The current seat of NASCAR is Charlotte, NC.  However, from this big city and central hub of racing teams the scene rolls back in time to many places and personalities of much more variety. The NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees for 2013 induction showcase this variety all too well.

The field of those on the list for consideration highlight the earliest days of the sport. Fireball Roberts, Wendell Scott, Tim Flock and others advanced the racing, the style and the stories that shaped NASCAR to what it is. Other nominees such as Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress, well known to even the youngest fans, have taken the ropes from the veterans and moved the sport forward to what we see now.

The drivers and owners deserve the attention they get. They are the show that has traveled the country putting fans on their feet race after race.

Those fans wouldn’t exist without the places and promoters that built and grew the venues for the show. In this class for the Hall of Fame, one man in one small town set the grandstands to view NASCAR through the eyes of history. The Martinsville Speedway was the vision of H. Clay Earles back in 1947 and that vision continues with every driver and fan that steps through the gates. Without the efforts of people like Earles and promoters such as T. Wayne Robertson, NASCAR would not have grown to have a Hall of Fame in the first place.

The nominees were diverse and each and every one has been deeply involved in the growth and excitement that makes this brand of racing an auto sports favorite. However, each year, only five can make the list to be inducted. For the next class of 2013, the NASCAR Hall of Fame welcomes:

  • Herb Thomas – Driver of the Hudson Hornet – Cup Champion in 1951 and 1953
  • Leonard Wood – Pioneer with the Wood Brothers #21 Racing Team – Mechanic, Builder and Engineer
  • Rusty Wallace – 1989 Cup Series Champion – 55 Cup Series Wins – TV Personality
  • Everett “Cotton” Owens – 1953-1954 Modified Champion – Over 100 Modified Feature Wins
  • Buck Baker – 1956-1957 Cup Series Champion

These are the names and very brief notes on why they are going into the Hall of Fame. The impact of their personalities on NASCAR and auto racing say much more than a few words highlighting what they did. It is the power of these personalities that continue to be a driving force in the sport enjoyed by millions.

Let’s go racing and keep this history shining bright in the mirrors!

For more – Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame online!