Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is the nation’s primary motorsports hall of fame. It was incorporated in 1986 as an IRS 501 nonprofit organization by civic leaders of the City of Novi, Michigan, led by Founding Chairman Larry G. Ciancio. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony was held in 1989. Ron Watson was its founding President and continued to serve in that capacity until his untimely death in October of 2019. He was succeeded as President at his request by noted motorsports author and historian and longtime MSHFA board member George Levy. The MSHFA is the only hall of fame that annually honors the full spectrum of American motorsports, with categories for Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Powerboats, Drag Racing, Motorcycles, Sports Cars, Aviation, At Large and Historic. Periodic recognition is given to specialty categories including Off Road, Speed Records, Business and Technology. Its annual Induction Ceremony is attended by notables throughout the motorsports community and is reported on widely.
The mission of the MSHFA is to “further the American core values of leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and spirit of competition embodied in motorsports.” The MSHFA is operated by the nonprofit Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc.
Induction
Induction process
Eligibility for induction is extended to "any person who has driven, piloted, owned, designed, built, supported, maintained, prepared or promoted motorized vehicles in pursuit of speed, distance or other records." An inductee must either be retired for at least three years, or engaged in the top level for their area of motorsports for at least 20 years. Induction is limited to United States citizens, or non-citizens who have recorded significant motorsports achievements in the U.S.Induction is decided by a straight vote among 200 racing experts: historians, experienced journalists, category experts and existing inductees. The voting process is overseen by certified accountants.
Every year there are two rounds of voting. The first is conducted among a 100-voter nominating committee to determine the six finalists in each category. The second, open to all 200 voters, decides that year’s inductee in each category. Each inductee receives the Hall of Fame’s prestigious “Horsepower” award — an original bronze statuette by renowned Ann Arbor, Michigan sculptor Michael Curtis. Curtis sculptures have been presented both to and by United States Presidents.
The inaugural Motorsports Hall of Fame of America class in 1989 featured Cannon Ball Baker, James Doolittle, A. J. Foyt, Don Garlits, Phil Hill, Bill Muncey, Barney Oldfield and Richard Petty.
Induction ceremony
The annual Induction Ceremony is the MSHFA’s premier event and takes place every March in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event incorporates motorsports legends past and present, just as it features new inductees on the main stage. Traditionally, each inductee is presented for induction by another prominent figure in the motorsports community. In 2019, multi-time champions Jimmie Johnson, Jack Beckman, Don Prudhomme and Scott Dixon, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, former American Suzuki Vice President Mel Harris and automotive designer Peter Brock took the stage and presented Tony Stewart, Don Schumacher, Linda Vaughn, Dario Franchitti, Augie Duesenberg, Kevin Schwantz and Phil Remington respectively for induction at the black-tie ceremony.The Class of 2020 includes Red Byron, Chris Carr, Floyd Clymer, Wally Dallenbach, Rick Hendrick, Jacky Ickx, Tiny Lund, “Ohio George” Montgomery and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart.
The two-day induction experience includes several other events as well, including the Heroes of Horsepower reception held in the MSHFA museum the night before the black-tie ceremony at which the new inductees unveil their permanent Hall of Fame sculptures. Additionally, the Heritage Luncheon spotlights the induction of the honorees in the Historic category. The Inductee Breakfast allows the incoming class and returning Hall of Famers to open up in a lively Q&A session. Admission to all events event is open to the public via tickets purchased in advance.
Museum
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America museum on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway welcomes more than 100,000 visitors per year. The museum was originally located in Novi, MI, birthplace of the famous Novi Special Indianapolis 500 racecars. It later moved to the Detroit Science Center before relocating to Daytona Beach. The museum is housed within the Ticket and Tours Building at Daytona International Speedway. Admission is open daily as part of regular speedway tours.On display are vehicles and artifacts related to the Hall of Fame’s inductees and achievements. Examples include historic racing vehicles, memorabilia, informational displays and plaques honoring the MSHFA’s more than 260 inductees. There are also two movie theaters featuring motorsports content.
Research
The MSHFA also serves as a research organization, with a network of experts on motorsports topics. It fields a broad range of questions on motorsports topics from journalists, historians, researchers and individuals.Reception
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Induction Ceremony has been attended by major names in the motorsports world throughout its history. Recent Honorary chairmen have included Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey, 1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti and 2004 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch. Autoweek said of the 2019 induction, “Emceed by the best in the business, broadcaster, former driver and 2009 inductee David Hobbs... it was arguably the smoothest, best-run ceremony in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s history.” The announcements of each new class of inductees are covered by TV outlets, magazines and websites, including ESPN, Forbes, INDYCAR, Autoweek, and Racer.Other publications such as Autocar and Car and Driver have lauded the museum and its exhibits as an enthusiast destination.
