National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame unveiled 2026 inductees
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 9, 2026
Hall of Fame class unveiled
The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class during Sunday night’s Firemen’s Nationals USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The speedway serves as the home of the Hall of Fame, which gave the announcement a fitting setting. The five inductees were Darren Hagen, Brad Kuhn, Lee Kunzman, Henry Pens and Glenn “Bud” Trainor. The class spanned different eras and different paths to recognition in midget racing, with drivers honored for championships, win totals and long-term contributions to the sport. Angell Park provided a stage that matched the moment, with the Hall of Fame unveiling a group that reflected both on-track success and the work that kept the series moving forward.
Hagen, Kuhn and Kunzman
Hagen, Kuhn and Kunzman formed the class’s strong competitive core. Hagen won the 2012 USAC national title and closed his career with 25 USAC National Midget victories, a resume that tied championship form to steady production over time. Kuhn captured the 2009 USAC national championship and piled up wins across several series, finishing with 25 Badger victories, 23 POWRi wins and 10 USAC victories. Kunzman brought a longer historical run to the class. He collected 16 USAC National Midget wins from 1968 to 1972, a stretch that marked him as one of the sport’s notable drivers of that period. Together, the three inductees showed the range the Hall of Fame could cover, from title-winning seasons to sustained success across multiple midget racing circuits.
Pens and Trainor honored
Pens and Trainor rounded out the 2026 class with accomplishments that highlighted both winning and service. Pens won 24 UARA races and 16 USAC National Midget features, a combination that highlighted success in more than one series. Trainor was recognized for his longtime work as a mechanic, car owner and series founder in Arizona midget racing. His selection added an important off-track piece to the Hall of Fame class, crediting the people who build the sport as much as the drivers who race in it. The five inductees together gave the Hall of Fame class a broad mix of achievements, with race wins, championships and foundational work all represented in one group.
