SCKY 2026 Dirt Racing Hall of Fame
Somerset, KY - Voting Members have selected the seventh class of the South-Central Kentucky Dirt Racing Hall of Fame for 2026 featuring eight drivers, four contributors, the "Joe Miller Fan Vote" and the "Rod Carter Jr. Sportsmanship Award".
The Petty Family of Columbia, KY, has been awarded the Joe Miller Fan Vote for 2026.
The Class of 2026 will officially be inducted at 1pmET on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at The Center for Rural Development Ballroom, 2292 S Hwy 27 #300, Somerset, KY.
The Petty Family - Dale and Lisa Petty live in Columbia, KY and were married in 1982. Dale was involved in motorsports prior to their getting married as he was pulling trucks. Lisa would get involved in racing as she worked the pit gate at Taylor County Speedway in the late 1970's at the age 16 when the American Legion ran the track. Dale would sell the pulling truck soon after he and Lisa were married and got to going to dirt track races. Dale was involved in helping to purchase Tim Tungate's first Street Stock race car.
Their oldest daughter, Michelle, was born in 1983, so was immediately immersed into the dirt racing scene. The family continued to go to the races, with the family's second daughter McKenzie, arriving in 1989, so she was also immediately going to the races. The now family of four have always been big supporters of Tim Tungate and his racing ventures.
The Petty family would also travel to tracks outside the state, with regular visits to Brownstown (IN) Speedway and Eldora (OH) Speedway. Over the years, some of their favorite drivers have included Josh Tarter, John Gill, Justin Rattliff, Jason Jameson, Daulton Wilson, Brandon Overton, and the late Scott Bloomquist just to name a few, but Tim Tungate was the original racer they wanted to see win. Mr. Petty has quietly supported a few other racers behind the scenes over the years, while Lisa, Michelle, and McKenzie would make treats to give to their favorite drivers.
Mr. Petty works in the oil rig drilling business (Petty's Well Service), while Mrs. Petty recently retired from working in Food Services for the Adair County (KY) school system. Michelle and McKenzie also work for the Adair County school district. Michelle works at the district's Central Office, while McKenzie works as an instructional assistant for the Adair County school system.
Billy & Dennis Selby - Both were longtime residents of Russell Springs, KY. Billy would begin the "family tradition" of Selby Motorsports when he began his racing career in 1970. Billy would race for many years and would compete and win at many South-Central Kentucky race tracks and lay the groundwork for the Selby Motorsports racing operation.
In the early 1980's, Billy would step out of the driver's seat for a bit and became a car owner for a couple of seasons, with fellow South-Central Kentucky Dirt Racing Hall of Fame member Ricky Spalding piloting cars for Billy. However, Billy would get back behind the wheel again and continue to race, running Open Wheel Modifieds in the 1990's before doing some more Late Model racing prior to the end of his driving career in 2002.
Billy's son, Dennis, would turn sixteen in 1982 and begin his driving career in the local Street Stock divisions. Dennis would move up the ranks and Dennis and Billy would both get the opportunity to race together in Open Wheel Modifieds during the 1990's. The father and son duo would race at tracks such as Taylor County Speedway, Barren County Speedway, Bluegrass Speedway, Ponderosa Speedway, Perry County Speedway, Mountain Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Lake Cumberland Speedway, and Crossville (TN) Raceway. Both competed at Volusia Speedway Park during Florida Speedweeks on several occasions. Dennis would make the Open Wheel Modified feature at the Four Crown event at Eldora Speedway in 1996 and would eventually go Late Model racing in later years.
After racing locally for a bit, Dennis competed with the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series and was named the tour's most improved driver in 2004, which would turn out to be his last full season behind the wheel. Dennis would crew chief for Big Dawg Motorsports in 2005 for driver and fellow South-Central Kentucky Dirt Racing Hall of Fame member Whitney McQueary and the duo would finish second in the final BoB Series points. Dennis passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2007 at the age of 50.
