Carlson, Green, Manske, Simpson are Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame Inductees

By Chad Meyer

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA, will induct four individuals in its 2024 class of inductees.

Past drivers Ed Green, Dick Manske, and John Simpson will be inducted along with Myron Carlson, former racing mechanic.

In addition to wins at several area racetracks, Ed Green from Algona, IA amassed at least 22 wins at Algona, including two fair race championships and was the winner of the Schattschneider Memorial three times at his home track. Green also earned the season point titles in 2002 at the Algona, Britt and Mason City tracks.

Also from Algona, Dick Manske won at least 13 times at his home track. In 1993 he won three weeks in a row and had a bounty placed on his performance during that stretch. In 1995 he was the winner four times, including the season championship race and was the 1997 Fall Special winner. Manske was also a great ambassador for the speedway. His victory lane celebrations were filled with kids autographing his race car and receiving free ice cream cone certificates to McDonald’s

John Simpson, who hails from West Bend, IA, earned at least 12 wins as a driver at Algona, including the 1988 and 1991 Mid-Season Championship races and two July 4th specials. He is the 1992 Hobby Stock season champion at his home track and collected a win in the Fairmont Nationals.  As a car owner, his daughter Chelsea is the 2008 fair race champion, while son Nathan collected the 2017 fair race championship.

Algona’s Myron Carlson is a championship and race winning mechanic and innovator, playing an important part in the success of fellow hall of fame inductees, Dave Erpelding, Tim Erpelding and Denny Anderson. Both Steve Krapp and Carlson convinced Denny Anderson to race at Algona again in 1994. By 1998, Anderson kept one car in Algona full-time and with Carlson spinning the wrenches, they won the Algona point championship in 1998 and finished second in 1999.

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the inductees for 2024.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Kossuth County Fair races on Thursday, August 1st.

More details and a list of past inductees is available at www.KossuthMuseum.com.

Toy Show at the Museum – December 2nd

Haugland, Hejna, Wolf, Ubben are Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame Inductees

By Chad Meyer

 

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA, will induct four individuals in its 2023 class of inductees.

Drivers Dan Haugland, Mike Hejna, and Ed Wolf will be inducted along with Ken Ubben, a former flagman at the Algona and Britt tracks.

Dan Haugland

Dan Haugland from Crystal Lake, IA amassed 42 wins at the Algona track, tying him for seventh all-time here. Haugland amassed 56 total wins in his career and was the 2006 and 2007 track champion and earned the 1999, and 2006 Kossuth County Fair Race wins. Haugland also scored the 2007 Schattschneider Memorial at his home track.

Clear Lake’s Mike Hejna earned 10 wins at Algona and was the 1997 track champion. He also was the winner of the 1992 and 1994 fair races and captured the Algona 1997 Fall Finale win. Hejna won multiple USMTS tour events.

Wolf after winning the Night of 1000 Stars at the Hancock County Speedway.

Algona’s Ed Wolf continues to leave a legacy at the Kossuth County Speedway. He won several feature events at his local track, including the 1997 Schattschneider Memorial and a run of three out of four July 4th races. Wolf also had significant success at the Hancock County Speedway, in Britt, IA, winning the 1996 Night of 1000 Stars for IMCA Stock Cars and won the 1997 season championship race there. In addition to helping his son Austin have a successful racing career, Wolf has been instrumental in guiding many area racers.

Flagman Ken Ubben

Ken Ubben from Buffalo Center, served as either assistant flagman or flagman for then track promoter Daryl Brayton at the Algona track through Joe Ringsdorf’s first year as promoter. Ubben started at the Hancock County Speedway when it opened in 1995 and was the assistant flagman and flagman at the Britt track during the 10-year promotional tenure of Dan and Sandy Danielson.

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the inductees for 2023.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Kossuth County Fair races on Thursday, August 3rd.

More details and a list of past inductees is available at www.KossuthMuseum.com.

Museum Fundraising Auction Underway!

The Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum (located in Algona, IA) fundraising auction is live! This online only auction features vintage and recent racing memorabilia, vintage sprint car parts, gift cards, tractor diecast and much more. 100% of proceeds stay with the museum to support its operation!

Link to online auction: https://lhoffmanauctions.hibid.com/auctions

Bidding starts February 13, 2023, and ends February 23, 2023.

Preview of items: February 20, 2023; 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Pickup February 24, 2023, from 5:00-7:00pm and February 25, 2023 from 9:00am-11:00am.

