Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame Names 2010 Inductees

LINCOLN, Neb. (May 12, 2010) -- The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame is
pleased to announce inductees for 2010. The event will honor Nebraskans with
an outstanding history of involvement in auto racing. The Induction Ceremony
will be held on Friday, October 15, at the Lincoln Firefighters Reception
Hall at 241 Victory Lane in Lincoln, NE.

Ticket information for the 2010 Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction
Ceremony will be available soon.

The 2010 Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees include Gene Barnett,
Lincoln, NE., Merwyn "Mert" Dunker, Fremont, NE., Bryon "Speed" Hinkley,
Elba, NE., Al Humphrey, Giltner, NE., Wayne Lewis, Lincoln, NE. and Bob
Woodhouse, Blair, NE.

Gene Barnett

Lincoln, Nebraska's Gene Barnett had a long and distinguished career in
motorsports. As a participant, he competed in county fair events around
central Nebraska prior to World War II. When racing started at Capitol Beach
in the early 1950s, Gene was invaluable working as a promoter, flagman, pit
steward, photographer and just about any other job that needed to get done.
Soon, Barnett's services were sought by other tracks throughout the region
as well. After Capitol Beach closed, his regular gig was Midwest Speedway in
north Lincoln, but he still helped with other facilities and also worked for
National Speedways, Inc.

Merwyn 'Mert' Dunker

Mert Dunker was born in Fremont, NE in 1937. Growing up, "stock" was never
good enough as he even customized his bicycle as a youth, and later became a
mechanical engineer. In 1957, his life changed after joining Omaha's
Roadstars Car Club and winning his first award for his custom '31 Ford
pickup. His career as a starter came from being in the right place at the
right time when the race promoter handed him the flags after the designated
starter failed to show. From there, he established himself with the NHRA,
flagging the starts across the country in the era before the now ubiquitous
"Christmas Tree" lights. In the meantime, Dunker established himself as a
top official on the show car circuit and is a noted collector of small scale
cars. Also a drag racer and writer, Dunker has done it all and continues
flagging old-timers races to this day.

Byron 'Speed' Hinkley

Like many Nebraskans of the time, this Elba native honed his mechanical
skills on the farm and cut his teeth on the dusty half- miles and fairground
tracks in Nebraska and Kansas in the late 1910s. Following his family to
California in 1920, Hinkley soon established himself on the 5/8 and
mile-long tracks of California, where he became one of the legendary Ascot
Speedway's early heroes, winning many races, and holding the track record
for an extended period. His last win came in 1931, a 60-lap contest at San
Jose. He passed away December 31, 1989 at the age of 91.

Al Humphrey

Born in 1953 and starting his racing career in the early 1970s, Humphrey
became a fixture of Midwest late model racing, showing up to take on and
beat the big boys, at times with just a skeleton pit crew and a modest
trailer. At his peak, Humphrey was the man to beat at Mid-Nebraska Speedway
where he won a total of five track championships. He took his winning ways
elsewhere, claiming track championships at Red Cloud's Speed Bowl,
Lexington, and I-80 Speedway. He won the inaugural Spec (now Super) Late
Model Racing series season championship in 2008. Humphrey is a life-long
Nebraskan and currently farms near Giltner, NE.

Wayne Lewis

Wayne Lewis was born in 1941 in Rulo, NE. He honed his mechanical skills on
the family farm as a youngster, then grew up to work full time as an auto
mechanic. In the early 1960s Lewis began building race engines and raced at
drag strips across the region. He gave up driving to concentrate on customer
engines, eventually setting up his own shop. Lewis' engines saw success on
the track, with his motors winning championships at Beatrice, Eagle and
Lincoln's Midwest Speedway. Wayne is currently a NHRA assistant tech
director and still works his magic at Lincoln's Speedway Motors.

Bob Woodhouse

A success on the track and in the business world, Woodhouse's early love
affair with the automobile led him to choose a career with Ford Motor
Company over teaching. The Montana native left Ford and ran a chain of
dealerships rooted in Blair, NE. Woodhouse began a successful SCCA career
behind the wheel in the 1970s, winning championships in regional and
divisional series. In 2006, at the age of 60, Woodhouse took a podium finish
in the SPEED World Challenge event at Sebring International Raceway, and
finished sixth in the driver standings while still running his dealerships
full time. His Woodhouse Performance team claimed three victories in the
SPEED World Challenge series with veteran driver Tommy Archer in 2008. He
now heads a group working to elevate the status of the SCCA Pro Racing World
Challenge.

The purpose of the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame is to perpetuate the
memory of these individuals who have brought lasting fame to the state of
Nebraska through their efforts in auto racing.

Nominees to the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame must have been a resident
of the state for at least two years and must be retired for at least four
years from the discipline for which they are being honored. Active
participants in the sport will be considered if they are at least 55 years
of age and have been with the sport for at least 30 years.

All candidates must have made positive contributions to the sport of auto
racing on a local and regional level and go on to some national prominence.
Anyone wishing to nominate a person to the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame
can do so by submitting the person's name, with a list of their
accomplishments in a short bio to: The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame,
Inc., 5527 S. 20th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. You can also call 402-421-2266,
or e-mail your nomination to Joe Orth at jorth@narhof.com

The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame is located inside the Museum of
American Speed at 340 Victory Lane on the Speedway Motors complex in
Lincoln, Neb.

The Museum of American Speed hours: May through September, two-hour guided
tours begin at 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. October through April,
two-hour guided tours begin at 2 p.m. every Friday. Admission is $10 to tour
the museum.

For more information about the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame please
visit www.narhof.com