Fifteen individuals have been selected as nominees for the Hall of Fame, in addition to five extra candidates for the Landmark Award recognizing their exceptional contributions to NASCAR.
Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion, and his crew chief Chad Knaus are among them. Their combined achievements include winning more than 80 Cup races and securing seven titles, an extraordinary feat that includes an unprecedented streak of five consecutive victories.
Johnson has become a co-owner of the Legacy Motor Club Cup team, while Knaus currently holds the position of Vice President of Competition at Hendrick Motorsports.
In their initial year of qualification, they become eligible for the Modern Era ballot, along with Donnie Allison who is also nominated for the first time on the Pioneer ballot. Bobby Allison, Donnie’s brother, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Donnie competed in 242 Cup races spanning 22 years, achieving victory in ten races. He is also famously remembered for his involvement in the memorable finish (and subsequent altercation) at the Daytona 500 in 1979, an incident that propelled the sport into the national limelight.
Next year, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will welcome two candidates from the Modern Era ballot and one candidate from the Pioneer ballot.
Modern Era Ballot
Neil Bonnett, won 18 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories
Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief
Jeff Burton, won 21 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600s
Carl Edwards, winner of 28 NASCAR Cup Series races and 2007 Xfinity Series champion
Harry Gant, winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including two Southern 500 victories
Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief
Jimmie Johnson, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion
Chad Knaus, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief
Larry Phillips, first five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion
Ricky Rudd, won 23 times in NASCAR Cup Series, including the 1997 Brickyard 400
Pioneer Ballot
Donnie Allison, ten-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, 1967 Cup Series ROY
Sam Ard, NASCAR Xfinity Series pioneer and two-time champion
AJ Foyt, won seven NASCAR Cup Series races including the 1972 Daytona 500
Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships
Ralph Moody, two-time NASCAR Cup Series owner champion as mechanical genius of Holman-Moody
Les Richter, a longtime NASCAR executive, has been nominated for the Landmark Award, which recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the growth and reputation of NASCAR.
Landmark Award
Janet Guthrie, the first female to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway race
Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR’s first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.
Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports
Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway
Les Richter, long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast
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