Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame

Last updated
Northeast Dirt Modified
Hall of Fame
NortheastDirtModifiedHOF.jpg
Museum Exhibits
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Location within New York
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Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame (the United States)
EstablishedApril 12, 1992 (1992-04-12)
Location1 Speedway Dr
Weedsport, New York, USA
Coordinates 43°3′N76°34′W / 43.050°N 76.567°W / 43.050; -76.567
Type Modified Stock Car Racing (Dirt Surface)
Website Official website

The Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize individual achievements in the sport of stock car racing. It is located at 1 Speedway Dr., Weedsport, New York.

Contents

History

The inaugural induction ceremony was held on April 12, 1992, with 12 drivers and one pioneer driver being selected. The initial selection committee was composed of Gary Chadwick, Andy Fusco, Gary Rowe, Tom Skibinski, and Gary Spaid; all members of the motorsports media. The ceremony was followed by a Hall of Fame race at Weedsport Speedway. [1]


In 1993, the first non-driver racing award was added. The award was named after Area Auto Racing News founder Leonard J. Sammons Jr., and was established to recognize outstanding contributions to the sport. In subsequent years, awards honoring both car owners and mechanics/engineering were also presented. In 2002, Gater Racing News announced the addition of an annual Outstanding Woman in Racing Award. And upon Andy Fusco’s untimely death in 2015, the Award for Media Excellence was established in his memory. [2] Periodically, the Jack Burgess Memorial Award is bestowed on an announcer who has made a lasting impact on the sport.

Inductees

1992 to 2010

1992 [3] André, Frank
Cagle, Will
Chamberlain, Gerald
Corey, Pete
Hoag, Dutch
Kotary, Cliff
Olsen, Budd
Rafter, Billy
Schneider, Frankie
Tasnady, Al
Tobias, Dick
Wimble, Bill
(P) Musclow, Elmer
1993 Allan, Willie
Carter, Rags
Gerhart, Bobby
Kneisel, Dave
Lazzaro, Lou
Robinson, Guy
Shoemaker, Kenny
(P) Garrison, Doug
1994 Malzahn, Bobby Reakes, Sammy Treichler, Merv (P) Danish, Steve
1995 Gahan, Ernie McArdell, John McLaughlin, Jackie (P) Holliday, Buck
1996 Charland, Rene Little, Ivan Ploski, Stan (P) Hough, Pappy
1997 Meahl, Kenny Reutimann, Buzzie (P) Westervelt, Howie
1998 Akulis, Chuck Corellis, Tommy (P) Hurtubise, Jim
1999 Beavers, Sammy Ortiz, Ed (P) Herbert, Jeep
2000 Blaney, Lou Bottcher, Bobby (P) Murphy, Jack
2001 Coville, C.D. LaFrance, Marcel (P) Harwi, Otto
2002 Gatien, Bob (P) Zeigler, Bob
2003 Hulbert, Mert Moore, Davey Peek, Harry
2004 Carlyle, Doug Lape, Dave Shampine, Jim
2005 Jelley, Butch Nagel, Carl (P) Cain, Bobby
2006 Brightbill, Kenny McCreadie, Bob (P) Reiners, Glenn
2007 Heaslip, Dave Osmun, Billy (P) May, Dick
2008 Reutimann, Wayne VanHorn, Carl (P) Nephew, Dick
2009 Brenn, Ken Jr. Plazek, Joe (P) Klapak, Mike
2010 Hough, Lin Quarterson, Ralph Reddick, Gary

