2008 Legacy Award

A legacy is a gift from a predecessor or the past.  This award holds special meaning to the Emig Family, as it is put in place to honor and remember the late Bill Emig.  It is his love of racing and people in general that has laid the foundation that is now in place at Mercer Raceway Park. 

To know that Bob Felmlee won his 100^th and what was thought to be his final sprint car race at Mercer, that the speedway was part of Jimmy Hawley’s 1999 tri-track championship season, Tommy Kristyak’s 100^th career Mercer win, and Frank Guidace’s first career championship carrying the number 1G, which also brought Bill great success, are moments that Bill would be honored to know that took place at his legacy. 

Bill Emig was a self-made man.  He could not read, write, or spell, but knew how to work hard to reach his goals. 

Tonight’s recipient is a lot like Bill.  He has self-made his success in the racing business.  Throughout his career he has solely owned, supported, worked on, and driven his cars.  No easy task when you consider his true love is Sprint Cars.

He has made his mark in western Pennsylvania Sprint Car history almost exclusively at Mercer Raceway Park, while competing against many higher-funded teams.  His record includes 20 Sprint Car wins at Mercer, which is 3rd behind only Jimmy Hawley and Jamie Smith in that same time period, and has now won at least one feature for each of the past 10 seasons!  He’s finished runner-up in points the last 3 years, 6 times over the past 9 seasons, and hasn’t finished worse than 6^th in points each of the past 12 seasons since he started racing weekly at Mercer!

His entire family has supported his efforts from day one and our pits would just not be the same without his spunky wife Michelle and his father Ken.  His daughter Lacey has had her diaper changed on the office desk and when she decides she’s coming to the races she dials up Vicki’s cell to make sure VIP accommodations are waiting.  His son Ty can be seen on the frontstretch at each bike race with the same look of determination that we have seen for years in his father eyes.

You see tonight’s recipient is a lot like Bill.  He loves racing, he’s done it all on his own, he has enjoyed great success…all while putting his family first before his racing.

They call him Superman…and he truly is in every sense of the word.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you our 2008 Bill Emig Legacy Award winner, Arnie Kent.