Thoenneses, Robinson join Hall of Fame
Mike and Nancy Thoennes and Dick Robinson were inducted into the 2011 Northwest Montana Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame last Saturday at Montana Raceway Park.
The induction took place during racing intermission.
The three newest members join Rich Johnson, Cory Wagner, Gaylon "Lum" Owens, Harold Little, Bert Seymour, Clem Wisher, Wilbur Rorhback, Gary Gudmundson, Bob Eacker, Vance McMillan, Bob Schweigert, Don Aadsen, Chuck Ferree, Bruce Corpron, Dan Morris, Marilyn Vickhammer and Dave and Cindy McManus in the Hall of Fame.
Mike and Nancy Thoennes devoted much attention, time and energy to auto racing for 31 years. Nancy was a two-time secretary for the NWMSCRA and provided the racing results to the Daily Inter Lake for many years.
Mike served as NWMSCRA president for three years and was a board of director for many years. In 1995 as president of NWMSCRA, Mike proposed instituting a Hall Of Fame to honor those who have contributed the most to racing in the Flathead Valley. He served as director of the HOF until last year when Jim Seymour replaced him.
Being included in the HOF is "the greatest honor in our racing career," said Nancy.
"When Montana Raceway Park threw their support behind the Hall of Fame, I knew they appreciated the history that is behind racing here," said Mike.
"And it brings back memories of how good my wife looked under a car helping me change a transmission with oil all over her beautiful long hair."
Mike raced for 22 seasons, finishing up in the super stock class.
"At my first race after time trials, I noticed on the pit board that I had the pole position," Mike said. "Then Chuck Ferree, one of the nicest guys I've ever met, informed me that the slow car for the night got the pole. Back to earth I came. Then in the first race, by the time we exited turn 2 on the first lap, I had already been pushed to the infield by the cars behind me so they could race."
Despite the humble beginnings, Mike says "he kept his mouth shut and opened his ears." It was during this time Mike and Nancy also learned the bond racers have with each other.
"I broke a front spindle in a race and left to get a part," said Mike.
"I only lived 10 minutes from the track, but by the time I got back the car was fixed and ready to race for the main event. I asked Nancy who fixed it and she said ‘everybody.' So my biggest problem that night was remembering which parts went to whom."
Robinson worked as a mechanic for FarWest gas and oil when he built his first stock car. He claimed Rookie of the Year honors in 1984 in the super stock division at Big Sky Speedway, where he raced until 1987.
His career continued in the street stocks from 1988-1997, then in the sportsman in 1998 and the limited sportsman in 2000-01 and 2007.
When the INEX Legend Series started in Kalispell, he jumped in and competed from 2002-05, winning series championships in 2002 and 2003.
Robinson also spent four years as Montana Raceway Park's flagman and was the Lead Tech Consultant for several seasons for the Montana 200 Race.
He won four Pit Person of the Year awards, was named NASCAR Pit Person of the year and has sponsored and helped countless racers throughout the Northwest.
Robinson spent two years as Vice-President of the NWMSCRA and was on the board of directors for many years. He has been on the board of directors for the Hall of Fame for the last seven years.
Robinson's best racing memory came during the 2007 season at Raceway Park when he was able to compete against both his sons - Jason and Josh. That season they won 10 of 11 main events in the limited sportsman division and all three finished in the top four in season points.