Phil Rondeau, Matt Buckler, Jap Membrino, Charlie Webster Part Of ’22 New England Racing Hall Of Fame Induction Class 

The New England Antique Racers, operators of the New England Racing Hall of Fame, announced their 2022 induction class on Friday. 

The class includes six regular inductees and two veteran inductees. 

The regular inductees include Matt Buckler, Dick Houlihan, Russ Stoehr, Nat 

Chiavettone, Phil Rondeau and Kenny Tremont Jr. Inductees from the veterans designation are Charlie Webster and Tony “Jap” Membrino. 

Rondeau is one of the most accomplished Late Model drivers in Connecticut short track history. 

In 1987 and 1988 Rondeau won Late Model championships at both the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Stafford Speedway. In 1989 he won championships in the division at the Speedbowl, Stafford and Thompson Speedway, becoming the first driver to win a championship at all three tracks in the same division in one season. Rondeau is second all-time on the Speedbowl win list and is the only driver in track history with more than 100 wins in one division (Late Models).

Matt Buckler became a fixture of southern New England short track racing as an announcer at Stafford, Thompson and Waterford over the last two decades. He has also long covered motorsports as a reporter for the Journal Inquirer of Manchester. 

Membrino was a standout across New England and had Modified titles at the old Plainville Stadium in 1964 and ’65. His purple No. 00 cars were iconic in Modified racing. 

Webster was one of the early icons of the Speedbowl. Second only to Don Collins in feature wins and championships in the 1950’s – 1960’s at the historic shoreline oval.

Houlihan was a longtime standout at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway. Stoehr was dominant for years as a competitor with the Northeast Midget Association. Chiavettone was long known as the go-to motor builder for competitors at Seekonk. Tremont was a standout dirt racer.