Jackie Boggs - The second-generation racer and son to Hall of Famer "Black Jack" Jack Boggs, was from Grayson, KY. Some of his accolades included three World of Outlaws Late Model & Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victories,11 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) wins, 10 Iron-Man Series victories, four STARS Racing Series wins along with two Florida-Georgia Speedweeks victories. Among many of his regional victories came two major paydays, a $25,000 victory at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, Ohio in 2002 and a $22,000 weekend sweep in 2005 at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.V. Boggs, the proprietor at 4B Motorsports passed away on October 24, 2020 at the age of 51.
Glen "Crip" Bolin - was born on May 18, 1927 in McCreary County, KY. Later became a resident of Danville, KY and was a successful businessman (owned Fox and Crow Pawn Shop). Was a double amputee (lost an arm and a leg at the age of 13 while playing around a rail yard and a railroad car rolled over on him). Bolin raced in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. His race cars had manual transmissions with the idle increased to help get the car rolling. Raced and won at track all over the Central Kentucky area, with some of those tracks including Taylor County Speedway, Campbellsville Speedway (aka "the Hoglot"), Franklin County Speedway, Russell Springs Speedway, Green County Speedrome, Ponderosa Speedway, Danville Sportsdrome, and Somerset Speedway (later known as the Lake Cumberland Sportsdrome). Won the first ever feature at the Taylor County Speedway in 1962 and won the last feature ever at the Somerset Speedway/Lake Cumberland Sportsdrome in the early 1970's. Bolin passed away on December 1, 2009 at the age of 82.
Ed Cundiff - a native of Dunnville, KY that now resides in Shepherdsville, KY. Cundiff got his start in dirt racing in the Hobby Stock division at Taylor County Speedway and Russell Springs Speedway in the 1970's. Progressed to Late Models and scored many heat race and semi-feature checkered flags. Also raced on asphalt at Louisville Motor Speedway and Sportsdrome Speedway in Jeffersonville, IN. Became a regular in Open Wheel Modifieds once the division grew in popularity in the area. Still has an Open Wheel Modified race car and has competed as recently as 2021 in the class. Along with his driving prowess, Cundiff is a master fabricator as well (can weld underwater). Cundiff built Whitney McQueary's first tubular chassis Late Model in the early 1980's. Helped build many cars with his brother Jimmy, with his best work being done in the area of roll cage construction. Cundiff is still around the racing scene today and puts the roll cages in many of the Crown Vic division cars that have become popular around the area, not only on dirt tracks, but on asphalt tracks as well.
Robert Earl - The Louisville, KY, native known affectionately as "Duckman" competed in four decades at tracks all over Kentucky and ventured to many other tracks outside the Bluegrass State. He made two Kentucky Klassic races at Barren County Speedway with his best finish of 12th being in 1990. Earl was also 11th in the 1988 UMP-PROS-sanctioned Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway. Some of the places Earl competed and won at Taylor County Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Barren County Speedway, Interstate (Frankfort) Speedway, Howevalley Speedway in Hardin County, Ky. and Brownstown Speedway. He was born February 3, 1943 and passed away June 5, 2024 at the age of 81. Earl was a former US Army Veteran and owner-operator of Allstar Trucking.
E.M. SNOWDEN - The Waco, KY, native started racing at the Richmond Drag Strip in 1969 but moved to the dirt tracks in 1970 while his career spanned nearly four decades. In his career, he collected over 100 victories at race tracks all over south-central Kentucky with his first win coming in his fourth season. He earned the track title twice at Ponderosa Speedway in 1973 and 1974. Snowden collected the inaugural Mid-Season Championship in 1980 at Richmond Raceway then again in 1985. In 1987, Snowden won five feature victories in a row at Richmond Raceway. Racing author and historian David McGee was quoted saying Snowden was "among the best of the Bluegrass State racers," "always tough to beat," and "one of the era's cleanest racers." In addition to his massive victory list, Snowden collected over 200 top-five and top-ten finishes in his career. Snowden retired from driving in 2000 but continued helping drivers in his local area. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 from the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Snowden was also featured on the cover of Mid-American Auto Racing News and Kentucky Racing News.
