SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE Mercer's racing debut is on tap

The Sprints will highlight the program.
MERCER, Pa. -- The 2003 Special Race Event Schedule at Mercer Raceway Park will kick off on May 17.
On the card will be the Luxaire Heating & amp; Cooling 410 Sprint Cars along with the 360 Sprint Cars, New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds and the Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars.
The highlight of the program will be the 410 and 360 Sprints in separate complete events on the same night for the first time in the history of the speedway.
The 410s will be battling for $2,000 to-win, while $1,500 will go to the winner of the 360 main. Noted engine builder, Don Blackshear of Blackshear Automotive & amp; Racing Engines, has sweetened the pot by adding a $250 bonus if any driver can win both 25-lap features.
From three states
The 360 portion of the program will bring cars in from all over New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania in the first of three events this year for the 360s.
The "Tri-State Clash" will join together the new Patriot Sprint Group of New York with the National Racing Alliance (NRA) Invaders of Western Ohio. Sandwiched in between those groups include Mercer's 360 contingent along with the cars of Orrville, Ohio's Wayne County Speedway.
When Freedom Speedway dropped the 360 Sprints at the end of last season, the Patriots Sprint Group was formed by Bill and Kathy Rogers in order to give 360 Sprints in Western New York a place to race.
This event was actually the Patriot's first show to be booked. Their inaugural event was held May 3 at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., with Tom Taber winning over a 26-car field.
NRA
The NRA is the leading 360 Sprint Car organization in Ohio. Most of its events are held at the famed Eldora Speedway and Limaland Speedway.
Other tracks on its schedule include Attica Raceway Park and Butler, Mich. This will be their first time in the Keystone State.
Past champions are Tim Allison (1999-2001) and Mike Dussell in 2002. Other top contenders include Mike Brecht, J.R. Stewart, Dwain and Steve Leiber, Kyle Sauder, Tim Sites, Darren Long, Cory Seeling, Tim Kern, Tony Beaber, Kent Wolters, among others.
The 410s will be battling in their first of six special race events. Along with the 410s, only 360s that have competed in 2003 will be eligible for the 410 portion in order to maintain their points.
So far this season, four different drivers have already cracked victory lane. Arnie Kent leads the points with one win.
Also on the card will be the New Castle School of Trades Sportsman Modifieds and Butterfield's Pub Stock Cars. The sportsman will battle 25 laps for $600 to-win in their first of eight special race events.
Stocks
The Stock Cars will go at it 20 laps for $600 to-win in their first of 10 special events that pay a minimum of $600 to-win. One-time winner Rusty Moore is tied with Terry Kroner for the point lead. Other winners include Bobby Whitling, Gary Norman and Lynn Hostetler.
Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. Grandstands open at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps begin at approximately 6:15 with racing at 7 p.m.
Adult admission is $15. The Family Pass is $33. Students 6-15 are $7. Children 5 and under are free. Pit passes are $30.