In Memoriam of "The Legend" Emmett Donahue (1962-2024)

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – December 13, 2024) – We recently learned with great sadness about the passing of one of the greatest drivers to ever wheel around our high-banked oval, “The Legend” Emmett Donahue.

Donahue began his racing journey in the early 1990s during the days of Raceway Park, having a strong start in the Mini Stock division with multiple top-10 points finishes, and eventually moving to the Street Stock division in 1993. He went on to have a lengthy career till his retirement in 2016, which included multiple triple wins, a 10-year dedication award in 1995, a 2nd-place points finish in 1999, the Most Sportsmanlike Driver and Myrna O’Connor Award winner in 2011, and 3rd-place points finishes in 2012 and 2013.

He also raced at long-lost tracks East River Speedway and Elephant Rock Speedway, and New Brunswick tracks Petty International Raceway and Shediac Centre for Speed.

In 2021, a few years after his legendary 25-year career ended, he was inducted into the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame alongside current Oyster Bed Speedway co-owner and former Late Model champion Kris Fournier, multi-time championship-winning driver Allan MacPhail, and multi-time championship-winning car builder and crew chief David Peters.

Tragically, Emmett’s wife and biggest supporter Gail Burke-Donahue lost a battle with cancer just before his induction, but, in the words of long-time friend and competitor Doug MacEwen, she was told about it beforehand and passed knowing Emmett was to be recognized amongst some of the Maritime’s best racers, builders, and promoters.

On the track, Donahue was a talented, fearless, determined, and clean driver who rarely had conflicts with others and fought every race from start to finish.

Off the track, he was a big influence on other drivers, crew members, staff, and fans – constantly helping wherever he could, offering advice to and sharing laughs with others in the pit area, and always maintaining a positive attitude – his gratitude and dedication to the sport, in particular, were beloved by many, as he was once on a 13-year winless streak.

His legacy lives on in the Tom Nicholls-owned #28 Street Stock — the number Emmett repped for most of his career. It can now be found racing across the Maritimes with 2024 Maritime All-Star Street Stock Series champion Brodie MacQuarrie.

On behalf of Oyster Bed Speedway, we send our sincerest condolences to the Donahue family, his friends, and everybody whose life was positively impacted by his presence.

Thank you for everything, Legend. Rest in peace.