By Mike Leone
(Mercer, PA)…Throughout the recent weeks, Mercer Raceway Park owner Vicki Emig and William Altman have continued to work toward the sale of the 3/8-mile facility to Altman. Though the proceedings have been public to many, Altman and Emig have mutually agreed to release this information whether the sale is completed before Saturday or not. Emig, who has owned the facility from 1999 through the start of 2010, will continue to handle the promotional and marketing duties, while Altman’s close friend, Terry Bowser, will oversee race operations.
Mercer Raceway Park won’t skip a beat as week number two hits the track this Saturday night at 7 p.m. featuring the Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Approved Toilet Rentals Modifieds, 4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Stock Cars, and the M&D Paving Mini Stocks.
Sprint Car fans and drivers will be in good company as Altman is a big Sprint Car fan and he hasn’t wasted any time conveying that message to the local Sprint Car teams. The response has been positive from them and it appears they are willing to support his new effort. The first order of business is an increase in the purse with area-high $1,500 going to the winner beginning this Saturday night.
“I really want to make Mercer the premier Sprint Car track in this area,” stated Altman, 65, or Butler, Pa. “Mercer is such an exciting track where everyone can be competitive and true talent shines. I told the racers I’m going to start out putting an extra $1,000 in the Sprint purse and they’ve given me their support. That’s all I can ask of them at this time. Next year is the 60th anniversary of the track, so who knows what we’ll have in store!”
“It is also important for me to reassure all of the other great divisions that they have a home at The Park,” expressed Altman. “Fans will continue to have the opportunity to experience a little bit of everything as the always on the edge Modifieds, the competitive and fast-growing FASTRAK Late Models along with the Stocks and Mini Stocks will also be showcased weekly. I realize how important these divisions are to the success of The Park.”
Altman successfully operated a Butler County-based trucking company for over 35 years until recently selling that business. He’s been a lifelong race fan spending his Friday nights at Lernerville Speedway. He’s been a longtime friend of Terry Bowser, whose son competes in the Sprint Car division and was most recently the winner of the last Sprint Car race run at Mercer- the “Western PA Sprint Championship” last September 12.
“I had looked at buying another local speedway years ago, but the timing wasn’t right” explained Altman, “As they say, everything happens for a reason. The opportunity presented itself this winter and Terry and I talked about it. I’m pretty excited to be able to take over the well oiled machine that Mercer has become and I hope to only make it better. Terry and myself have quickly fallen in love with this place. The effort that Vicki and Mike Leone have put in on the promotional and operational end and how Frank Benic and his crew maintain the track and facility is second to none- I just couldn’t ask for a better situation to step into and it sure showed this past Saturday night!”
Emig is coming off the longest consecutive run as a track owner in the history of Mercer, where The Park was transformed into one of the region’s top facilities and has become the region’s number one option for family entertainment. Emig’s promotions have been recognized nationally and duplicated locally.
“I have been very lucky to be able to fulfill a dream that both my father and I had of owning a speedway, continued Emig. “All I ever wanted to do was make Mercer Raceway Park the best Saturday Night grassroots racing around. We found our niche promoting to the families and the racers always provided great racing. It is important to me to thank everyone who has been with me from the beginning especially my family, Mike Leone and Frank Benic, along with countless others.”
“There’s not a better person I could turn Mercer over to,” stated Emig. “He’s a successful businessman, a family person, loves racing, and is a believer in the concepts that has led The Park to prosper over the years. With that in mind and what he is able to bring to The Park can only mean great things for both the fans and racers.”
“I’m looking forward to being able to focus more of my attention on the marketing and promotions that have really made Mercer stand apart from the rest,” explained Emig. “The Sprints have been the main attraction at Mercer since the mid-60s so it’s safe to say that tradition will carry on. Terry and his family are great people that I’ve gotten to know over recent years. He’s a smart businessman himself with a great personality.”
It appears that Mercer Raceway Park has a bright and stable future in the hands of both Bill Altman and Terry Bowser, who will be working with the experienced crew and employees that have been the heart of the operation over the past several years.
The Mercer Raceway Park office will continue to be run from the 4368 US 422, Pulaski, PA 16143 location at 724-964-9300. E-mail can continue to be sent to webmaster@mercerracewaypark.com. Fans are reminded to become a Facebook fan of The Park at www.facebook.com/mercerracewaypark and sign up for Twitter updates at www.twitter.com/mercerraceway.
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile dirt track 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 weekly late March through early October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310.