Meyer went on to become one of drag racings most successful drivers, and with the exception of a six month period, was the engine tuner on each of his cars. I have never witnessed an NRHA member who is more passionate and enthusiastic about the sport. Dixon said, Its quite an honor. In the 1990s, he and inductee Jeff Gordon (MSHFA Class of 2018) combined for 47 NASCAR Cup Series wins and three titles (1995, 1997, 1998). Hall Of Fame (104) the list. By his mid-20s, he was at the top of the discipline, which involves competing against the clock on extended cross-country, primarily off-road courses. I want to thank everybody, the people who got me here. the two other female inductees were multiple NHRA Top Fuel dragster champion Shirley Muldowney in 2004, and Janet Guthrie, who was inducted two years later. Founders Award: Bob Frey. In 1989, Hill launched his Roy Hill School of Drag Racing out of his home base in Sophia, N.C., where has trained and tutored hundreds of students ranging from children learning the sport in Jr. Dragsters to aspiring professionals to fans who want to understand how to drive a drag racing vehicle. When Sonny found out, he wanted to be a part of the recreation, so a plan was worked out; Sonny would pay for all the materials and parts. 2. While a lot of our newer members might not be as familiar with Charles Vaughan, if you look back over the years, he has continuously supported the industry in a variety of ways. Attebury quit car building for a short time and began working for the U.S. Department of Energy but returned to car building and opened Atteburys Street Rods in Morgan Hill, Calif. NasseAdding Another Wisconsin Race Track With First Madison Start, Consistent Kofoid To The Top Of National Sprint Rankings, Eight Drivers Highlight NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout, Weedsport, Lebanon Valley Set Up DIRTcar Memorial Day Weekend, Elliott Looks To Defend Monster Mile Triumph. The formal induction ceremonies were not held in 2020. While in Top Fuel she won four national events and set a speed record in 1996 that stood for several years. The Napp brothers were involved in drag racing at an early age. In that time, he has achieved what few in the association have, reaching Million Dollar status as a rider, owner, and breeder. At 24, Attebury had his first paying customer, Frank Bradley. Its very humbling, and Im very flattered. Across his career, Beard scored 55 NHRA National event wins with 12 different drivers, in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. Due to his wealth of knowledge, he has written columns in National Dragster and on DragRaceCentral.com. He also located many of the cars in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing that are on display today. He received the Don Garlits Pioneer award. 106. So thatll give us just another excuse to go to Florida.. I fell in love with drag racing. My dad raced. Linda wrote all of the radio and TV commercials for IHRA for many years and won a prestigious National ADDY award for her originality creating the IHRA commercials. Over 85,000 fans jammed Raceway Park for that first NHRA Summernationals. We have kids. When Garlits formed the Drag Racing Museum in 1976, the hunt for all the Swamp Rats began and Sonny was very instrumental in locating many of the hard to find parts necessary to restore the old cars. So I dont get too caught up in missing it. He also drew top-level team personnel to the teams. As it was in those days, that is how a two-man team got help, from fans and mechanics walking around in the pits. John Force, Shelly Anderson Payne, Ron Attebury, Sonny Messner, Carol "Bunny" Burkett, Graeme Cowin, Vinny and Richard Napp, Bob Frey, and Linda Jones will be the newest inductees into the Don. His belief that one day he would be champion was a view not shared by others in the sport at the time. News of his selection shouldnt have been all that startling to Dixon. Subjected to six hours of reconstructive surgery after being airlifted to a Dallas hospital and told by doctors he likely would not race again, Force defied the odds. Both remain consultants to IndyCar. The day before, Dixon will unveil a statue bearing his likeness that eventually will be on permanent display at the Hall of Fame Museum at Daytona Beach, Fla. Ive been to Daytona, took the tour, went to the museum, and made a lap around the track in the tour bus. