2025-04-21

NASCAR Announces Nominees For NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award

NASCAR Announces Nominees

For NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award

Busch and LaJoie join ballot for the first time; Wheeler up for Landmark nod

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 21, 2025) — NASCAR today announced the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

 

Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, joins the Modern Era ballot for the first time, alongside Randy LaJoie, a two-time champion in what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Additionally, Jake Elder, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief, returns to the Pioneer ballot.

 

Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era ballot, five on the Pioneer ballot – designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two Modern Era candidates and one Pioneer candidate will be elected as the Class of 2026.

 

The Landmark Award honors those who made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR. Former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy Wheeler, joins the Landmark Award ballot for the first time.

 

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2026 and Landmark Award on Tuesday, May 20. Once again, the fans have a voice in the selection process via the NASCAR.com Fan Vote (www.nascar.com/halloffame). The Fan Vote is currently open and will close on Sunday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

  

The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all NASCAR Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.

 

The following are the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 nominees and Landmark Award nominees:

 

Modern Era Ballot

 

Greg Biffle, 2000 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion and 2002 Xfinity Series champion

 

Neil Bonnett, won 18 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories

 

Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief

 

Jeff Burton, won 21 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600s

 

Kurt Busch, 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 DAYTONA 500 winner

 

Randy Dorton, built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR's national series

  

Harry Gant, winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including two Southern 500 victories

 

Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief

   

Randy LaJoie, two-time Xfinity Series champion and 1985 North Series champion

 

Jack Sprague, three-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion

 

 

Pioneer Ballot

 

Jake Elder, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief, including the DAYTONA 500 and two Southern 500s

 

Ray Hendrick, won over 700 times in NASCAR Modified and Late Model Sportsman

  

Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships

 

Larry Phillips, first five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion

 

Bob Welborn, winner of nine NASCAR Cup Series races and three Convertible Division championships

 

 

Landmark Award

 

Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR's first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.

 

Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports

 

Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway

 

Les Richter, long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast

 

Humpy Wheeler, former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, transformed the venue into a world-class facility


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

Madie Wallace Looks at 2025 as Her Bounce-Back Racing Season

Madie Wallace Looks at 2025 as Her Bounce-Back Racing Season
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Local short track racing can be a game of inches. A matter of give and take at the right time can make or break a driver's season.

With a new schedule of action at Brockville Ontario Speedway just a few weeks away, Madie Wallace is looking forward to getting back into battle for the new year. The 19-year-old from Munster, Ontario ran only a handful of races during the 2024 season before a crash ended her run and left her with a broken rib and a concussion.
Wallace – whose boyfriend Kalen Draper scored a 2024 season-ending 358 Modified win at Brockville Speedway – has put together an active schedule for the 2025 season. She'll campaign her No. 17M Sportsman-Modified weekly at Brockville, while committing to a part-time Sunday night program at Cornwall Motor Speedway. In addition to returning to the Sportsman ranks, Madie Wallace will also run Wednesday nights in the Senior Stock karting program and plans a limited schedule in the same class Tuesday nights at Cornwall.

"I'm looking forward to getting as much seat time as possible this year," said Wallace, who has been working on a dairy farm while taking a year off between finishing high school and starting her post-secondary education. "I've always enjoyed being at the track, but having to sit-out most of last year wasn't much fun. It was great to spend some time with Kalen, but I really wanted to be in the car."
Now that she's recovered from last year's injuries, been given a clear bill of health and the go-ahead to resume racing, Madie Wallace – who enjoys hockey, farming, baseball and fishing in her time away from the racetrack – is ready for the initial green flag of the 2025 schedule. After posting some impressive stats during her Karting and Novice Sportsman runs, the team is ready for its first full season in the Sportsman-Modified field. Thanks to the support crew of her parents, grandfathers Dave Wallace and Ron Ridge, uncle Bruce Wallace, brother Trent Wallace and her boyfriend Kalen Draper, they're all set to go.
The No. 17M Sportsman program is proudly supported by Brendave Plumbing, Fat Les's Chip Stand, Draper Doors, Crawford Sheds Inc., FFS, www.motortrendsonline.ca, Perkins Lumber, VW Restoration, Marlborough Pub & Eatery, Ottawa Prime Developments, JMP Hay Services & Brokering and Turn 3 Media.
Family, friends and fans can follow Madie Wallace during the 2025 season at the track or through her personal Facebook page.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
After an injury kept her sidelined for most of last year's schedule, Munster, Ontario's Madie Wallace (No. 17M) is looking forward to kicking-off the 2025 DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified season.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