Inductees
| Person | Category | Inducted |
| J. C. Agajanian | At Large | 1992 |
| Bobby Allison | Stock Cars | 1992 |
| Donnie Allison | Stock Cars | 2011 |
| Joe Amato | Drag Racing | 2004 |
| Mario Andretti | Open Wheel | 1990+ |
| Michael Andretti | Open Wheel | 2008 |
| Art Arfons | At Large | 1991 |
| Dale Armstrong | Drag Racing | 2010 |
| Buck Baker | Stock Cars | 1998 |
| Buddy Baker | Stock Cars | 2008 |
| Cannonball Baker | Motorcycles | 1989 |
| Ole Bardahl | Power Boats | 2014 |
| Raymond Beadle | Drag Racing | 2014 |
| Derek Bell | Sports Cars | 2012 |
| Kenny Bernstein | Drag Racing | 2009 |
| Tony Bettenhausen | Open Wheel | 1997 |
| George Bignotti | At Large | 1993 |
| John Bishop | Sports Cars | 2014 |
| Keith Black | Drag Racing | 1995 |
| Bob Bondurant | Sports Cars | 2003 |
| Neil Bonnett | Stock Cars | 2012 |
| Geoff Brabham | Sports Cars | 2004 |
| Everett Brashear | Motorcycles | 2016 |
| Clint Brawner | At Large | 1998 |
| Craig Breedlove | At Large | 1993 |
| Jimmy Bryan | Open Wheel | 1999 |
| John Buttera | Drag Racing | 2018 |
| Red Byron | Historic | 2020 |
| Malcolm Campbell | At Large | 1994 |
| Bill Cantrell | Power Boats | 1992 |
| Ricky Carmichael | Motorcycles | 2015 |
| Tom Carnegie | At Large | 2006+ |
| Chris Carr | Motorcycles | 2020 |
| Colin Chapman | At Large | 1997 |
| Dean Chenoweth | Power Boats | 1991 |
| Gaston Chevrolet | Historic | 2002 |
| Louis Chevrolet | Historic | 1995 |
| Richard Childress | Stock Cars | 2016 |
| Joie Chitwood | Historic | 2010 |
| Art Chrisman | Drag Racing | 1997 |
| Jim Clark | Open Wheel | 1990 |
| Cook Cleland | Air Racing | 2000 |
| Floyd Clymer | At Large | 2020 |
| Jacqueline Cochran | Air Racing | 1993 |
| Sid Collins | At Large | 2011 |
| Betty Cook | Power Boats | 1996 |
| Earl Cooper | Historic | 2001 |
| Briggs Cunningham | Sports Cars | 1997 |
| Glenn Curtiss | Air Racing | 1990 |
| Wally Dallenbach Sr. | Open Wheel | 2020 |
| Jimmy Davis | Motorcycles | 1997 |
| Tom D'Eath | Power Boats | 2000 |
| Roger DeCoster | Motorcycles | 1994 |
| Ralph DePalma | Historic | 1992 |
| Pete DePaolo | Historic | 1995 |
| Mark Donohue | Sports Cars | 1990 |
| Ed Donovan | Drag Racing | 2003 |
| Jimmy Doolittle | Air Racing | 1989 |
| Pop Dreyer | Historic | 2012 |
| Augie Duesenberg | Historic | 2019 |
| Fred Duesenberg | Historic | 1997 |
| Amelia Earhart | Air Racing | 1992 |
| Dale Earnhardt | Stock Cars | 2002+ |
| Chris Economaki | At Large | 1994 |
| Vic Edelbrock | At Large | 2012 |
| Bill Elliott | Stock Cars | 2007+ |
| Walker Evans | At Large | 2015 |
| Bill Falck | Air Racing | 1994 |
| John Fitch | Sports Cars | 2007 |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | Open Wheel | 2001 |
| Tim Flock | Stock Cars | 1999 |
| Carl Fisher | Historic | 2018 |
| George Follmer | Sports Cars | 1999 |
| Elliott Forbes-Robinson | Sports Cars | 2006 |
| John Force | Drag Racing | 2008 |
| Henry Ford | Historic | 1996 |
| Danny Foster | Power Boats | 2005 |
| A. J. Foyt | Open Wheel | 1989+ |
| Bill France, Jr. | Stock Cars | 2004+ |
| Bill France, Sr. | Stock Cars | 1990 |
| Dario Franchitti | Open Wheel | 2019 |
| Gary Gabelich | At Large | 2016 |
| Chip Ganassi | Open Wheel | 2016 |
| Don Garlits | Drag Racing | 1989 |
| Richie Ginther | Sports Cars | 2008 |
| Shav Glick | At Large | 2004 |
| Bob Glidden | Drag Racing | 1994+ |
| Paul Goldsmith | Stock Cars | 2008 |
| Jeff Gordon | Stock Cars | 2018 |
| Ricky Graham | Motorcycles | 2014 |
| Andy Granatelli | At Large | 2001 |