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. In 1965, he did have the opportunity to do some drag racing and won in E/Stock Automatic at Vineland Speedway Drag Strip. Now, we have plenty of characters in the Hall of Fame, but Jose, with his family values and involvement in the industry, is the epitome of great character., NRHA Past President Bill Bradley echoed those sentiments before his passing in 2018, commending Vazquezs excitement about both reining and the NRHA. He and his brother campaigned a front engine Top Gas dragster for two years. Already racing in Old Bridge, the brothers began looking for land in the area, as the town was receptive to a drag strip and had existing ordinances for building and operating race tracks. After driving, Shelly went on to ESPN as a drag racing commentator. The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame inducted eight new members in a ceremony Thursday night in Gainesville. But at least its taking care of itself, which I at least hoped it would do., Back in 2013, Dixon was on his own and struggling through the paces of funding his own team. The Patricia Garlits Memorial Award is given out annually to a woman who has contributed to the sport of drag racing through their professional activities- at the track-and/or their personal activities-off the track-which promotes the sport in a positive manner or to the success of the sport. Glidden stood beside her legendary husband, Pro Stock superstar and Hall of Fame driver Bob Glidden, throughout his checkered career of 85 NHRA class wins and 10 NHRA World Championships. Etta served as crew chief keeping the team organized and was there to assist in any way possible, working on the car with her sons with Bobs direction, yet being a mother at the track and at home. As vice president of USAC Properties, he oversaw land-speed-record runs. Thanks to the dedication of his lawyer, Charles Vaughan, White eventually regained his rights to attend school, and the enactment of the Ryan White act helped lessen discrimination against AIDS victims across the country. However, he said he doesnt have any imminent plans to return to competition when the season opens in mid-March at Gainesville, Fla. If it happens, great. The people we have now Robert Hight, Jimmy Prock, David Grubnic, Chris Cunningham, Joe Barlam, my son-in-law Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi and then my kids. I love that! With his casual manner, he strived to not just inform but also entertain not only hardcore drag racing fans but those new to the sport. An ESPN/ABC and NBC analyst and AmeriCARna host, in 2021 Evernham and inductee Tony Stewart (MSHFA Class of 2019) launched the groundbreaking SRX Series. 3 Women Highlight 9-Member Motorsports Hall of Fame of - Autoweek Half of the voters are inductees themselves. In 2007, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and he became a member of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006. McAlester Public Schools announced its selections for the McAlester Athletics Hall of Fame 2023 induction class this week. Force got his first victory at the age of 38 in 1987 at the Grandnational in Montreal with Austin Coil as his crew chief. Legendary businessman, philanthropist, NASCAR Hall of Famer - NHRA His enthusiasm and zeal for life, love, and horses has been incredible, and to this day serves as inspiration for me. All logos and images are reserved. All of the inductees, even in the past and those to come, Im excited to be a part of it, said Force, who was introduced by his long-time friend, confidant and former publicist David Densmore. Gosh, its hard enough to find funding to go racing, let alone in the middle of a pandemic. SPEEDSPORT.com is a part of the NASCAR Digital Media Network, John Force (center) was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday night. In 1936, he drove one solo 3,254 miles in 24 hours at 153 mph, setting a record unbeaten until 2005 by an eight-man team. . Ive got a lot of thingsmy family, that two-seat carthat more than take care of me from a satisfaction standpoint.. Thanks to the momentum he helped create, the 2021 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity Champion will win an unprecedented $350,000. His knowledge also made him an excellent choice to be the emcee for the annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and he graciously volunteered his services to the IDRHoF for 15 years, providing his knowledge, entertainment, and drag racing jokes as only Bob Frey could do. Don made the call himself to inform Barbara of Donnie's induction. Dixon earned back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003 and again in 2010. . But on the other side of it, I had other people who had an epiphany, of sortsthey wanted to do a ride and they wanted to do it in 2020, do it while they can, he said. We also will celebrate 20 years of the Reining Horse Foundation. Sonny attends all of the California Drag Racing Nostalgia functions and keeps the Dragster in top running condition. 