GARY MCKISSON
Gary McKisson, current track photographer, began photographing at WCS in the mid-1970’s on a weekly basis and assumed the role of official track photographer upon Bob Frey’s retirement. Since that time Gary has been a valuable resource to management and the media at WCS.
BOB MULLENS
The late Bob Mullens was inducted into the Car Owner category. Mullens spent three decades as a car owner with such drivers as Denny Mullens, Jim Gentry, Dave Haven, Ronnie Baker and his grandson, Matt Bee Aber and was an ardent supporter of WCS after his retirement as a car owner.
JAMES GENTRY SR
Being inducted into the Fan category is James Gentry, Sr., who has attended WCS since the opening season in 1965 and is an ardent fan and supporter of his son, Late Model driver Jim Gentry, and grandson, Late Model driver J. R. Gentry.
GLENN DAVISSON
Being inducted into the Staff category are Glen ‘Calhoun’ Davisson, who spent 20 years heading up track prep in addition to his duties as a track director and long time stockholder. Gary Mckisson, current track photographer, began photographing at WCS in the mid-1970’s on a weekly basis and assumed the role of official track photographer upon Bob Frey’s retirement. Bob McGovern spent over 30 years as a track official and was an original WCS staff member on June 26, 1965. Upon his retirement from WCS McGovern spent a number of years on the staff of the STARS & Renegade dirt racing series. McGovern was a long time stockholder and director at WCS.
Inaugural WCS Hall of Fame 2005 Inductees
June 26, 2005
DEAN ALEXANDER
Dean Alexander was here at Wayne County Speedway on day one! On that very first night here on June 26, 1965 this racer signed in and not only raced hard, but competed at this racetrack through the 2003 racing season. For 38 years this man has thrilled the fans at Wayne County Speedway capturing untold feature wins and championships. Here at Wayne County Speedway this man has won in Super-Modified & Sprint Cars, Late Models and Limited Late Models.
BOB AUTEN
Bob Auten spent many years, decades, as not only a hard working staff member but a long time stockholder and board member. He became dedicated to this racetrack before the first laps were taken and was a steadfast supporter and contributor to the success of Wayne County Speedway. Everyone remembers signing in to the pits, and especially media members, and being greeted by this gentleman. Accepting for Bob was his son, and former Wayne County Speedway staff member, Bob Auten, Jr.
PETE BONEWIT:
Pete Bonewit was one of Wayne County Speedway’s more colorful drivers. He had a couple years on many of the drivers of the first season but he could get the job done and won many, many races here at Wayne County Speedway. During the 1960’s you could hardly stop and think about the track and drivers without immediately thinking of the patriarch of the ‘Marshallville Gang’, Pete Bonewit.
GARY BOSSLER
Gary Bossler was an original member of the board of directors and an original officer of Wayne County Speedway, Inc. He was the track’s first secretary on the board and performed a multitude of tasks over the years here at the track. He also edited and produced the track’s own newsletter and was a guiding force and very vital in the early years when the track was first developed and also served as the timekeeper and judge.
BOB COWEN
Many things can be said about our next inductee. He has raced about everything but in the early years at Wayne County Speedway he was a dominant driver in Late Models. After spending a number of years at this track he went on the road hitting up the big money invitational races throughout the region and became known as one of Late Model racing’s big stars and a true professional representative of Wayne County Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s…. Since his retirement he has supported the sport in a big way as a generous and active sponsor. You can call him Mr. Ford, one of the biggest winners from the early years, and the 1970 Late Model track champion.
DON DANLEY
There is no racetrack in this country that can survive without race fans. Race fans are the backbone of this sport. Race fans support this sport and make it all possible. None of our famed drivers from years goneby, nor any of our current drivers who are here tonight ready to do battle, would be able to do what they love, without race fans. With that in mind the Hall of Fame committee decided that a race fan should be selected to be inducted into the Wayne County Speedway Hall of Fame to represent the importance of fans, and the track’s appreciation of the fans. Our Race Fan Inductee into the Wayne County Speedway Hall of Fame is someone who has been an avid and loyal supporter of this racetrack and its drivers for the past 40 years. He, along with many, many others, are the reason this racetrack has stayed in business for 40 years.
EPH DAVIS
Eph Davis was one of the track’s first superstars, one of the track’s first dominators. He won often, and won big, in Supermodifieds and in dirt Late Models and not only at Wayne County Speedway but at tracks all over Ohio and the region. He was the 1969 Supermodified champion here at the track, and this gentleman also turned the fastest lap in qualifying on June 26, 1965 (21.36). The holder of Wayne County Speedway’s first track record and very first heat race winner and one of the winningest drivers at Wayne County Speedway.
