By THE ALASKA STORY
Feb. 23, 2026 – Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, now in his second year representing Alaska in Congress, took to the floor of the US House on Friday to honor the life and legacy of Alaska motorsports pioneer Earl Lackey, the longtime driving force behind Alaska Raceway Park. Lackey died in November, 2025 at the age of 85.
“I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Earl Lackey, a pioneer of Alaska’s motorsports community and the driving force behind Alaska Raceway Park,” Begich said during remarks delivered before his colleagues in Washington.
Begich recounted Lackey’s decades-long devotion to racing, beginning in the early 1960s when he was stationed in Germany as an Army helicopter mechanic and worked on a pit crew at the legendary Nürburgring. That experience sparked what would become a lifelong passion.
After racing sports cars in Wisconsin, Lackey moved to Alaska in 1983. In 1994, he helped purchase a small drag strip. By 1998, he became its sole owner.
“With his family, Earl built—literally by hand—the foundation of what would become the northernmost NASCAR-sanctioned track in the world,” Begich said.
Alaska Raceway Park, located in Palmer, has since become a fixture in Alaska’s summer culture, drawing racers and families from across the state. Begich described it as a place of excitement, camaraderie, and unmistakable Alaska spirit.
“Anyone who’s ridden in Earl’s pace car knows the magic he helped create in Alaska,” Begich said, adding that NASCAR has called the track a model for community racing — “short, smooth, affordable, and unmistakably Alaskan.”
The congressman also highlighted the family effort behind the track’s success: Lackey’s wife, Karen, working the ticket booth; his son Jim on the grounds; and his daughter Michelle managing operations.
“Together, they built a gathering place where generations of racers, families, and visitors find excitement and camaraderie,” Begich said.
Passings: Earl Lackey, ‘Father of Speed,’ transformed Alaska Raceway Park
He closed by thanking Lackey for his perseverance and vision.
“Mr. Speaker, we honor Earl Lackey for his vision, his perseverance, and the community he forged at Alaska Raceway Park. His legacy—rooted in Alaska’s landscape and spirit—will endure for generations to come.”
Begich, who was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, has built a reputation for moving quickly on Alaska-focused priorities. On his first day in office, he introduced two bills: H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, and H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act.
Both measures passed the House, advanced through Congress, and were signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 7, 2025 — making Begich the first freshmen in the 119th Congress to have legislation enacted during that session.
Those early victories focused on Alaska Native claims reforms and set the tone for Begich’s emphasis on state-specific issues — including, last week, taking the time to honor a man who helped build one of Alaska’s most unique community institutions.
One thought on “Begich honors the life of Earl Lackey, driving force behind Alaska Raceway Park”
That’s what I love about Nicholas. He has a connection with ordinary men and women of Alaska. And they relate to Nick in big voting numbers. I wish my brother Tom and I had that ability. All we can relate to are Democrat government employees, discontent Natives, and the freaks of nature, otherwise known as LGBTQ.