Caraway to induct five drivers for Wall of Fame

The speedway is celebrating its 60-year mark by recognizing past favorites at the track

SOPHIA — Five drivers who Caraway Speedway officials consider some of the centerpieces from the golden era of grassroots stock car racing will be honored this weekend at the track.

The speedway’s Wall of Fame will add Mike Skinner, Dennis Setzer, Greg Marlowe, Stephen Grimes and David Hyder on Saturday night. The induction begins at 7 p.m., followed by racing at 8 p.m.

It comes as part of the track’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Skinner, known as “The Gunslinger,” arrived in the area from California in 1983. He was a crew member on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit, but made a name for himself as a driver in the Late Models division at Caraway.

He won the track’s 1983 championship, leading to a spot in the Craftsman Truck Series for team owner Richard Childress.

Setzer was the Late Models champion at Caraway for three consecutive years from 1988-90. He also moved on to the Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Grand National circuit. Now, he’s involved in driver development on the zMAX Cars Tour.

Marlowe won season titles in Late Models in 1992 and 1994 at Caraway. He also had a fabrication business that involved design and building of cars in the Late Models division.

Grimes won 28 races at Caraway in the 1990s. Some of those results helped him become the 1995 track champion. Three years earlier, he was voted by fans as Most Popular Driver at the track.

Hyder drove the No. 8 car and was considered by track officials as innovative as he built his own cars. He made numerous visits to Victory Lane, but never claimed a track championship.

To honor the 60-year milestone, admission Saturday will be one dime for each year – so 60 dimes (or $6). Racing is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the induction ceremony.