Counting Down to the 2025 Season Opener at Peterborough Speedway

Counting Down to the 2025 Season Opener at Peterborough Speedway
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Central Ontario race fans are getting ready for another exciting season of action at Peterborough Speedway.
This year's inaugural Great Canadian RV green flag is slated for Saturday, May 17th as part of the Pure Country 105 Season Opener, featuring free spectator grandstand admission and a driver autograph session midway through the program. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says this event is the perfect way to launch the new line-up.
"Our crowd for the opening night has traditionally been one of the biggest of the entire season," said Josiasse. "Everyone is excited to have a first look at the new cars and get back to the track for a night of family entertainment after another long winter."
From a Junior Late Model runner making their first career start, to a multi-time KOD Disposal Late Model track champion in search of another title, every lap turned at Peterborough Speedway builds on a motorsports legacy spanning more 55 years. The home track Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stocks will have a 50 lap Shootout Saturday, June 14th in conjunction with the 50 lap Dayco Super Stock and 100 lap APC Late Model tour events.
SwitchTire Mini Stock teams have a 50 lap Shootout scheduled for the Cottage Country Bash – Saturday, August 2nd – with the Bone Stocks, Junior Late Models and Late Models. Full 2025 schedule details are available now at on the track's website and social media channels.
In addition to the great weekly racing, track officials are happy to announce that the Double Toonie/Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – will return for this year's line-up. On Saturday, June 7th, 28th and August 16th you'll see a full night of excitement, with an on-track driver autograph session at intermission for only $ 4.00.
Bullring bullet points: Peterborough Speedway will host a pair of pre-season practice sessions to give teams a chance to get their equipment ready before the year's inaugural green flag. The first shakedown round has been booked for Saturday, May 10th from 11:00 to 4:00, with another test and tune planned for Thursday, May 15th from 4:00 'til dusk…Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 5th and the home track date for the inaugural SPS Junior Late Model Rumble.
Be sure to check www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's social media channels and pages for the latest news, information and details on the 2025 schedule.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Paige Stevenson (No. 77) and Christen Lavalle in 2024 action. Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock teams will run a 50-lap main event – Saturday, June 14th – at Peterborough Speedway.
Mark Downer (No. 26) battles Kyle McCaughley in the 2024 season. Catch the SwitchTire Mini Stock 50-lap feature tilt – Saturday, August 2nd – at Peterborough Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

Melcolm Banks is the Next Generation of a Family Racing Operation

Melcolm Banks is the Next Generation of a Family Racing Operation
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
A bright future is waiting for the next group of talented young racers.
After making his start in the karting ranks in 2017 at age 5, Melcolm Banks moved to the Novice Sportsman ranks at Brockville Ontario Speedway in 2023. Under the tutelage and guidance of his father Joseph – himself a 3rd generation racer and multiple DIRTcar 358 Modified feature winner – the youngster gained experience and developed his skills on the way to becoming the youngest main event winner in the track's history – at age 12 – with his Saturday, August 10th checkered flag. Banks also finished 2nd in the point standings for the 2nd straight season.
Despite his youth, Melcolm Banks is part of deep provincial motorsports lineage. His great uncles Ed and Ab Banks were regulars at tracks in Eastern Ontario, while his grandfather Pernie followed their path into the weekly racing ranks at Brockville Speedway. His father took the next step in the family's pursuit of checkered flags, competing in the Mini Stock and eventually Small Block Modified ranks.
Heading into the 2025 season, the 8th grader at Rideau District High School in Elgin will move-up to the Sportsman-Modified division at 'The BOS'. While he hasn't set any immediate goals for his transition to the new class, Melcolm Banks says he's looking forward to getting some additional seat time and maybe travel to some different tracks before ultimately moving up to a 358 modified ride.
"Every time I get into the car, it is like the first day of school. There is so much to learn. I really like the way the conditions change and the challenges are different each we roll onto the track," said the young driver. "I'd like to thank my family for everything they've done to give me this opportunity and all of my friends and fans for their encouragement at the track and behind the scenes."
The No. M75 Banks Racing Team would like to thank their marketing partners including Kason Farms, Dirt Outlaw Apparel, D & J Transportation, Herlehy Home Hardware, A1 Siding, CHE – Cylinder Head Engineering, French's Trucking, Welch's Drywall, Milk – Leeds County Dairy Producer, Hewitt's Livestock, Willard's Bakery, Levac Propane and Willows Agri Services for their continued support.
At home in the shop and at the track, Melcolm Banks counts on Joe Banks, Pernie Banks, Tyler Hazelaar, Paige Banks, Cynthia Banks and Mila Banks to set-up the car each week and make sure it is ready to chase the next checkered flag.
Follow the No. M75 team in weekly action at Brockville Ontario Speedway and through the Banks Racing social media channels on Facebook and Tik Tok.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
After back-to-back Novice Sportsman point finishes, 13-year-old Melcolm Banks (No. M75) of Portland, Ontario will move to the Sportsman-Modified field for Brockville Ontario Speedway's 2025 season.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
                      clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, www.facebook.com/clarkemotrsports


