2006 Horizon Award
Shining brightly in the distance is the horizon- a spectacle that can make you mysteriously continue to look forward into the distance. Our Horizon Award was put into place to recognize drivers, whose careers shine as brightly as the sun on the horizon. Past winners of this award are Don McKnight, Matt Lux, Brian Woodhall, Chad Reitz, Andy Paden, Jeff Banyas, Jeremy Paup, Bryan Shaffer, and Brad Rapp- an impressive group of talented, young racers.
Young blood of course is one of the most important elements in the makeup of our Horizon Award. No race track can survive into the future without a strong contingent of young lions. They add color and excitement to our program each and every Saturday night and it is truly an honor to watch them grow and develop into some of the region’s toughest competitors.
This year for the first time we felt it necessary to give out three Horizon Awards as these young drivers certainly fit the mold. And what a crop of a talent they were as simply the sky is the limit for these three.
Our second Horizon Award goes to another young driver who called Mercer home for the first time in his career. He broke out with a victory on the second night of racing and won 7 more on the season giving him 8 for the year. Those 8 wins led all divisions at the track…pretty good for a young driver that never competed at Mercer on a regular basis. Also add to the fact that he missed four night of racing and still won 8 races and finished 4th in points is quite a feat. He now has 10 career wins putting him in a tie for 8th already on the all-time list. He showed his strength winning at both Sharon and Lernerville Speedways as well including the prestigious “Automotive Fest”.
This driver comes from a strong racing family and I think we can all agree that we’ll be hearing and reading his name for a long time to come. He impressed us week after week charging to the front and racing side-by-side as clean as it comes with some of the best in the business seemingly saving the best for last.
He earned their respect and earned ours. He’s quiet and unassuming letting his driving do the talking. We were proud to have him at Mercer as he certainly added to our show. We’re now thrilled to add Mike Pegher, Jr. to the class of 2006 Horizon Award winners.
Mike please come forward to receive this award you so deserve.