Mercer Raceway Park, just off state Route 19 in Pennsylvania, opened Saturday.
Spring is at here at last. That means many things to many people. Birds, flowers, green grass and more.
To me it means the local racing season is about to begin. I'm not talking the TV cookie cutter race cars. I mean the throw it in the corner, drive it in sideways and stand on the gas dirt-track racing we have right here.
It's about the roar of screaming racing engines, to feel the ground pounding power. New freshly painted and lettered race cars.
The "Chiller Thriller" at Mercer Raceway Park (Mercer, Pa.), which is a short drive down I-80, opened this year's slate. There were UFO Late Models, in their lone 2012 appearance, UEMS E-Mods race, Open Stocks and Mini Stocks.
Late Models provide some of the best racing on the planet, with no other track even open yet look for some hot shoes to try the tricky 3/8-mile dirt oval. Meanwhile, Sharon Speedway in Hartford had an open practice secession this past Sunday that drew 66 race cars just for practice and another 43 for a The Spring Enduro. Sharon is idle this weekend before kicking of the 2012 season this Saturday with Steel Valley Thunder with Big Block Modifides, Fastrak Late Models, E-Mods, Econo Mods, Stock Cars and Mini Stocks.
See you at the races.