New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame inducts 28th Class
New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame inducts 28th Class
Diverse group of eight inducted
For Immediate Release NEAR-11012026-1
HOLYOKE, Mass. – The New England Auto Racers (NEAR) President April May Preston-Elms is honored and pleased to announce the 2026 NEAR Hall of Fame (HoF) Class. The landmark 28th class for the region’s most highly regarded motorsports shrine was formally inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame on Sunday, November 1, at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Ma. A wide-ranging group of drivers, car owners, promoters and entrepreneurs joined the HoF, raising the total to over 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. Commanding the podium, he opened the day by introducing President April May Preston-Elms. Preston-Elms welcomed the attendees to the Log Cabin reminding them the NEAR Hall of Fame isn’t just about the drivers who won races and championships, it is also about those who helped those drivers achieve their glory, the facility promoters, the ones who wrote about them, talked about them, mentored them, and provided them with the best equipment to get them to the top. She noted “a person either loves racing or truly loves racing; this room is filled with those that truly love racing. Our legacy is why we are here. The present is our responsibility to preserve that legacy while at the same time working to keep our future relevant. She looks forward to working with the club members to ensure NEAR stays relevant and continues to celebrate together the history of auto racing in New England as it evolves with these annual prestigious events.
The festivities started with the presentation of each of the Hall of Fame members who have been inducted who were present. The parade of twenty-three former inductees spanning the years of 2001 to 2025, six widow and/or children of former inductees, and class of 2026 set the tone for the day.
In addition to the HoF inductions several special awards were presented to very deserving recipients. First the Ron Bouchard award, for lifetime achievements in Auto Racing in New England, was presented to Eddie Flemke Jr by his sister Paula Bouchard.
President Preston-Elms presented the Outstanding Women in Racing award to Dorothy “Pete” Blackadar with HoF class of 2018 Butch Elms accepting the award on behalf of Pete, and Adrienne Venditti who was present to accept her award.
Scott Ingerson presented the Ratta/Mitchell Memorial Media award, for outstanding media coverage of New England Racing, to Alan Ward. Ward a writer, photojournalist, and track photographer has also preserved the collections of several New England photographers.
Two new awards were introduced, the first being the Rising Star award created to recognize a member of New England’s younger auto-racing generation who serves as a role model, has worked hard to succeed, values family, friends, supporters, and fans, and represents the sport in a way that makes a positive impact. Mark Alden Executive Selection Committee Chair presented the award to Meg Fuller. As a young woman advancing through modified racing, Meg provides visibility and encouragement for women and girls interested in motorsports and other traditionally male-dominated fields. Her career shows how grassroots racing can foster competition, mentorship, representation, community, and engagement with future racers.
The special awards presentation was concluded with Rich Goucher NEAR Vice President and Director of Competition first presenting the second new award, The Unsung Hero award, to honor a dedicated underdog who may not have led the field but consistently showed up and competed with heart. It recognizes a hardworking, low-budget racer who enjoys the sport and is always glad to be at the track. Goucher presented the award to Wade Cole, which was accepted by Joe Raiche on behalf of Cole’s widow.
Goucher then returned to the podium to present the Frank Maratta Jr award for outstanding contributions to Auto Racing in New England to Mike Parks. Parks has built a wide-ranging New England short-track career as a driver, co-founder and president of the Granite State Pro Stock Series, and promoter and manager of Claremont Motorsports Park.
All award recipients had a brief Q&A with David Joy to highlight some of their accomplishments that brought them to the stage for their appropriate award.
The final eight presentations were held for the class of 2026. Car owner Bob Garbarino Hall of Fame class of 2010 was given the honors to present for induction Maine native, a Guilford, CT-based competitor, 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.
Schedule to present for induction of Maynard Troyer was legendary writer Bones Bourcier. Pinch hitting for Bones was the television’s voice of the Daytona 500 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.
After pinch hitting for Bourcier, Mike Joy returned to the podium to present for induction into the NEAR HoF Class of 2026 his long time 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 (NERF). 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 number 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 for the class of 2026 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.
Each inductee had a brief Q&A session with the voice of NHMS Pete Falconi to highlight their accomplishments which brought them on stage after being inducted into the NEAR HoF by their peers, all living HoF members.
The New England Auto Racers are proud and honored to welcome this prestigious group to the Hall of Fame. Images, clips and full video of the festivities will be found shortly on our social media sites and webpage. For all the highlights be sure to check them often. www.newenglandautoracers.com and facebook.com/newenglandautoracers.
The New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony in 1998. Nominations are now being accepted for the class of 2027, the 29th group. The nomination form can be found on our website above or you can email newenglandautoracers@gmail.com to request a form.
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