UEMS Kicks Off ’09 Season On March 28 At Mercer
The United Emod Series kicks off their sophomore season on March 28 at Mercer Raceway Park with the annual “Chiller Thriller” event. This will be the first of ten scheduled events on the United Emod Series 2009 slate. The anticipation over the winter months for the second year for the Emod series has been tremendous and a good field of entries is expected for 2009′s first event. Race teams from McKean County, Stateline, Eriez, Raceway 7, Sharon, Tri City, Pittsburgh, Little Valley Speedway and elsewhere are expected to be on hand.
Randy Hall is the defending UEMS “Chiller Thriller” winner along with the defending UEMS Champion will no doubt be on hand hot off winning the 2009 Speedweeks Alltel DIRTcar AllStar challenge will be looking to be the first two time UEMS winner as the series has yet had a repeat winner. Rich Michael of Ischua, NY is expected to be on hand as well. Michael was the 2007 “Chiller Thriller” winner and finished second in the final UEMS point battle. Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, PA was third in the final UEMS points will no doubt be on hand as well and both he and Michael will be looking for their first UEMS win. Other notable Emod stars such as central New York IMCA star, George Catanzano, Vic Vena, Joe Weber, Chris Peterson, Dave Will, TJ Downs, Greg Larson, Russ Dunn, Carl McKinney, Gary Eicher, Shawn Shingledecker, Mike Eschrich, Justin Tatlow, Tim Peterson, Darren Tarabori, along with dirt late model veteran, Al Brewer and many others will be looking for the $800 first place prize.
Last years inaugural event drew 29 entries from three states as Hall won the event. The series finished the inaugural season at Mercer in October with a car count of 59 cars as Ohio’s, Joel Watson topped the field. This will be the only tune up for the UEMS teams as they will return to Mercer in October for the Keystone Open, which will be the richest Emod event in the state of Pennsylvania!
The United Emod Series will draw for their heat race qualifying positions and the top twelve positions will redraw for the 25 lap – $800 to win main event. There will be a $10 entry fee for the “Chiller Thriller.”
The pit gates open at 3:30 PM, with the grandstands opening an hour later. Hot laps begin at 6:15 PM and the first green flag of the year drops at 7PM. Pit pass is $30. Adult grandstand admission is $15, students (6-15) are $7, family pass is $35 and kids under age 5 will be free. In case of inclement weather, this event has a make up date for the following weekend (April 4).
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile slightly banked clay oval located at the former Mercer County Fairgrounds that dates back into the 1800s. It is considered to be one of the oldest race tracks in America, with the first official auto race being held on July 26, 1951.
Mercer Raceway Park is located at 555 Fairground Rd. in Mercer. The track is three miles north of I-80 exit 15 (old exit 2) just off Route 19 on Fairground Road. For more information you can call Mercer Raceway Park at 724-964-9300 or check their website out at www.mercerracewaypark.com.
The BRP Big Block Modified Tour will headline the program along with UEMS Emods, open stock cars and mini stocks will complete the “Chiller Thriller” program. For more information on ULMS Racing check www.unitedlatemodelseries.com or contact Chris Zuver by phone at 716-378-4692 or email at ulms_racing@hotmail.com.
The United Emod Series is sponsored by: Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Lias Tire – American Racer, Genesis Shocks, Close Racing Supply, GRT and BMS Race Cars, R&M Home and Auto / Amsoil, WZKZ Radio (Wellsville, NY), Cousins Designs, BillsDirtLateModels.com, RacewayMagazine.com, Justified by Grace Web Services and Oyler Action Photos.
