Special Recognition
National Media Exposure
Celebrity Appearances
Special Recognition & Important Functions:
2005 Racing Season: Presented a weekly live audio broadcast of each race event for the third straight year. The Park is the first and only regional speedway to present such a program.
March 17-20, 2005: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Thunder in the Park" Steel Valley Motorsports Gala at the Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh, Pa. for the third straight year.
December 2004 & February 2005: Mercer Raceway Park is invited by Racing Promotion Monthly to speak at the annual Promoters Workshops in Reno, NV and Daytona Beach, FL.
November 21, 2004: Invited to the Northeastern 360 Sprint Car Forum at the New York State Fairgrounds in conjunction with the National Parts Peddler Racers' Auction & Trade Show in Syracuse, New York for the second straight year.
Summer 2004: Mercer Raceway Park and the Pro Football Hall of Fame continue its partnership for the second straight year. The Pro Football Hall of Fame gives away 1,500 Mercer Raceway Park admission passes over the course of three separate events at their facility. Mercer Raceway Park gives away 300 Pro Football Hall of Fame admission tickets over the course of three special race events. The grand prize is two tickets to the Enshrinement Ceremony and two tickets to the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game.
May 2004: Title sponsor of The Greater New Castle Soap Box Derby for the fourth consecutive year.
2004 Racing Season: Presented a weekly live audio broadcast of each race event for the second straight year. The Park is the first and only regional speedway to present such a program.
March 18-21, 2004: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Thunder in the Park" Steel Valley Motorsports Gala at the Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh, Pa. for the second straight year.
March 10-14, 2004: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio for the fifth straight year.
November 23, 2003: Invited to the Northeastern 360 Sprint Car Forum at the New York State Fairgrounds in conjunction with the National Parts Peddler Racers' Auction & Trade Show in Syracuse, New York.
July 26, 2003: Nick Sibeto of New Castle wins the All-American Stock division title at Akron, Ohio over 140 competitors from across the world. Sibeto qualified for the event by winning the Greater New Castle Soap Box Derby sponsored by Mercer Raceway Park. Sibeto's car carried Mercer Raceway Park's sticker.
June 14, 2003: The first "Saturday Night Live" Pre-Race Show airs on Oldies 96.7 WLLF between 5-6 p.m. Hosted by Jeff Wimer and Mike Dutko, five shows are aired in the inaugural season. Other dates are July 19, August 16, September 6, and September 20.
Summer 2003: Mercer Raceway Park and the Pro Football Hall of Fame enter into a partnership. The Pro Football Hall of Fame gives away 1,500 Mercer Raceway Park admission passes over the course of three separate events at their facility. Mercer Raceway Park gives away 300 Pro Football Hall of Fame admission tickets over the course of three special race events. The grand prize is two tickets to the Enshrinement Ceremony and two tickets to the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game.
May 24, 2003: Title sponsor of The Greater New Castle Soap Box Derby for the third consecutive year.
2003 Racing Season: Became the region's first speedway to offer a live audio broadcast of each race event. Events were also archived for later listening.
March 30, 2003: Became the first race track in the state of Pennsylvania to have all regular workers upgraded to the Motorsports Safety Worker Operations Level- a certified 16-hour intensive hands-on training class.
March 21-23, 2003: Invited by Ross Park Mall management to put on "Thunder in the Park" - A Steel Valley Motorsports Gala after seeing the "Dirt Track Race Car Show" at sister Simon Properties' Southern Park Mall in 2002. The Ross Park Mall is located just minutes from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
March 15-9, 2003: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio for the fourth straight year.
January 8, 2002: ESPN2's December 29 airing of Big Rig Semis from Mercer Raceway Park on May 26 nets highest rating for non-live (tape-delayed) motorsports broadcast by the cable sports giant for the entire 2002 season.
December 13, 2002: Trafficranking.com ranks www.mercerracewaypark.com in the top 17% of the top 720,000 most visited sites on the Internet.
October 2002: Vicki Emig is nominated as one of seven for the Mid-East Region's Promoter of the Year by Racing Promotion Monthly in their October newsletter for the second straight year.
August 10, 2002: Is the site for the gathering of over 50 regional EMS fire, ambulance, and law enforcement departments from eight different counties throughout western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio in conjunction with the second annual E.M.S. Community Sireeeen Rally - A Regional Safety Awareness Night. Event is recognized by WYTV 33 as a "Safe Family 33" feature.
July 25, 2002: Mercer Raceway Park-sponsored Soap Box Derby car driven by Heather McQuiston is awarded best appearing car in the nation for the stock division at the 2002 All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships in Akron, Ohio.
May 25-26, 2002: Title sponsor of The Greater New Castle Soap Box Derby for the second consecutive year.
February 28, 2002: Vicki Emig is awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow recognition from the Rotary International Mercer branch at the Magoffin Inn in Mercer. The presentation of this recognition is The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. Emig received the three emblems of appreciation given to a Paul Harris Fellow- a certificate, medallion, and pin.
