Larger than life figures who built NASCAR lap by lap and bolt by bolt from the post-World War II era into the 21st century comprise the 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2014. NASCAR announced those 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fames fifth induction class, and included among the diverse group are five newcomers whose achievements are cornerstones of the sports origins and continue to fuel its growth in contemporary times. Of the 25 nominees, 20 return from last years group. Five are first-timers with varying backgrounds in the sport: second generation NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Dale Jarrett; Maurice Petty, for more than three decades the chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises; five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion Larry Phillips; race track builder and owner Bruton Smith; and 1960 NASCAR premier series champion Rex White. From that list, five inductees will be elected by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes a nationwide fan vote on NASCAR.COM. Voting Day for the 2014 class will be May 22. Fans can attend the announcement at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. The NASCAR Hall of Fames 2014 inductees will be determined by a 54-member Voting Panel, which includes the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners and crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, the fan vote will result in the Voting Panels final ballot. Following are the 25 nominees, listed alphabetically: Red Byron , first NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion, in 1949 Richard Childress , 11-time car owner champion in NASCARs three national series Jerry Cook , six-time NASCAR Modified champion H. Clay Earles , founder of Martinsville Speedway Tim Flock , two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Ray Fox , legendary engine builder and owner of cars driven by Buck Baker, Junior Johnson and others Anne Bledsoe France , helped build the sport with husband Bill France Sr. Affectionately known as ‘Annie B.’ she is the first woman to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Rick Hendrick , 13-time car owner champion in NASCARs three national series Jack Ingram , two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion and three-time Late Model Sportsman champion Bobby Isaac , 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Dale Jarrett , 1999 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner Fred Lorenzen , 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600 Raymond Parks , NASCARs first champion car owner Benny Parsons , 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Maurice Petty , chief engine builder for Petty Enterprises Larry Phillips , only five-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Les Richter , former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway Fireball Roberts , 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series wins, including the 1962 Daytona 500 T. Wayne Robertson , helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company senior VP Wendell Scott , NASCAR trailblazer was the first African-American NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series race winner, and first to be nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Ralph Seagraves , formed groundbreaking Winston-NASCAR partnership as executive with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company O. Bruton Smith , builder of Charlotte Motor Speedway and architect of Speedway Motorsports Inc. Curtis Turner , early personality, called the ‘Babe Ruth of stock car racing” Joe Weatherly , two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion Rex White , 1960 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion (NASCAR)
