Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame Inductees
Meridian, Idaho – August 7, 2024 – It’s that time of year again, and the newly joined Idaho Historical Racing Society and the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame committee have gathered the nominations for the 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees. If you would like to nominate future possible inductees, all you need to do is become a member of the society and you can submit your nomination, the nominee will be on the ballot for 3 years, at that time if not voted in, the person can be nominated again! This year four amazing ambassadors to our sport and our community are being inducted , a pit side induction ceremony will take place at Meridian Speedway on Friday afternoon, September 20th during the Pink Lady Classic, and the new inductees will be honored during the Friday night opening ceremonies.
And now we would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame. This man is the true epitome of what a Hall of Fame member should be, WIRA Officer, driver, car owner, successful promoter of not one, but two regional touring series, jumping into the media side with an amazingly successful Turn Five Live pod cast, and probably most of all, a friend to us all. Everything he has done over the years, following in his father’s footsteps in local motorsports, his service, dedication, and passion are just a few of a million reasons why it is our privilege and honor to introduce Todd LaBronte as the newest member of the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame 2024
Meridian, Idaho – August 8, 2024 – Today we introduce you to our second inductee into the 2024 Western Idaho racing Hall of Fame.
This driver got the need for speed at age 10 and began racing go karts. He raced karts until he was 14 years old. He raced motorcycles at OMC winter and summer series for years, winning over 20 championships!
In 1990 he was the Junior National Champion in Sturgis, North Dakota. Also, at age 18 he began racing super sixes. He won the super 6 championship in 1995. In 1996 he moved on to super modifieds. He had 4 quick times and 5 race wins in his first year racing super mods. In 2002 and 2005 he won the diamond cup at Meridian Speedway. Racing Super modifieds was his dream. He didn’t always have the big funds other drivers had but he always said, “I drive what I have!” He was a fierce competitor winning races at several tracks over the years and was always a fan favorite. He was also a helpful competitor. Always willing to help other racers and lend parts out!
Unfortunately, his racing career came to an abrupt end when he was severely injured during practice at the bull ring in Las Vegas.
From young up and coming driver, to racing hero and after tragedy tried to stop that spirit, he became a true inspiration and miracle man, fighting to learn to walk again, talk again, and he is teaching us every day what never give up really means. Hero, Icon, Miracle… and now we can add a new title… please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame… Jeff Russell.
Meridian, Idaho – August 9, 2024 – Today we introduce you to our second inductee into the 2024 Western Idaho racing Hall of Fame
This gentleman is a staple at the tracks, as well as his name is etched in the history books at Meridian Speedway. Helping his dad wrench on a 64 Plymouth Belvedere drag car, he learned set up and mechanical skills at a young age. At 15 he got a Dodge Monaco Enduro car, and in his dad’s words, joined the “circle jerkers” of local short track racing at Meridian Speedway. One of his street stocks was famously known as the cow car, as he ripped it around the quarter mile every weekend, his daughter, racing a couple of years ago, in a late model replica of the original cow car to keep the family history alive. Winning multiple championships in several classes, racing at multiple tracks against the best in the west, breaking track records and way to many victories to count, he has had a huge impact on our racing community, way more than he even realizes
He still straps in every now and then to go play, but mostly he can be
found helping his daughter and family chase championship dreams and
wrenching on cars at his shop just like he did with his dad. In the
pits he is always there to help anybody, any class, any time, from set
up to mechanical and so much more. After a big crash, he is the guy the
racers run to get things “straightened” out, and does it with a smile.
Humble, a great friend, smart, fast, and willing to lend a helping hand
at any moment. It is our honor to introduce the newest member of the
Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame… Dennis Wurtz Jr.
Meridian, Idaho – August 10, 2024 – Today we are going to introduce you to our fourth and final 2024 Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame inductee!
The final inductee for the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame in 2024 started running in the B and the C classes many years ago. He also spent some time behind the wheel of super oval stocks winning a championship in that division. He also wheeled a limited stock at Meridian Speedway before he retired from racing. He spent some time in a super modified , and did very well in that as well, proving he was a well-rounded racer and a great member of the community as he ran Trusty Auto Parts and was always there to help his fellow racers in their time of need or trying to find that perfect part to get their car faster and faster on a weekend at the local racetracks. When he was running the super modified, he got the nickname the “Geritol Man”, and proved that he still had it!
His family carried on the tradition for many years racing and these days he can be found hanging out on his side by side, or just talking to family about the great days and memories that he had at the racetrack. The history of local auto racing has many many people that shaped what we do today, and this year’s inductee is definitely a huge part of that, and we wouldn’t have what we have today without him and his family. So please join me in honoring one of the pioneers of our Sport and the newest member of the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame… Bruce Bailey
Who We Are
Over the years of circle track racing in the Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon area our sport has a rich history. From humble beginnings of servicemen returning from war looking for hobbies with their newfound mechanical skills, to the highly regarded facilities and talented participants, our history runs deep. Several different groups of people were organized along the way for various meaningful reasons; the MAA, MMA, WIRA, BVRA, TVRA, ISRL, IHRS and others.
As time has marched on, these groups have led the growth of our sport locally. The two clubs currently active are the IHRS and the WIRA HOF. Over the last several months the two groups have been meeting and have voted to merge the two entities into one, taking the name of the IHRS.
The purpose of this group is to preserve our past, enhance the present, and embrace our future.
We recently reached our first goal to purchase an enclosed trailer to use as a rolling display of our precious historic items. This trailer will allow the display to travel to various tracks and other venues. Our next goal is to get this trailer wrapped interior fixtures upgraded to safely store and transport the valuable artifacts.
The Society has achieved non-profit status through the state of Idaho and opened full banking access.
