Severe weather could not deter the growth of the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Severe weather could only threaten but not deter the induction of the latest class since the tradition began back in 2007.

Deat Buckner, Jake King, Stuart Mcdade, Don Plemmons, and Bob Harris were all welcomed to the exclusive group with no problem. Bob Oseiki was named the inaugural Pioneer Award while Jerry Pierce, founder of the Hot Rod Barn, took home the Jeff Byrd Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.

Introduced by former boss, Buddy Martin, King finally took his place with Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin in the Hall of Fame. Stories were told of King’s attention to detail and some humorous stories, in what many believed was a long overdue induction.

Farmington Dragway icon Mark Joyce presented Deat Buckner, one of the winningest sportsman drivers with over 500 event wins and national awards such as the prestigious Car Craft All-Star award. Now guiding the career of son, Colt, Buckner shared two new cars are on the way, one to be driven by his son and the other by him.

NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame Executive Director Jim Turner presented Harris, who earned the nickname Big Daddy during the popular Big Dog Shootout events he and Turner created at Piedmont Dragway. Harris shared a passionate description of being a full-time big money bracket racer supporting a family with winnings. Harris used those winnings to buy in as a co-owner with Turner of Piedmont Dragway. Harris now serves as director of the PDRA and father of Jason Harris, 2014 PDRA Pro Nitrous Champion.

Gary “Hooter” Hoots presented Don Plemmons, founder of the Carolina-based Quick 8 Pro Mod series, and an owner of Farmington Dragway. Plemmons' message was simply in, “He just loved drag racing.” 

Oseiki's Pioneer Award was largely due in part for his being on the cutting edge of the beginnings of Carolina drag racing with a touch of dirt track competition. Founding one of the first drag strips in the Carolinas in Chester, SC, Oseiki is credited to have designed and built the first electronic timing system on the East Coast. He is also credited, as a founding member of the NASCAR drag racing series in the mid-1960s. Oseiki was also Art Malone’s car owner when “Big” Bill France put up $10,000 to the first man to turn a lap over 180 MPH at the new Daytona Speedway in 1959. 

Pierce was presented by Bill Blair and Roy Hill, in an introduction which included many stories from past racing events. Pierce presented all in attendance with a complete copy of his speech with a simple two-word message, “Thank you.” His message was brief and feeling it would take much longer to accomplish this, Pierce delivered his appreciations to the audience on a sheet of paper to read for themselves.

Don Miller, director of the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame, closed the ceremony by announcing a drag racing team would finally be given a place in the Auto Racing Walk of Fame in Mooresville, NC.  Sox & Martin will be recognized and the Pro Mod Comet of Sox drove in the inaugural season will appear on display at the facility in Mooresville.  The date has yet to be announced. 

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