From Kevin Montgomery
Peoria, AZ — (October 12, 2012) — A pair of Sprint Car greats will be among the five Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductees at this years USAC ParkerStore Hall of Fame Classic October 26th and 27th at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona.
Billy Boat, who won his first sprint car driving championship in 1987, followed a career path that would lead him to the pinnacle of the auto racing world. After eclipsing a long standing midget record held by A.J. Foyt, Boat would find himself in the cockpit of Foyt’s Indy Car resulting in several accolades including the Pole Position at the 1998 Indianapolis 500.
The “Gas Man” Richard Griffin captured the 1984 SCOA Championship and spent many years battling with Boat prior to moving on to the famed CRA Sprint Car Series. Griffin won nearly 60 CRA/SCRA Sprint Car events and etched his name into history as “The Gas Man”.
Mark Passerelli blazed his path as one of the most prolific midget drivers in the modern era. He totaled 54 wins in Arizona and captured the Belleville Nationals in 1984 becoming the second Arizona driver to conquer the high banks.
Bob Gibson made his mark on racing history as a renowned mechanic and engine builder for the famous Gibson family owned machines. He was named mechanic of the year an amazing four times and built engines for Fike Plumbing, Don Davis, Wayne Weiler, Leo Ruggles, Clayton Clayworth, Ron Goeringer and Bill Harkness. Gibson maintained many championship cars including Gene Brown (1959) Jerry McClung (1967 and 1968), Bob Huebner (1971) and Billy Shuman (1974).
Willard “Hoot” Gibson’s racing career spanned nearly four decades earning him a very significant place in auto racing history. Hoot’s first race was in 1950 where he competed in a 1944 Ford that he bought for $50. By the time he retired in the 90’s he had amassed more than 1000 Kart wins and 12 championships along with Late Model championships in 1973, ’74 and ’75.
The anticipation continues to build as the stars of the National USAC Sprint Car Series gear up the fall Sprint Car event honoring Hall of Fame members and new inductees. The Hall of Fame Inductee’s will be accompanied by Grand Marshal, Lealand McSpaden and many other racing greats at the 12th running of the Hall of Fame Classic.
Two-day tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic that are ordered by October 1 will be just $35, a savings of the single day ticket prices of $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday. Two-day passes after the October 1 advanced ticket deadline will be $40. Platinum Reserved seating is available as well for just an additional $5 per night.
There is an advance discount as well for VIP Suite tickets and All Access passes as well. Detailed ticket information, as well as a Canyon Speedway Park seating chart, is available at http://www.canyonspeedwaypark.
Tickets may be ordered by calling the track at 602-258-RACE (7223).
To keep up on all the latest news and happenings, sign up for Canyon Speedway E-News. The track update registration can be found at the top of the www.canyonspeedwaypark.com home page.
The entire 2012 Canyon Schedule can be previewed online at http://www.canyonspeedwaypark.
Hotel Information can be found at http://www.canyonspeedwaypark.
Canyon Speedway Park is located in north Peoria, AZ, off Lake Pleasant Parkway, then 1.3 miles west on Carefree Highway. For more information, contact the track at 602-258-RACE(7223) or check online at www.canyonspeedwaypark.com.