2026 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Ozarks Area Racers Foundation is proud to celebrate its 38th annual Hall of Fame class on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, Missouri.
This year’s inductees represent the best of Ozarks racing, honored in two categories: Legends (recognizing outstanding driving achievements) and Pioneers (celebrating off-track contributors including car owners, mechanics, sponsors, and media professionals).
2026 LEGENDS INDUCTEES
Brian Brown – Lebanon, Missouri
A 30-year racing veteran who competed on both asphalt and dirt tracks across seven states. Brown’s impressive career includes eight track championships and over 100 feature wins at regional speedways, including Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Historic Bolivar Speedway.
Terry Deatherage – Wichita, Kansas
A versatile competitor in multiple premier series including USAC Stock Car Series, ASA, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and NCRA Racing Series Late Models. Deatherage earned three first-place points championships racing on both paved and dirt ovals.
Eric Turner – Hermitage, Missouri
Over his 30-season career, Turner dominated multiple divisions with more than 200 victories in Open Late Models, Factory Stocks, and Modifieds. A regular competitor at Lucas Oil Speedway among other tracks, Turner recently retired from racing.
Alan Vaughn – Belton, Missouri
An all-time great in MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) competition, Vaughn captured the 1985 MLRA championship and remained a consistent contender throughout his distinguished career on the circuit.
2026 PIONEERS INDUCTEES
Russell Baker – Miami, Oklahoma
Founder of Baker Racing Engines, this self-taught machinist began building engines at age 18. His motors powered champions including Bill Frye, Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace, and Dale McDowell.
Donnie Kratzberg – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Founded Southwest Speed in 1975, which grew into one of the Midwest’s premier suppliers of auto performance parts and racing equipment.
Gene Morton – Springfield, Missouri
A go-kart racer who served the MLRA in various capacities while supporting his son JC Morton’s successful racing career. Gene passed away in early 2025 and is remembered for his dedication to Ozarks racing.
Melanie Wynn – Hartville, Missouri
A dedicated racing photographer for over 15 years, Wynn has documented the action at several Ozarks tracks, preserving countless memories for the racing community.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Where: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex, Springfield, Missouri
Doors Open: 2:30 PM
Autograph Session: 3:30-4:15 PM
Ceremony Begins: 5:00 PM
Special Features:
– Racing memorabilia and race cars from different eras on display
– “Salute to Champions” program featuring 2025 track champions from area speedways
– Meet and greet with inductees
Tickets:
– Advance: $15 (available at area O’Reilly Auto Parts locations beginning early January)
– At the Door: $20
– Ages 12 and Under: FREE
With this 2026 class, the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame will honor a total of 249 members who have shaped racing history in the Ozarks region.
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For more information about the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees, follow us on Facebook or visit the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
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2026 HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED
(October 22, 2025)
The 2026 class for the 38th annual Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame has been announced, with the ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex.
Inductees are selected in two categories: Legends (for driving accomplishments) and Pioneers (off-track contributions such as car owners, mechanics, sponsors or media members).
LEGENDS
Brian Brown. The Lebanon native raced for 30 years on asphalt and dirt, competing in seven states with eight track championships and more than 100 feature wins at various speedways in the region.
Terry Deatherage. From Wichita, Kansas, he completed in the USAC Stock Car Series, ASA, World out Outlaw Late Models and NCRA Late Models with three first-place points finishes He ran on paved and dirt ovals.
Eric Turner. Driving most every division over a 30-season career, Turner won more than 200 races in Open Late Models, Factory Stocks and Modifieds From Hermitage, Turner recently retired from racing.
Alan Vaughn. One of the all-time greats in the Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) the Belton resident won the 1985 MLRA championship and was a regular contender on the circuit throughout his career.
PIONEERS
Russell Baker. The founder of Baker Racing Engine in Miami, Okla., Baker was a self-taught machinist. He began building engines at 18 and built motors for Bill Frye, Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace and Dale McDowel, among others.
Donnie Kratzberg. Based in Fort Smith, Ark., Kratzberg founded Southwest Speed in 1975, one of the Midwest’s largest suppliers of auto performance parts.
Gene Morton. The Springfield native raced go-karts while also working with the MLRA in various roles. Morton helped his son JC Morton in his successful racing career. Gene passed away in early 2025.
Melanie Wynn. The long- time racing photographer at several Ozarks tracks, Wynn has been taking pictures for over 15 years and lives in Hartville, Missouri.
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, racing memorabilia and race cars from different eras will be on display inside the E-Plex. Promoters from area speedways also will be invited to introduce their track champions and from the 2025 season in a “Salute to Champions” prior to the Hall of Fame program.
The 2025 class will bring the total number of Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Famers to 249.
Tickets are $15 in advance and will be available at area O’Reilly Auto Parts locations beginning in early January. Admission will be $20 at the door. Ages 12 and under are free. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. with an autograph session for the inductees from 3:30-4:15 p.m. The formal program begins at 5 p.m.
Live at the 2025 Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
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It’s almost time for the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame Induction coming up at the Fairgrounds E-Plex on Saturday, February 1st. Save the date to come see lots of pictures from now all the way back to The Good Ole Days, memorabilia, racing vendors, old and current race cars and many, many of your favorite racers from the Fairgrounds and tracks all around the Ozarks who will be on hand. Advance tickets are being sold at O’Reilly Auto Parts Stores for $15. Tickets will be sold for $20 at the door. Kids under 12 are free.
Schedule for Saturday, February 1st:
Doors Open – 2:30 pm
Autograph Session & Q&A Discussion – 3:30-4:15 pm
Salute to Local Champions – 5:00 pm
Immediately Following is the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
LEGENDS
Ron Bolin
Ken Dickinson
Jim Hayes
Randy Zimmerman
PIONEERS
Bobby Long
Lyle Marsh
Greg McKinney
Lynn Sanders
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