Keynote Speaker Slated for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Meridian, Idaho – October 31, 2024 – The Idaho Historical Racing Society (IHRS) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that local racing hero Randy Tolsma will be the Keynote speaker for the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame Induction and IHRS Humanitarian Award Ceremony.

Randy started racing go carts at age nine. He moved up to sprintcars and midgets running at Meridian Speedway. He moved on to USAC and then the NASCAR Trucks Series. Randy was inducted into the Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame in 1995.

The Ceremony will be held at the Lakeside Barn in Nampa, ID on Saturday November 23rd. The event will start at 5pm with a cocktail hour. Dinner will be provided by The Walking Sombrero at 6pm with the presentations following.

The IHRS will be honoring Stan Fuller, Joe Shull, and the Meridian Historical Prevention Committee with the IHRS Humanitarian Award. Todd LaBronte, Bruce Bailey, Dennis Wurtz and Jeff Russell will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tickets are $25.00 and seating is limited. To get a ticket contact any IHRS Board member.

Hall Of Fame & Humanitarian Award Induction Ceremony Announced

Meridian, Idaho – October 15, 2024 – The Idaho Historical Racing Society (IHRS) to honor Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame and Humanitarian Award Inductees Saturday, November 23, 2024. The event will take place at The Lake Side Barn 13067 Lake Shore Dr, Nampa, ID. The event will start with Cocktails at 5pm. Dinner will be provided by the Walking Sombrero at 6pm with the Induction Ceremony to follow.

Due to reorganization the IHRS has not honored anyone since 2021 with the Humanitarian Award. This will be corrected this year with Stan Fuller and Joe Shull receiving the honor for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Both Stan and Joe are founding members of the IHRS. Both are still active with the society, Stan maintains our facebook account and Joe is the President. Our 2024 recipient is the Meridian Historical Preservation Committee. This group of 7 individuals worked tirelessly over the last decade to have Meridian Speedway listed in the National Registrar of Historic Places.

Tickets are on sale now, $25.00 per person. There is a limited number of seats available. If you wish to attend contact an IHRS Board Member.

Western Idaho Racing Hall of Fame Inductees

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

Meridian, Idaho – August 9, 2024 – Today we introduce you to our third 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.

Dennis Wurtz Jr.

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.

Jeff Russell

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

Todd Labronte