FORMER TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY OWNER BOB MAUERSBURG DIES
by Brian Spaid

January 23, 2009

   FRANKLIN, PA …. Former Tri-City Speedway track owner Robert “Bob” Mauersburg of Sigel, Pa., died on January 21, 2009, at the Clarion Hospital in Clarion, Pa.

   Mauersburg, 82, operated Tri-City from 1985 to 1987. Known as a tough businessman, Mauersburg ceased operations at the Venango County half-mile oval during the 1987 season when a local amusement tax and high insurance costs caused him to conclude that the track would not operate at a reasonable profit. The track remained closed until it was sold by Mauersburg in 1995 to the current owners, Mike Graham and Roger Crick of Rimersburg, Pa. They reopened the track in 1996.

   During Mauersburg’s reign at Tri-City, one of the most famous events in track history occurred when future four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon competed in a 1985 All Star Circuit of Champions Super Sprint race at 14 years of age.

   Mauersburg was a World War II veteran and a former industrial arts teacher at North Clarion High School near Leeper, Pa. He also was the former owner and operator of Mauersburg Coal Company.

   He is survived by two sons, John and William Mauersburg, and several other family members.

   Friend will be received at the McKinney Funeral Home in Brookville, Pa., on January 23^rd. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on January 24^th at St. Dominic Church in Sigel, Pa., with the Rev. Fr. Joseph Staszewski officiating. Burial will be in Saint Eusebius Cemetery, East Brady, Pa. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

    Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by Roger and Susie Crick and Mike and Margaret Graham. They have promoted Sunday night racing at the popular facility since they reopened it in 1996. The DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars raced each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval in 2008. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.