Anthony Madrid won the Tribute to Amber Eichelberger Hobby Stock 33 at Central Arizona Raceway. However, this victory is a bit different than Anthony’s 459 others. He donated his trophy and entire winner’s check of $1,000 to the race’s namesake (center).
When Anthony got out of his car in victory lane, he hugged Amber, 50. He knew she’s battling a far tougher battle than a field of hobby stocks. Amber’s taking on cancer.
Doctors first diagnosed her with breast cancer on July 1, 2024. Amber underwent chemotherapy and surgery and was eventually deemed cancer free — that is, until three months ago. She had experienced some pain and doctors performed more tests.
“The cancer came back and mutated into another cancer,” Amber said. “I am now being treated for two cancers that spread through most of my organs — like my liver, lungs and esophagus. The doctors are treating me, but they say my cancer is not curable. I’m in drug trials now that have stopped or cured Stage 4 cancer, and I’m hoping that works for me.”
Her family’s life revolves around racing. Her husband, Brandon, competes in modifieds. Son Braxton races hobby stocks. Son Wyatt crew chiefed for late model driver Shane Clanton.
“Wyatt said he needed to come home,” Amber said. “He left his job to be with me. My boys rallied around me when they heard that the cancer, which I thought I had beaten, had come back. My husband is phenomenal — he never misses one of my appointments. He works for the Daisy Mountain fire department, and they have been very understanding.”
As word spread through the racing community about the return of Amber’s cancer, they rallied around her. Central Arizona Raceway owner Brad Whitfield put the Amber Eichelberger Hobby Stock 33 on the track’s schedule.
“Brad has called to check on me pretty regularly,” Amber said. “On race night, he had a special treat planned for me — he let me stay up in the flag stand. I waved the green and checkered flag. I saw racing from a whole new perspective. It was thrilling.”
In addition to Anthony’s winner’s check, others chipped in, too. The Uptown Speed Shop sprint car team added $500. Donations also came in from Matman Designs, Noonan Racing and Ryan and Heather Roath. Samantha Whitfield offered a family portrait session. Brad presented Amber with a vacation package at Playa Azul Rocky Point, a resort in Mexico.
“It was very emotional for me,” Amber said of the night. “I caught wind of the race but knew nothing about what it would be. People I never talked to came up and hugged me, offering me help and support. From the depths of my soul, I appreciate each and every one for their kindness. I was speechless.”
Amber Eichelberger welcomes words of support from others, too. You can leave her a message through her Facebook page.
“I’m a fighter and I will knock cancer down,” Amber said. “I’m a bigger, badder bitch than cancer is.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