March 13-17, 2002: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio for the third straight year.
January 2002: Invited to set up our display booth and promote at the Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca, Pa. along with big-block modified Kevin Bolland during their auto show.
October 2001: Vicki Emig is nominated as one of seven for the Mid-East Region's Promoter of the Year by Racing Promotion Monthly in their October newsletter.
July 21, 2001: Celebrates our 50th anniversary since racing began on July 26, 1951. "The Gold Cup" 50th Anniversary Event reunited over 100 retired Mercer drivers. This fact along with the active drivers competing on this night, accounted for over 250 race car drivers in attendance. This is thought to be the largest one-time gathering of race car drivers on the grounds in the history of Mercer Raceway Park.
June 30, 2001: State Senator Robert D. Robbins of the 50th District through a personal correspondence congratulates Mercer Raceway Park on celebrating 50 years, for providing high-quality family entertainment, and for recognizing veterans and their contributions on "American Patriot Night".
May 26-27, 2001: Title sponsor of the inaugural Greater New Castle Soap Box Derby, which encompasses the Lawrence, Mercer, Butler, and Beaver County areas.
April 2001: Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe's Cup Program includes Mercer Raceway Park logo and family pass along with big-block modified Kevin Bolland at all store locations throughout the Beaver Valley.
March 14-18, 2001: Presents the Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio for the second straight year.
July 1, 2000: Became the first speedway to admit all veterans of war free for entire night of racing and fireworks. Over 200 veterans enjoy "American Patriot Night".
June 26-30, 2000: Became the first speedway to host a bible school at the track. The week-long two-hour evening program attracted over 300 kids- all of which received a free family pass to attend the closing ceremonies during the races. Received great exposure in the many of the local newspapers.
March 8-12, 2000: Presents the inaugural "Dirt Track Race Car Show at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio as race cars returned to Mahoning Valley's premier shopping complex for the first time in nearly 30 years. Mall management stated that it was the most people seen in the concourses other than Christmas time.
2000: Became the first dirt track in the state of Pennsylvania to receive certification as Motor Sports Safety Workers trained to the Operation Level from the office of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.
April 10, 1999: Became the first regional speedway to incorporate a Family Pass, which admits mom, dad, and up to four children for just $23.
National & Regional Media Exposure:
August 6, 2005: Munich-based TV production co. Virgo Film shoots footage at the speedway featuring Gary Smoker for "Inside USA" a show on their nationwide German channel Kabel1.
2005-2006: Cover partner on the Lawrence & Mercer Counties Yellow Book for the fourth consecutive year.
July 3, 2004: Armstrong Cable covers "The Wheelman" live on the Access channel to over 200,000 cable subscribers in western Pa. for the thirdconsecutive year. Event was edited and rebroadcast numerous times in each cable system. Also, Armstrong Zoom Cable Internet Service presents a live webcast with both audio and video.
March 2004: Doc Lehman does a feature story on Mercer Raceway Park and owner/promoter Vicki Emig. Lehman's syndicated stories appear in various print and online media throughout the nation.
2004-2005: Cover partner on the Lawrence & Mercer Counties Yellow Book for the third consecutive year.
July 6, 2003: Armstrong Cable covers "The Wheelman" live on the Access channel to over 200,000 cable subscribers in western Pa. for the second consecutive year. Event was edited and rebroadcast numerous times in each cable system. Also, Armstrong Zoom Cable Internet Service through Avenueyou.com presents a live webcast with both audio and video.
June 22-August 31, 2003: Mercer Raceway Park's weekly highlights are included on FOX Sports Net Pittsburgh's "We're Going Racing". The 30-minute show airs every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
June 22, 2003: FOX Sports Net Pittsburgh airs the first installment of RaceVision.TV's "We're Going Racing". The 30-minute show airs at 9:30 a.m. and includes a profile on track owner, Vicki Emig.
May 12, 2003: ESPN2 broadcasts the Unlimited Super Stock Tractors and 4-Wheel Drive Trucks from 2:30-3:00 p.m. from the May 26, 2002 ATPA Grand American "Spring Nationals". Additional shows are also aired.
2003-2004: Cover partner on the Lawrence & Mercer Counties Yellow Book for the second consecutive year.
2003: Mercer Raceway Park awarded "Best of the Best" for Race Tracks for the fifth straight year by the New Castle News.
December 29, 2002: ESPN2 broadcasts the Big-Rig Semis from 1:00-1:30 p.m. from the May 26 ATPA Grand American "Spring Nationals". Additional shows are also aired.
August 10, 2002: Was the "Safe Family 33" feature on WYTV 33 in Youngstown, Ohio in conjunction with the E.M.S. Community Sireeeen Rally - A Regional Safety Awareness Night.
