Nebraska HOF induction

NEBRASKA AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME READY TO INDUCT SEVEN NEW MEMBERS by Bob Mays

LINCOLN, NE.-August 6-The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Inc. is ready to induct seven new members on Wednesday, August 30th, at the Nebraska State Fair Park Clubhouse in Lincoln, According Hall of Fame President, Tony Glenn. This will be the third year for the Hall of Fame, honors Nebraska's for their accomplishments in the sport of auto racing. Among the special guests expected, is Nebraska Governor, Mike Johanns. The seven newest honorees are: Noel Bullock, North Platte, who won the 1922 Pikes Peak Hill Climb and many outlaw short track events in Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and Colorado; Bob Burdick, Omaha, an IMCA and NASCAR stock car driver who won the 1961 Atlanta 500 Grand National race, as well as many IMCA late model races in the 1950s; Jim Gessford, Hastings, who built and raced track roadsters, modifieds, supermodifieds and sprint cars with such drivers as Gordie Shuck, Lloyd Beckman, Dick Sutcliffe and Roger Rager; Joe Kosiske, Omaha, who owned modifieds and late models for drivers such as his son, Bob, and Stan Williams; Bob Parker, Omaha, an excellent midget racer, Parker won races throughout the Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota area, as well as winning the first two Sunset Speedway championships at the Omaha track in 1957 and 1958; Gordon Smiley, Omaha, an accomplished road racer, Smiley started to Indianapolis 500s for car owner, Pat Patrick; Les Vaughn, Omaha, who owned modifieds, sprints and midgets for such star drivers as, Jud Larson, Bob Slater, Cotton Farmer, Tiny Lund and A. J. Foyt. There will also be a silent auction going on at the induction reception. Some of the items that will be up for bid include, two tickets to the IRL Northern Light race at Texas Motor Speedway, several diecast replica cars, autographed photos, tickets to the Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and several other items. The induction reception will start at 1:30 PM on the clubhouse level of the main grandstand at the Nebraska State Fair Park. the public is invited and tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased in advance at the State Fair ticket office or send payment to: Connie Decker, Nebraska State Fair, P O Box 81223, Lincoln NE 68501. Tickets will also be available at the grandstand ticket office the day of the reception. The Nebraska State Championship for Sprint cars will be held that evening at the raceway.