Class of 2020
Don Barker
Mechanic / Car Owner
Don Barker was raised in Lincoln and developed an interest in high-powered
Mel Earnest
Car Owner
Mel Earnest was born in North Loup and grew up in a
Jim Eilts
Car Owner / Car Builder
Jim Eilts developed an interest in auto racing as a youngster, growing
Ed Jochim
Drag Racer
Ed Jochim was born in Omaha and developed an interest in drag
Kevin Larkins
Driver / Car Builder
Kevin Larkins was born in Beatrice and developed a love for dirt
Wayne “Bromo” Selser
Driver
Wayne “Bromo” Selser was born in Stanton Iowa and, like many, developed
Rallen “Rallie” Zeitner
Driver / Car Owner
Rallen “Rallie” Zeitner was born in Armour, South Dakota and got his
Class of 2019
Wayne Huntley
Driver
Wayne Huntley began his racing career in 1966, when he and a
Ray Lipsey
Driver
Ray Lipsey began his racing career in the mid 1970s, racing Late
Bob Mays
Journalist / Photographer
Bob Mays’ interest in automobile racing began as a three year old
Kenny McCarty
Driver
After a brief, but successful, career racing motorcycles, Kenny McCarty began his
Terry Richards Sr.
Driver / Promoter
Terry Richards, Sr. began his racing career in 1963 at Skylark Speedway
Ed Smith
Car Owner
Ed Smith’s involvement in racing began in 1965, when he sponsored a
Don Stephenson
Drag Racer
In 1959, as a 14-year old teenager, Don Stephenson purchased his first
Class of 2018
Don Droud Jr.
Class of 2018
Driver - Lincoln, Nebraska
Following in the footsteps of his father, Nebraska Hall
Larry Gregg
Class of 2018
Driver, Promoter - Doniphan, Nebraska
Larry Gregg got his baptism into auto racing
Chelsie Johnson
Class of 2018
Car Owner - Lincoln, Nebraska
Chelsie Johnson was born in 1897 in Harvard,
Chuck Spanel
Class of 2018
Engine Builder - Lincoln, Nebraska
A native of Merna, Chuck Spanel begin his
Stan White
Class of 2018
Drag Racer - Palmyra, Nebraska
Stan White grew up in Palmyra, Nebraska, and
Ron Williams
Class of 2018
Driver - North Platte, Nebraska
Ron Williams’s interest in and passion for automobile
Class of 2017
Mike Barnett
Class of 2017
Mike Barnett’s introduction into auto racing came as a Junior High School
Gene Bichlmeier
Class of 2017
Gene Bichlmeier began his drag racing career in 1965, racing a 1965
Paul Brown
Class of 2017
Paul Brown began entering club road races at age 16, and in
Lynn Grabill
Class of 2017
Having been involved in the sport, as either a driver or a
Carroll Hill
Class of 2017
Carroll “Speedy” Hill’s interest in race track fire prevention started at Playland
Ray Valasek
Class of 2017
Ray Valasek developed an interest in automobile racing at a very young
Joe Wade
Class of 2017
Joe Wade’s racing career began as an eight year old youngster, when
Class of 2016
Marlin Bogner
Class of 2016
Marlin Bogner began his drag racing career at Kearney Dragway in 1974.
Noell Chadd
Class of 2016
Noell Chadd has been involved in Sprint Car racing, as a car
Fred Garbers
Class of 2016
Fred Garbers became involved in dirt track racing, as a car owner,
Tom Gutowski
Class of 2016
Noell Chadd has been involved in Sprint Car racing, as a car
John Larson
Class of 2016
John Larson began his career in motorsports as a drag racer in
Clarence Miller
Class of 2016
Clarence “Pop” Miller developed an interest in speed at a very young
Tim Schultz
Class of 2016
Tim Schultz began his racing career as a drag racer in 1977.
Class of 2015
Bill Barbour
Class of 2015
Bill Barbour started out racing midgets throughout the Midwest until he broke
Clayton Petersen Jr.
Class of 2015
Clayton Petersen Jr. was one of the top late model racers in
Larry White
Class of 2015
Larry White started his flagging career in 1976 at Eagle Raceway. White
Pat di Natale
Class of 2015
Beginning in solo events, Pat di Natale carved out an impressive racing
Phil Durst
Class of 2015
As a car owner, Phil Durst racked up some impressive wins and
Scott Fernyhough
Class of 2015
Scott Fernyhough spent his early years working for Jerry Day, Duke McMillen
Tom Lathen
Class of 2015
Tom Lathen’s first experience as an announcer came in 1976 at The
Class of 2014
Bob Westphal
Class of 2014
Bob Westphal built engines that powered drag racers Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen,
Buck Huston
Class of 2014
Buck Huston may have had the longest career of any racer in
Don Weyhrich
Class of 2014
Don Weyhrich started out in drag racing, then moved to circle track
J.J. Riggins
Class of 2014
J.J. Riggins was a three-time track champion at the Eagle Raceway and
Marty Bassett
Class of 2014
Marty Bassett was one of the top mechanics in the business, working
Randy Hunt
Class of 2014
Randy Hunt came to Lincoln with Jan Opperman in 1968 as a
Steve Kosiski
Class of 2014
Steve Kosiski follows his grandfather, Joe Kosiske; father, Bob; and brother, Joe,
Class of 2013
Carson Smith
Class of 2013
Carson Smith, Lincoln, designed and engineered the winning car for Pikes Peak,
David Thomssen
Class of 2013
David Thomssen, Lincoln, was an expert on the Ford flathead engine, Thomssen
Eddie Rezac
Class of 2013
Eddie Rezac, Wahoo, started his drag racing career at the Omaha Dragway
Guy Deulin
Class of 2013
Guy Deulin, Bridgport, started his career in 1922 at a small fairgrounds
Joe Kosiski
Class of 2013
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, was one of the all-time great late model racers
Lawrence Hughes
Class of 2013
Lawrence Hughes, Beatrice, started his career in 1922 and became a regular
Mike Daly
Class of 2013
Mike Daly, Omaha, already a championship winning drag racer, really made his
Stan Cisar Jr.
Class of 2013
Stan Cisar Jr. has had a long career as the voice of
Class of 2012
Chuck Bosselman
Class of 2012
Bosselman got the racing bug in late 1960s, starting with a ’55
Dave Chase
Class of 2012
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Chase scored in excess
Bob Elic
Class of 2012
Elic was a major force in Omaha area drag racing in the
John Gerloff
Class of 2012
Gerloff was a championship winning late model driver before turning his attention
Keith Hightshoe
Class of 2012
Hightshoe started his career at Arlington Raceway in 1955 and ran with
Bob Hubbard
Class of 2012
Hubbard was a winning crew chief at the Daytona 24-hour event four
Homer Macklin
Class of 2012
Starting out as a driver in the early 1950s, Macklin found his
Class of 2011
Fred Anderson
Class of 2011
Fred Anderson started his drag racing career in 1952 and set many
Keith Chambers
Class of 2011
Keith Chambers was a staff photographer for the Omaha World-Herald from 1946-50,
Don Droud Sr.
Class of 2011
Don Droud Sr. has been a driver, owner, promoter, coach and sage
Kelley Family
Class of 2011
The Kellys promoted Sunset Speedway from 1976 through 2000. They were a
Eddie Kracek
Class of 2011
Eddie Kracek started his racing career in 1928 driving stock cars, and
Wayne Mason
Class of 2011
Wayne Mason was a championship car owner and mechanic for many years
Jim Wyman
Class of 2011
Jim Wyman started racing in 1954 and was a four-time champ at
Class of 2010
Gene Barnett
Class of 2010
Gene Barnett had a long and distinguished career in motorsports. As a
Merwyn Dunker
Class of 2010
Merwyn “Mert” Dunker was born in Fremont in 1937. Growing up, “stock”
Byron Hinkley
Class of 2010
Like many Nebraskans of the time, this Elba native honed his mechanical
Al Humphrey
Class of 2010
Born in 1953 and starting his racing career in the early ‘70s,
Wayne Lewis
Class of 2010
Lewis was born in 1941 in Rulo. He honed his mechanical skills
Bob Woodhouse
Class of 2010
A success on the track and in the business world, Bob Woodhouse’s
Class of 2009
Chuck Kidwell
Class of 2009
Kidwell raced all kinds of cars during his long career. He became
Clarence Haskell
Class of 2009
Haskell was a Big Car driver during the 1920s and ‘30s. On
John MacKichan
Class of 2009
A designer, engineer and fabricator, MacKichan built a land speed record holding
Charley & Rose Sesemann
Class of 2009
The Sesemann's (Charley passed away in 2000) were involved in area auto
Larry Swanson
Class of 2009
Swanson was a car owner whose drivers included Nebraska Auto Racing Hall
Dick Wells
Class of 2009
Wells was the first editor of National Dragster magazine and a staff
Class of 2008
Joe Fahnstock
Class of 2008
Joe Fahnstock promoted the first midget races in Nebraska in 1935. Joe
Terry Fritsch
Class of 2008
Terry Fritsch started his racing career in Go-Karts in 1958 at the
Joe Orth
Class of 2008
Joe Orth has been a photographer, crew member and a true ambassador
Bob Nickolite
Class of 2008
Bob Nicholite started as a flagman for Ed O’Boyle in North Platte
John Wilkinson
Class of 2008
John Wilkinson raced Modifieds and Super Modifieds throughout the 1950s and 1960s
Charlie Williams
Class of 2008
Charlie Williams, a car owner teamed with his son-in-law, Gary Swenson to
Bill Wrich
Class of 2008
Bill Wrich began racing in 1954 at the age of 16. Bill
Class of 2007
Darrell Zimmerman
Class of 2007
Darrell Zimmerman began his racing career in stock cars but soon turned
Edwin Arnold
Class of 2007
Edwin “Tex” Arnold was a long-time Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
Glenn Robey
Class of 2007
Glenn Robey started his racing career in 1949 at the Grandview Race
Jim Schuman
Class of 2007
Jim Schuman was first exposed to racing in 1954 when his father,
Larry Danhauer
Class of 2007
Larry Danhauer has built engines for many forms of racing, including late
Ronney Householder
Class of 2007
Ronney Householder began racing midgets in 1933 during the golden age of
Sam Hoffman
Class of 2007
In a career that stretched from 1921 to 1946, Sam Hoffman raced
Class of 2006
Clyde Baker
Track Promoter / Race Official
Clyde Baker was born and raised in Ord. Although he had
Jack Beck
Class of 2006
Jack Beck was born in Loup City, Neb., and grew up near
Gene Kidder
Class of 2006
Gene Kidder, a native of Omaha, Neb., now a resident of Mammoth
Charlie Martin
Class of 2006
Charlie Martin was born in Seneca, Kan., in 1930 and moved to
Abe Slusky
Class of 2006
Abe Slusky found the land just across the river from downtown Omaha
Kent Tucker
Driver
Kent Tucker was born and raised in Aurora and began his racing
Class of 2005
John & Laura Beecham
Promoters
John and Laura (Golden) Beecham were both raised Palmyra and became interested
Stan Cisar Sr.
Race Official
Stanley “Stan” Cisar, Sr. was born and raised in South Omaha and,
Carl Forberg
Driver
Carl Forberg was born and raised in Omaha. In 1928,
Wayne House
Car Builder / Engine Builder
Wayne House was born and raised in Lincoln. His interest in
Lonnie Jensen
Driver
Lonnie Jensen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the
Terry Klatt
Car Owner
Terry Klatt was born and raised in Hastings and began building and
Roger Rager
Driver
Roger Rager was born and raised in Lincoln and grew up around
Gary Swenson
Car Owner / Mechanic
Gary Swenson was born in Lincoln. His interest in auto racing
Class of 2004
John Bagley
Driver / Car Owner
John Bagley was born in Omaha. He started his racing career
Gale “Curly” Doggett
Driver
Gale “Curly” Doggett was born in York, Nebraska but as a teenager
Loren “Lou” Downing
Drag Racer
Loren “Lou” Downing was born in Kearney and developed an interest in
General Curtis LeMay
Promoter
Curtis LeMay was born in Columbus, Ohio and following a distinguished combat
George Roseland
Drag Racer / Mentor
George Roseland was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa but spent most of
Joe and Louie Turco
Car Builders / Mechanics
Joseph “Joe” and Louis “Louie” Turco were born in Omaha and at
Class of 2003
John Davisson
Car Owner
John Davisson was born in Lawrence, Nebraska and following his graduation from
Leonard Janke
Driver
Leonard Janke was born and raised on a farm south of Winside,