2023 International Drag Racing Hall Fame Ceremony Thursday March 9, 2023 Hilton UF Conference Center 1714 SW 34th Street Gainesville, Florida 2023 Inductees Shelly Anderson-Payne, Ron Atterbury, Carol ''Bunny'' Burkett, Grameme Cowin, John Force, Sonny Messner, Vinny & Richard Napp. To this day Charlie still actively competes and shows the horses he loves so dearly in the sport that he has given so much of himself to, noted NRHA Six Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida. Over the years, Prietos skills at extemporaneous speaking and the ability to present his thoughts on paper led him to public relations positions with the automotive trade associations. Veteran NASCAR driver and current spotter Tim Fedewa joined this weeks episode of Fast Car 2 NASCAR with Mike Wallace to talk more about his current role. Author: He competed in 112 NHRA National events, and reached the final round 22 times a final round appearance record of 20%, and won 12 of those (a 55% winning percentage). He also won the 1947 National Championship Stock Car Circuit title and 1949 NASCAR National Modified Championship. Banks made his mark as a driver and longtime United States Auto Club (USAC) official. I met my wife out there. In the meantime, Sonny would have the car as if it were his very own. I might be a soon-to-be Hall of Famer, but Im still a dad, so we were scouting colleges. Daughter Alanna is planning to be an oncologist, and the family most recently visited Notre Dame and the University of Michigan. Bob accepted the job and was with NHRA from 1985-2012. He started the Darrell Gwynn Foundation in 2002 and, in 2014, opened The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund. In 1986, the NRHA created its Hall of Fame to recognize these individuals, their achievements, and their contributions to the industry. While primarily a Top Fuel driver in Australia, he campaigned Funny Cars while in the U.S. and finished as runner-up at the 1987 NHRA Winternationals. SR-IIIB was destroyed in traveling accident in Southern Georgia in late 1961 so Garlits decided to recreate the car. On his way to his second title, he swept the grueling Western Swing through Denver, Seattle, and Sonoma, Calif., that features non-stop activity in three far-flung venues with wildly different conditions. Following the August presentation of the NRHAs Hall of Fame Committees recommended nominees, the Board of Directors and past Hall of Fame inductees voted to approve Jose Vazquez and Doug Carpenter for induction into the NRHA Hall of Fame. This led to Cowin moving into nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel racing in Australia and the U.S. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing announces 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, announced its Class of 2020 inductees as well as the recipients of the Founders Award, which will honor Don Prieto, and the Patricia Garlits Memorial Award, which will be presented to Etta Glidden. If you look back over the years, Charles has owned great horses, supported horse trainers, and has contributed greatly to the industry over the years, Hancock shared. Share in the comments section below. Sonny has lived his entire adult life dedicated to the sport of Drag Racing. Among those honored were Preston Davis, Dennis Priddle, Gas Ronda, Marvin. Part of the reason we wanted to make the announcement at the Racing Goes Safer seminar is because several members of the Class of 2023 have played a major role in improving racing safety, said MSHFA president George Levy. In the 1920s, he raced trains from Salt Lake City to Wendover and from NYC to San Francisco. With 62 victories, hes second only in the Top Fuel class to 82-time winner Tony Schumacher. While he never logged world championship as a driver, Hill recorded 28 IHRA national event victories and 31 runner-up finishes and won the IHRA World Championship with Tim Bell driving a Ford Probe in 1995. Did you miss Kyle Buschs dramatic win at Talladega, or Brandon Overtons $50,000 triumph? Aboard Goon, Chester won the prestigious Greve Trophy at the 1939 National Air Races. DALLAS DECEMBER 27, 2016- The NHRA has announced today that Raymond Martin will be inducted into NHRA's South Central Division 4 Hall of Fame. Etta was a fixture at the starting line and in the pits as the Glidden family raced their Ford Pintos, Fairlanes, Mustangs, and Thunderbirds (as well as one year with a Plymouth Arrow) against some of the very toughest competitors in Pro Stock class history. Larry Dixon learned he had been selected for induction to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Starting with the 1933 National Air Races, he won major contests over several seasons in his Chester Jeep and held the world speed record at 237 mph. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) announced its 2023 Induction Class Saturday during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. I believe hes one of the oldest if not the oldest to win a bronze trophy, which he did so at the age of 90.. The award is named for Hart, the longtime Reporter-News sports writer who, in one way or another over his career, wrote about many of the honorees. So it really caught me by surprise. Through last months Class of 2022 induction, 279 Heroes of Horsepower are currently in the MSHFA, a number that will grow to 288 with the 35th Induction Class. He and Ali also are parents to sons Donovan, an Ivy Tech student, and Luke, who will enter high school this year. It took some time for the track to find its groove, but it did with the help of the muscle car guys from across New Jersey who came to race. Carlisle Will Mark a Big Honda Civic Anniversary. Theyre typically ones he bred and raised, and many are sired by his standout stallion, NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Smart Like Juice. In 2021, Donnie, Marion and Steve were recognized by the East Coast . Reigning AFT Singles champion Kody Kopp is trying to hit a grand slam this season. But he said, Slap me if I ever complain. Upcoming Book. I was told there are only 30-some drag racers in the Hall, and I could probably think of 30 that would be on my hero list that arent in the hall. PDF Year Inducted Name of Inducted - nhradiv2.com She suffered two terrible crashes in 2005 but came back in 2006 and had a solid campaign that season. The teams that I got to compete on, it takes an awful lot to compete at the level for a championship. Vaughan, of Lafayette, Indiana, has a life outside the courtroom and can be found at reining events across the country. Itd be strange to not have drag racing. Not only was she a success on the track, she was a strong leader and supporter of her crew. Thinking the 1981 AQHA World Championship Show would be his last, he didnt even bother to change out of his work shirt when he showed Karen Sullivans 3-year-old mare, Miss Docs Melody, in the first go of junior western pleasure. He also won the IHRA Winston World Championship in 1980, and won the IHRAs prestigious Spring Nationals at Bristol, Tenn. four times. According to GoHorseShow.com, A few years later, having grown frustrated with showing, Carpenter decided to trade horses for NASCAR and move to North Carolina. He raced his last car, a Gas Modified roadster in Bonneville in 2012. Pete Brock (Sports Cars) Brock is best . Trained at the Technical University of Berlin, Duntov was a gifted driver, twice winning his class at Le Mans (1954-55) and setting records at Pikes Peak and Daytona. Graeme has a reputation for being a person of integrity and creativity in the sport. endorsed by. We may earn money from the links on this page. Because I still love it. Bobs style got the attention of the NHRA, which offered him the job of being the NHRA announcer for all national events. Why am I still doing it at this age? NRHA Announces 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees & Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Olvey and Trammell. So from that standpoint, its going OK. Were not running it enough to put food on the table or anything like thator pay for college. The track also brought in racers, not just those in New Jersey, from New York and Philadelphia. Luckily for us, his zest for the world of reining is infectious, she said. And he has been sidelined for lack of sponsorship, even banned for awhile by the sanctioning body in a dispute about his exhibition dragster. His excuse was he was making the tractor lighter so it would go faster. Yeah, in that moment. We are honored and thrilled to be included in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America class of 2023, Drs. Forces journey is truly the American dream rags to riches story. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. She began her driving experience in Alcohol Dragsters, where she won the 1992 Southern Nationals. While contributing as a Gold level donor to the Reining Horse Foundation, Doug created revenue and recognition for the Foundation through the Celebrity Slide with the Professional Bull Riders and the Make a Wish Foundation in Oklahoma City, recalled friend, NRHA Hall of Fame member, and former NRHA President Frank Costantini. Im thankful for all the opportunities I have.. I think Ive literally spent every year of my life at a dragstrip, at some point every year, Dixon said. NHRA.com - Hall of Fame On Wednesday, December 1, these honorees, as well as 2020 NRHA Hall of Fame inductees the late Sally Brown and the late Jerry Kimmel, and 2020 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Award recipient Mike Carrier, will be recognized and celebrated during Sliders' Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch. He was a truck driver before making the switch to drag racing in 1971, driving the ex-Jack Chrisman rear-engine Mustang