2011 to present

2011 Cook, Jerry Hoffman, Doug (P) Taylor, Irv
2012 Bicknell, Pete Johnson, Jack (P) Doiron, Ovide
2013 Cozze, Frank McLaughlin, Mike (P) Watt, Blackie
2014 Colsten, Mike Rudolph, Charlie (P) Holt, Lloyd
2015 Balough, Gary Wetmore, Donnie (P) Delaney, Jim
2016 Heotzler, Jeff Pauch, Billy (P) Diffendorf, Don
2017 Johnson, Alan Paine, Steve (P) Adam, Freddy
2018 Swartzlander, Brian Tremont, Kenny Jr. (P) Rossell, Bob
2019 [4] Johnson, Danny O’Brien, Pat Jr. (P) Brown, Ray
2020 [5]
2021 [6]
Bunting, Harold
Ward, Pat
Hearn, Brett (P) Donahue, Joe
2022 [7] Decker, Billy Von Dohren, Craig (P) June, Don
2023 [8] Fuller, Tim O'Brien, Danny (P) Cameron, Bob
2024 [9] Horton, Jimmy Tomkins, Gary

P= Pioneer Selection

Awards

Burgess=Jack Burgess Memorial Award, Media=Andrew S.Fusco Award for Media Excellence, Mechanic=Mechanic/Engineering, Owner=Gene DeWitt Car Owner, Contributor=Leonard J.Sammons Jr.Award for Outstanding Contribution to Auto Racing, OWR=Outstanding Women in Racing.

1993 to 2001

[3] ContributorOwnerMechanic
1993Stevens, Ray
1994 Donnelly, Glenn
Fried, Irv
Gerber, Al
1995Hunter, Bob
Lane, Ace Sr.
Bruss, Gil
Turrner, Don & Ray
1996Heath, Irv & Anna
Northern Stock Car Club
Deasey, Paul
1997Patrick, Norm
Wright, Dave
Hollebrand, Pete
1998 Berggren, Dick Higbie, Gary & Jerry
1999Deuel, LesBullock, JoeJeffery, Scott
2000Veach, JackLegue, SheldonTremont, Ken Sr.
2001Hill, John
O'Brien, Dick
Ferraiuolo, TonyTones, Bill

2002 to 2014

ContributorOwnerMechanicOWR
2002Feuz, EdCope, HaroldPaine, DonBeberwyk, Hertha
Farney, Gert
Lynch, Jean
2003 Friesen Family Sincerbeaux, JimKisacky, RandySinger, Patricia
Taney, Mary
2004 Dudzinski, Stanley Elaine James MotorsportsGrecco, TommyReilley, Terry
Salvas, Rachel
Veach,Bonnie
2005 Nuber, Larry Faust, Bob & MicheleDeSarbo, JoJoHacker, Jane
Thurston, Rose
2006 Fink, Joan & Harvey Pitkavish, JoeDornberger, SonnyAnderson, Barb
Bicknell, Nancy
Jennejohn, Kim
2007Freshman, Aaron
Morin, Ron
Rudalavage, JeffBurdick, MikeLutz, Annette
Martin, Helen
2008Burgess, Jack
Marotta, Joe
Myers, CarlLangenstein, CharlieReakes, Zelda
Toal, Marilyn
2009Saxton, Ernie Wight, John & Laura Cozze CrewScarpati, Gloria Katona
Sutherland, Serenity
Zemken, Jessica
2010Mulligan, BrianBrownell, JeffPhillips, AndrewRobinson, Tana
Snyderman, Judy
Swanson, Buffy
2011Ladabouche, BillCozze, DickSte. Marie, RonHaynes, Carol Demling
Payne, Audrey
2012Speno, JackPalmer, Alton & CaroleColton, BillyFlanagan, Carol Morin
Kirkland, Cheryl
Tobias, Dianne
2013 Petrocci Family Smith, George Sr.Johnson, Milt &
Fleischman, Bruce
Doust, Jayne
Kennedy, Wendy
Wetmore, Marcia
2014 Commander, Howie Barcomb, CliffHearn, BobbyBicknell-Jones, Erica
Yasinsac-Gillespie, Robin

