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The NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Process

Each year five inductees will be selected by a voting panel consisting of NASCAR industry leaders, manufacturer representatives, former competitors, the media and fans. Inductees will be chosen from an annual list of no more than 25 candidates. The main criteria for nomination and induction: NASCAR accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

To be eligible

  • Former drivers must have competed 10 years in NASCAR and be retired from racing for a minimum of three years.
  • Non-drivers must have worked at least 10 years in the industry. (Potential candidates with shorter careers may be considered if there are special circumstances.)

After a 21-member nominating committee selects its list of candidates, the voting will entail a total of 53 ballots. Twenty-one ballots will be from the nominating committee; 31 ballots will come from a group consisting of former drivers, former owners, former crew chiefs, manufacturer representatives and media; one ballot will represent the results of a nationwide fan vote.

Nominating Committee – 21 members

  • Eight NASCAR representatives.
    • Chairman/CEO Brian France; Vice Chairman Jim France; Senior Vice President Paul Brooks; President Mike Helton; Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton; Vice President of Communications Jim Hunter; Competition Administrator Jerry Cook; and former Vice President Ken Clapp
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director.
    • Winston Kelley
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame Historian.
    • Buz McKim
  • Two track owners from International Speedway Corporation.
    • International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa Kennedy and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell
  • Two track owners from Speedway Motorsports Incorporated.
    • Speedway Motorsports CEO Bruton Smith and Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark
  • Track owner from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    • Former Owner Tony George
  • Track owner from Dover International Speedway.
    • CEO Denis McGlynn
  • Track owner from Pocono Raceway.
    • Owner Doc Mattioli
  • Four track owners from historic short tracks
    • Dale Pinilis, operator of Bowman-Gray Speedway in Winston-Salem, N.C.; Jody Deery, owner of Rockford Speedway in Rockford, Ill.; Jim and Barbara Cromarty (1 vote), operators of Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead, N.Y.; and Jim Williams, operator of Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.)

Voting Committee – 50 members plus one fan vote

  • 21 members of the nominating committee.
  • 14 media representatives:
    • Kenny Bruce, SceneDaily.com; Dustin Long, Landmark Newspapers/NMPA President; Nate Ryan, USA Today; Jim Pedley, RacinToday.com; Duane Cross, NASCAR.com; Ernie Saxton, EMPA President; Dusty Brandel, AARWBA President; Ken Squier, broadcaster; Mike Joy, Fox; Jerry Punch, ESPN; Barney Hall, MRN; Doug Rice, PRN; Rick Allen, Speed; and Kyle Petty, TNT
  • One representative each from Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.
    • Jim Campbell of Chevrolet; Edsel B. Ford III of Ford; and Lee White of Toyota
  • Four retired drivers.
    • Ricky Rudd, Harry Gant, Ned Jarrett and Richard Petty
  • Three retired owners.
    • Bud Moore, Cotton Owens and Junior Johnson
  • Three retired crew chiefs.
    • Barry Dodson, Waddell Wilson and Buddy Parrott
  • Four industry leaders.
    • Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President Humpy Wheeler; former motorsports journalist Tom Higgins; retired Associated Press writer Mike Harris; and former broadcaster and National Speed Sport News publisher Chris Economaki
  • Fan vote.

2010 Class

25 nominees were announced in July of 2009. The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel met on October 14, 2009 to determine the first five inductees. The inaugural class was announced the same day. The first five inductees were inducted on May 23, 2010. The Hall of Honor exhibits for the first five inductees will be on display May 23, 2010 until May of 2011.

2011 Class

25 Nominees for 2011 was announced on July 1, 2010. The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel will meet on October 13, 2010 to determine the second five inductees. The 2011 class will be announced the same day. The five inductees for the second class will be inducted in 2011. The exact induction date is still being determined. The Hall of Honor exhibits for the 2011 inductees will be on display beginning the day of induction in 2011.