Funny Car. Its lack of opportunities. GAINESVILLE, Fla. On Thursday night, 16-time NHRA world champion John Force was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 class. He built the Corvette SS and Corvette Grand Sport, and influential CERV I and II racing research vehicles. He collected the 1983 Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship, then moved to Top Fuel, where he took 18 victories and never finished lower than fourth in points between 1986 and 1989. The conflict grew, eventually culminating in a grueling nine-month trial. Eight of nine Class of 2022 Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees - RACER When Billy Meyer bought the IHRA from Larry Carrier, Ted and Linda left the IHRA for one year. The bug had bitten, and she dedicated herself to quarter-mile competition. Andrea Lynch (ne Sellmeyer) and James Wadley will be the latest former members of Buffalo sports programs added to the storied Athletic Hall of Fame for their efforts at McAlester. National Events (250) . Frey brought a new dimension to the sport of drag racing, not only at the tracks but in broadcasting. On top of all he has done for Drag Racing, Sonny is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. After winning the 1930 National Air Races, Chester designed and built a series of groundbreaking planes named after Popeye characters. She stayed involved in the sport by becoming a crew chief as the family continued racing. I have learned so much from him. Dixon said the news of his selection hasnt taken over my life because we took off this (past) weekend. the New Hampshire Hockey Hall of Fame was born and the inaugural class of twelve inductees was . He personally recreated the famed Jr. Thompson A/Gas, 1940 Studebaker sedan in 1960 for Thompson, and it was correct in every detail. He won his next world championship in 2010, becoming the oldest driver in the sport to win a championship. His drag racing efforts got underway in 1978, teaming with Hall of Fame driver, Gary Beck in a Top Fuel dragster which produced an overwhelming demonstration of performance in 1983, setting an amazing 17 of 18 quickest runs in the sports history to that point, and won the NHRAs Top Fuel World Championship. We want to thank the many who have supported us and those from whom we learned on our journey to make motorsports safer.. Although Burkett had tons of success, she also had her misfortunes. He was a mentor to so many people in the industry, and a true ambassador for the sport.. Vazquez, Carpenter, Vaughan, Brown, Kimmel and Carrier will be honored at Sliders Night Out presented by Toyon Ranch on December 1 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City during the NRHA Futurity. 1. Im very proud but still humbled and flattered by the nomination. Preceded into the MSHFA by younger brother Tim Flock (MSHFA Class of 1999), Truman Fontell Flock had hall of fame credentials all his own. One of the attributes we look at for the Hall of Fame is character. He built and raced his first car at the age of 20. In the beginning, he struggled financially and professionally. On its opening day, Raceway Park had 172 cars show up to compete. Raceway Park was considered one of the premier tracks because Vinny and Richard constantly maintained and made upgrades to the facility. In 2013, he created the Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Series, which became a huge success, bringing racers from across Australia and New Zealand together. In the 1970s, Olvey developed the first U.S. traveling motorsports medical team for what is todays IndyCar Series. Hes also been successful in the show pen. He won his 16th championship in 2013. Those are the words that keep coming back to me, because its a bit of a shock, I guess. In 1962 the family bought 308 acres of wooded land. Hancock noted, Jose got into reining later in life, bought a super horse in Smart Like Juice, and its rare you dont see him winning, whether its breeding or showing. Journey celebrates 50th anniversary: Rock band members then and now As an owner, Gwynn fielded a very competitive TF car for Mike Dunn for close to a decade. Out of respect for the Hall and the other honorees, Dixon kept the names of his Class of 2021 colleagues a secret. Force drives the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car and will kick off a new season on the drag strip at the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida this weekend. Those 62 Wally trophies put him fifth among all pro NHRA racers and 10th overall in the series 70-year history. He was back in a car to start 2008 and, after winning two championships with Austin Coil and 12 more with Coil and Bernie Fedderly, he won his 15th with Mike Neff as crew chief in 2010 and his 16th with Jimmy Prock making the tune-up calls in 2013.