LEO DOYLE
Leo Doyle was a driver who was not just popular and an exciting racer, but he had a large fan base. He was exciting on the track and never failed to entertain thousands of race fans throughout the years. He was a favorite to win on any given night and fans loved watching him sling his famous #7 through the turns on his way to the front. He was winner, he was a fan favorite.
EARL FREDERICK
Earl Frederick has been a long time part of Wayne County Speedway and a familiar face. In fact, his entire family, including two additional generations, have followed in his footsteps. Not only was he a long time staff member but he was also a long time stockholder. He may not have performed this job the first year but for years and years afterward, until finally relinquishing the job to his own son, this was the man in charge when the race cars were on the track.
ROYAL FREED
Royal Freed was not only one of Wayne County speedway’s best drivers, and more successful driver, he was also a long time fan favorite. This racer always showed up ready to race and time after time he got the job done. This driver won many big events at this track during his career and was a threat to win each and every week. One of the strongest and more successful racers at Wayne County Speedway who was here on day one, and one of the sport’s kindest persons and he was always one of the best.
JIM GENTRY
Jim Gentry was a young and fresh just out of high school young man who, during the first couple months of Wayne County Speedway’s existence, assisted his uncle Ray Howell on race car. Getting the racing bug himself, he made his racing debut in late August 1965 and the next year he was off and running. Over the years and decades, yes, decades, this man is still racing, he became not only one of Wayne County Speedway’s biggest winners but also the most dominant Late Model driver with countless wins and a record six, count them, six championship track titles in Late Models here at Wayne County Speedway. Please welcome our next inductee and a very important part of Wayne County speedway for 40 years…. Jim Gentry!
STAN HUFFMAN
Stan Huffman was an important and integral part of this track since before it opened. And early and ardent supporter of this track with his wife, this gentleman was an early stockholder and an original member of the board of directors. His contributions to this track helped make it a big, big success and he was an active and important member of the board.
HARVE JACOBS
The very night the idea of a racetrack was proposed where Wayne County Speedway now sits, our next inductee was privy to the decision made by the track’s founder. From the day that the decision was made to go forward with a racetrack here near Orrville, OH our next inductee dove right in and helped make the track a reality. Working on the facility itself, investing in Wayne County Speedway, Inc., as a stockholder and serving as the track’s very first track announcer in addition to his duties in the management of the facility and his duties as the track’s first Vice-President, this next inductee has watched this track grow and prosper over the past 40 years up close.
KEN JACOBS
Ken Jacobs was also one of the first to hear the track’s founding father made a declaration that a racetrack was needed in Wayne County. From that point on this gentleman contributed labor and financial investment as an original stockholder. He also contributed to the success of this track as one of the most dominant and popular racers to ever grace this track. He was a big winner, another big fan favorite and he won often in SuperModifieds and Late Models. Put four wheel sunder this man and he would more often than not win. Voted by his fellow competitors as the Sportsman of the Year, and the patriarch of a famous family of racers that spans generations.
PETE JACOBS
Pete Jacobs is a very special one for obvious reasons. Wayne County Speedway, today, stands here today, a strong and vital part of dirt track racing for four decades because of one man’s vision, one man’s fortitude and one man’s desire to see fair and equitable treatment to all racers. Due to the vision and perseverance of this man, and his sterling reputation for honesty around the community, he was able to realize a dream that became Wayne County Speedway. We all stand here today, 40 years later, because of this man. This man was not only a true racer at heart, but was a person who loved people and cared about his race fans. One longtime board member once said of this man, “If Pete had his way, everyone would get in free! ” Ladies and gentleman, please pay tribute and recognition to the founding father of this race track, the man who envisioned this track and made it a reality for four decades that spans generations…ladies and gentleman, please acknowledge our next inductee, who was taken from us too soon in 1970…. The very first promoter and president, founding father…. Norvel. E. ‘Pete’ Jacobs!
WELLMAN LEHMAN
Wellman Lehman also played an integral part in the birth, growth and long-term success of Wayne County Speedway. Coming on board as one of the track’s original officers and board members and serving as the track’s treasurer, this gentleman served as president and promoter for many years and carried on Pete Jacobs’ concept of running the track as a team. This gentleman embraced Pete Jacobs’ philosophy on team work and worked hard throughout his term as promoter to help this track continue to grow and prosper. He has been called an innovator and a progressive promoter by people such as Earl Baltes and the late Don Martin. He was dedicated to Wayne County Speedway and racing in general and worked hard to come up with innovative promotions that pleased the fans and filled the pits. Ladies and gentleman our next inductee, and one of the industry’s most respected individuals…. the late Wellman Lehman. Accepting on behalf of the late Mr. Lehman was his nephew, Doc Lehman.
