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Weedsport, NY (Aug. 21, 2025) – Board members, staff, volunteers and the many, many friends of the Northeast Dirt Modified Museum and Hall of Fame were saddened to learn of the death of Museum Curator Jack Speno. Speno, the heart and soul of the Museum since its inception 33 years ago, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, August 20, at the age of 90.
Speno was introduced to the sport in 1970 when he stopped by Weedsport Speedway to buy a snowmobile from DIRT Motorsports’ Glenn Donnelly, who was also promoting snowmobile racing at the track in the winter months.
“We hit it off and from that day on we became best of friends,” Donnelly remembered.
Speno was along for the ride on the DIRT race car scene as well, a valued member of Donnelly’s inner circle who drove the pace car, entertained VIPs and sponsors, and organized victory lane ceremonies at the New York State Fairgrounds and many other speedways on the DIRT circuit.
An Auburn, NY, businessman, Speno was truly a “Jack of all trades,” working the angles to broker deals and make the most out of every opportunity—all while fostering lasting friendships with his warm engagement and joy for life.
“You couldn’t find anyone who didn’t like Jack Speno,” Donnelly declared.
When the Hall of Fame Museum was built in 1992, Speno was installed as curator and caretaker, handling all the day-to-day operations of the Museum until recent years.
Although Jack wasn’t well enough to take part in last month’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, his daughter Barbara did bring him by the Museum for a brief visit prior to the annual event—the only one he missed in its 33-year history.
“It’s the last thing he did,” Glenn Donnelly poignantly pointed out.
