2021 Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame Inductees Announced!
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
The Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame Class of 2021 have been announced by our Hall of Fame Committee. Those being inducted this year will be Billy Alley, Stewart Alley, Johnny Herrera, Mike and Barb O’Brien and Jerry Richert Jr.
This year marks the 43rd class of inductees. The Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame was established in 1979 and there are currently 212 inductees. The annual induction banquet is scheduled for Noon, Saturday July 3 in Dyer-Hudson Hall.
Billy Alley (Driver) Lincoln, Nebraska:
In his first full season competing at Knoxville in 2003 in the 360 class, Alley would win five features, including a sweep of twin features night, on his way to the Track Championship. He would drive his family owned #22 to the 360 Knoxville Nationals Championship back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005. In 2003 Alley would move up to the 410 Class and would drive his way to the 2006 Track Championship driving the Gifford Motorsports #17G. He would end his Knoxville career after the 2016 season with five 410 wins and 13-360 wins. Billy started the Knoxville Nationals A Main four times.
Stewart Alley (Owner) Lincoln, Nebraska:
Alley owned the #22 sprint car driven by his son Billy. Together they would win the 2003 Track Championship and two wins in the 360 Knoxville Nationals in 2004 and 2005. They would move up to the 410 class in 2004 and 2005. In 2008 Billy would drive the family-owned car to two 410 wins.
Johnny Herrera (Driver) Albuquerque, New Mexico:
Known as an “outlaw” most of his career, Herrera drove here full-time for two seasons and both years he would win the Track Championship. In 1995 Johnny would drive the Guy Forbrook #5 in the Midwest and rack-up five feature wins at Knoxville on his way to the Championship. Returning in 2009 driving the Woodward #2w he would again win five times and edge out his second Track Championship by 63 points. He has a total of 17 feature wins at Knoxville and has started the Knoxville Nationals A Main 12-times with seven top-ten’s, four top-five’s, and a best finish of fourth.
Mike and Barb O’Brien (Safety Crew) Knoxville, Iowa:
The O’Brien’s served on the Knoxville Raceway Safety Crew for a combined 69 years of service, Barb 35 and Mike 34 seasons. They started out as fans in the stands, but in 1983 there was a need for someone on the ambulance crew and Barb volunteered. Two years later Mike joined the fire-crew. Some of the notable safety improvements they have seen are driver seats, head and neck restraints, fuel cells, and the investments made by the Fair Board back into the facility and their own safety gear and equipment. Barb worked at the Knoxville Hospital for 35 years, Mike at the Knoxville VA for 33 years, and they also own a farm south of Knoxville. Mike also served in the Navy from 1969-1973 in Guam.
Jerry Richert Jr. (Driver) Forest Lake, MN:
Richert competed at Knoxville for the first time during in the 1982 season. His first win came at the 1988 Season Opener while driving the Johnson & Taggert #81. He would pick up his second win three weeks later. In 1989 Jerry would win four features in the Durst/Smith 1x and finish second in points. More wins would come in the early 1990’s and he would finish his Knoxville career with a total of ten feature wins, five top-ten-point finishes and four starts in the Knoxville Nationals A Main. He joins his father in the Hall of Fame, who was inducted in 1986 and is the 1962 Knoxville Nationals champion.
The banquet is open to the public and there will be a lunch served at Noon with the ceremonies to follow immediately after the lunch. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
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