Dave Villwock to Join Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Dave Villwock and the Spirit of Qatar
Legendary hydroplane driver Dave Villwock will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America as part of the prestigious Class of 2026. The ceremony, presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing, will be held March 9-10, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.
Villwock, born in 1954, began racing at age 16 and has now spent over 55 years in the sport. He entered the Unlimited Hydroplane scene in 1988 and eventually became the winningest driver in the sport’s history with 67 career victories, including 10 APBA Gold Cups and 10 National High Point Championships. “When you think how long I’ve been doing this, you’d think I’d get good!” he laughed. “But if there’s no struggle, there are no values.”
Villwock will be inducted alongside NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr., with whom he shares a special connection through their longtime partnership with Budweiser. In 1997, Villwock took on the dual role of driver and crew chief for the legendary Miss Budweiser team. Over the next eight seasons, he delivered an outstanding performance—winning 37 of 58 races, earning four additional Gold Cups, and securing seven High Point titles.
Also joining this year’s class is sprint car legend Sammy Swindell, a driver Villwock has admired from afar for years. “What makes this so meaningful is the people,” he shared. “It’s about the connections, the laughter, and the passion we all share. I kept going for the team—for the joy it brought them, especially during the moments of doubt.”
Now at the helm of the U-27 Miss Apollo, Villwock acknowledges that this induction adds a new layer of weight to the 2025 season. “Getting this award right before the season—it carries a lot of pressure. But at the end of the day, it’s still about the same thrill, the same passion. You’ve just got to go out and do what you love.”
He credits owner Bruce Ratchford and BWR Racing for their trust and support: “They believe in me. Like they say—don’t let the old man in, but don’t count him out! We’re working hard on the boat now, changing everything around. It’ll look good at testing.”
Boat racing is a team sport, and I look forward to racing these two BWR boats with a great team assembled by Mr. Ratchford, led by team principals Mike Hanson and Dan Walters, and many others who—on one team or another—have won 95% of all the World and National Championships in the last 25 years. It’s going to be exciting to work alongside such a talented crew.
As the sport’s most decorated driver, Villwock sees this moment as a win for the entire hydroplane community. “This induction puts us on the board. It says boat racing is legitimate and respected. We’re part of the racing world—and that’s a big deal.”
He also paid tribute to mentors Chip Hanauer and Tom D’Eath: “Being around guys like that, you soak up everything. I learned how to race—and how to handle every situation on the water.”
With testing set for May 17th and big changes coming to Miss Apollo, Villwock is energized by the future: “It’s all positive. Great people, great drivers, and the same rush every time I hit the water.”
Dave Villwock to Join Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Dave Villwock and the Spirit of Qatar
Legendary hydroplane driver Dave Villwock will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America as part of the prestigious Class of 2026. The ceremony, presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing, will be held March 9-10, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.
Villwock, born in 1954, began racing at age 16 and has now spent over 55 years in the sport. He entered the Unlimited Hydroplane scene in 1988 and eventually became the winningest driver in the sport’s history with 67 career victories, including 10 APBA Gold Cups and 10 National High Point Championships. “When you think how long I’ve been doing this, you’d think I’d get good!” he laughed. “But if there’s no struggle, there are no values.”
Villwock will be inducted alongside NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr., with whom he shares a special connection through their longtime partnership with Budweiser. In 1997, Villwock took on the dual role of driver and crew chief for the legendary Miss Budweiser team. Over the next eight seasons, he delivered an outstanding performance—winning 37 of 58 races, earning four additional Gold Cups, and securing seven High Point titles.
Also joining this year’s class is sprint car legend Sammy Swindell, a driver Villwock has admired from afar for years. “What makes this so meaningful is the people,” he shared. “It’s about the connections, the laughter, and the passion we all share. I kept going for the team—for the joy it brought them, especially during the moments of doubt.”
Now at the helm of the U-27 Miss Apollo, Villwock acknowledges that this induction adds a new layer of weight to the 2025 season. “Getting this award right before the season—it carries a lot of pressure. But at the end of the day, it’s still about the same thrill, the same passion. You’ve just got to go out and do what you love.”
He credits owner Bruce Ratchford and BWR Racing for their trust and support: “They believe in me. Like they say—don’t let the old man in, but don’t count him out! We’re working hard on the boat now, changing everything around. It’ll look good at testing.”
Boat racing is a team sport, and I look forward to racing these two BWR boats with a great team assembled by Mr. Ratchford, led by team principals Mike Hanson and Dan Walters, and many others who—on one team or another—have won 95% of all the World and National Championships in the last 25 years. It’s going to be exciting to work alongside such a talented crew.
As the sport’s most decorated driver, Villwock sees this moment as a win for the entire hydroplane community. “This induction puts us on the board. It says boat racing is legitimate and respected. We’re part of the racing world—and that’s a big deal.”
He also paid tribute to mentors Chip Hanauer and Tom D’Eath: “Being around guys like that, you soak up everything. I learned how to race—and how to handle every situation on the water.”
With testing set for May 17th and big changes coming to Miss Apollo, Villwock is energized by the future: “It’s all positive. Great people, great drivers, and the same rush every time I hit the water.”