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.

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.

Erpelding, Gray, Kubly, Schrader & Weydert Are Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees

The late Gus Schrader, who headlined IMCA “Big Car” action at the Kossuth County Fair in the 1930’s-40’s, and four others will be inducted into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame in Algona. Photo from National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, located in Algona, IA, has announced its 2020 class of inductees. This year’s class features five individuals that made a significant impact on the sport of racing.

Mason City’s Craig Gray was a top IMCA Stock Car driver at Algona during the ‘90’s, collecting at least 28 victories, tying him for 15th all-time here in total wins. Gray also won two track championships at Algona in addition to the 1998 Kossuth County Fair and an amazing four Fall Nationals events plus the 2002 Schattschneider Memorial.

Algona’s Dave Erpelding earned at least 16 victories at his home track in his career. He also collected the 2000 Schattschneider Memorial plus two point titles here.

The late Gus Schrader, from Newhall, IA has often been referred to as the greatest dirt track driver of his generation. The six-time IMCA Sprint Car National Champion deservedly received top billing when he competed at the Kossuth County Fair in 1930-40’s. He held the track speed record here until it was surpassed by Frank Luptow in 1951.

Jerry Weydert from West Bend is a former crew member and mechanic on the famed “8 Ball” car driven by fellow Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame inductee Leo Christensen.

LuVerne’s John Kubly is a long-time supporter of local racing and “Kubly Farms” has adorned the sides of many successful racers in the area. Cars sponsored by Kubly have earned countless feature wins and track championships here and at other speedways in the region.

The committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the inductees for 2020.

The induction ceremony is planned to take place during the Kossuth County Fair, Saturday, August 8th.

More details about the Hall of Fame and the induction ceremony will be released when they are available to www.KossuthMuseum.com

Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame to Induct Seven During Fair

2018 Kossuth Co. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Greg Hilbert, stands next to his familiar red #14. Hilbert family photo.

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame will be honoring its 2018 class of inductees during the Kossuth County Fair.

The annual induction ceremony will take place during this year’s Kossuth County Fair races, held Saturday, August 4th at the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum, located on the fairgrounds in Algona.

The 2018 inductees into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame include four drivers. 1960’s era modified driver, the late Vic Dicks, will be inducted as will Algona’s Greg Hilbert. Among Hilbert’s accomplishments, he was a Kossuth County Fair Race champion multiple times and won the first Gene Schattschneider Memorial race at Algona. Hilbert joins his father Don “Shiney” Hilbert as an inductee.

Mark Noble won at least 23 times at Algona during his long career, including the Fall Nationals and earning the 1992 track championship. The late Bruce Sommerfeld, who was the 1973 track champion in Algona, completes the drivers inducted this year.

Long-time promoters Dan & Sandy Danielsen will be 2018 inductees, as are car owners of the German Valley Special, Wendal Schutjer, Gary Zwiefel and Erwin Smith. Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame and Museum volunteer and board member, the late Dennis Garbers will also be honored.

There will be an inductee reception at the museum at 4:00 p.m., with the ceremony taking place at 4:30 p.m.

Inductees will also be introduced in front of the grandstand during the races.

This event will also serve as a reunion for both past and current inductees. The inductees in the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, their families, and friends are invited to attend the night’s racing activities at the Kossuth County Speedway.

More information about the ceremony can be found online at www.kossuthmuseum.com.

 

 

 

 

Denny Garbers Memorial Founder’s Day Cruise In

Event Flyer (PDF)

Algona’s annual Founder’s Day Car Show/Cruise In this year will be in memory of long-time volunteer and board member of the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum. The details of the 2018 event are:

Date: Saturday, July 14, 2018

Time : 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: West side of Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum, located on the Kossuth County Fairgrounds in Algona, IA.

Cost: Car show is free to the public and free to enter!

Classic cars, tractors, motorcycles, classic trucks and race cars welcome!!

For more information, contact Ron Lohman at 515-341-1312.

Bjorge, Hansen, Peterson Headline Racing Legends Event in Fairmont, MN

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to Mother Nature’s unfortunate forecast for this weekend. We appreciate everyone’s support!!