JACK NORRIS
Jack Norris was once one of dirt track racing’s biggest stars in Ohio. When this gentleman showed up at any track, the competition knew he was one of the drivers they had to beat. He was good, real good. During the inaugural season this star driver competed at Wayne County Speedway and thrilled the crowds with his daring exploits and hard charging style in his famed #07. He was popular and well respected among the other drivers as a person. Unfortunately tragedy hit not only his own family but the Wayne County Speedway family as well when he was tragically and suddenly taken from us on a warm night in August 1965 here at the track. He was a true racer, and a big star in central Ohio dirt track racing and everyone associated with Wayne County Speedway are proud he was a part of this track. No one will never forget the late Jack Norris! Accepting for the late Mr. Norris was his wife, Pat, and two sons, Russ & Jeff.
CAROL TOPE
No racetrack can function without a professional and capable staff. Carol Tope was selected into the Wayne County Speedway Hall of Fame to represent all the loyal and dedicated staff members. This person was at Wayne County Speedway on opening night and every night after only for the first several years she was in the grandstands with her children while she watched…. and scored…her husband as he raced. Once the early 1970’s came around the track was looking for a scorer and having watched this lady perform the task for several years in the grandstands, she was a natural choice. She assumed the position of chief scorer and has now dedicated herself to over 30 years to Wayne County Speedway. She is perhaps the person with the longest tenure at Wayne County Speedway, and an original stockholder, and our chief scorer.
DALE TOPE
When Pete Jacobs made the decision to go forward with a racetrack on that fateful night after the races at a competing track in late 1964, one of the drivers Pete canvassed for opinions and ideas was our next inductee. When Pete Jacobs first brought up the possibility of building a racetrack in Wayne County this driver made a swift commitment to support the track as a stockholder and a driver. During the first and later formative years of the track this gentleman was one of the track’s top drivers until finally climbing out of the driver’s seat in the early 1970’s to become not only a member of the board of directors but the person who served as Chief Pit Steward and Race Director the longest here at the track.
PEE WEE VENABLES
Myron ‘Pee Wee’ Venables was one of the track’s more popular drivers during his career here at Wayne County Speedway based not only on his outgoing personality, but his thrilling and exciting driving style. He thrilled fans and confounded the competition over the years and was a frequent visitor to victory lane during his stellar career. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in honoring our next inductee…. Myron ‘Pee Wee’ Venables. Accepting for the late Mr. Venables was his wife, Donna, also a former staff member that was here working on June 26, 1965.
MYRON WERNTZ
When Wayne County Speedway first came about our next inductee was also well known as a car owner. When Ken Jacobs got his first race car, it was owned by our next inductee. He was also one of the first to commit to Wayne County Speedway as a stockholder and as an original member of the board of directors for Wayne County Speedway. His influence in racing has spanned an additional two generations in his family. His commitment to the track specifically, and racing in general, is still felt locally to this day. Please welcome our next inductee into the Wayne County Hall of Fame….. Myron Werntz! (Accepting for the late Mr. Werntz was his son, Sonny Werntz and Todd Werntz, his grandson. )
SONNY WERNTZ
Sonny Werntz was one of the track’s toughest competitors. Racing wide-open and becoming gone of the track’s more colorful personalities during the formative years and beyond, our next inductee was a true racer in every sense of the word and made many, many stops in victory lane over the years. A driver who took time for kids and always ready to share a laugh or a story, he was a popular fixture here at Wayne County Speedway for many, many years.
DOYLE HOFFMAN & MYRON HARRIS
There are a couple of people who were inducted into the Wayne County Speedway Hall of Fame who staff were unable to either locate themselves or locate family members in time for this celebration. We want to take this time to acknowledge Doyle Hoffman, one of the original board of directors as well as the track electrician for many, many years who played an important role in the formation of Wayne County Speedway.
We would also like to acknowledge Myron Harris. Myron Harris was an early supporter of this track when it was just an idea. He had so much faith in the concept of this track that he put his money where his mouth was and purchased stock. He holds a very distinguished honor. During the opening night here on June 26, 1965 this man made history by winning the very first feature during the inaugural opening night. He didn’t stop there. During the span of his career this driver thrilled thousands and won all over Ohio. The staff at Wayne County speedway will make every effort to find the family members of Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Harris and pass their awards along.
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