Seven drivers to be inducted into Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame: Seven more Canadian organizers and competitors will be inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony in Toronto in April, it was announced Monday. Richard 'Dick' Foley of Montreal, the first Canadian to race in the Daytona 500 [& NASCAR Sprint Cup starts from 1957-1960, best finish 12th in a 1960 Daytona 500 Qualifier and 19th at the Daytona Beach course in 1958], leads the list that includes sports car racer Rudy Bartling of Courtice, rally competitors Robin Edwardes of L’Orignal, Ont., and Paul Manson of Toronto, Calgary organizer Ben Docktor, supermodified and stock car racer Norm Ellefson of Edmonton and Spokane, WA [NASCAR K&N Pro Series West], and Maritimes stock car champion Greg Sewart of Halifax. They will officially be welcomed into the hall at the 18th annual gala banquet and ceremony April 21 at On The Park in Toronto. The Hall of Fame was first organized in 1993 and now has more than 100 inductees from across Canada as well as several in the International Category that was added two years ago.(Toronto Star)(12-30-2011)

Motorsports Hall of Fame announces 2012 finalists: Finalists for the next enshrinees into the Motorsports Hall of Fame have been determined. The class of 2012 Inductees will be announced early in the year. Who will be selected? In the Open Wheel category, nominees on the ballot include veteran driver and official Wally Dallenbach, four-time Indy winning owner Chip Ganassi, American auto racing impresario Carl Haas, and two-time Indy 500 winner "The Flying Dutchman" Arie Luyendyk, Other names being considered by the Voting Panel are Pat Patrick who served as the first president of CART and whose teams won 3 Indy 500s, Danny Sullivan who "spun and won" at Indy in 1985, and Alex Zanardi who captured CART titles in 1997 and 1998.(12-26-2011)

Rusty Wallace to enter St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame: Racing legend and St. Louis, Missouri native Rusty Wallace, will be honored by his hometown this Wednesday, November 16th, as an inductee into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame. Alongside Wallace in the class of 2011 are 15 sports figures, including St. Louis Rams legends Torry Holt and Issac Bruce, as well as coaching icons Lenny Wilkens and Scotty Bowman. They will join the likes of such St. Louis legends as Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Yogi Berra and Ozzie Smith as inductees into the St. Louis hall. The 2011 class was chosen from a pool of 350 qualified nominees, with induction determined through ballots issued to 120 media members and former athletes. This week's induction will not mark the first time that Wallace has been honored by an entity representing his hometown. In 2005, Wallace was presented the key to the City of St. Louis, with the mayor proclaiming June 30, 2005 as "Rusty Wallace Day" in the "Gateway City." One of Missouri's favorite sons, Wallace was originally enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2006, he became the 14th individual to be named a "Missouri Sports Legend," the Missouri hall's highest honor.(Rusty Wallace Racing)(11-16-2011)

Motorsports Artist Garry Hill Exhibits Artwork at International Motorsports HOF: Motorsports artist Garry Hill will exhibit his paintings and limited edition prints featuring the rich tradition and history of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing Oct 20-23 at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. "Today's sophisticated version of the sport is every bit as exciting as the rough and tumble early days. The current teams sporting corporate America's colors seem far removed from their thrown together beginnings. However, the more things change they remain the same. The need for speed today is the same as yesterday. The arenas may have changed, the names may have changed, but the desire is the same – Get to the Finish Line First! The sport has a bright future as well as a past rich with legends and great moments that will live forever", said Hill. Hill's paintings and prints capture such moments as Richard Petty's 200th victory in the 1984 "Firecracker 400", Dale Earnhardt in "The Great American Racer" winning the 1998 Daytona 500, Jeff Gordon victorious in "Brickyard Thunder" the inaugural Brickyard 400, Bill Elliott winning the "Winston Million" in the 1985 "Southern 500", Dale Earnhardt's remarkable trip through the grass at Charlotte Motor Speedway to win "The Winston" all-star race in 1987 and many more including moments from Talladega Superspeedway. Limited edition fine art prints from the original paintings will be available to collectors personally hand signed by the winning drivers. Hill of Mooresville, NC remarked, "I see these paintings and prints as a tribute to the people and the machines that have made the sport so great," says artist Garry Hill, of Mooresville, North Carolina. "A picture is worth a thousand words so this is my way of telling the story of NASCR Sprint Cup Racing." To learn more about the artworks and see the subjects of his original paintings and prints visit www.garryhill.com (Please note the two "R"s in Garry).
IMHOF race week hours: Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22 from 7 am to 7 pm and Sunday, October 23 from 7 am to 2 pm.(International Motorsports Hall of Fame)(10-21-2011)

