HOLYOKE, Mass. — The New England Auto Racers inducted its 28th NEAR Hall of Fame Class on Sunday.
A wide-ranging group of drivers, car owners, promoters and entrepreneurs joined the HoF, raising the total to more than 300 members enshrined. This star-studded line up of inductees along with presenters and special NEAR award winners were on hand for the sold-out event consisting of a very impressive list of who’s who of former inductees, selection committee members, ex officio, board members and officers, “car guys and gals” and of course the family and fans of all the highlighted names of the day.
Dave Baribeault announcer for Stafford Motor Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl was the Master of Ceremonies.
Special awards were also presented with Eddie Flemke Jr. earning the Ron Bouchard award for lifetime achievements. Dorothy Blackader earned the Outstanding Women in Racing award.
Alan Ward received the Ratta/Mitchell Memorial Media award. The Rising Star award went to modified racer Meg Fuller and Wade Cole picked up the Unsung Hero award.
The Frank Maratta Jr award for outstanding contributions to Auto Racing in New England went to Mike Parks.
The final eight presentations were the members of the class of 2026. Car owner Bob Garbarino Hall of Fame class of 2010 was given the honors to present for induction Maine native Jerry Dostie. Dostie a standout of Modified racing’s “Golden Age,” was a frequent winner and champion in the RGM Mota Chevrolet.
Dostie’s son Brian Dostie accepted the award in honor of his father.
Pete Zanardi writer and Hall of Famer class of 2008 had the honors of presenting for induction Dick Williams Massachusetts native, promoter and track operator. Willams is best known for his competitor support, big-purse extra-distance Modified events, and attracting top stars such as Ron Bouchard NEAR HoF 1998.
Scheduled to present for induction of Maynard Troyer was legendary writer Bones Bourcier.
Pinch hitting for Bourcier was Hall of Famer class of 2019 Mike Joy as Bourcier was unable to make the trip east. Troyer ranks among Modified racing’s greatest drivers, builders, and businessmen.
Anyone in racing knows the phrase, “is that a Troyer?” Troyer produced thousands of modifieds before retiring.
Receiving a standing O for her courageous fight and now cancer survivor was Madysen Lent
presenting to induct her hero Stan ‘Sly’ Szaban. Veteran crew chief Sly built a championship career in Pro Stock and Modified racing.
The second half of the class began with noted racing historian, promoter and podcaster who has received NEAR’s Ratta/Mitchell Award for Excellence in Media Justin St Louis who was given the honors to present for induction Vermont native Kevin Lepage.
Lepage is the only Green Mountain State native to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series. Before moving south he would win the Milk Bowl three times, including a 1993 sweep winning both the three-segment ACT main event and the two-segment Late Model race making him the only Thunder Road driver to win two classes on the same day.
Joy returned to the podium to present for induction into the NEAR HoF Class of 2026 his longtime friend and business partner John Holland. A Connecticut native, competitor, car owner, and racing business owner, he is best known as co-owner of New England Racing Fuels. For more than 30 years Holland has helped supply race fuel to tracks and dealers throughout the region.
The driver of Haydt Yannone Racing’s No. 16, a two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion and Legends Day Honoree at the New England Racing Museum, Ron Silk was called to the podium to present for Connecticut native, veteran crew chief Phil Moran.
A winner across five Modified sanctions, Moran earned early NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victories with Brett Bodine, Jeff Fuller, and George Kent Jr. His résumé includes seven championships and multiple Spring Sizzler wins.
The final inductee was presented by journalist and NEAR Ratta/Mitchell Award winner, Speedway Illustrated publisher Karl Fredrickson. Fredrickson welcomed to the stage
Connecticut native, competitor, car owner and engine builder Mike Christopher a six-time SK Modified Champion and now supporter of his son Mike Christopehr Jr’s career as car owner and engine builder.