Billy Teegarden - known to race fans at "Billy T" and in the pit area at as "Dago". Served in the U.S. Marines. Was one of five brothers. His Dad and one of his brothers got involved in racing and that is what got Teegarden into racing. Began his career in 1959 driving Super Modifieds (half Sprint Car/half Modified) and raced those for five years before going Late Model racing (racing the Super Modifieds resulted in three hospital visits during those five years). Began to make his mark and find success in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Favorites tracks were Florence Speedway and Eldora Speedway, but competed and won at tracks all around the Midwest. Raced for a number of car owners (many of which had some of the best equipment of the time) such as John Tobin, Will Wagner, Charles Duncan (Duncan's Machinery), Morgan Chandler, Larry Morrison, Lloyd Ruth, Bruce Mertz, Earl Rogers, Jim Cook, Hughes/Inmon (#B-8), Ron Schweitzer, Lou Pennington, Jerry King, and Bobby Paul. Made the World 100 eight times, with his best finish being a second in 1973 to eventual winner Floyd Gilbert. He also set fast time in 1973 amongst 140 entrants. Won the first four Spring 50 event at Florence Speedway (1977-1980). An eye injury in 1984 would shorten his driving career when a rock came through the face shield on his helmet. Teegarden's daughter, Angie, married Bob Pierce and the two later birthed son Bobby, who has now become a top late model competitor. Teegarden also promoted a few race tracks after he retired from driving. He became an inductee into the Class of 2005 of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame and in 2023 was inducted as a member of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Jackie Wicker - Lifelong resident of Bradfordsville, KY. Began his racing career in the late 1960's. Legend has it that Wicker bought his first race car with money he won in a poker game. Started out racing in the Hobby Stock division at Taylor County Speedway, where he became a frequent feature winner. Made the move to the Late Model division around 1970 and was well known as being one-half of the Riverside Tavern racing team with fellow racer Pete Abell and Jackie's father-in-law, K.C. Abell would be the car owner for the team. Wicker competed successfully at tracks such as Taylor County Speedway, Ponderosa Speedway, Burnside Raceway, and Barren County Speedway before hanging up his helmet for good around 1985. His son, Larry, raced Late Models from 1994 to 2004 and was a feature winner at Bluegrass Speedway and his grandson, Logan, has also competed in recent years in the Hobby Stock division.
James Barber - A native of the Lexington, KY, area, Barber owns and operates Barber's Truck Repair in Lexington, KY (they specialize in diesel truck repair). Became involved in dirt racing as a car owner in the early 1990's. Was one of the first to have a one-piece diesel truck to haul his race car to the races with. Mr. Barber was noted for always having top-notch equipment and his race cars were always well prepared. Some of the area drivers that have driven cars for Mr. Barber include Butch Shay, Billy Childers, E.M. Snowden, Finn Watson, Johnny Wheeler, Billy Barber, and Victor Lee among others. Mr. Barber was someone who always kept a low profile and never sought out the limelight as he would often help out racers financially, help with tires, or allow someone to borrow an engine and never wanted any recognition for what he did. During his time in the sport as a car owner, Mr. Barber was well respected among his peers and by other drivers and crew members alike.
Joe Denny - A native of Lawrenceburg, KY, was a longtime sponsor of events and one of the first sponsors and major supporters of the original Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series. He built the original Rockcastle County Speedway and promoted and owned Rockcastle County Speedway from 1980-1982. Mr. Denny was instrumental in helping first get the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on ESPN2 in 2005 and again helped get the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series from Ponderosa and Bluegrass Speedway's on the Outdoor Channel in 2009. Mr. Denny has also been involved in the Truck/Tractor pulling scene in the South-Central Kentucky area and has promoted some of those events as well. He is the owner/operator of Trailer Parts and Sales in Lawrenceburg, KY is also currently helping in an advisory role with the Carey family in their construction of the new 127 Speedway that is located right next to his business just outside of Lawrenceburg, KY.
