Lester "Dee" Zellmer (Lester “Dee” Zellmer was born in 1935 and raced in the 1960’s, seventies, and 1980’s in modified, super modified, champ dirt car, and sprint car competition. Over the years the resident of Lee’s Summit, Missouri during his career was involved in racing as a driver, car owner, and mechanic. While building his own engines under a shade tree when he did not have a garage. And working with other racing personnel that included Bub Kearny, Larry Christy, Bill Huffman, and Luther Brewer, among others. Early influences for Dee in racing were Brewer who he crewed for, and learned from, as well as the great hall of fame sprint car driver, Eugene “Jud” Larson. Over the years Zellmer would become a staple racing at tracks that included Savannah, Sedalia, Bethany, Riverside, Lakeside (old), Chillicothe, Topeka, around the KC area. While also venturing out on the NCRA trail to tracks in Enid, OKC, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with Kansas venues, 81 Speedway in Wichita, and the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Many of Dee’s programs and articles were lost in a fire in 1985. But other info was gleaned for this bio including winning the mid-season modified title at 65 Speedway in Chillicothe in 1973. Winning the mid-season championship feature at Lakeside in 1977, as well as finishing second place in the A class at Savannah in 1976 and winning the Sportsmanship award at Savannah that same season in his modified. Along with winning the Championship feature at the Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds in Bethany on Labor Day.)

2023 Inductee