Mercer Raceway Park 2006 Awards Banquet

MERCER RACEWAY PARK CROWNS FELMLEE, GUIDACE, BOOHER, WAGNER, & DUNN CHAMPIONS AT 2006 AWARDS BANQUET; NUMEROUS SPECIAL AWARDS HANDED OUT
By Mike Leone

January 13, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hermitage, PA…Mercer Raceway Park celebrated the 2006 season in grand style Saturday night, January 13, as the beautiful Normandy Banquet Center in Hermitage, Pa. played host for the fourth time to the annual awards banquet and dinner.

The top ten drivers in each of the four divisions received their point fund monies and plaques. The following 2006 track champions also received an engraved Mercer Raceway Park championship watch compliments of Kidd’s Jewelry in Greenville, Pa. and an embroidered jacket: Bob Felmlee-RoadRunner & Lake Road Auto Sales Sprint Cars, Frank Guidace-American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds, Brian Booher-Tire Express Stock Cars, and Bryan Wagner-Maurer’s Trading Post Strictly Stocks.

For the eighth consecutive year under owner Vicki Emig, Mercer Raceway Park continued its tradition of honoring special achievements at its banquet. Five of those types of awards were once again given out Saturday night.

The “Legacy” Award honors and remembers the late Bill Emig. With the exception of family, this year’s recipient knew Bill better than anyone. Frank Guidace worked on Bill’s race cars as a youngster and later would take a Six-Cylinder Modified from his race shop and use as his first race car. The 2006 season was a career year for Guidace winning his first championship of any kind and winning two of the biggest Modified races of the season in the Jeff Hoffman Memorial and “Little Guy Nationals”.

Living legends are those that will forever be held in high respect by those that enjoyed their excellence. This year’s “Living Legend” Award was bestowed to Ron Eperthener, Sr. Though he was never fortunate enough to win a championship, he won many races and the Grove City native will always be remembered for his yellow #333 Coupes and Late Models. His son Ron currently competes in the Modified division and his grandson Matt Kocher, granddaughter Olivia Eperthener, and son-in-law Barry Bulfone have all raced in years past. The Grove City, Pa. is a driver that embodies everything good about Mercer Raceway Park.

The “Horizon” Award was put in place to recognize drivers whose careers shine as brightly as the horizon. This year, for the first time, the award was handed out to three drivers. The first recipient was Bryan Wagner, who was actually a “true” rookie having never competed before. The teenager swept the double features on May 6 for his first career wins on a night we remember his uncle Dave Wagner. He went on to do the unthinkable winning the title in the Strictly Stock division.

The second “Horizon” recipient was Mike Pegher, Jr. Making his first attempt as a Mercer regular, the Wexford, Pa. youngster captured a track-high eight wins despite missing four races and ran side-by-side and as clean as can be with the veteran Mercer racers earning everyone’s respect.

The third “Horizon” winner was the 17-year-old Danny Holtgraver. The Pittsburgh, Pa. driver jumped from the Micro Sprints into the mighty 410 Sprints. He had a season-best runner-up on May 27 and had nine top 10s. He also finished runner-up in the National 410 Sprint Car Rookie-of-the-Year.
Two “Outstanding Achievement” Awards were handed out. Riki Likowski earned his not on performance, but by his effort and dedication. The driver towed each week from Hollis, New Hampshire- some 9 hours and nearly 600 miles each way. Likowski never missed any of the 18 nights despite racing with a broken foot one night and putting a car together after destroying his car in a World of Outlaw show in New York in a midweek show.
The second “Outstanding Achievement” was given to Andy Buckley. The Stoneboro, Pa. driver moved ahead of Alan Dellinger with his 22nd career win on the Stock Car win list since the track reopened in 1994. He’s also won at least one race for each of the last six seasons.

The “Majestic” Award honors those that have made grand, noble, and dignified gestures on behalf of Mercer Raceway Park and in general. The husband-wife duo of Walter and Eleanore Patton received the award for their dedication over the past five seasons. Though they didn’t start out as race fans, but as the aunt and uncle of Vicki Emig, they’ve become two of the most well-liked employees. They’re behind the scenes people arriving early and some of the last to leave.

The “Appreciation” Award was given to another dedicated employee. Marilyn Benic has worked at the speedway every night since the 1997 season working in the track office doing various tasks such as answering the phones, the driver payoffs, and the track program. Benic, as well as Likowski and the Pattons will also be receiving engraved watches compliments of Kidd’s Jewelry.

Bob Felmlee captured his third Sprint Car title at the speedway, which have now come in three different decades in the RoadRunner & Lake Road Auto Sales-sponsored division. The Franklin, Pa. driver was also the 1989 and 1997 Mercer champion. Felmlee started off the year on a tear and went on to capture three victories, six heat wins, 12 top 5s, and 16 top 10s in his World of Wheels/Lutz Auto Body/Vinyl Graphics-sponsored #6.

