NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel named

(By Greg Engle)

Posted: Thursday,April 30th, 2009

Fifty people have been invited to serve on the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel, NASCAR announced Wednesday.

The first five-member class is scheduled to be enshrined in May 2010. That class will be selected by the voting panel from a list of 25 candidates assembled by a 21-person nominating committee.

The voting panel will consist of the members of the nominating committee and 29 others from throughout the NASCAR industry. There also will be one more ballot, decided by a nationwide fan vote, for a total of 51 ballots.

“We have assembled a truly distinguished group of people from the NASCAR industry, a group that understands and represents the history of the sport,” said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France.

Plans call for the inaugural list of candidates to be announced in July. Voting, including the fan vote, will be completed by October, with the results announced soon after.

Here are the members of the nominating committee (as well as the voting panel):

NASCAR officials: Brian France, Jim France, Mike Helton, Paul Brooks, Robin Pemberton, Jim Hunter, Jerry Cook, Ken Clapp. Hall of Fame staff: Winston Kelley, Buz McKim. NASCAR-sanctioned track operators: Lesa France Kennedy, Bruton Smith, Clay Campbell, Ed Clark, Tony George, Denis McGlynn, Doc Mattioli, Dale Pinilis, Tom Blackwell, Jim and Barbara Cromarty (one vote), Jim Williams.

The rest of the voting panel:

Media: Kenny Bruce, Dustin Long, Mike Harris, Nate Ryan, Jim Pedley, Duane Cross, Ernie Saxton, Dusty Brandel, Mike Joy, Bill Weber, Jerry Punch, Barney Hall, Doug Rice, Rick Allen. Manufacturers: Ed Peper, Edsel B. Ford II, Mike Accavitti, Lee White. Retired drivers: Ricky Rudd, Harry Gant, Ned Jarrett. Retired car owners: Bud Moore, Cotton Owens, Junior Johnson. Retired crew chiefs: Barry Dodson, Waddell Wilson, Buddy Parrott. Industry leaders: Humpy Wheeler, Tom Higgins

(Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service)

- Email this page: