On Sunday, August 30, 2026, in Carson, California, the Celebration of a Life Well Lived was held for flat track racing legend Mert Lawwill. Joe Lawwill, Mert’s son, and his sister Marcella, with the help of Don Emde, who raced with Mert and is a part of the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, hosted the event at the Carson Civic Center.
Story & Photos by Mitch Friedman
Many motorcycle fans knew Lawwill as a motorcycle racing champion and for his role in the iconic movie On Any Sunday. Mert was a hero to so many, both inside and outside the motorcycle industry, especially after seeing On Any Sunday.
Approximately 600 people, many of them motorcycle and bicycle racers, were on hand. Lawwill entered the bicycle business after his motorcycle racing career ended. Attendees included motorcycle racers Bryan Smith, Bubba Shobert, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts and Brad Lackey, as well as industry notables such as Zap Espinoza, John Parker, Troy Lee, Chris Carter, Jake McCollough, Shane Cahill, Stumpy Lee, Rod Lake, Bill Bartels, Ron Bartels and Tom Seymour.CN
