National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame facts for kids
The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame is a non-profit hall of fame for American drivers of dirt late model racecars. It is located on the grounds of Florence Speedway in Walton, Kentucky.
History
During 2001 while conversing with a group of people involved in the sport, longtime motorsports journalist Bill Holder decided to create the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. The first induction ceremony took place later in August at Florence Speedway during their annual NORTH-SOUTH 100.
Induction process
Within the NDLMHOF, there are three types of inductees, each of which contributes to the sport in a different manner. The types are Drivers, Contributors, and the Sportsman Award.
All of the inductees are elected by the vote of a Hall of Fame Voting Board on candidates that have been submitted. The voting board consists of voters from all aspects of the Dirt Late Model scene.
The general requirements for the drivers are that they must have at least 30 years in the sport or are retired. Although it was initially required for all drivers to be retired, that no longer is a constraint because experience has shown that many of them never retire. Normally, six (unless a tie) are taken from this category.
The Contributor category includes individuals from all aspects of the sport including promoters, series directors, car builders, engine builders, crew chiefs, car owners, media types, etc. This category provides two inductees.
Finally, there is the Sportsman Award category which inducts one active driver. This inductee, who is also voted on by the Voting Board is an individual who supports the Dirt Late Model sport by working closely with promoters, track owners, sanctioning body heads, helps young and inexperienced drivers, and maybe most importantly, interfaces with the fans. This category is done completely by the Voting Board who both nominates the candidates and then selects the winner.
List of inductees
2001–2005
Drivers:
Contributors to the sport:7
|
|
|
2006–2010
|
|
|
2011–2015
|
2016–present
- 2016
- Tom Hearst
- Tiny Lund
- Tony Izzo Sr.
- Leon Plank
- Fulmer Lance
- Steve Norris (Crew Chief)(Contributor)
- Ed Petroff (Sponsor)(Contributor)
- Lee Roy Rumley (Engine Builder)(Contributor)
- Eldon Butcher (Lifetime Achievement)
- Ron Jerger Sr. (Lifetime Achievement)
- Forrest Lucas (Earl Baltes Award)
- 2017
- Roger Dolan
- Rick Eckert
- Joe Merryfield
- Dale McDowell
- Kenny Simpson
- David & John Draime (Engine Builders)(Contributor)
- Joel Hedrick (Car Builder/Team Manager)(Contributor)
- Jim Wilson (Car Owner/Promoter)(Contributor)
- Gerald Dixon (Lifetime Achievement)
- Ray Traube (Lifetime Achievement)
- 2018
- Steve Barnett
- Don Hoffman
- Jimmy Mars
- Steve Shaver
- Wendell Wallace
- Dottie & Lee Byers (Car Owners) (Contributor)
- the Cook Family (Track Owners/Promoters)(Contributor)
- Tony Hammett (Photographer)(Contributor)
- Mike Farr (Lifetime Achievement)
- Bubby James (Lifetime Achievement)
- 2019
- Wayne Brooks
- Stan Massey
- Billy Thomas
- Lil’ John Provenzano
- Kevin Weave
- Cornett Racing Engines
- Mooney Starr
- Keith Knaack
Reference: