In September 2016, legendary Late Model and Modified drivers Dennis Hovinga, and Bob Weber, were joined by car owner and builder Kevin Mills in this trip down memory lane during the annual “Stocksville Reuion” held at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum in Knoxville, IA.

During this session, we covered the early days of late models, through present day modifieds and several stories of racing in Iowa, Minnesota and the Midwest.

Hovinga and Weber are both inductees into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA.

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (August 31, 2016) – Fans touring the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum during this year’s Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals, September 15-17, are in for a treat.  Highlighting this year’s programs are a Friday VIP reception featuring recent North-South 100 winner Bobby Pierce, also known as “Smooth Operator,” and his veteran father, the “Tall Cool One,” Bob Pierce.  In addition, Friday will also feature a Late Model 101 forum entitled “Busch All Star Tour” with several series officials and drivers.  Saturday’s focus will start with the annual auction to benefit the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum and the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in Union, Kentucky.  Finally, Saturday afternoon will wind up with a Stocksville Reunion honoring Denny Hovinga, Wayne Larson and Bob Weber.

The details of the four programs are as follows:

Friday, September 16

11:30 a.m. – VIP Reception: “An Afternoon with Bobby & Bob Pierce”

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning journalist Dave Argabright will interview recent North-South 100 winner Bobby Pierce (a.k.a. “Smooth Operator”) and his legendary father Bob Pierce (a.k.a. “Tall Cool One”).  The youngest Pierce, born in 1996, has been a United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) star for years, but with his success in a NASCAR Truck at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, the Illini driver has put himself on the map nationally.

1 p.m. – Late Model 101: “Busch All-Star Tour”

Join us on the second floor of the National Sprint Car Museum for a forum featuring officials and drivers from one of the most successful series in dirt late model racing, the Busch All Star Tour.  For seventeen years, Jim Wilson and his crew of dedicated race officials gave Midwest dirt late model fans outstanding racing programs. Lee Ackerman of the I-80 Speedway will moderate the 90-minute forum with Jim Wilson (director), Art Daufeldt (tech), Mark Ludwig (tech), Ron Streger (tech), Mable McCuen (registrar), Dean Howe (flagman), Tom Lathen (announcer) and drivers/brothers Joe Kosiski and Steve Kosiski (7-time series champion; only driver to make every BAST race).

Saturday, September 17

12 Noon – Knoxville Dirt Late Model Memorabilia Auction

A live auction of unique, autographed memorabilia from the worlds of dirt late model racing, sprint car racing, NASCAR stock car racing, Indy Car racing and NHRA drag racing.  Emceed by Kathy Krafka Harkema and auctioneered by veteran late model driver and owner Lynn Richard, you’ll want to take in this fun event and relive the stories and memories as you can bid on autographed dirt late model body panels, die-cast and apparel at reasonable prices!  See what volunteer Jim Rasmussen has up his sleeve in 2016.  The auction benefits the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville, Iowa, and the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame in Union, Kentucky.

3 p.m. – Stocksville Reunion: “Denny Hovinga, Wayne Larson & Bob Weber”

Chad Meyer of the Kossuth County Agricultural & Motorsports Museum will moderate the 90-minute forum with three Iowa veterans:  Denny Hovinga of Laurens, Wayne Larson of Ames, and Bob Weber of Burt.  While their biggest wins came behind the wheel of IMCA Modifieds, Hovinga, Larson and Weber competed against the best drivers that Iowa and southern Minnesota had to offer in late models during the 1970’s and ‘80s.  During this forum, we will explore the cars, drivers, tracks and history of racing late models during that era.  We will also discuss how the late model competition then prepared each for their own stellar modified careers.

Those seeking more information on the September 15-17 events are encouraged to visit the www.sprintcarhof.com web site.