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

Airborne Park Speedway Schedule Set for 71st Yea

PLATTSBURGH, Ny. -- The roar of engines will once again fill the North Country air this summer with another year of racing set to take place in Plattsburgh.  The 2025 schedule is now out and only a short six weeks remain until the season opener.

Opening day is set for Sunday, April 13 at 2:00PM. The 358 modifieds, sportsman modifieds, renegades and mini stocks will be joined by the limited sportsman and the new crown vic division, which made its Airborne Park Speedway debut during last year's championship weekend. Saturday, April 19, will be the second race of 2025. The Sprint Cars of New England will be in town for the first of two appearances at Airborne Park in 2025.

May holds a pair of monster events back-to-back, as the DIRTcar 358 modified tour blows into town, bringing the DIRTcar sportsman eastern region tour with it on Thursday, May 22. Just a week later, the Short Track Super Series modifieds will be back for the second annual "Adirondack Invasion," which last year was won by Anthony Perrego driving Bob Hentschel's car No. 4.

June brings back topless night on Saturday, June 14 where the sportsman will run without roofs, allowing the fans to get a better view of the drivers at work. Additionally, the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds will be on the card as well as the visiting pro stocks and the season first enduro, with a full complement of other regular classes. The following week brings a Wednesday night race on June 18.

July kicks off with the Independence Day special on Thursday, July 3 featuring one of the biggest and brightest displays of fireworks in the entire North Country, as well as another pro stock race and another enduro. July 10 is an off week, with racing resuming on Thursday, July 17 with a full card plus kids' bike races.

August's highlights include "Make a Wish" night on Saturday, August 9, featuring the Sprint Cars of New England plus pro stocks and all the regular divisions, minus the 358 modifieds. August 21 is the Vermont 200 qualifier for the sportsman, with the feature winner earning a guaranteed starting spot in the biggest crate sportsman race anywhere, the Labor Day Weekend Vermont 200 at Devil's Bowl. Airborne Park celebrates the kids going back to school with another Wednesday night special on August 27 with the popular backpack giveaway, before the late summer heat gives way to September.

In the final month of racing for 2025, the Canadian Big Block Series comes to town on Sunday, September 7, with another Sunday special on September 14, with the final day of points for the 358 modifieds. Sunday, September 21 is a built-in rain date only to be used if needed, and the championship weekend returns on September 28 and 29,  with a 50-lap championship feature for the sportsman paying $5,000 to the winner, along with pro stocks, mini sprints, renegades, limited sportsman, crown vics and a 50-lap, $1,000-to-win enduro. It is the most racing packed into two days you'll find anywhere!

Last year saw the return of Mike and Alayne Bruno to the Speedway as promoters since 2015 during the last pavement era and their first year back was full of excitement and great racing. Elizabethtown's Mike Mahaney, a North Country transplant originally from New York's southern tier, earned the 358 modified championship in a close battle with dirt-track legend Tim Fuller. Canadian driver Donovan Lussier won the sportsman modified title in his first season at Airborne Park, driving in the Boissonneault Racing No. 61. The renegade champion was Shawn Duquette, from Morrisonville, and Ryan Senecal won the mini stock title.

This year, the regular addition of the limited sportsman is expected to foster growth in the sport, giving drivers a chance to move up into an open-wheel car in a more user-friendly environment than a direct jump into the ultra-competitive sportsman modified class.

The full schedule is available online at https://www.airborneparkspeedwayny.com/ or on the MyRacePass app.







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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

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