National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame facts for kids
The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame is a special place that honors American drivers of dirt late model racecars. It's like a museum for racing heroes! This Hall of Fame is located at Florence Speedway in Walton, Kentucky.
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History of the Hall of Fame
The idea for the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame started in 2001. A motorsports journalist named Bill Holder was talking with some people involved in the sport. They decided it would be great to create a place to remember the best drivers.
The very first ceremony to welcome new members happened in August of that same year. It took place at Florence Speedway during their big annual race, the NORTH-SOUTH 100.
How People Get Inducted
The Hall of Fame has three main types of people they welcome. Each type helps the sport in a different way. These types are:
- Drivers
- Contributors
- The Sportsman Award winners
A special group called the Hall of Fame Voting Board chooses all the new members. This board includes people from all parts of the Dirt Late Model racing world.
Drivers
To become a Hall of Fame driver, a racer usually needs to have been involved in the sport for at least 30 years. Many drivers never truly retire, so they don't have to be retired to be chosen. Usually, six drivers are inducted each year.
Contributors
The "Contributor" group includes many different people who help the sport. This can be race organizers, car builders, engine builders, pit crew leaders, car owners, or even people who write about racing. Two people are usually chosen for this category each year.
Sportsman Award
The Sportsman Award goes to one active driver each year. This driver is chosen because they are a great supporter of Dirt Late Model racing. They work well with race organizers and track owners. They also help younger drivers and connect with the fans. The Voting Board both suggests candidates and picks the winner for this award.
Some Hall of Fame Inductees
Many amazing people have been welcomed into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Here are a few examples from different years:
Early Inductees (2001–2005)
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More Recent Inductees (2011–2015)
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Latest Inductees (2016–present)