2015 to present

ContributorOwnerMechanicOWRMediaBurgess
2015 Heinke, Al Brenn, Ken Hillman, Mike Clark, BarbBoyd, Lew
2016Beberwyk, MartyMills, EugeneDini, BobRogers, TheresaCaruso, George Jr.
2017Salvas, GastonRoss, Randy Tobias, Rich Jr. Emig, VickiSammons, Lenny H.
2018Spaid, GaryBramall, Ray Troyer, Maynard Cosco, LindaDavies, Don & Jo Ann
2019 [10] Fried, Jerry Jordan, Lester (Lucky)Conkey, HowardChadwick, JoAnneThomas, MelRuffner, Warren
2020 [11]
2021 [12]
Miller, Bob and Donna Conley, TicoTaylor, BillyPreston-Elms, AprilRumsey, Tery
2022 [13] Richards, C.J. Madsen, GuyMack, EricLazzaro, Melissa "Mimi"Lane, John "Ace" Jr.
2023 [8] Kuhl, Paul Hyneman, GlennWilliamson, RandyFallis, LaurieDonnelly, Patrick
2024 [9] DeVore, Lyle Spraker, JakeHoffman, DaveyPauch Mahaney, MandeeLogan, DougSova, Roy

Museum

Dirt Modified Stock Car Museum and Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame.png

The Dirt Modified Stock Car Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit institution. In addition to the Hall of Fame, the museum exhibits historic race cars, classic autos, unique racing memorabilia and rarely seen photographs. [14] [15]

The permanent display includes 'The X car', a 1950s era flathead stock car driven by Frank André to many victories in Northern New York and Southern Canada. [16] Although occasionally on loan, the museum is also the permanent home of the controversial black #112 Lincoln Town Car Mark X/1 "Batmobile" driven by Gary Balough to the 1980 Schaefer 200. [17]

A special Memorial honoring those individuals who lost their lives in racing sits quietly among exhibits which salute this industry of dirt track racing both past and present. And at the end of the Museum trail awaits the "Jack Burgess Memorial Video Room" while a classic gift shop offers a wide assortment of apparel, souvenirs and limited edition collector items. [18]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Spaids work as official earns accolade". The Citizen. 13 July 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  2. "Three Selected For NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame". Speed Sport. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Compiled from Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame List of Drivers". Archived from the original on October 18, 2014.
  4. "Danny Johnson, Pat O'Brien & Ray Brown the 2019 class". Race Pro Weekly. 22 March 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  5. "Hearn Headlines Northeast Dirt Modified HoF Class". Speed Sport. 5 March 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  6. "Ward to be part of rescheduled NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame induction ceremony". The Citizen. 12 March 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  7. "Three selected for Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame induction". The Citizen. 31 March 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Fuller, O'Brien, Cameron Selected To NE Dirt Modified HOF". Speed Sport. 7 March 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Horton &Tompkins Selected To NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame". Speed Sport. 31 January 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  10. "Johnson, O'Brien and Brown to NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame for 2019". DirtTrackDigest.com. 22 March 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  11. "Brett Hearn, Harold Bunting & Joe Donahue Selected to NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame for 2020". Race Pro Weekly. 5 March 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  12. "Dirt Hall of Fame postpones 2020 induction ceremony". The Citizen. 16 June 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  13. "Decker, Von Dohren and June Selected to NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame for 2022". DirtTrackDigest.com. 31 March 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  14. "I Love New York". NY Department of Economic Development . Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  15. "Meeting Summary". Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York . Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  16. "Dirt Legends Wimble, Andre among first 12 enshrined in new hall of fame". Watertown Daily Times. April 12, 1992. Retrieved November 9, 2023 via NNY 360Archives.
  17. "The Weld/Balough 'Batmobile' Modified Will Be A Featured Attraction At Motorsports 2016". Motorsport Race Car & Trade Show. December 18, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  18. Skibinski, Tom (May 25, 2010). "Batmobile On Display During May 30 Hall Of Fame Day In Weedsport". DIRTcar. Retrieved June 9, 2024.