Ted Hudson waves the checkered flag. Photos provided by Kim Gregory Baney.

By Kim Gregory Baney
Warsaw Speedway Historian

WARSAW – Another group of Warsaw Speedway drivers and a track official that made such an impact on the local speedway and fans will be honored in downtown Warsaw Friday night, June 3.

The event will be part of Warsaw’s First Friday which includes a “Remembering the Warsaw Speedway” exhibit sponsored by the Kosciusko County Historical Society.

The induction will be at 7 p.m. in front of the Old Jail Museum in Warsaw.

Numerous feature and heat race wins were won by this year’s recipients being inducted into the Warsaw Speedway Hall of Fame.  

A total of 189 years of racing experience are shared among twelve new members who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Eleven recipients are Sprint Car driver John Althouse, who raced at Warsaw from 1979-1990; Modified driver Jim Boggs (1964-74); Stock Car driver Junior Dear (1950-59); Sprint Car drivers Ron Fisher (1961-82) and his son Gary Fisher (1979-88); Stock/Late Model driver Ted Hudson (1966-81); Late Model/Limited Late driver Ed Martin (1976-89); Stock/Late Model/Limited Late driver Doug Method (1960-90); Jalopy/Modified/Sprint driver Tom Paterson (1960-88); Sprint Car driver Robby Roberts (1981-90); and Street Stock/Limited Late/Sprint Car driver, Dane Ronk (1982-90).

The final inductee is Ron Prater, who spent years as a track official, car builder and performed race car tech inspections from 1976-to 90. He also helped keep the spirit of the Warsaw Speedway alive by heading up the Hall of Fame events from 2014 through 2020.

This marks the seventh class to be inducted into the Warsaw Speedway Hall of Fame since the tradition began in 2014.  

Besides being honored this Friday evening, recipients will be presented with a Hall of Fame plaque sponsored by R&B Car Company of Warsaw.  

All Warsaw Speedway fans and former drivers are invited to attend the First Friday activities at the Old Jail Museum including the “Remembering the Warsaw Speedway” Exhibit, a Race Car Display, Former Driver/Fan Reunion, Speedway Photo Display and Sales, followed by the Hall of Fame Induction.

The Old Jail Museum is located at 121 N. Indiana St. in Warsaw.