July 5, 2002: Armstrong Cable covers "The Wheelman" live on the Access channel to over 200,000 cable subscribers in western Pa. Event was edited and rebroadcast numerous times in each cable system. Also, Armstrong Zoom Cable Internet Service through Avenueyou.com presents the first live webcast with both audio and video.
2002-2003: Cover partner on the Lawrence & Mercer Counties Yellow Book.
2002: Mercer Raceway Park awarded "Best of the Best" for Race Tracks for the fourth straight year by the New Castle News.
2002: Becomes a sponsor of the Fox 17/62 Kid's Club in Youngstown, Ohio.
2001: Mercer Raceway Park awarded "Best of the Best" for Race Tracks for the third straight year by the New Castle News.
2000: Mercer Raceway Park awarded "Best of the Best" for Race Tracks for the second straight year by the New Castle News.
July 17, 2001: The Herald publishes a 50th anniversary eight-page tab that appears in the Tuesday edition of the newspaper. Additionally, 1,000 copies are handed out free at the track the following Saturday at the 50th anniversary "Gold Cup" event.
June 7, 1999: Raceinet Sports Broadcast Network (RSBN) live audio coverage of the Western Pa. All Star Sprint Speedweek to a record 300,000 people.
1999: Mercer Raceway Park awarded "Best of the Best" for Race Tracks by the New Castle News.
February 13, 1998: TNN live coverage of the "Superstition Smash" Demolition Derby part of the network's "Motor Madness" with host Katie Haas.
National Magazine Articles:
November 2005: "Hello Ohio" short column in Speedway Illustrated magazine on our free Ohio night. Page 77.
August 2004: "Racing Promotion Monthly" does a feature spread in its newsletter on Mercer Raceway Park .
November 2003: "Talking Trash" What do rubbish and racing have in common? feature in Speedway Illustrated magazine. Page 99.
November 2002: "A Look at Mercer Raceway Park" photo spread with captions in Trackside magazine. Pages 50-51.
April 2002: "The Success of Mercer Raceway Park Promoter Vicki Emig" feature in Trackside magazine. Pages 48-52.
May 2001: "Hosehead's Web Review" feature in Open Wheel magazine on Mercer Raceway Park's website. Page 7.
January 2001: "The Way's it's Done" There is, however, one short track that has vastly improved their speedway safety program. That track is Mercer Raceway Park. The feature appears in Trackside magazine. Pages 22-25.
November 2000: "The Mercy at Mercer" Mercer Raceway Park's Safety Standard Should be the Standard at Race Tracks Nationwide. The feature appears in Speedway Illustrated magazine. Pages 98-99.
June 2000: "Racing Across America" feature in Circle Track magazine. Page 46.
Celebrity Appearances:
June 25, 2005: The Cartoon Network's "Johnny Bravo!" makes his first ever appearance.
June 4, 2005: "Huckleberry Hound" makes his first ever appearance.
July 10, 2004: Marvel's "Spider-Man" makes a stop at The Park for the first time just weeks after the release of his new movie.
June 19, 2004: Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" returns for the second straight year and brings his sidekick "Patrick" for the first time.
July 12, 2003: Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" makes his first ever appearance for his "Photo Splash".
May 24, 2003: Nickelodeon's "Wild Thornberrys" of Donnie and Eliza make their first ever appearance for "A Walk on the Wild Side".
October 12, 2002: National stuntmen Tommy "Trubble" McTague, Benny "The Human Bomb" Koske, and the Doug Rose's "Green Mamba Jet Car" perform during "A Night of Fire, " which was also a fireworks tribute to George Zambelli, Sr. who was in attendance and enjoyed the evening's festivities.
August 3, 2002
: The Cartoon Network's "Scooby-Doo" and "Shaggy" make their first ever speedway appearance to meet and greet the kids for "Scooby & Shaggy Live".June 22, 2002
: Nickelodeon's "Rugrats" of Chuckie, Tommy, & Angelica return for the second straight year for another exciting appearance on "Jr. Fan Night".June 16, 2001
: Nickelodeon's "Rugrats" of Chuckie, Tommy, & Angelica make their first ever speedway appearance on "Jr. Fan Night" to entertain the kids in what is believed to be the largest gathering of children on the grounds in the history of Mercer Raceway Park.June 2, 2001
: "Garfield" makes his first ever appearance on "Summer Fun Kickoff" as part of Kennywood Park's promotion.May 12, 2001
: TNN color commentator and former World of Outlaw Sprint Car star, Brad Doty, signs autographs, meet the fans, and calls some of the Sprint Car races. His famed Coors Light #18 Sprint Car is on display. Doty also has his Still Wide Open book for sale.August 5, 2000
: "Speedo the Clown", America's only touring speedway clown makes his first ever appearance and entertains the crowd throughout the night.May 13, 2000
: NASCAR Winston Cup driver and former World of Outlaw Sprint Car Champion, Dave Blaney, signs autographs and meets the fans. Later in the night he gives rides in his two-seat sprint car.