(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) December 11, 2023 – A new group of eight drivers, three track workers and one racing family will join an esteemed list of dirt track racing standouts enshrined on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 induction ceremony Saturday, July 13, 2024 at The Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis.
In recognition of the spirit of competition and outstanding achievements at the Plymouth racing facility over the past 74 years, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Committee formed in late 2021 with a goal of recognizing individuals who have exemplified dirt track racing at the highest level since The Plymouth Dirt Track’s inception in 1950.
The members of the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 will be recognized during a special induction ceremony at intermission of the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 includes the following eight drivers.
FUZZY FASSBENDER - Nicknamed “The Hound,” the Rubicon, Wis. driver began his highly successful racing career in 1949 comparing primarily at tracks throughout the Milwaukee area, while topping the Milwaukee Stock Car circuit point standings in 1962. Fassbender began racing at Plymouth in 1975 finishing third in the final Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Modified point standings in 1975 and 1976, while winning four feature races in 1976. Fassbender piloted purple cars throughout his career, including a well-known Gremlin model.
DONNY GOEDEN – The Kewaskum, Wis. driver began racing in the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Modified division in 1985 and won two feature races in 1987. Goeden earned back-to-back EWSC Winged Modified titles in 1992 and 1993, while collecting two feature wins in 1992 and four main event victories in 1993. Goeden collected four feature wins in 1994 before turning his attention to the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. Goeden later returned to compete regularly at Plymouth in the 360 Sprint Car division winning three straight track championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and tallying a total of 21 career PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories.
DAVE HAAG – The Plymouth, Wis. driver opened his racing career in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1980, earning feature victories during the 1980 and 1982 seasons. After finishing second in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1982, Haag was crowned as the Hobby Stock track champion at Plymouth in 1983, while capturing four feature victories. He went on to compete for a number of years in the EWSC Sportsman division.
STEVE HOFFMANN - The Plymouth, Wis. competitor began racing at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1981 before capturing three straight Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Limited Late Model championships at Plymouth in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Hoffmann’s three straight track titles ties him with Gary Laack and Donny Goeden for the third most consecutive championships in track history.
RANDY MARKWARDT – Hailing from Sheboygan, Wis., “The Mighty” Markwardt, who began his racing career in 1977, won the EWSC Sportsman title at Plymouth in 1993 and captured an EWSC Limited Late Model crown in 1999. A fan favorite throughout his lengthy racing career, Markwardt placed sixth in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing Late Model division in 2017. To promote his Markwardt Sales & Service family business, Markwardt carried a Mighty Mouse with wheels holding a wrench logo on some of his race cars.
PETE OSTROWSKI – After competing in Sprint Cars and Modifieds primarily at Wilmot Raceway in the early portion of his racing career, the Milwaukee, Wis. driver started racing full time at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1991, claiming one fast time and one feature victory in his debut season. Utilizing an aggressive, cushion-pounding driving style, Ostrowski went on to become one of the most accomplished EWSC Winged Super Modified drivers in the history of The Plymouth Dirt Track. He captured a total of four track championships at Plymouth in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 2001 and won four main events in 2003 before claiming his 50th career feature victory in 2004.
STEVE SCHAD – Racing out of Cleveland, Wis., Schad placed second in the EWSC Hobby Stock division in 1983, while racking up seven feature race victories. He then won back-to-back Hobby Stock track titles at Plymouth in 1984 and 1985, while tallying a total of 14 main event wins over the course of both championship seasons.
K. J. SKELTON – The Cascade, Wis. driver began his career in the EWSC Winged Super Modified division as a teenager in 1987. His hard charging nature netted him runner-up showings in the highly competitive Winged Super Modified division at The Plymouth Dirt Track in 1991, 1992 and 1993, while claiming two feature victories and eight fast qualifier awards during the 1993 campaign. Skelton finally broke through to capture the 1995 EWSC Winged Super Modified track title on the strength of five feature victories and three fast qualifier awards. His final EWSC Winged Super Modified feature victory came in 1996 before moving on to compete in the 360 and 410 Sprint Car ranks.
Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees in the Dedication to Racing category include longtime flagman Bill Krueger, who also served as a pit crew member and car sponsor, along with track workers Lee Glomski and John Laack.
In addition, the McMullen family, which features three generations of racers (Jerry, Tim and Brandon) will be inducted as part of the Plymouth Wall of Fame Class of 2024 in the Racing Families category. After Jerry forged the way for the McMullen family as a competitor in the early days of racing at the Plymouth Dirt Track, Tim was a top competitor in the EWSC Winged Super Modified division from 1993 through the mid-2000s. In recent years, Tim’s son, Brandon, has been a force in the Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car division, earning three track titles in 2017, 2020 and 2023, while claiming a division record 33 PDTR 360 Sprint Car A-main victories.
The names of each Class of 2024 inductee will be permanently etched on the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame, located underneath the grandstand at The Plymouth Dirt Track racing facility.
The Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Night event is scheduled to include a driver meet-and-greet and autograph session prior to the racing program, as well as photo and memorabilia displays showcasing the racing careers and accomplishments of the Class of 2024 Wall of Fame honorees.
In addition, past Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees are invited to take part in the evening’s festivities, including the meet-and-greet autograph session. In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, July 13, a make-up date for the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony has been set for Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Family members of 2024 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees and past Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 Wall of Fame inductees are encouraged to attend the induction event at The Plymouth Dirt Track on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Family members of Class of 2024 inductees and past Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame inductees wishing to attend are asked to contact Ken Schulz in advance of the Class of 2024 Wall of Fame Induction Night event at kenschulz91@gmail.com.
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- Jeff Pederson on Dec 12, 2023
- Article Date: 12/12/2023 by Jeff Pederson - Pedal Down Promotions