Newman & Thompson to be inducted into Talladega Walk of Fame: The fans have spoken... and #39-Ryan Newman and Speedy Thompson will be the next drivers enshrined to the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 22. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars – the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. This year's active driver honoree, Newman, 33, is not your ordinary NASCAR driver. A graduate of Purdue University, Newman not only has immense talent behind the wheel, he also has an in-depth understanding of what a car is designed and built to do on the racetrack. It is that combination that has made him one of the most successful and respected figures in modern motorsports.
Inactive driver nominee, Alfred "Speedy" Thompson was one of the most successful drivers of the late 1950's. He made 198 starts from 1950 – 1971, winning 20 races along with scoring 78 top-fives, 106 top-tens, and 20 poles. Over the course of the 1957 season, Thompson made 38 starts, notching two wins, 16 top five finishes, and 22 top ten finishes. He earned four poles, won almost $27,000, and his average finish position was 10.2. In over 21 years of racing, Speedy started 198 races, posting 105 top ten finishes, of which 77 were top fives and 20 were victories. Speedy earned just shy of $115,000 over his career, but for four consecutive seasons, the only four he raced anywhere near a full schedule, he was the third greatest stock car racer in the country. Thompson left the sport as a pioneer in stock car racing and is considered to be among the top 50 greatest NASCAR drivers in history. Thompson passed away April 2, 1972.
In the park, Davey Allison is remembered with a large marble monument, while drivers inducted into the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame have bronze plaques placed around the park, accessible by walkways that form the shape of Talladega Superspeedway.(Talladega Walk of Fame)(10-21-2011)

NASCAR on Display at Reagan Library: In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. That July, he started the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway where he gave the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” from aboard Air Force One. Later that day, Air Force One landed at Daytona International Airport behind the Speedway in full view of the fans. It was at that race that Richard Petty captured his historic 200th victory. In honor of President Reagan’s relationship and fascination with auto racing, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation presents Start Your Engines: American Race Cars at the Reagan Library, on view from May 27 through October 23, 2011. The exhibit features a wide array of storied vehicles from the history of American auto racing from the 1930s to today, including those from NASCAR and IndyCar. Visitors will view historic cars driven by legends such as Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty, as well as cars by current racers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Austin Dillon, who will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut later this year.
A few exhibit highlights include:
* Richard Petty’s winning Firecracker 400 Pontiac from the race Ronald Reagan officially started in 1984 * Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s #2 Chevy – the car in which he won the 1980 Winston Cup Championship * Kurt Busch’s 2011 #22 Auto Club Dodge Charger (show car) which he recently raced in the Auto Club 400 in California, March 2011 * Lyn St. James’ 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, in which she set 31 national and international speed records on a closed course at Talladega Speedway * Jimmie Johnson’s 2007 #48 Lowe’s Chevy that he drove at Homestead to clinch his 2nd Championship * Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2010 #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevy Impala * Austin Dillon’s 2011 #98 Chevy Impala, co-sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Centennial, which will be raced later this year * Dan Wheldon’s 2011 #98 INDY car, which will be raced later this year * Rich Woodland's 1998 Winston West car, won at Phoenix [see more at Woodland Family Automobile Display
In addition to the cars, personal items from drivers like trophies, fire suits, helmets and other artifacts, photos and video will also be on display. The exhibit is sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California, with special thanks to Mike Curb and Mike Curb Racing.
The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, California. Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Museum admission fees are $12.00 for general admission, $9.00 for seniors 62 and over, $6 for children 11-17 and free for children 10 years of age and under. For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit reaganfoundation.org/.(10-4-2011)

Top Presenters Turning Out for 2011 MSHFA Induction Ceremony: The list of racing luminaries scheduled to formally introduce and memorialize the careers of Donnie Allison, Sid Collins, Roger McCluskey, Ed McCulloch, Augie Pabst, Bruce Penhall and Ed Winfield into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, August 24, at the Fillmore Theater in downtown Detroit is as bright and accomplished as the honorees themselves.
Legendary team owner Roger Penske will be the presenter for Augie Pabst at the 2011 MSHFA Induction Ceremony.Among those on deck to make Hall of Fame introductions are previous inductees Bobby Unser (McCluskey), a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits (Winfield), Bobby Allison (Donnie Allison), three-time Daytona 500 winner, 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup champion and ringleader of the famed Alabama Gang, and Roger Penske (Pabst), the most successful owner in the history of the Indianapolis 500 and an accomplished sports car driver in the early days of his career.
Adding to that lineup are some of the best voices in all of motorsports, including long-time radio and television broadcaster at ABC and ESPN Paul Page (Collins), motorcycle racing's Larry Huffman (Penhall) and top NHRA public address announcer and ESPN host Bob Frey (McCulloch). In addition to the illustrious list of inductees and presenters, future Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, will serve as the evening's Honorary Chairman while previous inductee David Hobbs, a winning road racing driver and top television broadcaster currently with SPEED, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. More info and tickets at mshf.com.(MSHF)(8-20-2011)

International Motorsports Hall of Fame Announces Top-20 Finalists: The field has been narrowed and only 20 finalists remain for induction into the Class of 2012 International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The final inductees will be elected when the last round of voting begins in August. "Practically every form of racing, from stock cars to open wheel to motorcycles to airplanes are represented. They are drivers, car builders, engine builders, owners, pilots, daredevils, pioneers and innovators," states Executive Director, Grant Lynch. The finalists are: Erwin "Cannonball" Baker , David Hobbs, Kenny Bernstein, Ted Horn, Keith Black, Joe Leonard, Richard Childress, Tommy Milton, Joie Chitwood, Marvin Panch, Rene Dreyfus, Les Richter, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Pedro Rodriquez, Harvey Firestone, Sir Henry Segrave, John Force, Lee Shepherd, Tommy Hinnershitz, and Chuck Yeager. The Class of 2012 will be announced in late fall of this year, with the induction ceremony tentatively set for Thursday, May 3, 2012.(IMHOF PR)(8-11-2011)

West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame to honor Kevin Harvick: The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame will honor Kevin Harvick for "Outstanding Personal Achievement" on November 10 at the Arizona Biltmore as part of a charitable fundraiser presented by Phoenix International Raceway during the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend in Phoenix. The event, hosted by ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little, will raise funds for the non-profit West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame and other charities. Both Harvick, a Bakersfield, Calif. native, and Little - originally from Las Vegas - have deep ties to racing in the West. Their support of the Phoenix event was a perfect fit as the Hall of Fame looks to grow its presence not only in the West, but throughout NASCAR. Additional NASCAR drivers and personalities with West Coast roots are scheduled to appear at the event alongside Harvick and Little for this very special "Night to Remember." Phoenix International Raceway's first annual "Night to Remember" will be held at the legendary Arizona Biltmore Resort at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10. Tickets for the event are $250 each and will provide attendees with the chance to spend an evening with honored NASCAR guests while enjoying food & beverage, as well as an exclusive charity auction.(Phoenix Raceway)(7-22-2011)

West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame inducts ten: Ten motorsports figures from historic and modern eras were recognized Friday (July 1) as the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame inducted its eighth class at Azusa Greens Country Club in Azusa, Calif.
Six inductees from the historic era – whose achievements came prior to 1970 – are Marvin Burke, Pittsburg, Calif.; Louis “Lou” Mangini, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Chuck Parko, Whittier, Calif.; Al Schmidhamer, Portland, Ore.; George Seeger, Whittier and Chuck Stevenson, Sydney, Mont. and Garden Grove, Calif. Burke, Seeger and Stevenson all excelled as drivers; Schmidhamer as a car owner and Parko as car owner, crew chief and mechanic. All but Parko and Schmidhamer are deceased.
Four inductees from the modern era are Cary Agajanian, Beverly Hills, Calif.; Roger McCluskey, Tucson, Ariz.; Joe Ruttman, Upland, Calif. and Tim Williamson, Seaside, Calif. Agajanian is a longtime promoter, car owner and driver agent whose father, J.C. Agajanian, was inducted with the Hall’s inaugural class in 2002. Ruttman’s older brother Troy, a winner of the Indianapolis 500, was enshrined in the same class as the elder Agajanian. Ruttman was the 1980 U.S. Auto Club Stock Car champion and won 13 times in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – all past the age of 50. McCluskey, who died in 1993, was the 1969-70 USAC Stock Car champion as well as the 1973 USAC Championship Car champion and an 18-time Indianapolis 500 starter. Williamson, who died in a 1980 accident at Riverside International Raceway, was a standout dirt competitor and a rookie of the year in the K&N Pro Series West. The Hall, founded in 2001, memorializes significant contributors to the sport’s development and history – including designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.(more at the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame site)(7-5-2011)

Daytona 500 Owner's Trophy to be on Display in Henry Ford Museum: The 2011 Daytona 500 Owner's Trophy, won by rookie Trevor Bayne and the legendary NASCAR team Wood Brothers Racing, will be on display in Henry Ford Museum starting today, March 18 - March 28. The trophy will be exhibited next to the 1901 Sweepstakes, the race car that carried Henry Ford to victory in the first and only race he ever participated in. Admission to the museum is free with membership or $15 adults, $14 senior (62 and up) and $11 youth (5-12). Children four and under are free. For more information, call (313) 982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.org. The Daytona 500 Trophy, officially named the Harley J. Earl Trophy, is one of the most beautiful trophies in the world. The original trophy is kept in Daytona Beach, Fla., while the winning driver and owners receive a replica of this beautiful piece. The Wood Brothers have agreed to allow their trophy to be on display at Henry Ford Museum during this time period. Harley Earl came up with the classic Firebird rocket car theme to highlight the Daytona 500 trophy and then he had it hand-sculpted inside his Michigan design studio during the absolute zenith of the American automotive industry. Earl, who retired in 1958, was vice president of styling at General Motors. He later became the second commissioner of NASCAR in 1960.(Ford)(3-18-2011)

Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame names 2011 honoree's: John Force, one of drag racing’s most legendary figures, will add yet another racing accomplishment to his illustrious career resume when he becomes just the fourth NHRA racer inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. Force will be honored Thursday, April 7, at the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Gala held in the Speedway Club’s Grand Ballroom at Texas Motor Speedway during the Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR doubleheader race weekend. Force’s induction will highlight an evening that recognizes the accomplishments of some of the biggest names in motorsports, all while benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway. Others being recognized are seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty; defending race winner of Texas Motor Speedway’s Samsung Mobile 500 and AAA Texas 500 Denny Hamlin; five-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson; four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon; and veteran motorsports reporter Terry Blount. Force will become the 13th member enshrined into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. He joins previous inductees A.J. Foyt (2003), Johnny Rutherford (‘03), Terry Labonte (‘04), Lee Shepherd (‘04), Kenny Bernstein (‘05), Jim Hall (‘05), Eddie Hill (‘06), Mark Martin (‘07), Jim McElreath (‘07), Bobby Labonte (‘08), Bruton Smith (‘08) and Joe Gibbs (‘09).
Petty will be honored with the Bruton Smith Legend Award. Hamlin will be awarded the Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year. Hamlin became just the second driver in speedway history to sweep both Sprint Cup Series races in the same season – winning April’s Samsung Mobile 500 and November’s AAA Texas 500. Johnson will receive the Texas Motor Speedway Sportsmanship Award. Johnson's charitable contributions through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation have helped raise more than $3.5 million for charitable organizations. Gordon also will be recognized for his contributions off the track as he will receive the Maj. General Thomas Sadler Award. He has championed the efforts of Speedway Children’s Charities through his contributions with the Jeff Gordon Foundation Corvette Raffle.
Veteran motorsports journalist and Houston native Terry Blount will receive the Excellence in Motorsports Journalism Award. Blount’s career has spanned more than 30 years with tenures at some of the largest newspapers in the United States. He has worked at the Houston Post, Houston Chronicle and The Dallas Morning News and currently is a motorsports writer/columnist for ESPN.com. During his career, he has missed only one major race at Texas Motor Speedway since it opened in 1997. Blount has earned numerous writing honors, including the Citation for Writing Excellence from Hearst Newspapers and the Excellence in Journalism Award from the Houston Press Club.(TMS)(3-14-2011)

Les Richter inducted into NFL Hall of Fame: Les Richter, who served as a senior executive for NASCAR following his All-Pro NFL career, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced tonight. Richter, affectionately known as “Coach” throughout the motorsports industry, passed away last June at the age of 79. He came to NASCAR in 1983 after a successful second career as president and general manager of Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. Richter soon evolved into one of the most important advisors to then-NASCAR Chairman/CEO Bill France Jr. as NASCAR’s popularity expanded. Richter was named NASCAR's Executive Vice President of Competition in 1986 and the Senior Vice President of Operations in 1992. Richter, a native of Fresno, Calif., was an All-American linebacker and guard at the University of California Berkeley and played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1954 to 1962 after being acquired from the Dallas Texans for 11 players. The defensive star was picked for the Pro Bowl eight times and was an Associated Press first team All-Pro in 1956. He previously was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Richter’s last job in motorsports was as vice president of special projects for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., a track he helped come into existence and then become established as a big time sports facility.(NASCAR)(2-6-2011)

Bass Pro Shops Founder Morris to be Inducted into Ozark Area Racer's Reunion Hall of Fame: Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris will be inducted into the Ozark Area Racer's Reunion "Hall of Fame" Saturday, January 22nd during a special ceremony beginning at 7pm. The 24th annual event will be at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield, Missouri-a site famous for its great speedways and number of racing legends and pioneers that got their start in the Midwest. Special guests scheduled to attend the ceremony include RCR's Austin Dillon, driver of the Bass Pro Shops #3 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and racing legends, original "Alabama Gang" members Red Farmer and Bobby Allison.
Beginning with the first Bass Pro Shops sponsorship with Richard Childress of the #3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Monte Carlo driven by Dale Earnhardt in 1998, and continuing to the stellar 2010 season that saw Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray take the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400, for well over a decade Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops have been involved with NASCAR. They have partnered with some of the biggest names in racing--Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing, Richard Childress, Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya , Martin Truex Jr., Austin Dillon and Steve Kinser-all in an effort to help promote the great outdoors.
Morris will be inducted as a "Pioneer" along with Steve Long (Lebanon, Missouri) an expert machinist who is now located in the heart of racing working for TRD (Toyota Racing Development); Gerald Wilson (Bolivar, Missouri) who built cars for Larry Phillips, who became the only 5 time NASCAR short track Champion in history; and Mark Perry (Springfield, Missouri) who, as a kid watched his dad compete on the dusty tracks across the country on the IMCA circuit, then ran a family track for his parents later in life.
"Legend" inductees include drivers Steve Schahuber (Willard, Missouri), Rex McCroskey (Springfield, Missouri) Dave Williams (Pleasant Hope, Missouri) and Bill Frye (Greenbriar, Arkansas).(RCR)(1-22-2011)

Dale Jarrett to be honored: Former NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett of Conover, NC is among the 2011 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame honorees. Retired Carolina Panthers receiver Ricky Proehl of Greensboro, Larry Lindsey of Wake Forest, Tom Parham of Emerald Isle, Jerry Tolley of Elon, the late Gene Overby, and Al Proctor of Raleigh also will join 274 men and women previously enshrined. The 48th induction banquet will be May12 at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel. Ticket information is available from www.ncshof.org or by calling 919-845-3455. Jarrett won the Daytona 500 three times and claimed the 1999 Winston Cup title. He will join father Ned Jarrett in the Hall of Fame to comprise the second father-son duo so honored - the other being Lee and Richard Petty.(Charlotte Observer)(1-19-2011)