Don Reed - Calls Junction City, KY, home. Got involved in dirt racing through his brother, Charlie Reed, who was a good friend with C.J. Rayburn. Reed would go to work at Rayburn's helping with the construction of the cars when Rayburn first introduced the tubular chassis cars, especially the hanging of the bodies of the cars. Along with helping Rayburn, Reed would take care of cars for Chubby Baird, who had drivers such as Finn Watson, David Speer, Billy Childers, and Russ Petro drive for Baird during that time. Mr. Reed also helped Billy Moyer and was on Moyer's crew for one of his World 100 victories, along with also helping Don O'Neal and Steve Barnett at various times. Reed also would become involved in the go-kart scene around the area for a short time, assisting his son-in-law and granddaughter in their racing efforts. Don and his wife, Pattie, own and operate Don and Pattie's Service Center in Junction City, KY and Reed would often provide a wrecker for use at Ponderosa Speedway. Today, Mr. Reed is heavily involved in the car show scene in and around the Central Kentucky area and can usually be found anywhere a car show is taking place.
Hugh "Junebug" Rowland - A native of Danville, KY, was born February 9, 1941. Rowland was a former mechanic and a partner with Chester Nichols at the R & N (Rowland and Nichols) Racing Shop in Danville, Ky. Rowland was also known for building the Rounder Chassis and some of the drivers that competed driving Rounder Chassis race cars included Finn Watson, Larry Wicker, Dwain Horn, Jerry Gentry, Kevin Satterly, Gary Yeager, Gary Merriman, Win Smith, Sam Hundley, and Ernie Cordier just to name a few. Rowland and partner Chester Nichols were the "Wayne Bowen Racing Supply" of their era, as many racers purchased parts for their race cars, some on credit to keep them racing. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, it would not be uncommon to see several racers that had raced the night before at Ponderosa Speedway that were from out of town be at the R & N Racing Shop on Saturday morning as "Junebug" and crew would allow racers to park there to maintenance their race cars before heading out to race somewhere on Saturday night. Rowland also was a car owner, most notable with Finn Watson driving for him, with that duo capturing track championships at Taylor County Speedway and Richmond Raceway, with Watson being the only driver in the history of Taylor County Speedway to win five straight Late Model feature events (was done during the 1979 season in the powder blue #39). Rowland died on June 21, 1998 at the age of 57. For many seasons, Ponderosa Speedway would present the Hugh "Junebug" Rowland Memorial event to honor his memory.
Jeff Gullett - The 61-year-old from Harrodsburg, KY, made his mark in the South-Central Kentucky racing scene for many decades and since 2005 had overseen the Campbellsville, Ky.-based Justin Rattliff Racing as crew chief. Gullett's long career as a full-time mechanic in Dirt Late Model racing began more than a quarter-century ago. His extended stint in the late '90s and early 2000s working for Kentucky's D7D Motorsports paired him with such drivers as Timmy Yeager, Mike Hawley, Dustin Neat and Greg Johnson. After joining the JRR team fielded by James Rattliff, Gullett was a fixture on the touring circuits and helped guide Justin Rattliff, Jason Jameson and current JRR driver Daulton Wilson to Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victories, among other accomplishments. Gullett passed away on September 10, 2024. He was an inductee of the 2023 Class of the South-Central Kentucky Dirt Racing Hall of Fame and was a former Battle of the Bluegrass Series Crew Chief of the Year. He will posthumously be inducted as the Rod Carter Jr. Sportsmanship Award recipient for 2026.
Courtesy of our friends at Columbia Magazine...
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