Arnie Kent had a career year with four wins and has now has won a feature in each of the last eight seasons. He’s also finished second in the points four times in the last seven seasons. Defending champion Rod George was shutout of victory lane, but was in the championship hunt until engine woes on the final night. Fourth through tenth in points with wins in parentheses were Rob Eyler (4), Skip Dougherty (1), Danny Holtgraver, Todd Bauer (1), Tom Quarterson, Riki Likowski, and Mike Dehner. Other winners were Gary Edwards, Scott Bonnell, Mark Murphy, Brian Ellenberger, and Mat Neely.

Frank Guidace had a stellar season in the American Racer/Lias Tire Modifieds to collect his first title of any kind. The Mercer, Pa. driver had four wins including the $2,000 Jeff Hoffman Memorial and T3 All-Star Series “Little Guy Nationals” in his G&G Auto Outlet #1G. Despite sitting out April 15 due to engine woes and being mired in 14th in points at the end of April, Guidace stormed back to win the title by a mere three points on the strength of eight heat wins, 16 top 5s, and 19 top 10s. It was a very emotional night for Guidace as he remembered everyone who got him to where he’s at. Guidace returned just hours before the banquet from Atlantic City where his 2007 car is on display at the Motorsports Expo.

Mike Stine made the long tow each week from central Pa. and was rewarded with a runner-up in points and four wins in his first full-time Mercer season. Steve Young was shutout of victory lane, but led the points for much of the year until a late season DNF. Kevin Hoffman also led the points during the summer and had three wins in his first run at the championship. Defending champion Gary Smoker led the points in April and had a strong year with four victories and fifth in points. Completing the top 10 with wins in parentheses were Jimmy Holden, Brad Rapp (5), Matt Reeher, Garrett Krummert, and Kevin Green. Other winners were Bill Adams and Billy VanPelt.

For the second straight year, Brian Booher topped the Tire Express Stock Cars. The Sandy Lake, Pa. racer had another phenomenal season in the Terry Hoover-owned, Ed & Jerry’s Auto Service/Harry & Tim’s Roofing-sponsored #00H with six wins, eight heat wins, three B mains, 16 top 5s, and 19 top 10s. Booher has now won 13 of his 20 career wins in the last two seasons.
Two-time champion Andy Buckley had another typical strong season with three wins to finish runner-up in points. Bill Lanigan had a career best season to finish third and is still looking for his first career win. Mike Pegher, Jr. was fourth with eight wins and may have contended for the title had he not missed four nights. Veteran Terry Wheeler completed the top five and had two wins. Sixth through tenth with wins in parentheses were Rick Norco (1), Andy Thompson, Bryan Shaffer, Mark Sanders, and Ryan Moyer. Other winners were Kevin Thompson, Doug Iorio II, Shaun Hooks, Tim Deutsch, and Rusty Wheeler.

Bryan Wagner was crowned the third different Strictly Stock Champion in as many seasons. The New Wilmington, Pa. teenage rookie had an amazing season with seven wins, seven heat wins, 20 top 5s, and a perfect 24-for-24 in top 10s driving his family-owned #56. He received the trademark championship shotgun from Maurer’s Trading Post. Second through tenth in points with wins in parentheses were Paul Reiser (3), Dave Airgood, Jr. (5), Carl Ealy (7), William Morrison III, Dave Bass, Curt Bish, Sr. (2), Josh Seippel, Randy Ealy, and Bill Kluck, Jr.
Also being recognized for his championship was Russ Dunn. The Fenelton, Pa. driver captured the E-Mod seven-race series title with a victory and perfect attendance in the #47. Big Daddy Speed Center, Bassett Wheels, and Precise Racing Products awarded certificates varying from $25-$60 for various drivers in each division. Kudos went out to the nine drivers with perfect attendance as they received a certificate to recognize their dedication to the speedway in 2006.
Corporate sponsor announcer Jeff Wimer emceed the event for the first night and thanked the sponsors, employees, press, drivers, owners, and all of the fans for making 2004 another success. Track announcer Mike Dutko became ill just over a week ago and was just released from the hospital a couple days ago and was unable to emcee the event for the first time in his 27-year announcing career.

Special thanks went out to the Mercer East End and Jefferson Fire Departments along with Mesaros Towing. The 2007 season was previewed with many upcoming special events. It was officially announced that the Strictly Stocks were dropped from competition and replaced by the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder Mini Stocks. Bill Bauer of the TUSA Star’s Championship Tour was on hand and spoke about the Mod Lites, which will be on the weekly schedule in 2007. A DJ closed out the banquet until midnight with live music for everyone’s dancing and listening pleasures.

Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented late March through September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round Monday through Friday after 1 p.m. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.