Emig Wins AMA/Speedvision Pro Athelete of the Year Award
16 December 1997
WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- 250cc Motocross and Supercross Champion Jeff Emig has been selected as the winner of the 1997 American Motorcyclist Association / Speedvision Professional Athlete of the Year Award. The award is the highest honor the AMA presents to professional riders, and was accepted by Emig at the Dec. 13 AMA National Champions Awards Banquet at the Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas. "Winning the Athlete of the Year Award is a great honor." Said Emig at the awards banquet. "Being selected as the athlete of the year tops off what has already been an excellent year for me." Emig, of Riverside, Calif., had a stellar 1997 season, riding his Kawasaki to both the 250cc Supercross and 250cc National Motocross championships. He has been a leading contender over the past nine years of AMA professional Supercross and Motocross competition, having won the 1992 125cc National Motocross Championship and the 1996 250cc National Motocross and World Supercross titles. Emig is a six-time veteran of the U.S. Motocross des Nations team, including the championship-winning 1992, 1993 and 1996 teams. Emig was selected from a field of nominees which included 1997 MBNA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler, 1997 Pro Honda Oils 600cc SuperSport Champion Miguel Duhamel, 1997 World Speedway Champion Greg Hancock, 1997 World Superbike Champion John Kocinski and 1997 Grand National Dirt Track Champion Scott Parker. Emig joins a distinguished list of racing greats who have received the AMA / Speedvision Athlete of the Year Award. AMA / Speedvision Athlete of the Year Award winners 1997 Jeff Emig 1988 Scott Parker 1980 Kent Howerton 1996 Jeremy McGrath 1987 Rick Johnson / Bubba Shobert 1979 Kenny Roberts 1995 Miguel Duhamel 1986 Rick Johnson / Bubba Shobert 1978 Bob Hanna 1994 Scott Parker 1985 Freddie Spencer 1977 Tony DiStefano 1993 Ricky Graham 1984 Eddie Lawson 1976 Gary Nixon 1992 Scott Russell 1983 David Bailey / Freddie Spencer 1991 Scott Parker 1982 Steve Wise 1990 Jeff Stanton 1981 Bruce Penhall 1990 Jeff Stanton 1981 U.S. Motocross des Nations Team: 1989 Jeff Ward Chuck Sun, Johnny O'Mara, Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte