The ninth annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Thursday, April 22, 1999. For info see Hall of Fame induction and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame site . The new members are Harry Hyde, legendary NASCAR mechanic and crew chief, Gordon Johncock, two-time Indy 500 winner, Alain Prost, four time Formula One champion, Wendell Scott, the only African-American to win a Grand National (now Winston Cup) race, and Louise Smith, one of the women pioneers in NASCAR racing. Congratulations!. Some Notes from the induction thanks to Tina of Tina’s Jeff Gordon Fan Page : Bill Elliott was the first presenter to induct Louise Smith. Senator, Gerald Dial presented the Governor’s Award to Red Farmer. Derrike Daly presented F-1 Legend Alain Prost for induction. Alain sent in a video to accept his award. Buddy Baker, a 1997 inductee made a wonderful presentation inducting the late Harry Hyde. He talked about Hendrick Motorsports taking Harry Hyde on as crew chief and their first win came with Geoff Bodine as the driver. Then moved on to Tim Richmond and stated that the relationship between Hyde and Richmond was the basis of ‘Days of Thunder’. In case you didn’t know, Rick Hendrick consulted on the movie. Hyde’s son, Harry Lee Hyde accepted the award on his father’s behalf. President, Barry Schmoyer and Chairman, James Cranos were on hand to honor Jeff Gordon’s 1998 Driver of the Year Award. Jeff actually accepted his Driver of the Year Award during the ESPY’s back in February. Actor Peter Fonda rode onto the stage on Gordon’s new motorcycle, courtesy of Indian Motorcycles on behalf of the 30th anniversary of the movie “Easy Rider”. They had heard that Jeff had always wanted a motorcycle but didn’t have time to shop for one. One motorcycle would be left on display at the Motorsports Museum and would be auctioned off later; proceeds going to Jeff’s favorite charity. Ned Jarrett, a 1995 inductee, made a presentation for the late Wendell Scott. Wendell Scott was an African American driver who died in 1990 of cancer. Ned Jarrett said – to be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, one must possess the qualities of winning a lot of races, obtain championships, or do outstanding things under adverse circumstances. The last one is why Wendell Scott was inducted. He didn’t have the resources that the others had because he was a minority. Ned said that NASCAR was as fair to him as anybody else, but he had a hard time obtaining sponsors. Jarrett said that Scott would have been a champion if given the same resources. Wendell Scott’s widow, Mary and their five children accepted on his behalf. IRL driver and Indy 500 champ Eddie Cheever presented the award of induction to Gordon Johncock. He was the only one who put the medal around his neck. He thanked the fans three times
