2003 Appreciation Award

This year, Mercer Raceway Park felt it necessary to add an Appreciation Award due to the efforts of two individuals.  This recognition is only a small token of what we can give back for the support these two have bestowed on us.  

Our first individual may have never taken a checkered flag, but if effort and desire were used as a measuring stick, he would surely be at the front of the pack. 

This driver raced more times than anyone sitting in the room tonight and in fact more than any driver in his division in western Pa. and eastern Ohio.  Competing in well over 70 races throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia in 2003 is surely an accomplishment, but when you add in a second car to his stables that usually competed three nights a week, it makes one admire his effort even more.

No fancy truck and mammoth enclosed trailer here and surely no large crew to bear the burden of maintaining two cars.  In fact, this driver did it with an old conversion van, a modest open trailer for both cars, and sometimes just a neighbor or a few friends lending a helping hand.

If that’s not enough, may we add that this driver is a retired 60-year-old hailing from Rootstown, Ohio.  His round trip each weekend just to race at Lernerville on Fridays, Mercer on Saturdays, and Tri-City on Sunday rings up over 500 miles- and that doesn’t include any special mid-week shows.

By now, I’m sure most of you have figured out who the recipient of our inaugural “Appreciation” Award is.  His car number says it all- #1 for effort and desire.  Every track needs such a competitor and we’re proud that he made Mercer Raceway Park his Saturday night home.  Butch Beasley, on behalf of Mercer Raceway Park- we thank you for your nearly superhuman efforts in sprint car racing.

May you please come forward to accept this deserving accolade?