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Strong Class For Kentucky Motorsports HOF
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A former boat racing world champion, the owner-operator of one of the nation’s most iconic drag strips and the businessman who helped save a drag race sanctioning organization are among the members of the 2015 class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Marion Cooper of Vine Grove, Kentucky, enjoyed a three-decade career in boat racing, winning an American Power Boat Racing Association world championship. He was a three-time winner of the prestigious Calvert Trophy—claimed in competition on the Ohio River during the 1950s and 1960s—and was the first driver of the Miss Madison unlimited hydroplane from 1961-1963.
Dallas Jones of Beechmont, Kentucky, is best known as the long-time owner and promoter of BeechBend Park in Bowling Green, including Beech Bend Dragway and Raceway. Jones has operated that facility for more than 25 years and overseen an active schedule of national and regional racing events. The facility annually hosts the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Association Midwest series races and a variety of other events which pump millions of dollars into the region’s economy. Jones began as a competitor and also previously promoted racing at the Windy Hollow racing complex in Owensboro.
Jim Ruth off Morehead, Kentucky, enjoyed some on-track success competing in Pro Stock drag racing as a hobby. But he is best remembered for helping purchase and resurrect the International Hot Rod Association after that sanctioning organization nearly closed down after the 1988 season. Before his death in 1990, Ruth owned and operated legendary Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, played an integral role in establishing Pro Modified as a professional category and helped launch the career of three-time drag racing world champion Darrell Alderman, also of Morehead.
Other members of the class of 2015 include Jerry Decker of Valley Station, Kentucky, a two-time drag racing world champion car owner and driver; Pat Freels, of Island, Kentucky, a former national champion tractor puller and drag racer; and Dickie Ogles of Bowling Green, Kentucky, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in drag racing. He remains active today after accumulating an astounding 75 NHRA national event class winner trophies.
This year’s Pioneer Award will be presented to Earl Hayden of Owensboro, Kentucky, patriarch of the world champion Hayden brothers motorcycle racers. His son Nicky is a former Moto GP world champion, who has garnered numerous wins in the American Motorcyclist Association Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes. Eldest son Tommy is a former champion in the Supersport class and son Roger Lee has been active at all levels of racing, including Moto GP and Superbike.
The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the accomplishments of Kentucky natives in all forms of motorsports competition.
Induction ceremonies for the organization’s eighth class will be held October 24 at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s Speedzeum.
Marion Cooper of Vine Grove, Kentucky, enjoyed a three-decade career in boat racing, winning an American Power Boat Racing Association world championship. He was a three-time winner of the prestigious Calvert Trophy—claimed in competition on the Ohio River during the 1950s and 1960s—and was the first driver of the Miss Madison unlimited hydroplane from 1961-1963.
Dallas Jones of Beechmont, Kentucky, is best known as the long-time owner and promoter of BeechBend Park in Bowling Green, including Beech Bend Dragway and Raceway. Jones has operated that facility for more than 25 years and overseen an active schedule of national and regional racing events. The facility annually hosts the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Association Midwest series races and a variety of other events which pump millions of dollars into the region’s economy. Jones began as a competitor and also previously promoted racing at the Windy Hollow racing complex in Owensboro.
Jim Ruth off Morehead, Kentucky, enjoyed some on-track success competing in Pro Stock drag racing as a hobby. But he is best remembered for helping purchase and resurrect the International Hot Rod Association after that sanctioning organization nearly closed down after the 1988 season. Before his death in 1990, Ruth owned and operated legendary Bristol Dragway in Tennessee, played an integral role in establishing Pro Modified as a professional category and helped launch the career of three-time drag racing world champion Darrell Alderman, also of Morehead.
Other members of the class of 2015 include Jerry Decker of Valley Station, Kentucky, a two-time drag racing world champion car owner and driver; Pat Freels, of Island, Kentucky, a former national champion tractor puller and drag racer; and Dickie Ogles of Bowling Green, Kentucky, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in drag racing. He remains active today after accumulating an astounding 75 NHRA national event class winner trophies.
This year’s Pioneer Award will be presented to Earl Hayden of Owensboro, Kentucky, patriarch of the world champion Hayden brothers motorcycle racers. His son Nicky is a former Moto GP world champion, who has garnered numerous wins in the American Motorcyclist Association Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes. Eldest son Tommy is a former champion in the Supersport class and son Roger Lee has been active at all levels of racing, including Moto GP and Superbike.
The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the accomplishments of Kentucky natives in all forms of motorsports competition.
Induction ceremonies for the organization’s eighth class will be held October 24 at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s Speedzeum.
