 6 Brent Matus 33, 7 Cole Duncan 22, 8 Duffy Smith, 9 Joe Butera 33, 10 Jack Helget, 11 Paul Kish, 12 Bryan Grove, 13 Rod George 4, 14 Mike Dehner 17. DNS Jeff Taylor 17t. 410w