Ralph Quarterson
Ralph Quarterson is one of the finest and most decorated race car drivers ever to spin the ovals in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
At the Mercer Raceway from 1966-1982, he rolled to 149 victories in three classes, the most wins by any driver. He won 97 races in Sprints and 48 in Modifieds. He won four times in a Late Model Camaro in 1974, the only year the Late Models were run in those days at the Mercer oval.
He excelled in sprint car racing, winning the Western Pennsylvania Sprint Championship 5 times (1966, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’79). He also placed second twice, third twice and fourth once.
He finished No. 1 in the Cochran Cavalcade Point Title for Sprint Cars in 1975 and 1979. During his heyday, he was referred to as “The Master of Mercer.” He also picked up wins at Tri-City, Butler and Motordrome speedways, along with Sharon and Expo ovals in Ohio.
Ralph and his brother Dave were part owners of the Mercer Raceway Park with Mike Rakoci for a couple of years.
Even after his racing days, he could be found in the pits especially on nights when his son Tommy was racing.
He was inducted into the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Hall of Fame. He was also nominated to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa. He was inducted into the Lernerville Speedway Hall of Fame. In 2010, Quarterson was elected to the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame in Weedsport, N.Y.