 

The Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum and www.fairmontracewayarchives.org will host a “Dirt Track Legends” event, featuring Dave Bjorge, Terry Hansen and Ken Peterson. The special event will be held Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Eagles Club in Fairmont, MN, located at 1228 W. Lake Ave. in Fairmont.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. with the forum featuring these former stand-out late model drivers starting at 2:00 p.m. The event is free, family friendly and open to the public. The event will be moderated by Chad Meyer.

All three drivers on the panel discussion raced for several years at Fairmont Raceway and across the Midwest, each achieving success behind the wheel. Peterson was a multi-time feature race winner at the Kossuth County Speedway, located in Algona, IA, and is a 1973 fair race champion at the Algona track. Each former driver will discuss their racing careers and highlights from their many years of competition.

This event builds on the successful Sprint Car 101 and Dirt Track Legends series held at the museum. “We are excited to hold our first ever event in Fairmont. Over the years, there has been a lot of crossover of racers and fans from Algona to Fairmont and back. We look forward to learning much more about the stellar careers of Dave Bjorge, Terry Hansen and Ken Peterson,” said Chad Meyer, museum volunteer.

The Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum is located on the fairgrounds, on Hwy 169 South, in Algona, IA.

Individuals interested in learning more about this event, or the museum are urged to visit www.kossuthmuseum.com or by contacting Denny Garbers at 507-399-9069 or Don Masters at 507-402-5332.

Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame to Induct Seven during Fair

The Swea City Oil #88 sits in the background with (left to right) Terry Smith, Gene Schattschneider, Del Lieurance and Gene Fagerlund shown in front. Lieurance and Fagerlund will be inducted into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame August 5th. (Photo: Terry Smith collection)

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame will be honoring its 2017 class of inductees during the Kossuth County Fair.

The annual induction ceremony will take place during this year’s Kossuth County Fair races, held Saturday, August 5th at the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum, located on the fairgrounds in Algona.

The 2017 inductees into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame include drivers Bryan Mortensen, Larry Nerdig and Dave Nutt. Car owners and builders Gene Fagerlund and Del Lieurance of Swea City Oil will be honored as will KLGA/KLGZ radio.

There will be an inductee reception at the museum at 4:00 p.m. with the ceremony taking place at 4:30 p.m.

Inductees will also be introduced at that night pit meeting and in front of the grandstand during the races.

This event will also serve as a reunion for both past and current inductees. The inductees in the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame, their families, and friends are invited to attend the night’s racing activities at the Kossuth County Speedway.

More information about the ceremony can be found online at www.kossuthmuseum.com.

 

 

 

 

Hovinga, Weber, Mills; “Stocksville Reunion” video posted

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.

 

Racing Photo & Memorabilia Show to be held in Fairmont

DOWNLOAD: Flyer (PDF)

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame and Museum and Fairmont Raceway Archives Hall of Fame present a big day of racing fun!

– See our huge display of old racing photos and memorabilia!
– Visit with former drivers and track officials!
– Visitors are encouraged to bring photos and memorabilia to display!

Saturday, March 25th: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Eagles Club, 1228 W. Lake Ave. Fairmont, MN

Free Admission! Door Prizes!
Food & Beverages for purchase!

For more information contact:
Denny Garbers: 507-399-9069

Kossuth Co. Racing Hall Inductees Announced

The Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce its 2017 class of inductees. This year’s class features six individuals that achieved great success and helped better the sport in our area.

Dave Nutt, plus the late Larry Nerdig and Bryan Mortensen, are the drivers who will be inducted this year.

Car owners, the late Gene Fagerlund and Delbert Lieurance, are also inductees. Hall of Fame drivers Les Wildin, Bud Fair and Gene Schattschneider all found victory lane behind the wheel of the Swea City Oil #88.

KLGA Radio 92.7 FM will be honored for their many years of programming dedicated to the Algona and area race tracks.

The late Howard Kohlhaas will be recognized for his many years serving the Algona track plus many others in the region.

The committee, with the help of the living members of the Kossuth Racing Hall of Fame, selected the seven inductees for 2017. Candidates not selected will be considered for future inductions.

The date of the induction ceremony is set for Saturday, August 5th at the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum, located on the fairgrounds in Algona, IA.

More details about the Hall of Fame and the induction ceremony will be released when they are available. Additional information about the hall of fame is available at www.KossuthMuseum.com.