- Deanna Will

While it is our greatest desire to continue to provide racing action in Somerset County for many years to come, we are restricted by certain realities.  It seems that every year the track has been hampered with increasingly more and more obstacles, things that should not be an issue, but are. And they have made it very difficult to keep the track in operation.  As time has passed, the struggle to keep the track open has become progressively more difficult. Finally the issues we have long fought have become too great for us to continue. In order to keep the track alive the last several years we have had to operate in less than ideal conditions. Looking forward to the oncoming racing season, we have reached a point where we can no longer operate the speedway at the level that our racers and fans deserve.  We have done the best we can under the circumstances but can do it no longer.

We have been in contact with several parties interested in promoting racing at the speedway. As such, we are confident that someone will open the track for racing next season. We wish them the best, and look forward to doing everything possible to help them be successful.  Anyone interested in promoting a racetrack that is profitable every year, contact the landlord.

We would like to say a special thanks to the incredible group of people who have worked so hard to keep racing alive in Somerset County the last several years. It hasn’t been easy, but your devotion to the cause made it possible to go racing. And finally we would like to thank Mr. Will, who loved this track so much.  With every passing day, I miss him a little more.

Thank you for 7 years- Joe     

      The event and NEW toy truck collection drive is being held in honor of, and to celebrate the life and memory of two year-old Maddox Derkosh, who tragically lost his life in an accident at the Pittsburgh Zoo two weeks ago and was laid to rest on Nov 9^th. 

     In lieu of flowers, the family had requested donations of new unopened toy trucks, being that Little Maddox loved playing with his toy trucks, cars and tractors.  To honor his memory, along with helping to provide needy children with a special gift at Christmas, the Derkosh family is continuing the “Trucks for Maddox” toy collection drive. 

      Volunteers from Cruisin’ for Courtney Charities, Heather’s Haven (Camp for Children battling Cancer), the Bedford Speedway and Thunder Valley Raceway will be graciously collecting new, unopened toy vehicles at two collection sites at the Galleria.  Outside in the lower level parking lot, nearest the Sears entrance, and inside nearest the information booth and Boscovs entrance. That is where Heather Miller’s Mom, Wendy Miller will be located, greeting those who donate, and speaking of her soon to be released book “Heavens Sent, The Heather Miller Story” 

        Wendy will be accepting pre-orders as well this day, to assure Christmas Delivery.  The Miller family’s heartwarming story of heartbreak and hope, desperation and inspiration, along with a little girl’s smile that taught us to Fully Rely On God, is sure to touch readers long after they have finished the final pages.  Proceeds from this book pre-sale will be donated to the Make-a-Wish foundation in honor of Maddox Derkosh.  Also receiving a portion of the proceeds will be Heather’s Haven Camp for Children battling Cancer, the Brian Morden Foundation and the Oncology Unit at Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh.

     Local racing stars of the Bedford Speedway and Thunder Valley Raceway will be at the outside collection site, meeting and greeting people, while helping to collect donated items.  Those who graciously donate a new unopened toy truck/car/tractor will have the opportunity to register to win one of several gift cards and door prizes that have been donated by area businesses.

      All of the new toy trucks/cars/tractors will be transported, courtesy of the generosity Thunder Valley Raceway Point Champion Jim Sayler of Meyersdale, Pa who along with his entire race team, are donating their time, Racecar Hauler and all travel expenses, to deliver all of the donated toy trucks to the William Slater II Funeral Home in Pittsburgh, which continues to coordinate the toy truck donations and collection.  Funeral home staff and the Derkosh family will assure the toy trucks will be distributed to area charities that, inturn will be given as Christmas gifts to needy Children throughout Western Pa, all in the name and memory of Maddox Derkosh.

     So please, stop by the Galleria Mall in Johnstown/Richland Township and say “hi” to our volunteers, and graciously donate a new unopened toy truck, car, tractor on November 24^th between 10-2, for “Trucks for Maddox.”