Five first-time nominees for
the NASCAR Hall of Fame were announced yesterday, headlined by former championship
crew chief Ray Evernham, champion driver Alan Kulwicki, drivers Mark Martin and
Herscel McGriff and crew chief Harry Hyde.
The complete list of 20
nominees includes:
Buddy Baker, 19-time
NASCAR premier series winner, including the Daytona 500 and Southern 500
Red Byron,
first NASCAR premier series champion, in 1949
Richard Childress,
11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Jerry Cook,
six-time NASCAR Modified champion
Ray Evernham,
three-time NASCAR premier series championship crew chief
Ray Fox, legendary
engine builder and owner of cars driven by Buck Baker, Junior Johnson and
others
Rick Hendrick,
14-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Harry Hyde, 1970
NASCAR premier series championship crew chief
Bobby Isaac, 1970
NASCAR premier series champion
Alan Kulwicki, 1992
NASCAR premier series champion
Terry
Labonte, two-time NASCAR premier series champion
Mark Martin,
96-time race winner in NASCAR national series competition
Hershel McGriff, 1986
NASCAR west series champion
Raymond Parks,
NASCAR's first champion car owner
Benny Parsons, 1973
NASCAR premier series champion
Larry Phillips, only
five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion
O. Bruton Smith,
builder of Charlotte Motor Speedway and architect of Speedway Motorsports Inc.
Mike Stefanik,
winner of record-tying nine NASCAR championships
Curtis Turner,
early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
Robert Yates, won
NASCAR premier series championship as both an engine builder and owner
NASCAR also announced the five
nominees for its annual Landmark Award, including…
Harold Brasington,
founder of Darlington Speedway
H. Clay Earles,
founder of Martinsville Speedway
Raymond Parks,
NASCAR's first champion car owner
Ralph Seagraves, formed
groundbreaking Winston-NASCAR partnership as executive with R.J. Reynolds
Tobacco Company
Ken Squier,
legendary radio and television broadcaster; inaugural winner and namesake of the
Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence
What a Star Studded List I do not envy the voting panel. I hope Benny Parsons makes it this year
ReplyDeleteI would not be a NASCAR fan today if not for Ned Jarrett, Benny Parsons and Buddy Baker. It makes me sad to see Benny's name getting further and further from the top of the list. Every person on that list is deserving, no question, but as time goes on, the push to put one of the greatest personalities of this sport is eroding. It would have been my wish to see Ned and Benny go in together. But if he couldn't go in with Ned, it would be nice to see him go in with Buddy Baker this voting year.
ReplyDeleteBenny is not "getting further and further from the top of the list." They are listed in alphabetical order.
DeleteThanks for clearing that up...I see it now that I look back at it. I thought I heard on your show after last years vote that Benny was close.I really hope to see Benny find his way in this year.
DeleteWow, what a line-up.
ReplyDelete