The Murray County Speedway will be inducting two new members to it's Hall of Fame on Friday July 6th. Sharon Staples and Roger Hook will be honored at intermission. Below is there induction write-up.
Sharon Staples
Sharon Staples was asked in 1994 by Luverne Johnson, if she would like to work at the Speedway. She accepted and worked all around: the ticket booth, along with scoring and cleaning. She was on the board of directors for eight years, including the president position. One of the first years, they weren’t sure if it was possible to open next year. They did after making a few changes, and it worked. She says that she did her job and supported the board, even if she didn’t agree with everything.
The first USMTS race at the Speedway was a memorable moment that Sharon remembers, because of the amount of cars that came from all over the United States. But “Every night is special” according to Sharon. She loved seeing the kids that came to the races. She can count on one hand the times she has missed in 24 years.
When asked if she would do it all over again, she said absolutely. There have been struggles along the way, but they worked out and kept it going. All were good memories, according to Sharon. She loves racing and even though not on the board of directors anymore, she enjoys attending the races every week. “We have a good thing going here and we need to keep it going.” “Most people don’t realize how much it takes to put on a show” every Friday night of the season, she stated.
Roger Hook
Roger Hook began his racing career back in 1977, when his uncles Gary & LeRoy Kalass, helped him build his first car, for racing at the Canby Speedway. After a few weeks of racing there, he came to Slayton during the Murray County Fair. There he was introduced to the Carlson Boys, who proceed to roll Roger’s car, end for end. Roger would become very good friends with them after that. He continued racing between Canby and Slayton for several years, before Roger’s son Randy became interested in racing.
Roger and Randy team together for over 20 years, racing primarily at the Murray County Speedway. The duo raced in the following classes: Hobby, Sport Mods and Modifieds. Roger considered Murray County Speedway, as their home track. Roger enjoyed visiting with all the fans after the races, which had traveled from the Russell, Marshall, Balaton and Slayton areas.
Roger has been very supported of the Murray County Speedway, in many ways. When the track was trying to decide what sanctioning body, should be used at the track, Roger made it known, that IMCA had been very well established and would be very beneficial to the track. Roger was able to help the Speedway, in getting a terragator and by donating a water truck, for Thursday and Friday track prep. Roger’s business was also class sponsor for several years. Roger also has done something, which no team owner has ever done. For several years, when funds were a little tight for the speedway, Roger would give back to the track, his prize winnings for the night. This spoke to the loyalty that Roger had for the Murray County Speedway.
The Hook Racing team retired in 2017, but when asked, if Roger would do it all over again, Roger stated that he would do it in a heartbeat, just to be with all the drivers, pit crews, workers and fans, again. Roger enjoys taking the grand kids fishing, when he can, but still misses the racing community at the Speedway.