(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