KNOXVILLE, IOWA (June 1, 2008) - Champion drivers Glenn Fitzcharles of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Brent Kaeding of Campbell, California, Earl Wagner of Pleasantville, Iowa, and Kramer Williamson of Palmyra, Pennsylvania; owner/mechanics Bob Hampshire of Findlay, Ohio, and Doug Howells of Hunter, North Dakota; and sanctioning officials Louis “Rusty” Espinoza of Anaheim, California, Dick Jordan of Brownsburg, Indiana, and John Padjen of Roseville, California, took center stage Saturday afternoon, May 31, as they were officially inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville. Emcee Pat Sullivan, with the help of Tom Savage, and a crowd of over 300 guests enjoyed the three-hour ceremony, which honored the exceptional careers of twelve inductees.
Also present to accept awards on behalf of their deceased relatives were daughters Joan Voyles and Patricia Vigants for driver Johnnie Parsons, and sons Gary and Alan Schroeder for builder/manufacturer Gordon Schroeder. Additionally, historian Larry Ball, Jr., accepted on behalf of the family of deceased driver Melvin “Tony” Bettenhausen.
National Sprint Car Hall of Famers who were present were Clarence “Mutt” Anderson, Rollie Beale, Ralph Capitani, Shane Carson, Jerry “Scratch” Daniels, Ray Lee Goodwin, Parnelli Jones, Don Mack, John Mahoney, Jim McElreath, Jimmy Oskie, Lynn Paxton, Newton “Buzz” Rose, Steve Stapp, Bob Trostle, Billy Wilkerson and Kenny Woodruff.
John Gerber's son Jim Gerber and Eddie Leavitt's daughter Vickie Agan were also in attendance at the banquet, which was held in the Dyer-Hudson Building on the Marion County Fairgrounds. In addition, past inductees Shane Carson and Steve Stapp represented their Hall of Fame fathers Bud Carson and Elbert “Babe” Stapp, respectively.
National Sprint Car Museum board president Mike Brooks of Blue Highways Enclosed Auto Transport presented the 2008 President's Award to hard-working volunteer and advisory board member Mike Husted of Knoxville. Next year's twentieth induction weekend is tentatively scheduled for May 29-30-31, 2009.
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