2-Time Ltd. Division Pro-4 Modified Champion Stan Mertz Takes Over for Donny Lia in CARQUEST Champions for Charities at Stafford
Stafford Springs, CT — 2-time Limited Division Pro-4 Modified champion Stan Mertz has joined the CARQUEST Champions For Charities field, taking the place originally reserved for Donny Lia, who will be unable to attend the race due to a scheduling conflict. Mertz won the Limited Division Pro-4 Modified championship in 2008 and 2009. Mertz will be racing for the Connecticut chapter of Autism Speaks and he is looking forward to getting out onto the Stafford Mini-Mile behind the wheel of a Senior Outlaw Kart.
“I’m certainly glad Stafford was able to fit me in for the race,” said Mertz. “We’re excited about the race. I’ve been doing a lot of work for the tornado victims in Massachusetts and this is another great opportunity to raise money and give something back to Autism Speaks and fill the shoes that Donny Lia got started. We can’t wait to get to Stafford.”
While Mertz is a 2-time Ltd. Division Pro-4 Modified champion, he falls far behind his competition in terms of go kart experience. But he is looking forward to the challenge of racing a new style of car as well as the challenge of racing on the Stafford Mini-Mile.
“I have absolutely no experience in go karts,” said Mertz. “My biggest worry is keeping the momentum of the car up since I’m probably going to be giving away a weight advantage to most of the other guys. I’ve never raced the mini-mile at Stafford before, but I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun to drive. Any time you can drive a new type of car it’s fun, and this race is all about having fun and raising money for charity. I’m looking forward to being able to mix it up on the track with guys like Teddy [Christopher] and the good thing for me is if I should happen to get into someone out there during the race, I don’t have to race against them later in the night.”
The starting field for the CARQUEST Champions For Charities event will be set by how much money each driver raises for their selected charity and Mertz has already been hard at work to increase his donation total for a better starting spot.
“We’ve already raised about an extra $500 in one day, so I’m looking forward to see how far we can move up the starting order,” said Mertz.
In addition to his newfound CARQUEST Champions For Charities driving duties, Mertz will be pulling double duty as he will pilot his familiar #16 car in the Pro-4 Modified feature as part of CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday.
“We made the move from the Limited division up to the regular Pro-4 division last year, and we have a new car for this year,” said Mertz. “We’ve had some engine issues, but we have great power and we just have to eliminate our issues so that we can take advantage of our great power. I think if we can do that, we can definitely be fighting for the win.”
CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday will take place on June 28, 2011 and will also feature the ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA Midgets, and Pro-4 Modifieds as well as the Senior Outlaw Karts. Tickets for CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office and are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $32.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information, or to order tickets to the 8th Annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday event, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR