The Knoxville Raceway will welcome six individuals into their Hall of Fame before the races tomorrow.
The 45th class of inductees being recognized for their contributions and accomplishments at Knoxville Raceway are Travis Cram, Glenn Freeland, Don Long, Bronson Maeschen, Randy Rowley, and Chris Walraven. The Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame was established in 1979 and there are currently 223 inductees. Knoxville Raceway Race Director and Promoter John McCoy says that the honor of being selected into the Hall of Fame is for everyone who makes the races possible.
“You know our Hall of Fame, it isn’t just about the drivers. Knoxville has always been well known to put all the people that make the show go on, and people that’ve been here a long time and devoted every Saturday night of their life to Knoxville Raceway into the Hall of Fame.”
The annual induction banquet is open to the public and will be held tomorrow at Noon in Dyer-Hudson Hall, with tickets costing $10 per person. To reserve seating, call the ticket office at 641-842-5431. Veterans with identification will be admitted to the races Saturday night free of charge.
Hear more from John McCoy about Saturday’s events at the Knoxville Raceway on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville. Find more information about the six inductees below.
Travis Cram (Driver) Knoxville, IA / Snohomish, WA:
Coming to Knoxville in 1996 from Washington, Travis competed here weekly through the 2004 season. He would win the 1996 Rookie of the Year and accumulate 9 feature wins in the 410 class and finished fourth in points in the 2002, 2003, 2004 seasons. He has also won two 305 features and qualified for the 2007 Knoxville Nationals A Main.
Glenn Freeland (Mechanic/Official) Knoxville, IA:
Turing wrenches for 30 seasons in the Knoxville pit area, Glenn racked up wins and track championships with multiple drivers. He helped Terry McCarl to two 360 Knoxville Nationals wins in 1996, 2001 and guided Jesse Gianetto to a 360 Knoxville Nationals win in 2006. He tacked on track championships with Terry McCarl twice and once with Bronson Maeschen. His skills also helped drivers such as Johnny Anderson and Brett Golik to victories. He also served as the Knoxville Raceway Technical Director in 2020 and 2021.
Don Long (Sponsor) Knoxville, IA:
Don caught the racing bug in his teenage years watching jalopies race and has been a race fan ever since. He has been the owner of Searsboro Telephone Company (STC) since 1974, a privately held phone company serving small towns in central Iowa, primarily Searsboro, Lynnville and Killduff. Long has used his business success to help numerous local drivers over the years financially. He has been a car owner at different points over the years but has primarily been a sponsor and supplier of 360 engines to different teams and drivers. His engines have won multiple 360 Knoxville Nationals and track championships. He is currently sponsoring Garet Williamson, but other drivers in the past have been Joe Beaver, Terry McCarl, Brian Brown and Aaron Reutzel. Don has also been a long-time supporter of the NSCHoF&M and the 360 Booster Club.
Bronson Maeschen (Driver) Pleasantville, IA:
Competing here from 2004-2017, Bronson won the first ever 305 sprint car race here and won the first time he sat in a race car at a non-wing 305 event in 2003 at Oskaloosa. He competed in the 360 class for two seasons and won one feature before jumping to 410’s in 2006. He would improve steadily earning most improved driver twice and then drive to his first two feature wins in 2012, including the inaugural Capitani Classic. In 2013 he would win his third feature and capture the Track Championship. He set quick time in the 410 class 17 times and qualified for one Knoxville Nationals A Main in 2008 and 6 times in the 360 Nationals.
Randy Rowley (Official) Knoxville, IA:
Starting out as a push truck driver in 1977, Rowley would also serve as a Track Official for 35 years. He has since returned to driving a push truck and has served a total of 47 years. He has organized hamburger and hot dog feeds for the push truck drivers, opened his home to race fans to have a place to stay, and he came up with the idea for the push trucks to participate in the Knoxville Nationals four-wide parade lap.
Chris Walraven (Driver) Knoxville, IA:
Starting in the 360 class in 1989, Chris would pick up three wins in 1991 and 1992. He made the jump to the 410’s in 1993 and won Rookie of the Year. A great qualifier, Chris set quick time ten times in the 410 class, including one with the World of Outlaws and the All-Stars. He owns the tenth fastest qualifying lap on record still today with a lap of 14.593 in 2006. He won one 410 feature on June 29, 1996. He would also rack up 4 wins and 12 quick times in the 305/Pro Class and went 15 consecutive seasons with perfect attendance.