 
History will record that on
July 25, 1990 twenty of the legends of the global motorsports
community were enshrined in a ceremony befitting their
accomplishments. In a formal affair hosted by the International
Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, they, their families and the
world will have learned the true meaning of the Hall's creation.
The following day, July 26, the inductees joined officials and
dignitaries from the motorsports community in cutting the ribbon on
a new 15,000-square-foot-UNOCAL 76 building designed to highlight
their place in history. This will be held on the site of the IMHOF
adjacent to Talladega Superspeedway at Lincoln, Alabama.
For
those on hand and for all who have and will visit in days and years
to come, the events and the physical plant serve to remind that
those who dream and who pursue with diligence can ascend to
greatness.
The induction of the first class in the International
Motorsports Hall of Fame and the ribbon cutting for the building
which became its home represent the fruits of a seed idea which was
planted more than 25 years ago.
To fully appreciate the events,
one must be familiar with the people who planted that seed and who
nurtured its growth.
In the late 1960's, the man who had the
vision for the IMHOF and museum had just finished construction of an
earlier dream in an area known as "Dry Valley" near Talladega,
Alabama. Originally named Alabama International Motor Speedway, it
was the realization of NASCAR founder William H.G. "Bill" France
Sr.'s desire to build the fastest, and largest, superspeedway in the
world.
In early 1970, France had hired a successful short track
racing promoter by the name of Don Naman to manage the facility. In
his first conversations with his new manager, France shared the
dream we now know as the IMHOF. As Naman recalls, France talked of
the need for a "museum and hall of fame to preserve the history of
motorsports and honor those who had contributed to its growth."
As France shared his dream for such a facility, a number of local
and state elected officials and civic leaders in Alabama and around
the nation lent support to the idea. Talladega, Alabama businessmen
Billy McGehee, Travis McCaig and the late Mrs. Jean Brandli of Pell
City, were chief among those early supporters.
In 1975, the first
major step was realized when then-Governor George C. Wallace
appointed an 18-member commission to oversee the effort to create
the IMHOF museum. Mrs. Brandli served as its first chairman.
During her tenure an unsuccessful attempt was made to secure passage
of a state bond issue to finance construction of the first phase of
the facility. When the issue did not pass, France decided to
underwrite the project himself. Part of that effort was the donation
of 35 acres of land adjacent to what is now Talladega Superspeedway
which served as the site of the project.
As health problems
forced Brandli to reduce her level of involvement, State Senator
Gerald Dial assumed the helm of the commission. Through continued
diligence and support of many prominent business and civic leaders,
they were able to bring about creation of the museum building.
Groundbreaking ceremonies
March 27, 1981
Ground breaking
ceremonies for the first phase of the facility were held on the site
on March 27, 1981. Serving as members of the Commission at that
time, in addition to Mrs. Brandli, Dial, Mr. McCaig and McGehee,
were Messers Mark Bowen, Benny J. Camp, Ralph Collins, Hank Fannin,
Sunny King, Winston Legge, William Moss, Fred Sington, Phil Smith,
Bobby Davis, Charles Osborne, Tom Wright, Governor Wallace; Dr's
Kenneth L. Harris and James L. Hardwick; Lincoln Mayor Lew Watson
and Judges Walker Hobbie and Kyser Leonard. Mr Andy Allred served as
first Executive Director.
In the Spring of 1983, ribbon cutting
for the $2 million facility was held. The first phase included
opening of the rotunda; welcoming area and gift shop; museum
offices; offices for the International Speedway Corporation; ticket
office; and the first two exhibit halls. They were promptly named
the "Daytona Room," for racing memorabilia centering around racing
on the beach in Daytona, Florida; and the International Room, which
contained a large and varied collection of racing memorabilia.
Since its opening, donations and support have come from throughout
the motorsports community and the automobile industry. Presently the
museum houses some 100 exhibits valued at more than $6 million.
"Nothing (insofar as exhibits)," according to Naman, "has ever been
purchased." If you have something you'd like to discuss donating to
the Hall of Fame, please
CONTACT
them.
In addition to the
International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the facility also houses
other Halls of Fame. These include the Automobile Racing Club of
America (ARCA) Hall of Fame; the Western Auto Mechanics Hall of
Fame; the Quarter Midgets of America Hall of Fame; the World Karting
Hall of Fame; and the Alabama Sports-writers Hall of Fame.
All in
all, the museum has something for everyone. Located just off
Interstate 20, south of Talladega, it is open daily from 9-5 p.m.
