23rd NATIONAL SPRINT CAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION BANQUET ANOTHER SUCCESS
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (June 2, 2012) – Champion drivers Johnny Anderson of California, Thad Dosher of North Carolina, Chuck Hulse of California and Bobby Ward of Arkansas, and engine-builder Ron Shaver of California took center stage Saturday afternoon, June 2, as they were officially inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF) in Knoxville. Emcees Dave Argabright and Pat Sullivan, and a crowd of 280 guests, enjoyed the three-hour ceremony, which honored the exceptional careers of twelve inductees.
The families of deceased inductees Gary Sokola (daughter Laurie Sokola), Harry Hosterman (grandsons Richard and William Hosterman), A. Earl Padgett (son George Padgett), C. Henry Meyer (daughter Jane Gerhard) and W.H. “Bill” Vandewater (nephew Gordon DeBlaey) were on-hand to accept their relatives’ honors. In addition, Bob Mays accepted on behalf of the Sam Hoffman family and Ronnie Schwarze accepted on behalf of the Colby Scroggin family.
National Sprint Car Hall of Famers who were present were Tom Bigelow, Ralph Capitani, Shane Carson, Lanny Edwards, Jack Elam, Ray Lee Goodwin, Bill Hill, Harold Leep, Casey Luna, Lynn Paxton, Newton “Buzz” Rose, Bob Trostle, Bill Utz and Kenny Woodruff.
Also in attendance in the Dyer-Hudson Hall on the Marion County Fairgrounds were family members of the following NSCHoF inductees: Bud Carson (son Shane Carson), John Gerber (son Jim Gerber), Brent Kaeding (father Howard Kaeding), Eddie Leavitt (daughter Vickie Agan), Ron Shuman (brother Billy Shuman), Elbert “Babe” Stapp (son Steve Stapp), Earl Wagner (wife Harriet Wagner) and Chet Wilson (daughter Donna Wilson).
The program was dedicated to the memory of past National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductees Earl Gaerte, Larry “Smokey” Snellbaker and Ray Tilley.
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation board president Jeff Savage presented the 2012 President’s Award to hard-working volunteer Larry Hartzold ofIllinois. This year’s twenty-third NSCHoF induction banquet again featured dual large screens showing photo and film footage organized by videographer Kris Krohn.
Next year’s twenty-fourth NSCHoF induction weekend is tentatively scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2013.
Category: Iowa, Knoxville Raceway, News
