The 2022 class of inductees into the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame took place recently at the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown.

This year marked the 11th such time the event is being held and honors individuals who made a lasting impression between the two eastern Pennsylvania asphalt tracks.

Mahoning Valley’s induction list saw the Rahmer brothers, Al and Fred Sr., George Steigerwalt Sr., Darryl Bruenig and Carman Bauman enter into the Hall.

When Mahoning became a paved track in 1970, the Rahmer’s paired up to be a reckoning force with regular visits to Victory Lane. Al was the very first Modified champion on the pavement and a four-time winner that season. Fred Sr., had a half-dozen wins between 1970 and 1973. They both competed in Sportsman and Late Models on the pavement, while also having equally successful careers on dirt.

George Steigerwalt Sr., forged a great history at Mahoning that began during the track’s dirt days, and then onward throughout the early pavement years. He was the 1962 Lehighton Stock Car Association Sportsman champion, and Mahoning Valley champion. When George began running on the blacktop, it was with the Late Model class with his signature “Flying 0.” His sons, Greg and Geno, went on to formidable careers in the same class. Geno is the 2021 Late Model champion.

Carman Bauman was a noted car owner who saw several drivers take his mounts to Victory Lane. He was known most for his son-in-law and Hall of Famer Todd “Hollywood” Geist’s cars. Bauman’s cars were staples at both Dorney and Mahoning, as well as a number of other area speedways.

Modifieds, Late Models, D/A Mods – Darryl Bruenig raced them all and quite successfully too. His best years by far where with the Late Model where he captured the 2003 class championship.

Dorney Park Speedway drivers recognized were Joe “Reds” Protivnak, Tim Parry, Al Hewett and Kermit “Bup” Christman. Christman actually ran at both tracks moving to Mahoning and enjoying success there from the late 1980s through the 1990s.

Also inducted was Paul Reinhard, who worked at the Allentown Morning Call for more than 60 years in the sports department. Paul not only reported on mainstream sports, but also did a spectacular job of keeping readers up to date on all the weekly action at Dorney Park, Mahoning Valley and every other race track throughout the Lehigh Valley.