In all, six changes and updates will be made starting with the
selection of the Class of 2015 – all designed to improve upon an already strong
process that has led to the selection of 25 deserving inductees.
“We’re very proud of how the NASCAR Hall of Fame has evolved and
believe the first five classes reflect the strength of the nominating and
voting procedures, with voices from every corner of our industry included in
the selection process,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR vice president and chief
communications officer. “Based on feedback from voters, industry leaders, media
who cover our sport and the fans, we believe the changes announced today are a
strong recognition of the uniqueness of our sport and will make the overall
selection process even stronger in how we honor those who have driven NASCAR to
great success on and off the track.”
Following is a summary of changes:
Driver Eligibility
Currently, drivers who have competed in NASCAR for at least 10
years and been retired for three years are eligible for nomination to the NHOF.
That will not change.
Moving forward, however, drivers who have competed for a minimum
of 10 years and reached their 55th birthday on or before Dec. 31 of the year
prior to the nominating year are immediately eligible for the NHOF. Also, any
competitor who has competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR competition by Dec.
31 of the year prior to the nominating year is automatically eligible,
regardless of age.
Drivers may continue to compete after reaching any of the
aforementioned milestones without compromising eligibility for nomination or
induction.
Nominating Committee Will Select Five Fewer Nominees for
Enshrinement
Throughout its history, the NHOF Nominating Committee has selected
25 nominees each year to be discussed and voted on for NHOF enshrinement. That
number will be reduced to 20 starting with the selection process for the 2015
class.
Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR
Beginning with the 2015 class, a new award – Landmark Award for
Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR – will be initiated to honor
significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.
Potential Landmark Award recipients could include
competitors or those working in the sport as a member of a racing organization,
track facility, race team, sponsor, media partner or being a general ambassador
for the sport through a professional or non-professional role. Award winners
will remain eligible for NHOF enshrinement.
Five nominees will be selected by the NHOF Nominating Committee
and then be voted on by the Voting Panel. To win the award, an individual must
appear on at least 60 percent of the ballots and no more than one award will be
presented annually. Voting for this award will occur immediately following the
voting for the NHOF class and be monitored by the same independent accounting
firm that oversees NHOF voting.
Nominating Committee to Meet, Vote on 20 NHOF Nominees / Five
Landmark Award Nominees
For the first time, the Nominating Committee will meet in person
to discuss, debate and vote to create two ballots – the NHOF ballot and the Landmark
Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR ballot. Previously, the committee
submitted nominees via mail to an independent accounting firm that tallies the
nominations in order to create the final NHOF ballot.
The Nominating Committee will meet during Speedweeks at Daytona on
Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, and the nominees for both ballots will be announced
later that day.
Nominees To Be Recused From the Nominating / Voting Process
Any member of the Nominating Committee or Voting Panel who
appeared on the previous year’s ballot or current year’s ballot will now be
recused from participating in the nominating and / or voting process for as
long as he / she appears on the ballot. If an individual who is currently on the
Nominating Committee or Voting Panel is inducted, or is no longer included on a
final ballot, he or she is immediately reinstated to active participation on
the panel(s).
Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Added To Voting Panel
As was already announced on Nov. 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
during the annual NASCAR Championship Contenders Press Conference, the reigning
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will be added to the following year’s voting
panel.
That means Jimmie
Johnson, who captured his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, will be
included in the selection meeting and can cast a vote for the NHOF Class of
2015 on Voting Day, Wednesday, May 21, 2014.
I guess they found out a way to get Wendell Scott into the HOF with a bit less backlash from the general fan base.
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