NDLMHOF Takes The Stage 2001

By Doc Lehman

The first annual NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME will hold it’s inaugural induction ceremony during the Saturday portion of the three day NORTH-SOUTH 100 extravaganza on August 25. The first class inducted into the first NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME induction ceremony is one filled with heroes of the sport representing those whose influences were felt on and off the track.

Late last year while conversing with a group of people involved in the sport, longtime motorsports journalist Bill Holder poised the question: Why isn’t there a NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME? He soon found himself with a new mission: heading up the all new National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.

“It came about by just a lot of people saying, ‘how come the Sprints and Midgets have a Hall of Fame and the dirt Late Models, which obviously have ten times more cars, doesn’t have one?’” explained Bill Holder. “I got to talking with CJ (Rayburn) and them and everyone was standing there and looked at me and said, ‘why don’t you do it?’ (laughs).”

“I’m retired now and not doing anything except racing so I got together with a voting board which consists of media, sanctioning body heads, promoters, engine builders and car builders. We decided there would be five active drivers with at least 15 years experience. Five retired drivers who have been retired at least five years. And then five major contributors to the sport.”

“The induction ceremony will be emceed by Bret Emrick and Roby Helm, both of whom I think are very good. Jerry King has been very cooperative with us on this. We think it will be an ideal time and place since everyone will be there. We’re looking forward to having a really good deal.”

For Renegade STARS Racing Director Brett Emrick and UDTRA Public Relations Director Roby Helm, they find the concept and upcoming ceremony as something that has been long overdue and are just delighted to be a part of the historic, first induction ceremony.

“I think the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME is way overdue,” stated Bret Emrick. “Bill Holder more or less took the bull by the horns and got the ball rolling. Bill contacted me last year about this to see what I thought and I told him, ‘Great Idea!’. A lot of people think that just a few people made the say on who the first year inductee's were going to be. Far from it. A voting panel of over 30 people representing track promoters, sanctioning organizations, media, and manufacturers are on the voting committee. And like with any voting committee, some people got left off that probably should be on the ballot. And, it's the same with the inductees. But, you can't please everyone.”

“You just nominate and vote who you think deserves it. Then, the votes are tabulated and the highest vote totals are selected for induction. Bill isn't done with this project. I talked with him this past Monday and he told me that Jerry King and he were talking and that Jerry mentioned he would be interested in building a permanent Hall of Fame and Museum at Florence Speedway. So, if Bill and his group can get the ball rolling, hopefully in the future there will be a permanent structure for the Hall of Fame inductees.”

Emrick wasn’t alone in his opinion that the new NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME was long overdue.

“The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame is a great thing for the sport,” agreed Roby Helm. “I'm a history buff anyway, and I've always lived by the principle that in order to know where you're going, you must know where you've come from.  There are a lot of new fans finding dirt late model racing everyday, joining the ones that have been around for years.  It's important for everyone to remember the people who have set the foundation for what we have in this sport today, and what we are building on for tomorrow.”

“The 15 people who will be inducted into the NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME on August 25 are all well-deserving of the honor for what they have contributed to the sport and to the people that are still in it today.  We are all better off in the sport because of them.  I know a lot of people can come up with the names of other people who are just as deserving, but I'm sure their day will come.  These are the first 15 inductees, and there will be many more in the years to come.”

Both Emrick and Helm, two of the better “throats” in the business, are not only excited about the prospect of the new HOF, they are also honored and touched to have been chose to emcee the first ceremony.

“Personally, I'm very proud to be a part of the voting committee, and deeply honored to be included as an emcee of the induction ceremony along with Brett Emrick,” said Helm. “The induction ceremony at 6 p.m. on August 25 prior to the North-South 100 racing activities at Florence Speedway makes it an even more special event.”

Emrick feels equally honored.

“My participation is mainly as a voting committee member,” explained Emrick.  “Bill asked me to be part of the ceremony Saturday night so Roby Helm of U.D.T.R.A. and myself will be basically introducing each inductee to the crowd. I'll be honest. I thought I could dig up some information on the inductee's I'll be introducing but time got away from me and I had to ask for help. I'd like to publicly thank Bob Markos of Portage,IN for all of his help in making me look like a genius come Saturday (laughs)! Bob is also on the voting committee and has been around this sport just about as long as anyone has. Bob is a great writer and a walking-talking encyclopedia of our sport. So, I thought if anyone can help, it will be Bob. So thanks, Bob!”

“Actually, it will be a fun time and I'm honored to be a part of it. It's history. And, any time you can be involved with history that is really gratifying.”

And it appears the new HOF will be around for some time. Holder is especially intent on seeing it succeed and support has come in from across the industry.Holder also seems pretty excited about the new undertaking and is anxious to get the concept about the new National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame out to the public.

“We’re a 501C3, non-profit organization,” said Holder. “There is no money involved in this. It is strictly volunteer. We have 30 members on the voting board. The guys that got the most votes who did not get elected will be written in next year as the top candidates. Everything is suggestion, though.”

“The idea for the Hall of Fame came about a year ago. We officially announced it at CJ’s party in December. I’m working very closely with CJ’s daughter, Eva Goes. She and I are involved in this. She has done a lot of the legal work for us. Eva and I basically came up with it.”

The search for sponsors has commenced, and already Holder and Goes has gotten commitments from several in the industry whom have thrown their support to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Among the new sponsors for the Hall are Hoosier Racing Tires, Dirt Late Model Magazine, Florence Speedway, Arizona Sport Shirts, National Dirt Digest, Ray Skillman Performance Parts and Muddslinger Magazine.

“We have hopes there will be more,” added Holder.

NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME INFO, SCHEDULE, INDUCTEES:

INAUGURAL NDLMHOF INDUCTEES Class of 2001

The first 15 inductees to the new Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame have been announced. There will be five inductees from three different categories.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Category:

Jack Boggs