Class of 2008 When R.J. Reynolds was looking for other means of advertisement after being prohibited to run television or radio ads, Junior Johnson approached the company looking for a sponsor for his car. Ralph Seagraves had bigger ideas and brought the Winston name...

Early Life Ayrton Senna da Silva was born on March 21, 1960, to a wealthy family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His father, Milton, was a factory owner and landowner and his mother Neide Senna da Silva was the granddaughter of Italian immigrants. The couple already had a...

Class of 1991 Although Wilbur Shaw may be recognized as a great race driver in his own right, he is perhaps best known as the man who, with Tony Hulman, saved Indianapolis Motor Speedway from becoming an industrial park and helping to promote it into one of the...

Carroll Shelby: International Motorsports Hall of Fame Member Class of 1991 Carroll Hall Shelby left his legacy in the automotive industry as an entrepreneur and designer. Shelby is best known for his involvement with the AC Cobra in the creation and modifications of...

Class of 2007 A car salesman and local auto racing promoter in the Charlotte, N.C. area, Bruton Smith partnered with stock car legend Curtis Turner to build Charlotte Motor Speedway. The track opened on June 19, 1960, with a 600-mile NASCAR race and has continuously...

Class of 1999 Louise Smith was one of the true pioneers of early stock car racing, running Modifieds from 1946 thru 1956, and actually competing in the first stock car race she ever saw. The Greenville, South Carolina resident helped Bill France, Sr. promote early...

Class of 1990 Although diminutive in size, Jackie Stewart, "The Flying Scot," was a giant in racing circles. He became perhaps the most readily identified competitor in all the world during his successful, championship years in Formula One racing. Three times, in...

Class of 1996 John Surtees was the son of a London motorcycle and sidecar racing rider and salesman. By the age of 11 he was working part-time as a mechanic for his father, before going on to join the Vincent HRD company for an engineering apprenticeship. By 1949...

Class of 1994 Born on April 6, 1923, in Hartnett County, North Carolina. Herb Thomas started a sawmill business, supplying the military with lumber during World War II. After the war Thomas discovered racing, becoming a race car owner first, then competing in wildcat...

Mickey Thompson was a record-breaking racer, businessman, and designer. His contributions to the racing world are vast and legendary, many of which can still be seen today. He has unquestionably earned his spot in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and...

Class of 1992 Curtis Turner was one of the pioneers of NASCAR stock car racing, a member of that hale and hearty band of competitors who raced hard, lived hard and enjoyed every moment of it. He never let racing interfere with parties and fun. In fact, there were...

Class of 1998 Alfred Unser, Sr., holds the distinction of being one of only three drivers who have won the Indianapolis 500 four times. He is also in elite company as one of three Indy drivers who have won on paved ovals, road courses and dirt tracks in a single...