By Jim Balentine
(Jbalentine2@roadrunner.com)
Mercer, Pa.
For nearly 60 years in the Eastern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania area, the name “Benic” has been synonymous with auto racing. As part of the finale of its 75th anniversary celebration, Michaels Mercer Raceway Park is proud to honor Twin State Auto Racing Club Hall of Famer Frank Benic and his wife, Marilyn, with the “Benic Memorial Western PA Sprint Car Championship.” The NAPA All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars will crown a champion on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with the race paying $10,000 to win. The ultra-competitive Top Shelf Trucking DIRT 602 Crate Sportsman Modifieds and the exciting RUSH Wingless Sprints will also be on the card.
Frank Benic started his racing legacy as a sprint car owner with legendary drivers such as Paul Brown, Jack West, Dale Johnson, and Jim Gorichky.
In 1982, Frank was hired by Mercer to work on the track crew, preparing the track and handling other duties.
In 1984, Frank was hired by new Sharon owners Ed Skillman and Dave McMillin to become the promoter. Frank’s wife, Marilyn, began publishing the famous “Life in the Fast Lane” Sharon programs that many still cherish. Frank helped Sharon offer what was, at the time, one of the highest weekly winning amounts for sprint cars: $1,700 as part of the Pabst Sprint Series in 1992. Frank and Marilyn remained at Sharon until the winter of 1996, when Gary Butch purchased Mercer and hired the Benics to return. Frank continued as promoter, spending countless hours at the racetrack each night after work, preparing the track or doing anything else the facility needed. Marilyn continued producing the weekly programs at Mercer, spending hours getting each one ready for the following Saturday. Frank was instrumental in bringing the All Star Circuit of Champions to Mercer for two-day shows at the end of September in 1997 and 1998.
In 1999, Vicki Emig purchased the facility and retained Frank and Marilyn as part of her staff. Frank and his crew spent countless hours in freezing temperatures building a new VIP box area, along with new restrooms, fencing, guardrails, and a state-of-the-art digital scoreboard—all of which remain today. Marilyn served as office manager, spending many long days and nights keeping things running smoothly on race day.
The Benics continued with new Mercer owner Bill Altman in 2011, making sure everything was ready to go on race day. At the end of 2017, Frank and Marilyn’s long, historic tenure at the speedway came to an end, but they would still pop in as guests at the tracks they loved, talking and reminiscing with friends.
On June 6, 2023, Marilyn passed away at age 80. Frank passed away on January 28, 2025, at age 84, leaving a huge void in the racing community.
The Benic family and Michaels Mercer Raceway Park then began discussing a race in the couple’s memory. On Saturday, October 3, 2026, along with their beloved NAPA All Star Circuit of Champions, we will honor them with a first-place prize of at least $10,000 and the illustrious “Western Pennsylvania Sprint Car Championship” crown. The championship began at Mercer in 1966, and its list of winners reads like a who’s who of sprint car racing, from legends who helped make the sport to current drivers etching their names in local racing history.
There will also be a great list of prizes for the drivers competing!
Fastest in hot laps: BMRS $250 product certificate
Fastest qualifier: BMRS $250 product certificate
Heat 1 winner: KSE steering pump
Heat 2 winner: YXZ set of birdcages and a set of rear arms
Heat 3 winner: DMI $500 product certificate
Heat 4 winner: Four Chalk Stix torsion bars
B-main winner: Elite nose wing
A-main winner: Elite nose wing
Hard Charger: $500 Maxim product certificate
Second place in the C-main or first non-transfer in the B-main: Hoosier D15A right rear tire
Second place in the B-main: Hoosier D15A right rear tire
Second place in the A-main: Hoosier D15A right rear tire
We will also have several other gift certificates to give out throughout the night.
5 $50 gift certificates from Hellrazer Jacks
12 $50 gift certificates from Saldana Racing Products
10 $50 gift certificates from Keizer Racing
10 $50 gift certificates from Benic Enterprises
10 sets of birdcage bearings from Rod End Supply
10 gift certificates for six right-hand and six left-hand aluminum rod ends
For more information on the Benic Memorial at Mercer and potential sponsorship opportunities, please visit our new Facebook page, Michaels Mercer Raceway Park, with the 75th anniversary logo, or our website: http://www.MichaelsMercerRaceway.com.
You can also contact our promoter, Mike Mathieson, at (724) 977-9956 or on Facebook.
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