ELMA — Six racers who combined for 14 track championships have been selected for induction in Elma’s Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Dan West Jr., Glenn Borden Jr., Jim Oien Sr., Robert Criswell, Don Warren and Butch Jenkins will be inducted in ceremonies scheduled for March 17 at the Pavilion Meeting Room of the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds in Elma, Hall of Fame President Rick Leighty announced.
The doors will open at 5 p.m. National Sprint Car Hall of Fame driver Jimmy Sills will be the keynote speaker. A silent auction is also scheduled.
“Another great class,” Leighty wrote in a press release. “People are probably tired of hearing me using that statement, but it is so true. It would be hard to find anyone who has anything bad to say about any of these individuals.
They are all well thought of and respected for their accomplishments. The racing fans continue to do a great job of nominating extraordinary individuals.”
West will join his father, Dan West Sr., as a EAR Hall of Fame inductee. One of the most versatile drivers in track history, West claimed six titles in four divisions during his career.
Claiming his first crown in the Bomber division in 1988, West went on to claim the Super Stock championship in the 1990, 1994 and 1996. He then switched to open wheels and won the 1999 modified division and 2007 Focus Midget titles. He was also successful on asphalt ovals.
Raymond resident Borden was a four-time sprint car champion at Elma. A third-generation racer, Borden earned sprint titles in 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2009. His accomplishments at Grays Harbor Raceway and other Northwest speedways enabled him to compete in the Knoxville 360 Nationals, where he acquitted himself well despite a lack of experience on the large track.
Known as “Gentleman Jim” due to his demeanor and clean racing style, Oien was a major force in numerous stock car divisions during the 1980s and ’90s. He won back-to-back Super Stock titles in 1992-93. He and his wife Judy served in various leadership capacitities within the Evergreen Auto Racing Association.
A 15-year veteran behind the wheel in the 1980s and ’90s, Criswell also served as a crew member, track official and EARA officer during his racing days. He was a three-time winner of the EARA’s Sportsmanship Award. Criswell is currently president of a tractor association that puts on an annual show at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds.
Warren began racing at Elma as a 17-year-old driver in the semi-modified class during the 1960s.
Following an extended absence, he returned to the raceway in the 1980s, capturing a bomber title in 1987 and a sprint car championship in 1994. While still active as a sprint car racer in the 1990s, he helped Jim Bosler promote the track (then known as Elma National Raceway).
Butch Jenkins was among a group of Camp Grisdale participants in the early days of the Elma track. He owned cars driven by the likes of Herb Moran and Bernie Klinkinbeard and was a mechanic for several other Grisdale racers.
Renowned for his mechanical ability and willingness to help others, Jenkins died while undergoing surgery at a young age.
