This year’s
inductees include Bill Barthelmes, Merle and Evy Gardemann, Walt and Judy
Hickey, Al Miller, Ed Otten, John Schlemmer, Keith Siefken and Bill Stepanek.
Bill Barthelmes,
from Central City, was a successful driver who competed in the Late Model
division at Hawkeye Downs from 1968 to 1981. Always a top-10 competitor, he
raced weekly against Wall of Fame inductees that include Ed Sanger, Curt Hansen
and Bill Zwanziger.
The late Merle
and Evy Gardemann of Shellsburg will be honored as the first race fans inducted
into the “Wall”. They were lifetime race fans at Hawkeye Downs and could be
seen weekly during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Walt Hickey
raced in the Novice division at Hawkeye Downs in 1963 and continued to compete
in Modifieds well into the late 1970’s. Judy competed in demolition derbies in
the late 60’s and was one of the first women to take part in the Women on
Wheels division in the early 70’s.
Al Miller,
now living in Flushing, MI. covered Hawkeye Downs Speedway and area racing for
the Cedar Rapids Gazette starting in
1963. His racing column, “Al Miller on Racing” would be a weekly staple in the
paper until 1975.
Ed Otten of
Coralville became a race official at Hawkeye Downs in 1974 and became the
full-time flagman in 1979 when Hawkeye Downs became the first official
NASCAR-sanctioned track in the Midwest. In 1983 he became the chief pit
steward.
John
Schlemmer of Grundy Center started his career at Hawkeye Downs in the Modified
class in 1956 and would graduate to the IMCA Stock Car division in 1960 racing
weekly against Wall of Fame inductees such as Verlin Eaker, Darrell Dake and
Red Droste until 1971.
Keith
Siefken of Cedar Rapids started racing at Hawkeye Downs in the Modified
division in 1991. He would later compete in the Late Model class with great
success, ending his career back in the Modifieds in 2005. He would also promote
the “Modified Challenge” in 1992 and 1993.
Bill
Stepanek started at Hawkeye Downs as a sponsor (Northtowne Fitness and Cycling)
of Gerald Seger-built race cars in 1989 and eventually got behind the wheel of
a Modified in 1990, competing until 1994 with great success. Continuing to
sponsor race cars after hanging up the helmet, he would sponsor Dave Naylor’s
championship season in the Modified division in 1997.
The gates
open at 6 pm, with hot laps at 6:35 pm and racing to follow at 7:30 pm. Wall of
Fame Inductions will be made during intermission.