Thank you to Leroy Hoffman for his auctioneering services!

Auction highlights:

Various gift cards and merchandise from area businesses
IH 350 Utility tractor – runs
Seed signs and seed neon signs
Seed and feed company signs
Vintage license plates and thermometers
Vintage sprint car parts
Racing sheet metal from:
Colby Fett and Alec Fett
Cody Knecht, Cody Laney, Nick Meyer
Billy Moyer Sr, Chris Simpson, Jeff Aikey
Ty Griffith, Ryan Gustin, Tim Ward, Andy Eckrich
John Logue, Johnathon Logue, Clayton Christensen
Ryan Hiscocks, Tom Berry Jr

And MUCH MORE!

Contact Edgar Meyer at 515-320-5604 or Chad Meyer at 515-320-2593 or cmeyermotorsports@gmail.com with questions. We greatly appreciate your support!

2023 Fundraising Auction Starts February 13th

Photo for attention only

The Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum (located in Algona, IA) needs racing memorabilia and related items. We are seeking donations of race car door panels, roofs and noses. Racing or ag-related diecast, vintage ag and racing hats, shirts, signs, and posters are welcome. Almost anything works for this fundraising auction!

This online only auction will feature vintage and recent racing memorabilia, vintage sprint car parts, gift cards, and much more.

Bidding starts February 13th and ends February 23rd

Pickup February 24 from 5-7pm and February 25 from 9-11am

More details on the auction coming soon.

100% of proceeds stay with the museum to support its operation!

Contact Edgar Meyer at 515-320-5604 or Chad Meyer at 515-320-2593 or cmeyermotorsports@gmail.com to donate items. We greatly appreciate your support!

Nielsen, Rose, Trulson & Ringsdorfs are Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame Inductees

Jeff Nielsen (42) charges under Doug Doocy at Kossuth County Speedway in 2006. Nielsen joins five others as inductees into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame in 2022. Photo Chad Meyer collection

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA, will induct six individuals in its 2022 class of inductees.

Drivers Jeff Nielsen, Rob Rose and Russ Trulson will join promoters Joe, Robin and Marian Ringsdorf as inductees.

Jeff Nielsen, then racing out of Pocahontas, IA, amassed 17 wins at the Algona track. He earned the 2003 and 2004 IMCA Stock Car season point titles and scored the 1997 Fall Special plus the 2003 Schattschneider Memorial.

Rob Rose from Dallas Center, IA, collected 16 wins at Algona during his career. His best season was 1999, winning four features, including three in a row. He also won the 1994 and 1997 season championship features at the Algona speed plant.

Russ Trulson of Britt, IA was a hot shoe at the Kossuth County track during the 1970’s. He scored multiple wins in 1971, including the season championship feature in the Sportsman class. In 1972 he won the opener in the Super Stock Cars and was a 1974 winner in the Late Model division.

Joe & Marian Ringsdorf were promoters at the Kossuth County Speedway and multiple other racing venues from 1997 until Marian’s passing in 2008 from pancreatic cancer. Joe and his second wife Robin were partners in promotion of the speedway until their retirement from the sport in 2014.

The committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the inductees for 2022.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Kossuth County Fair races on Thursday, August 4th.

More details and a list of past inductees is available at www.KossuthMuseum.com.

Fundraising Auction Now LIVE- February 15-24, 2022

 

Kelly Shryock signed door panel.

The annual auction to support the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum located in Algona, IA is now underway!

Collectibles, Racing Memorabilia, Tools, Gift Certificates, Prints, Photos, Misc.

This online only auction ends Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6pm.

Auction preview is Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the museum 2:00- 4:00 pm.

Check out and pick up is Friday February 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. & on Saturday February 26 from 9:00am – noon.

All items are donated by local businesses & local individuals. 100% of proceeds stay with the museum for ongoing expenses. We greatly appreciation your support! May be adding more items to auction the week soon, be sure to check back often.

Location:
Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum
800 East Fair St.
Algona, IA 50511

www.kossuthmuseum.com

1917 Ford Model T race car, has title.

Race tire signed by Denny Anderson, Gary Shumski and Mark Noble

2021 Salute to Veterans Kossuth County Speedway winner’s sign, autographed by winner Cody Laney, plus Zane DeVilbiss, Kelly Shryock, Todd Shute, and Nick Meyer.

