Touring with the Pro-4s
Stan Mertz…THAT’S MY STORY AND I”M STICKING TO IT!!
Having been born into a racing family, a normal week growing up for Stan Mertz meant heading to the races at Speedway 95 in Hermon, ME. Both his grandfather and father raced. In fact, they were at the track so often that they had their own seating section. If someone else attempted to sit in “their seats” many of the other fans, in the same section, would send the unsuspecting race goers packing. He has always enjoyed short track racing, believing that it’s considered grass roots racing. Mertz got his start in Maine in what was called the Late Model division, however, that division is more like the Street Stocks of today. Unfortunately for Stan, The money ran out and family obligations soon took precedence over being in a race car. Even though he couldn’t return to the driver’s seat in ME he made an effort to watch the action when ever he could but always wanted to return as a competitor instead of just a fan. Sitting in the stands instead of in a molded one just wasn’t working for Mr. Mertz.
Nearly a dozen years or so ago, he was relocated to Massachusetts. After a decade of being a faithful fan, and his children being nearly grown, Stan once again got an “itch” he had to scratch. One by one he would by a special tool or two. Linda, his long time companion, knew he was up to something, but decided to wait it out and see what he was going to do. With each tool that entered the house, she would give him “the look” (and for all of you guys involved in a relationship, you know what look I’m talking about!) and let him put it aside for that someday project. Soon after-wards, he heard that Joe Lillie was selling a Sports Truck. Needless to say, Mertz scooped it up and was ready to go racing at the Cement Palace. The boys at Elm Street Garage in Mansfield, MA made sure the car was ready to go for the season opener. During the first few weeks, the truck was fast. It did well right from the start but during a practice run, Stan wiped it out. Joe Lillie and the guys at 2B Racing and Fabrication took the truck back with them and had it race ready the following week. Many of the competitors in the division were quite surprised to see it. The truck never handled the same after that and at the end of the season, he decided to sell it.
During his time at the Konk, he watched some of the visiting tour groups and liked what he saw in the Pro-4’s. They helped each other off of the track but were competitive on track. Being a gentleman racer he liked this type of racing. After searching for a little while he found a great deal on a car, purchased it, and was ready for the first race that Seekonk Speedway hosted for the division. When he finished that night, he knew that open wheeled racing was for him. He fell in love with the modifieds and the family atmosphere that surrounded the division. He runs in the “Limited” division. The car is underpowered in comparison to drivers like Norm Wrenn and Cory Cleary but he’s equal with the others that run in the Limiteds. All the cars run simultaneously during the race but are score differently at the end. His sponsors and crew are very important to the success that Mertz has experienced. The primary sponsor of the #16 Pro-4 “Limited” Modified is Marty’s Auto Service in Bellingham, MA. Word has it that they love modified racing at Marty’s and that they are tops in the area for auto body work. Associate Sponsors on the car is Graffittiworks.com Sign Co. in Whitinsville, MA. They have helped Stan since he started racing in the Sport Truck Division. 2B Racing and Fabrication in W. Warwick, RI has also been on hand since his truck days and built him the most incredible chassis that is as balanced as a car could ever be. Joe and Jeramee Lillie are always available to help in anyway that they can. Last but not least is Fisher Auto Parts in Whitinsville; Tim has been his supplier of the belts, seals and filters that have been needed on the car. Jay Dell is the crew Chief and houses the car at his garage. He willingly does about 95% of all the work the car requires.
Starting out as Secretary of the Pro-4 Club, Mertz moved into the position of Business Manager this past winter. Most of his Club time has been taken up with securing Sponsorship Partners for the 2008 season. In these days of the tight economy he has been pleased to see that several great businesses were willing to help the series with their expenses. New England Racing Fuel, Hoosier Tire, SafetyFXonline.com, Gaston Racing Supply, Independent Racing Wheel, as well as The Racin’ Paper generously donate to the club and its drivers every time they run.
During the week, Stan works at Applied Proactive Technologies in Springfield, Ma as the Director of retail. The company negotiates with utility companies to give customers that shop at places like Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware a reduction in the cost of the light bulbs that are purchased. The Mertz family and Linda all know how much racing means to Stan and they support him 100% of the way. The eldest Mertz son lives in Maine and at the young age of 25 is in the process of buying his own home. 22 year old Tim proudly serves in the Special Forces for the Air Force and is currently stationed in FL. Mike, the youngest, still lives with his mom in ME but makes the trip down to MA anytime he can to help dad with the car and to go racing.
Well, that is about the room this column will allow. Stan, take it from me … That “Honey-Do list never seems to shrink. There’s always something that hasn’t yet been finished or even started for that matter!! If you know of a Pro-4 driver or sponsor that deserves to be highlighted, feel free to contact me. My email is Cathiettigger2@yahoo.com or you can give me a call at 774-826-5850. I’d love to hear from you. And … Remember to always tell the ones closest to you how much they mean to you. See you soon.
Sources: Cathie Tanner