Now thanks to the vision of a few and the efforts of many, the IMHOF
realizes its true mission, the enshrinement of the greats of
motorsports. |
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TOP 10 Race Car Drivers of the 20th Century
International Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductees
Cup
Drivers Official Sites
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No. 1:
A.J. Foyt
His name is synonymous with the Indianapolis 500. He won
four times at Indy. But A.J. Foyt did much more than that
to be named RPM 2Night's No. 1 driver of the 20th Century.
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No. 2:
Richard Petty
The best Winston Cup ever saw, Richard Petty ranks No.2
with RPM 2Night. No. 1 must be pretty special. Petty won
200 races and seven championships in his career.
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No. 3:
Mario Andretti
He won Daytona, Indy and a world championship in F1. Mario
Andretti won all around the world and wound up No. 3 on
RPM 2Night's list of 20th Century drivers.
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No. 4:
Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt won seven Winston Cup titles and the '98
Daytona 500. RPM 2Night puts the Intimidator at No. 4 among
drivers of the 20th Century.
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No. 5:
David Pearson
He's second only to Richard Petty in career wins with 105.
David Pearson also won three Winston Cup championships.
RPM 2Night ranks him fifth among drivers of the 20th Century.
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No. 6:
Dan Gurney
It didn't matter where Dan Gurney raced, he seemed to win.
It's this versatility that makes him RPM 2Night's choice
at No. 6 in its list of 20th Century racers.
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No. 7:
Rick Mears
His fourth Indianapolis 500 victory came in 1991, but it
was what Rick Mears accomplished along the way that ranks
him No. 7 on RPM 2Night's list of 20th Century drivers.
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No. 8:
Al Unser Sr.
His record fourth victory at Indianapolis in 1987 was both
shocking and emotional. But it served as a crowning achievement
for RPM 2Night's eighth ranked driver of the 20th Century
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No. 9:
Cale Yarborough
Three-time Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough comes in
at No. 9 in RPM 2Night's list of the 20th Century's greatest
racers
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No. 10:
John Force
He won all but one Funny Car title in the 90's and is among
the most recognized faces in NHRA. John Force comes in 10th
on RPM 2Night's list of the greatest racers of the 20th
Century.
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| CUP DRIVERS OFFICIAL WEB SITES |
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2022
Vance & Hines
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Parks, Raymond
McCluggage, Denise
Matthews, Banjo
LaHaie, Dick
Harley-Davidson Founders
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Helio
Brock, Peter
2021
Stropus, Judy
Nichels, Ray
Muncey, Fran
Miller, Robin
Hayden, Nicky
Guthrie, Janet
Dixon, Larry
Cobb, John
Allison, Davey
2020
Stewart, Ivan "Ironman"
Montgomery, "Ohio George"
Lund, Tiny
Ickx,
Jacky
Hendrick, Rick
Dallenbach, Wally Sr.
Clymer, Floyd
Carr, Chris
Byron, Robert "Red"
2019
Vaughn, Linda
Stewart, Tony
Schwantz, Kevin
Schumacher, Don
Remington, Phil
Franchitti, Dario
Duesenberg, Augie
2018
Tullius, Bob
Patrick, U.E. Pat
Merkel, Fred
Hughes, Howard
Gordon,
Jeff
Fisher, Carl
Buttera, John
2017
Yates, Brock
Thomas, Herb
Pruett, Scott
Murphy, Paula
Labonte, Terry
Klamfoth, Dick
Kinser,
Steve
2016
Sweikert, Bob
Posey, Sam
McClelland, Dave
Ganassi, Chip
Gabelich,
Gary
Childress, Richard
Brashear, Everett
2015
Ruby, Lloyd
Nalon, Duke
Martin, Mark
Kendall, Tommy
Johnson, Warren
Evans, Walker
Carmichael, Ricky
2014
Wallace, Rusty
Teague,
Marshall
Luyendyk, Arie
Graham, Ricky
Bishop, John
Beadle, Raymond
Bardahl, Ole
2013
Zanardi, Alex
Petersen, Robert E.
Moore, Bud
Lackey, Brad
Gregory,
Masten
Firestone, Harvey
Chrisman, Jack
2012
Sullivan, Danny
Pink, Ed
Johnson, Ricky
Edelbrock, Vic
Dreyer, Pop
Bonnett, Neil
Bell, Derek
2011
Winfield, Ed
Penhall, Bruce
Pabst, Augie
McCulloch, Ed
McCluskey,
Roger
Collins, Sid
Allison, Donnie
2010
Vogler, Rich
Titus, Jerry
Squier, Ken
McGrath, Jeremy
Kulwicki, Alan
Chitwood, Joie
Armstrong, Dale
2009
Wheeler, H. A. Humpy
Weatherly, Joe
Unser, Al Jr.