Kossuth County Speedway 10 punch pass

Kossuth County Speedway 10 pit pass

ISU electric cooler, never used

Racing hats

Rechargeable grease gun donated by NAPA

12 quart oil shelf donated by KEVKO

Snap On air impact wrench 3/8. New in box

Case IH creeper, donated by Dean Benschoter

CAT Challenger 85D & fertilizer cart 1/64th scale.

 

Holiday Train Display Date Added – Dec. 26

HOLIDAY TRAIN DISPLAY – new date set for Sunday, December 26 from 6-8 pm.
 
Miss last weekend’s Holiday Train exhibit at the museum? Don’t fret, we are excited to announce we have scheduled one more opportunity to see our holiday train display.
 
We are closed Christmas Day, but we are OPEN Sunday, December 26 from 1-4pm AND will be open for a special Holiday Train showing Sunday 6-8pm.
 
Questions? Call Edgar Meyer at 515-320-5604.

Toy Swap Meet – November 13, 2021

We are pleased to host our annual Toy Swap Meet at the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum (Algona, IA) on November 13, 2021.

Date: November 13th
Location: Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum (800 E. Fair Street – on the Kossuth County Fairgrounds, Algona, IA)
Set Up: 7am-9am
Public: 9am – 3pm

Vendors: $20 in advance/$25 day of show (8ft table and 2 admission tickets)

General Public Admission: $5/per person

RC cars and boats; slot cars; Hot Wheels; remote control planes; vintage racing programs & photos; die cast farm toys and MORE!

For more information contact 515-320-1441

 

 

Erpelding, Hanselman, Perkins, Schattschneider & Smith are Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame 2021 Inductees

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA, will induct six individuals in its 2021 class of inductees.

Drivers Tim Erpelding, Kyle Schattschneider and Ricky Joe Smith join Dave Hanselman plus Rollie and Ann Perkins as 2021 inductees.

Tim Erpelding competed in three different classes at the track in Algona. He was the 1987 Street Stock point champion and fair race winner. In 1988 he claimed the Hobby Stock point title before moving up to a modified the following year. His biggest IMCA Modified win came in 1992, earning the IMCA Nationals Series event held here. Erpelding was also the 1995 IMCA Modified track champion in Algona. He is a 15-time winner at Algona.

Kyle Schattschneider before the races at Algona. Schattschneider collection.

Kyle Schattschneider’s career started fast at Algona, becoming the 1974 Roadrunner champion and winning the Midwest Championship at Algona while still in high school. He has at least 18 wins at Algona, with some additional wins believed to be undocumented. Schattschneider was also the 1991 and 1994 Kossuth County Fair race champion and was the proud winner of the Schattschneider Memorial, a race held in memory of his father. In 2021, he joins his late father Gene as inductees into the hall of fame.

Ricky Joe Smith in Algona’s victory lane. Chad Meyer collection.

Ricky Joe Smith was a 14-time feature winner at the Algona speed plant. He hoisted the 1987 Kossuth County Fair race trophy while competing in the Hobby Stocks. Also at Algona, he was the 1991 NCAR-sanctioned point champion at Kossuth County Speedway, besting Denny Hovinga, Dave Nutt, Mark Noble and Denny Anderson in the standings. He was known as a driver who got more out of his equipment than almost anyone. His son Alex is a regular competitor today at Algona.

Recognized as an owner-builder-crew chief, Dave Hanselman’s racing resume is extensive. Getting his start in 1967 with Marlie Struecker, then helping with Wayne Meyer’s and Gene Schattschneider’s cars before landing on the Utt Electric Sprint Car crew, Hanselman is most known for his efforts with his racing son Dan. As a family, they have collected Kossuth County Fair race trophies in 1994, 2000, 2008, 2010 in two different divisions. They earned the 1997 Hobby Stock point title at Algona and then captured the first-ever IMCA Supernationals crown for that division the same year. Other big event wins at Algona include the 1997 Schattschneider Memorial and Kossuth Fabricator’s Special. Together they also won the 2014 Bob Shryock Memorial here and the 2000 National Kidney Foundation Tour championship.

The late Rollie and Ann Perkins ran a salvage yard in Britt, IA. Even though the business was not in Kossuth County, feedback over the years from many drivers shows they were a very important part of racing in Algona. Nearly every year the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame committee has received write-in nominations from past inductees saying that Rollie and Ann should be inducted.

One past inductee wrote in saying “These people gave so many people in racing parts and support over the years. Most racers wouldn’t have been able to race [without their support].”

The committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the inductees for 2021.

The induction ceremony will take place during the Kossuth County Fair races on Thursday, August 5th.