International Motorsports Hall of Fame Announces 2011 Induction Class: The Board of Directors of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame are excited to announce the 2011 Class of Inductees on Wednesday, January 12 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, AL. The five inductees represent multiple forms of racing ranging from stock-car, Can-Am, sprint, and open-wheel. The Inductees, determined by a panel of 125 international motorsport media that will be enshrined to the Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 14, 2011 are: John Holman, Jan Opperman, Maurice Petty, Brian Redman, and Rex White. This year’s votes were tallied by Letson & Associates in Hoover, AL. “Congratulations to these exceptional motorsports legends that make up the 20th Anniversary Class of Inductees, “said IMHOF Executive Director Grant Lynch. “This year’s class consists of world-wide talent, what they have accomplished is in fact amazing and they are true pioneers in motorsports history.”
About the 2011 Induction Class:
John Holman (1918-1975): One half of one of the most successful NASCAR owners, John Holman was partners with Ralph Moody, who formed one of the most successful NASCAR teams, Holman-Moody. One of the first teams to build “purpose-built” stock car racing chassis, Holman-Moody cars won 2 NASCAR Championships and 96 races with over 30 drives including numerous IMHOF inducted drivers and crew-chiefs.
Jan Opperman (1939-1997): From the sprint car world, Jan Opperman is known to many as one of the original “outlaw” drivers before the development of the World of Outlaw series. Not one to run for points or championship, Opperman would travel the country driving many tracks and different sanctioning body. One of his most prestigious wins would come in 1976; Opperman won the Hulman Classic at Terre Haute, IN which at the time featured many top sprint car drivers in the country and had several drivers in the field who would start the Indianapolis 500. He would also race twice in the Indianapolis 500 in 1974 and 1976.
Maurice Petty (1939 - ): Part of the famed Petty family, Maurice Petty is best known as the chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises. With Dale Inman turning wrenches and Maurice Petty providing horsepower, Richard Petty drove to 200 NASCAR victories during Maurice’s career. Petty also competed in a total of 26 NASCAR sanctioned races between 1960 and 1964, with a high of nine in 1961. He scored seven top-five finishes and 16 top 10s, with a best showing of third in 1961.
Brian Redman (1937 - ): Driving both Formula One and CAN-AM during his career, Brian Redman has driven for several championship teams as well as multiple types of cars ranging from open-wheel F1 cars to CAN-Am sports cars. Redman drove 15 points races in F1 as well as numerous times at the famed 24 Hours of LeMans. Redman continues to race in historic and vintage races as well as promoting these forms of motorsports.
Rex White (1929 - ): One of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers, the 1960 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion was one of the original members of Chevrolet’s NASCAR racing team. White would win 28 races, record 163 top ten finishes and qualify for 36 pole positions with 233 stars. Driving mostly General Motors products during his career, White would not only win the 1960 NASCAR Championship but also win the Most Popular Driver award as well as the Driver of the Year award.
About the International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Museum
Opened in April of 1983, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports. The International Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held on the grounds of the museum to honor those men and women chosen for induction from among the greatest names in all of motorsports. The 2011 ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the SPEED Channel Dome, at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. This black-tie ceremony consists of a reception, banquet and awards ceremony. Individual tickets are $125 and a table for eight may be purchased for $1000 by calling 256-315-4631 Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.(IMHOF Facebook)(1-14-2011)

Motorsports Hall of Fame announces 2011 Inductees: Racing legends Donnie Allison, Sid Collins, Roger McCluskey, Ed McCulloch, Augie Pabst, Bruce Penhall and Ed Winfield will be enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America when the organization stages its annual induction celebration on August 23 and 24, 2011 in Detroit. 2011 MSHFA Inductee Donnie AllisonDonnie Allison, a member of the famed "Alabama Gang," compiled nearly 400 short track victories before joining the NASCAR Cup circuit in 1968. He won 10 Cup races and captured 17 pole positions. In 1970, he scored three wins and had 10 top five finishes. Allison, who earned the Rookie of the Year title in the 1970 Indy 500, will join his brother Bobby in the Hall of Fame.(Motorsports HoF)(1-11-2011)