By Dick Jordan
Rich Vogler, winner of an all-time record 171 USAC feature events during his meteoric racing career, is among 2010 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductees who will be honored during ceremonies at the Fillmore Theater in downtown Detroit, Mich. Wednesday night.
The 22nd annual affair includes two full days of events at the Detroit Science Center and the Fillmore Theater. A 2 pm autograph session today features hall inductees and members Dale Armstrong, Jeremy McGrath, Bob Bondurant, Tom D’Eath, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Mel Kenyon and Danny Ongais.
Vogler’s USAC accomplishments include championships in the National Sprint Car Series (1980 and 1989) the National Midget Series (1978, 1980, 1983, 1986 and 1988) and the Speedrome Regional Midget Series (1985). He scored 134 National feature wins (4 in Silver Crown, 35 in Sprints and 95 in Midgets). In five Indianapolis 500 starts his best finish was an eight in 1989. He is also a member of the National Sprint Car and Midget Halls of Fame.
With Honorary Chairman Chip Ganassi presiding over a formal black-tie induction ceremony at the Fillmore on Wednesday evening that will serve as the culminating event of the two days, the 2010 induction class is an illustrious collection of motorsports legends and pioneers. The list includes NHRA mechanical genius Dale Armstrong, Sprint Car Champion, Indy driver and stunt driver Joie Chitwood, NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki, AMA Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath, the dean of racing broadcasters Ken Squier, Trans-Am Champion Jerry Titus and Vogler.
The 2010 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Heroes of Horsepower Inductee Reception will be held Tuesday night at the DSC and tickets are available to the public for the first time. Hosted by ABC/ESPN lead announcer Marty Reid, the business casual event is highlighted by the unveiling of each inductee’s permanent Hall of Fame sculpture. A strolling dinner starts a 7:30 p.m. with the program commencing at 8:30 p.m.
The 22nd Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony Wednesday at the Fillmore will once again be hosted by Jim Mueller, track announcer for Michigan International Speedway and other ISC tracks. Media interviews and photo opportunities commence at 5:30 p.m. A reception kicks off the evening’s formal program at 5:45 p.m. and will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the Induction Ceremony at 7:45 p.m.
The Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc. Currently housed in the Detroit Science Center in the Motor City’s Museum District, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America features more than 30 racing and high performance vehicles. The constantly changing collection features racing machines from the world of Indy Cars, Stock Cars, Sports Cars, Can-Am, Trans-Am, Sprint Cars, Powerboats, Truck Racing, Drag Racing, Motorcycles, Air Racing and even Snowmobiles.
Sponsors of the 22nd Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony Celebration include Bridgestone Americas, American Honda, Pirelli North America, IndyCar/Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Goodyear, Ford Racing, Hooters, Toyota, Chevy Racing, NHRA, SPEED, NASCAR, AMA, SCCA, Mazda and others.