Tributes flood in after local sprint car driver, 19, killed in weekend motorcycle crash

Tributes have flooded in for a local sprint car driver that was killed in a motorcycle crash in Penn Township over the weekend.

Riley Emig, 19, of Paradise Township, was killed in a motorcycle crash that occurred on Broadway near Beaver Creek Road around 4:47 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024 in Penn Township.

More: York County Coroner IDs young man killed in motorcycle crash in Penn Township

Emig was an avid sprint car driver who frequented speedways around the state, including Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown.

He operated under the brand "Beaver Creek Racing 33" and ran a sprint car that was adorned in a tribute to United Hook & Ladder 33, where members of his family volunteer, as well as his family's Emig's 81 diner, located on Route 30 near Abbottstown.

According to Emig's obituary , Emig began his racing career at the age of six, and was racing 410 sprint cars by the age of 18.

"Riley Emig was not only a remarkable talent on the track but also a shining light in our racing community," shared Lincoln Speedway in a tribute to Emig.

Emig had been named Lincoln Speedway's Rookie of the Year in 2021 for 358 sprint racing, and then again in 2022 for 410 sprint racing.

"The Central PA Racing Community lost a good friend today," shared BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven.

"Riley was a young up and coming racer in the central PA area and will be greatly missed by the racing community," said Williams Grove Speedway in a post.

"Everyone at the Port Royal Speedway would like to give our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Riley Emig," said Port Royal Speedway in a post.

By Monday, near the scene of the crash, a memorial had sprung up for the young sprint car driver on the side of the road overlooking a wide view of Hanover.

Among bouquets of flowers, a matchbox toy car and a small motorcycle were placed.

"Fly high," read a handwritten message on the car's box.

A memorial service for Emig will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 East Water Street in Abbottstown, his obituary states.

According to Emig's obituary, donations in Emig's memory may be made to Driven to Save Lives, an organization supporting organ donation, located at 3760 Guion Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46222.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Tributes flood in after local sprint car driver, 19, killed in weekend motorcycle crash