RPW Exclusive: Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Unveils 2019 Hall Of Fame Class

Column By: TOBY LAGRANGE / RPW – FULTONVILLE, NY – Just about a year ago the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park introduced the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was brought to life to honor those that helped create, shape and continue racing at the quarter mile Montgomery County Facility.

The inaugural class of the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Hall of Fame was selected by the Hall of Fame committee which consists of Co-Promoter Butch Hazzard, Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame Journalist Ed Biittig, Sr., veteran Leader Herald of Gloversville/Johnstown reporter Jim Ellis, track head starter Joe Kriss and myself.

The inaugural class consisted of the Hayes Family, Bobby Vedder, Randy Hotaling and Don Warner. All four of the Hall of Famer inductees were inducted by me in front of the large, grandstand crowd during the Sunday night program.

On Sunday afternoon we met again to select the second Hall of Fame class at Glen Ridge. After nearly three hours of discussing and debating, five Hall of Fame inductees were selected. Each nominee was notified by a member of the committee.

The Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Class of 2019 consists of Bill Nelson, Butchie Irwin, Denny Tilison, Bob Niemietz and the VanAernam family. Each inductee will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday August 18th during the tracks Sunday night program. This will also be the night of the very popular Vengence Modified event at the track.

Bill Nelson has had more than one role at the track. A native if Amsterdam, New York, Nelson has served as car owner, sponsor and mentor. Some drivers that have driven for Nelson include his son Erik Nelson, Willy Decker and multi-time track champion Bobby Varin. Nelson, a former racer at area tracks for many seasons has also supported the track in many different aspects over the nearly two decade history of the track. Nelson enters the Hall of Fame because of his dedication to the tracks success.

Butchie Irwin was a track regular in the Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions at the track. He also has turned laps on the quarter mile in a Modified and Sprint Car during the course of his career. With eleven feature wins, the 2005 Pro Stock and 2007 Sportsman Track Champion enters the Hall of Fame not only as a driver but as a supporter of the track on and off the quarter mile.

The current Race Director at the track, Denny Tilison has held many different positions at the track. From his current position to a racer in multiple divisions, Tilison has been a supporter of the fast, quarter mile and local racing in general for many seasons. Tilison was the first inductee to be notified, he was surprised and emotional when the entire committee announced that he was being inducted during the pre-race employee meeting Sunday night.

The father-son duo of Bob and Rob VanAernam enter the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Hall of Fame together as one – as a family. Rob’s resume at The Ridge is one that is matched by no one. The Johnstown resident has 28 career Street Stock wins and 76 top-five finishes to go along with his four track championships (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). He also claimed the 2012 Harry’s Auto Street Stock Series title. Rob also holds the current one-lap, lap time record for the Street Stock division (15.021 seconds).

The late Bob VanAernam joins his son in the Hall of Fame as one of the biggest supporters in the track’s history. Bob, through Harry’s Auto was a mainstay at the track through sponsorships, towing and word of mouth support. Something that Rob has continued on.

Bob Niemietz enters that Hall of Fame as the track’s second promoter. Known as Custom Bob, Niemietz has the unique distinction of being not only the first Stock Car promoter at the track but also the promoter of the Karting program, which is what the track was original built for. Niemietz was the track’s promotor or co-promoter in 2002-2004 and again for part of the season in 2006.

While I am a born and raised Fonda Speedway boy, with Track of Champions running through my veins, I hold a special place in my heart for the little track up on the hill. Everyone has their own reasons for being a part of the Hall of Fame Committee and I am no different. My reason is simple – to preserve the past and do my part to help promote and publicize the track so there is a future.

Congratulations to all five of our 2019 inductees, you are now Hall of Famer’s.