Richter, Les
Parker, Scott
Hobbs, David
Bernstein, Kenny
2008
Skelton, Betty
Rainey, Wayne
Goldsmith, Paul
Ginther, Richie
Force,
John
Baker, Buddy
Andretti, Michael
2007
Sox & Martin
Shobert, Bubba
Rathmann, Jim
Mehl, Leo
McGee, Jim
Fitch, John
Elliott, Bill
2006
Ward, Jeff
Turner, Curtis
McGriff,
Hershel
Mansell, Nigel
Karamesines, Chris
Forbes-Robinson, Elliott
Carnegie, Tom
2005
Springsteen, Jay
Sneva, Tom
Ruttman, Troy
Parsons, Benny
Ivo, Tommy
Holman & Moody
Haywood, Hurley
Foster,
Danny
2004
Vesco, Don
Rahal, Bobby
Parsons, Johnnie
Glick, Shav
France, Bill Jr.
Brabham, Geoff
Amato, Joe
2003
Waltrip, Darrell
Simpson, Bill
Nixon, Gary
Kenyon, Mel
Jones, Ted
Hinnershitz, Tommy
Donovan, Ed
Bondurant, Bob
2002
Redman, Brian
Offenhauser, Fred
Mantz, Paul
Lawson, Eddie
Johncock, Gordon
Hill, Eddie
Earnhardt,
Dale
Chevrolet, Gaston
2001
Spencer, Freddie
Slovak, Mira
Miles,
Ken
McEwen, Tom
Lorenzen, Fred
LeVier, Tony
Granatelli, Andy
Fittipaldi, Emerson
Cooper, Earl
2000
Yunick, Smokey
Wood Brothers
Ongais, Danny
Harroun, Ray
Hannah, Bob
Hanks, Sam
Gregg, Peter
D'Eath, Tom
Cleland, Cook
1999
Shelton, Lyle
Seebold, Bill
Miller, Harry
Markel, Bart
Lockhart, Frank
Kurtis, Frank
Hart, C. J.
Follmer, George
Flock, Tim
Bryan, Jimmy
1998
Wittman, Steve
Resweber, Carroll
Nicholson, Don
Murphy, Jimmy
Milton, Tommy
Mears,
Rick
Kiekhaefer, Carl
Hulme, Denis
Brawner, Clint
Baker, Buck
1997
Nordskog, Bob
Jarrett, Ned
Greenamyer, Darryl
Duesenberg, Fred
Davis, Jim
Cunningham, Briggs
Chrisman, Art
Chapman, Colin
Bettenhausen, Tony
1996
Watson, A. J.
Smith, Malcolm
Rutherford,
Johnny
Rose, Mauri
Revson, Peter
Petty, Lee
Jenkins, Bill
Ford,
Henry
Cook, Betty
1995
Ward, Rodger
Roberts, Fireball
Penske,
Roger
McLaren, Bruce
Mays, Rex
Hanauer, Chip
De Paolo, Peter
Chevrolet, Louis
Black, Keith
1994
Yarborough, Cale
Unser, Bobby
Rickenbacker, Eddie
Little, Bernard
Hall, Jim
Glidden, Bob
Falck,
Bill
Economaki, Chris
DeCoster, Roger
Campbell, Sir Malcolm
1993
Pearson, David
Parks, Wally
Musson, Ron
Meyer, Louis
Mann, Dick
Horn, Ted
Holbert, Al
Cochran, Jacqueline
Breedlove, Craig
Bignotti,
George
1992
Vukovich, Bill
Shelby, Carroll
Petrali, Joe
Kalitta,
Connie
Jones, Parnelli
Earhart, Amelia
DePalma, Ralph
Cantrell, Bill
Allison, Bobby
Agajanian, J. C.
1991
Unser, Al
Turner, Roscoe
Shaw, Wilbur
Prudhomme, Don
Leonard, Joe
Johnson, Junior
Hulman,
Tony
Gurney, Dan
Chenoweth, Dean
Arfons, Art
1990
Wood, Gar
Thompson, Mickey
Roberts, Kenny
Muldowney, Shirley
France, Bill
Donohue, Mark
Curtiss, Glenn
Clark, Jim
Andretti, Mario
1989
Petty, Richard
Oldfield, Barney
Muncey, Bill
Hill, Phil
Garlits, Don
Foyt, A. J.
Doolittle, James
Baker, Cannon Ball
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