Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame facts for kids
Museum Exhibits
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| Established | April 12, 1992 |
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| Location | 1 Speedway Dr Weedsport, New York, USA |
| Type | Modified Stock Car Racing (Dirt Surface) |
The Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame is a special place that celebrates the best of stock car racing on dirt tracks. It was started in 1992 to honor people who have done amazing things in this exciting sport. You can find it in Weedsport, New York.
History of the Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame began on April 12, 1992. On that day, 12 drivers and one "pioneer" driver were chosen to be the very first members. A group of motorsports journalists picked these first honorees. After the special ceremony, there was even a Hall of Fame race at Weedsport Speedway!
Over the years, the Hall of Fame started giving out more awards. In 1993, they created an award for people who weren't drivers but still helped the sport a lot. This award was named after Leonard J. Sammons Jr., who started a racing news company.
Later, they added awards for car owners and for the mechanics and engineers who build and fix the race cars. In 2002, an award was created to honor outstanding women in racing. After Andy Fusco, a media member, passed away in 2015, an award for excellence in media was named after him. Sometimes, a special award called the Jack Burgess Memorial Award is given to a race announcer who has made a big impact.
Who Gets Inducted?
The Hall of Fame honors many different people who have made dirt modified racing special. Each year, new drivers are chosen to join the Hall of Fame. These are often drivers who have won many races or championships.
They also honor "pioneer" drivers. These are people who raced a long time ago and helped shape the sport in its early days. Many famous names in dirt modified racing have been inducted since 1992.
Special Awards
Besides inducting drivers, the Hall of Fame also gives out several important awards each year. These awards recognize all the different people who help make racing happen.
- Gene DeWitt Car Owner Award: This award goes to car owners who have shown great dedication and success in the sport.
- Leonard J. Sammons Jr. Award for Outstanding Contribution to Auto Racing: This award honors people who have made a big difference in dirt racing, even if they aren't drivers.
- Mechanic/Engineering Award: This award celebrates the talented mechanics and engineers who build and maintain the powerful race cars.
- Outstanding Woman in Racing Award: This award recognizes women who have achieved great things or made important contributions to the sport.
- Andrew S. Fusco Award for Media Excellence: This award is for journalists, photographers, and other media members who share the stories of dirt racing.
- Jack Burgess Memorial Award: This special award is sometimes given to race announcers who have had a lasting impact on the sport.
Many people have received these awards over the years, showing how many different roles are important in racing.
The Museum
The Dirt Modified Stock Car Museum is more than just a Hall of Fame. It's a non-profit museum where you can learn all about dirt modified racing. It's officially recognized by the State of New York Department of Education.
At the museum, you can see cool things like:
- Historic race cars that were once champions.
- Classic cars that show the history of automobiles.
- Unique racing items like trophies, helmets, and uniforms.
- Rare photos that capture exciting moments from racing history.
It's a great place to visit if you love cars and racing!
