The field has been narrowed and only 20 finalists remain for induction into the Class of 2008 International Motorsports Hall of Fame, IMHOF officials announced today. The final five inductees will be elected when the last round of voting begins July 30th, 2007.
“I think the selection of this year’s top-20 finalists shows what an amazing job the voters have done in choosing individuals who have made a significant impact in each of their sports,” said Talladega Superspeedway President and IMHOF Executive Director Rick Humphrey. “This is a group that includes everyone from Ralph Seagraves, the man responsible for bringing the Winston brand to NASCAR racing and who really helped catapult that sport into national awareness, to internationally renowned driver’s like Rene Dreyfus who has won at some of the most famous races in the world. The voters certainly have their work cut out for them in narrowing this group down to only five.”
This year’s nominees come from a variety of motorsport venues. From NASCAR are drivers: Red Byron, Jerry Cook, Cotton Owens, Marvin Panch and Rex White. Also representing NASCAR is a unique group of non-drivers: owner Carl Kiekhaefer, chief mechanic Maurice Petty and promoter Ralph Seagraves. The Sprint Car Series has three drivers up for nomination: Tommy Hinnershitz, Joe Leonard and Jan Opperman. Also from the open wheel ranks are chief mechanic Clint Brawner, chassis builder Frank Kurtis and IndyCar drivers Pete DePaolo and Tommy Milton. From sports car racing fame are drivers Rene Dreyfus and Brian Redman, as well as, engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. Drag racing brings driver Art Arfons and chief mechanic Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins.
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. Each year, the annual 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. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 7 to 17 and free for kids age 6 and younger. Combo packages that include tours of both the museum and track are $12 for adults, $8 for kids age 7 to 17 and free for kids age 6 and younger. PLEASE NOTE: No track tours will be given race week or the week following.