NC DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME

subjects was given an honor they had been working to achieve since the 1970s . Beginning with a Nova , the brothers won track championships with no end in sight . Brother Gary won in IHRA and NHRA , winning the prestigious Dutch Classic on multiple occasions . Gary is now building cars , driving a truck long haul , taking care of the family dairy farm , and keeping brother Charlie ’ s familiar Nova that just keeps winning and winning . He more recently won the 2023 Classic Gear Jammer points for the third time . In 1986 , Charlie won the points title in the highly competitive Hot Rod eliminator , earning more points than any other sportsman competitor and receiving the Gene White Memorial Award , with a stick .

Receiving the Jeff Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award was Steve Earwood . Upon his recent retirement and the sale of historic Rockingham Dragway , Earwood leaves behind a career that began with longtime pal Dave Densmore doing promotional work for NHRA . Most recently , Earwood is known for having an event for 50 of the 52 weekends in the year at “ the Rock ,” which hosted the first Winston All Star event and the very first ADRL race , an event that still leaves him in disbelief . He was introduced by his longtime friend and a true legend in the sport , Shirley Muldowney , who told some interesting stories about Earwood . Through it all , Earwood has represented our sport in a truly professional manner and is still considered a true southern gentleman .

The final award was the Pioneer Award , this

year presented to Jim and Dora Turner . The award will from this day forward carry their name , for the many years and sleepless nights having leased Farmington Dragway and starting the SCRA , a highly competitive motorcycle series running at Farmington and then Piedmont Dragway . After becoming owners of Piedmont Dragway , Jim and Dora had several groundbreaking events that included a bracket series during the week of the Fourth of July that paid the winner $ 10,000 each of the five days . They were also involved with the beginnings of the Big Dog Shootout , a highly competitive , monthly , single-track series . The list goes on and on , but suffice it to say that the contributions of Jim and Dora Turner , along

with the Turner family , will be experienced by drag racing fans for generations to come .

There are numerous companies and individuals to thank for their contributions to this year ’ s induction ceremony . First of all , the presenting sponsor of this year ’ s Hall of Fame was Randy Weatherford and his WS Construction . The presenting sponsor of the Expo was again Scarlette ’ s Performance and Parts . Scarlette ’ s was also responsible for bringing the guest of honor , Shirley Muldowney . Repeat sponsors were Bruce Hayes and Hayes Jewelers . This , along with associate sponsors Avis Fine Jewelry , ALSCO Products , and Jerry Hunt Automotive Supercenter , made for a memorable event . DI

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