Eight more to be inducted in Hawkeye Downs Speedway ‘Wall of Fame’

Cedar Rapids, IA – Eight more honorees will be inducted into the “Wall of Fame” this Friday, August 20th at Hawkeye Downs Speedway during Coca-Cola Night at the race track.
The Hawkeye Downs Speedway “Wall of Fame” was established in 2002 to honor individuals who distinguished themselves with a record of success or contribution to Hawkeye Downs Speedway over the 80 plus years of operation.
Past inductees include late model, stock car and jalopy standouts such as Darrell Dake, Ernie Derr, Charlie Moffitt, Ramo Stott, Verlin Eaker, “Red” Droste, Ken Walton, Roger Dolan, Curt Hansen, Ed Sanger, Gary Crawford, Irv Janey and Tom Hearst.
Car and engine builders such as Dale Snyder, Jim Patton and Bob Trostle are all inductees as well as media members Jeff Dahn, Mike Neilly and Roger Bear.
Sprint car and midget pilots that have been previously honored include Jerry Blundy, Danny Kladis, Willard Yates, Jim McElreath, George Miller, Buzz Rose, Mel Kenyon, Dick Ritchie, Johnny Hobel, Lee Kunzman, Doug Wolfgang and Lou Holland.
Promoters and track officials include Rex and Becky Robbins, Al Frieden, Frank Winkley, Paul Draper Engel DeKock, Doc Hunter and Dale Gegner have been honored while people who have worked behind the scenes for the betterment of the track and the facility include Ed Emerson, Dick Benken, Gary “Grumpy” Gramblin, Leo Pfeiffer and Jim Hereen.
 
The class of 2010 includes:

Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, IA
Don White of Keokuk, IA
Roy Wilson Sr. of Cedar Rapids, IA
Kevin Korsmo of Cedar Rapids, IA
Brad Loney of Cedar Rapids, IA
Johnny Gerber of Davenport, IA
Dwayne Schneider of Iowa City, IA
Dick Hobel of Cedar Rapids, IA

Niffenengger was a regular late model competitor at the Down’s during the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

Don White was the inaugural winner of the Miller 100 race in 1973 when the event was USAC-sanctioned. He is also a three-time IMCA national champion and two-time USAC national champion.

Roy Wilson Sr. owned and operated a towing service and auto salvage business in Cedar Rapids for many years and was seen every Friday evening at Hawkeye Downs attending to accidents on the track.

Korsmo started racing hobby stocks in 1991 and a year later claimed the track championship with 13 feature wins. In 1993, Korsmo moved to the sportsman division and in 1994, earned a title in that class as well. In 1995 he moved to the late model division and was one of the top drivers year in and year out until his retirement at the end of the 2000 season. He’s now an announcer at the track.

Brad Loney started off racing BMX as a youngster and then climbed into his first race car in 1989 in the pro stock division. He moved up to the late model ranks the next season and immediately became a top competitor. He would win the track championship in his rookie campaign and again in 1991. In 1992, Brad would begin to compete with the American Speed Association (ASA). Loney’s forte’ was consistency and he held a national mark of 47 consecutive races finished.

The great Johnny Gerber excelled as a designer, builder, mechanic, driver and later, a promoter. He competed at the old Frontier Park (Hawkeye Downs) in the 1920’s and early 1930’s winning numerous times in is famous Whippet Special. He would later manage and promote the Midwest Midget Auto Racing Association. He is a member of the National Midget Hall of Fame and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

Dwayne Schneider built and owned many race cars in the area. Previous Wall of Fame inductees Bill McDonough, Cal Swanson and Kenny Walton were some of the drivers who piloted Schneider-prepared racecars.

Dick Hobel raced midgets at Hawkeye Downs as well as the old Ce-Mar Acres racetrack in Marion in the 40’s and 50’s. Hobel was a highly successful driver on the old Midwest Midget Auto Racing Association (MMARA) circuit that barnstormed throughout Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.

A meet and greet will take place before the races behind the turn one bleachers followed by induction ceremonies during intermission. Former “Wall of Fame” inductees will be in attendance as well.