Pete Leikam
Car Owner / Promoter
Pete Leikam was born and raised in Lincoln. His involvement in
Don Maxwell
Driver / Car Builder
Don Maxwell was born in Appleton, Wisconsin. After his family moved
Charles “Chuck” Sears
Driver / Race Official
Charles “Chuck” Sears was born in Campbell, Nebraska and spent much of
Henry “Howdy” Williams IV
Drag Racer
Henry “Howdy” Williams was born and raised in Omaha. His interest
Class of 2002
Kenny Gritz
Driver
Kenny Gritz grew up in Beatrice but moved to Lincoln shortly after
Don Ostendorf
Driver
Don Ostendorf spent his early years in the communities of Gothenburg and
King Rhiley
Driver
King Rhiley was born and raised in Minden, Nebraska and spent a
Eddie Rickenbacker
Driver / Track Owner
Eddie Rickenbacker was born in Columbus, Ohio and in 1906, as a
Cliff Sealock
Driver
Cliff Sealock began his love affair with auto racing in 1949 while
Doug Wolfgang
Driver
Doug Wolfgang grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and developed an
Class of 2001
Frank Brennfoerder
Driver
Frank Brennfoerder was born in Ruskin, Nebraska and developed an interest in
Gerald “Boog” Bruggeman
Driver
Gerald Bruggeman was born on a farm near Carroll, Nebraska but spent
Ralph Foster
Driver
Ralph Foster was born in Red Oak, Iowa, but after a couple
Art Jacobson
Car Owner
Art Jacobson was born and raised in Duncombe, Iowa. As a
Howard Johansen
Drag Racer / Car Builder
Howard Johansen was born and raised on a farm near Shelby, Nebraska.
Loyal Katskee
Driver
Loyal Katskee was born and raised in Omaha and during his teen
Dean Ward
Driver
Dean Ward was raised on a farm near Sargent, Nebraska and began
Don Wolfe
Driver
A native of Lexington, Don Wolfe followed in his father’s footsteps and
Class of 2000
Noel Bullock
Driver
Noel Bullock was born in Franklin, Nebraska and at a young age
Bob Burdick
Driver
Robert “Bob” Burdick was born in Omaha and developed a love for
Jim Gessford
Car Owner / Car Builder
Jim Gessford was born in Bloomington, Nebraska but spent most of his
Joe Kosiske
Car Owner
A native of Omaha, Joe Kosiske’s involvement in racing began in 1949
Robert “Bobby” Parker
Driver
Robert “Bobby” Parker was born and raised in Omaha and in the
Gordon Smiley
Driver
Gordon Smiley was born and raised in Omaha. After briefly attending
Les Vaughn
Car Owner
A native of Omaha, Les Vaughn’s involvement in racing began in 1948
Class of 1999
Lloyd Beckman
Driver
Lloyd Beckman began his motorsports career racing motorcycles in 1948. A year
Woodrow “Woody” Brinkman
Driver / Race Official
Woodrow “Woody” Brinkman was born in Winner, South Dakota, but moved to
John “Bud” Burdick
Driver
John “Bud” Burdick began has racing career in 1947 racing motorcycles in
Earl Cooper
Driver
Earl Cooper was born in the small community of Arborville, Nebraska, but
Les King
Car Owner
Les King was born in Loveland, Iowa, but lived most of his
Edward O’Boyle
Promoter
Edward O’Boyle was born in Farmingham, Massachusetts and eventually moved to North
Otto “Pappy” Ramer
Car Owner / Engine Builder
Otto Ramer was born in Omaha in 1890 and lived his entire
Gordon “Gordie” Shuck
Driver
Gordon “Gordie” Shuck was born and raised in Edgar, Nebraska and developed
Chester “Chet” Wilson
Car Owner / Engine Builder
Chester “Chet” Wilson was born in Lincoln and at age 12 built
Class of 1998
George “Andy” Anderson
Driver / Official
Born in Salem, Iowa, George “Andy” Anderson spent much of his childhood
Roy Burdick
Car Owner
Roy Burdick was raised in Omaha and in 1942 opened an automotive
Wilbert “Willie” Hecke
Driver
Wilbert “Willie” Hecke was born in Campbell Hill, Illinois and moved to
Bob Kosiski
Driver
Bob Kosiski began his racing career much by accident, when a relative
Jan Opperman
Driver
Born in Long Beach, California, Jan Opperman achieved fame behind the wheel
Joe Saldana
Driver
“Little Joe” Saldana was born in Clay Center, Nebraska and moved to
D. William “Bill” Smith
Car Owner
D. William “Bill” Smith grew up in Lincoln where he quickly developed
Gene Van Winkle
Race Official
Gene Van Winkle was raised in Lincoln, where his father owned a
