Labor Day Weekend Louie Vermeil Classic at Calistoga Speedway a smash-hit
The return of the Louie Vermeil Classic at historic Calistoga Speedway over the Labor Day Weekend was a smash hit – great sprint car competition, sold out grandstands and an overflowing pit area.
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was proud to sponsor the weekend’s kick-off event, the Calistoga Speedway Hall of Fame celebration that saw induction of Frank Albert, Bobby McMahon, Ron Horton, Jim Hearn, Jim Allen and Clyde LeMar.
A highlight of the dinner and induction ceremony was the West Coast Stock Car/Hall of Fame-led fund-raiser for sprint car competitor Chase Johnson, who continues in therapy from injuries suffered in a 2024 Gold Cup accident at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif.
The special event, moderated by Ken Clapp, West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame chairman and CEO, raised more than $25,000 toward medical and other expenses borne by Johnson and his family.
“We are over-the-top appreciative of the generosity of the sprint car community, fans and friends that responded to our matching offer,” said Clapp, whose organization also was a sponsor of the weekend’s Louie Vermeil Classic.
Additional fund-raising efforts are ongoing to assist Johnson’s therapy. Merced (Calif.) Speedway recently announced its November 22 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National event will be named the Chase Johnson Classic.
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3, soon to be (c)4 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $1 million during the past 6-1/2 years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.
For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
