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Great Stories, Special Bench Racing Featured in 2026 Las Vegas Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Classic
Many Motorcycle Legends on Hand for Popular 6th Annual "Hot Shoe" Affair
LAS VEGAS, NV (Feb. 1, 2026)
Great stories and laughable "bench racing," with the likes of Eddie Lawson, Jay Springsteen, Jeff Emig, Guy Cooper, Barry Weiss and Rick Miller, highlighted the sixth annual of "Hot Shoe" Hall of Fame Museum and Motorcycle Industry Celebration Saturday night in the famed Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience at the Las Vegas' Notoriety Theatre.
Another huge crowd welcomed over 50 new inductees to the popular "Hot Shoe" Hall of Fame located at the Gene Woods Racing Experience in Las Vegas, and the "meet and greet" and on-stage presentations bring together some of the two-wheels' great competitors, officials, media and enthusiasts with hosts Keith Mashburn, Terry "Ike" Clanton and Jerry Bernardo directing the interviews.
This year's presentations were featured by the annual "Lifetime Achievement Award" to four-time World Road Racing Champion Eddie Lawson, and the "Zechie Award" for media excellence to veteran broadcaster and Speed Sport co-owner Ralph Sheheen. Both are legends in the motorcycle industry, and the crowd greatly appreciated their attendance Saturday night with loud applause.
The hilarious on-stage stories included the always-entertaining adventures of Springsteen and his sensational racing career to Emig's salute to Sheheen and Cooper, and from Miller's European Speedway tales to Weiss' funny television and motorcycle escapades. Other guests speaking Saturday were Lawson, Sheheen, motocross star "Rocket" Rex Staten, longtime two-wheel official and motorcycle industry icon Paul Flanders, West Coast photographers Geoff and Barb Nickless, Blackwater 100 legend Kevin LaVoie and off-road racer and trail access advocate Jeremy Shoning.
"I have really enjoyed myself this evening and thanks for this great honor," said Lawson. "It was so much fun to see a lot of friends and competitors and tell old stories. I liked the laidback atmosphere too."
"It is great to see everyone here tonight and listen to my crazy stories," said Springsteen. "This Hot Shoe Hall of Fame night is so much fun. It is exciting to see my old Harley and leathers up here on stage. It brings back a lot of memories. Thanks to Gene and the Hot Shoe gang for having this awesome show."
Woods was very pleased to have many first time "Hot Shoe" Hall of Fame attendees this year and the new inductees to the Museum.
"It is always great to bring in new people to the Hall of Fame Celebration and tonight was no different," said Woods, the "Hot Shoe" Hall of Fame Founder and Curator. "Each year there are new and more entertaining stories and 'bench racing' that have never been heard before. With our wide range of motorcycle competitors, the new guests give the crowd some real experiences that make our event one of the most popular motorcycle-related parties. And teaming up with the Mecum Motorcycle Auction brings an additional group of two-wheel enthusiasts. Thanks to everyone who came out, and I want to thank to our Board of Directors and staff for their assistance for another successful event."
Sheheen, who called many Supercross, motocross and flat track events for decades, is the third recipient of the "The Zeckie," named after longtime media member, "Hardhat Howie" Zechner, as Zechner (first award winner) and Jimmy Lewis (second recipient) made the presentation.
Another fan favorite is the annual "Legends" karting race in the Gene Woods Racing Experience and again Lewis was the winner in some tight competition. Second went to Bernardo followed Garth Brow, Cooper, Mike Johns, Scott Rousseau, Willie McCoy, Jimmy Odom, "Fast" Eddie Castro and 81-year-old Sonny Nutter, the legend Speedway motorcycle and sprint car racer.
The "Hot Shoe" is the symbol that recognizes the cream of the crop of motorcycle racing stars who used a very specialized tool, the steel shoe, to assist them in navigating the dirt track corners.
The “Hot Shoe” Hall of Fame Museum, full of steel shoes from numerous motorcycle icons, is located at the Gene Woods Racing Experience karting track (450 E. Fremont St., #171, Las Vegas) in the Fremont St. Experience. For further information on the “Hot Shoe” Hall of Fame celebration and being a Hall of Fame recipient, visit the website at www.hotshoehof.com or on Facebook at Hot Shoe Hall of Fame.
For further information on the “Hot Shoe Hall of Fame” celebration, visit the website at www.hotshoehof.com or on Facebook at Hot Shoe Hall of Fame.
Contact: Tom Blattler, TB Communications, tomblattlercomm@gmail.com, 317.525.5692
