(Central City, KY)- The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted the 2025 class on Saturday at the Hall of Fame in Central City, KY.
The 2025 class was the 17th to be inducted, starting back in 2008 and only skipping in 2020 due to the Pandemic.
To be nominated to the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame, the nominee must be born in Kentucky and lived in Kentucky for a period of time, or made a contribution or participation for Kentucky Motorsports deemed to have made a major impact in the history of motorsports in Kentucky or had a national impact as deemed noteworthy by committee evaluation.
This year’s inductees included: Roy Abell, Ronnie Ambrose, David Heath Jr, Dewayne Howton, Gary Stanton, Arthur Ware, Russell Perkins and Skeeter Wayne.
Photo: Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook Page
Roy Abell began his racing dream 75 years ago when he started sneaking into the race track at the age of 5. In 1965 he began racing Figure 8 at the Fairgrounds Motor Speedway in Louisville. Roy’s career transitioned to dirt racing across the Commonwealth. In 1974, Abell served as a mechanic in the ARCA Series. In 1991, Abell and Mike Glanz founded the Vintage Sprint Car Association hosting events in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Iowa. Roy currently keeps the memories alive on social media with ‘Lost Speedways of Kentucky’ and hosts a yearly Racer Reunion in Sonora, KY.
Photo: Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook
Rondal Ray (Ronnie) Ambrose was one of the most competitive drivers in a midget to ever strap on a helmet. Ambrose won a feature and trophy dash in his rookie season, and earned 134 feature wins from 1971 to 1990. Ambrose was crowned UMRA World Champion in 1978, and served as the organization president in 1990 and 1991. Ambrose racked up 6 UMRA Championships before retiring in 1996. Ambrose currently holds 18 track records.
Heath’s widow, Janice and friend Charlie Evans accept the induction award for the late Dr. David Heath. Photo: Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook
Dr. David Heath Jr. spent most of his childhood years in Miami, Florida before being drafted into the Military. Heath served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles Unit stationed at Fort Campbell. Heath fell in love with the Bluegrass state and shortly after called Kentucky home. David befriended a Georgia racer, “Dyno Don” Nicholson and purchased Don’s 1961 Chevy Bel Air and deemed the car “Kentucky Colonel # 1” and raced it in 1962 and 1963 scoring many wins throughout the Southeast. In 1964, Heath debuted a 1964 Dodge Sedan before moving to a state-of-the-art 1965 Dodge in the newly formed Factory Expermimental Class. David sat out the 1967 season before joining forces with Dr. William Pearson from 1968-1970. With the support of his friend, Dr. Pearson, David completed college and gradutated from the U of L Medical School.
A friend and fellow competitor, Brent Menser accepts the award on behalf of Dewayne Howton. (Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook)
Dewayne Howton was born in Dawson Springs in 1954 and graduated from West Hopkins High School in 1972. Howton began his racing career in 1969, and won the West Kentucky Competition Riders Association points championship in ’71 and ’72 prior to going professional in flat track racing. With the exception of Nicky Hayden, Howton made further in the sport than any other Kentucky rider.
A friend and co-worker, Jim Salagi accepts the award for Gary Stanton. (Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook Page)
Gary Stanton has been long regarded as one of the country’s premier engine builders by both manufacturers and racers alike including clients such as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Tracy Hine, Roy Johnson and Irvin Johns. Stanton began his career in racing building Sprint Car chassis in Phoenix, Arizona soon becoming the largest chassis builder in the United States. Gary fielded race teams in INDYCAR, World of Outlaws, USAC Silver Crown, Sprints and Midgets for drivers such as Al Unser Jr, Dave Blaney, Steve Kinser and Jeff Gordon. Stanton was named Builder/Manufacturer of the Year in 1999 by a National Sprint Car poll. Stanton continues to build engines in his State of the Art Shop in Nicholasville, KY.
Photo: Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook Page
Arthur B “Artie B. Ware” was born in 1971 and began is racing career at the age of 16 as Louisville Motor Speedway. The 2nd generation driver won his first event driving for his father, Kenny Ware. Kenny attended all of Artie’s races when his health allowed, before his passing in 2012. Artie partnered with Dennis Noel in 1996 and the venture continued for 23 years. The duo accumulated 76 wins, and 4 track championships over the years. Artie’s talent to help others landed him a crew chief position and driver position for Jeff Roberts’ second car scoring 23 feature wins over a 3 year span. In his 30-year career, Artie won over 100 features as a driver, 33 as a crew chief and 7 track championships.
Rusty Perkins’ son, Scott Perkins and family accept the award on behalf of Perkins. (Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook)
Russell “Rusty” Perkins was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY. After graduation, Perkins spent time in the armed services before returning to Bowling Green from the military. Upon his return to Bowling Green, Rusty worked at Holley Carburetor for three years before moving on to Wallace Ford. Rusty and his father soon purchased their first race car, a former 1968 Kentucky State Police cruiser naming it “The Grey Ghost” winning 27 of 29 middle eliminator races at Beech Bend. In 1971, Rusty purchased a rare 1969 Mustang campaigning the Mustang to multiple wins through 1986. Sadly, Rusty passed in October 2014.
Photo: Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Facebook
Skeeter Wayne of Robards was introduced to racing at a young age by his brother, B.T., tagging along to many events at Chandler Drag Strip and Owensboro Raceway. In 1965, he and his older brother traveled to Indianapolis where Skeeter was introduced to his first NHRA event. His first “hot rod” was a 1968 Cutlass before graduating to a 1972 Ford Torino. As his skill and confidence grew, Skeeter built and competed in a 1965 Chevy Nova named “Skeeters Scooter.” The late ’70’s saw an increase in bracket racing and Skeeter would debut a 1969 Camaro, winning the Windy Hollow Championship in 1988. Skeeter switched to NHRA Super Street 10.90 Index class, and scored a 3rd place finish in Division 3 Points. In 1994, Skeeter debuted a 1934 Chevy Roadster built to compete in Super Gas earning wins in the 2017 Holley Hot Rod Reunion and the NDRA Fall Classis in 2019. With support from his wife, and son, Lance, Skeeter celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Skeeter Wayne Racing in 2025.
The 18th class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame will be inducted on November 7, 2026. Nominations are currently being accepted on the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Website.