| Darryl Greenamyer | Air Racing | 1997 |
| Peter H. Gregg | Sports Cars | 2000 |
| Masten Gregory | Sports Cars | 2013 |
| Dan Gurney | Sports Cars | 1991 |
| Jim Hall | Sports Cars | 1994 |
| Chip Hanauer | Power Boats | 1995+ |
| Sam Hanks | Open Wheel | 2000 |
| Bob Hannah | Motorcycles | 2000 |
| Ray Harroun | Historic | 2000 |
| C. J. "Pappy" Hart | Drag Racing | 1999 |
| Hurley Haywood | Sports Cars | 2005+ |
| Rick Hendrick | Stock Cars | 2020 |
| Eddie Hill | Drag Racing | 2002 |
| Phil Hill | Sports Cars | 1989 |
| Tommy Hinnershitz | Historic | 2003 |
| David Hobbs | Sports Cars | 2009 |
| Al Holbert | Sports Cars | 1993 |
| John Holman | At Large | 2005 |
| Ted Horn | Open Wheel | 1993 |
| Howard Hughes | Aviation | 2018 |
| Tony Hulman | At Large | 1991 |
| Denis Hulme | Sports Cars | 1998 |
| Jacky Ickx | Sports Cars | 2020 |
| Tommy Ivo | Drag Racing | 2005 |
| Ned Jarrett | Stock Cars | 1997 |
| Bill Jenkins | Drag Racing | 1996 |
| Gordon Johncock | Open Wheel | 2002 |
| Junior Johnson | Stock Cars | 1991+ |
| Ricky Johnson | Motorcycles | 2012 |
| Warren Johnson | Drag Racing | 2015 |
| Parnelli Jones | At Large | 1992 |
| Ted Jones | Power Boats | 2003 |
| Connie Kalitta | Drag Racing | 1992 |
| Chris Karamesines | Drag Racing | 2006 |
| Tommy Kendall | Sports Cars | 2015 |
| Mel Kenyon | Open Wheel | 2003 |
| Carl Kiekhaefer | Power Boats | 1998 |
| Steve Kinser | Open Wheel | 2017 |
| Dick Klamfoth | Motorcycles | 2017 |
| Alan Kulwicki | Stock Cars | 2010 |
| Frank Kurtis | At Large | 1999 |
| Terry Labonte | Stock Cars | 2017 |
| Brad Lackey | Motorcycles | 2013 |
| Eddie Lawson | Motorcycles | 2002 |
| Joe Leonard | Motorcycles | 1991 |
| Tony LeVier | Air Racing | 2001 |
| Bernie Little | Power Boats | 1994 |
| Frank Lockhart | Historic | 1999 |
| Fred Lorenzen | Stock Cars | 2001 |
| Tiny Lund | Historic | 2020 |
| Arie Luyendyk | Open Wheel | 2014 |
| Dick Mann | Motorcycles | 1993 |
| Nigel Mansell | Open Wheel | 2006 |
| Paul Mantz | Air Racing | 2002 |
| Bart Markel | Motorcycles | 1999 |
| Mark Martin | Stock Cars | 2015 |
| Rex Mays | Historic | 1995 |
| Dave McClelland | Drag Racing | 2016 |
| Roger McCluskey | Open Wheel | 2011 |
| Ed McCulloch | Drag Racing | 2011 |
| Tom McEwen | Drag Racing | 2001 |
| Jim McGee | Historic | 2007 |
| Jeremy McGrath | Motorcycles | 2010 |
| Hershel McGriff | Stock Cars | 2006 |
| Bruce McLaren | Sports Cars | 1995 |
| Rick Mears | Open Wheel | 1998 |
| Leo Mehl | Historic | 2007 |
| Fred Merkel | Motorcycles | 2018 |
| Louis Meyer | Historic | 1993 |
| Ken Miles | Sports Cars | 2001 |
| Harry A. Miller | Historic | 1999 |
| Tommy Milton | Historic | 1998 |
| George Montgomery | Drag Racing | 2020 |
| Ralph Moody | At Large | 2005 |
| Shirley Muldowney | Drag Racing | 1990 |
| Bill Muncey | Power Boats | 1989 |
| James Anthony Murphy | Historic | 1998 |
| Paula Murphy | Drag Racing | 2017 |
| Ron Musson | Power Boats | 1993 |
| Duke Nalon | Historic | 2015 |
| Don Nicholson | Drag Racing | 1998 |
| Gary Nixon | Motorcycles | 2003 |
| Bob Nordskog | Power Boats | 1997 |
| Fred Offenhauser | At Large | 2002 |
| Barney Oldfield | At Large | 1989 |
| Danny Ongais | Drag Racing | 2000 |
| Augie Pabst | Sports Cars | 2011 |
| Scott Parker | Motorcycles | 2009 |
| Wally Parks | Drag Racing | 1993 |
| Benny Parsons | Stock Cars | 2005 |
| Johnnie Parsons | Historic | 2004 |
| U. E. Patrick | Open Wheel | 2018 |
| David Pearson | Stock Cars | 1993 |
| Bruce Penhall | Motorcycles | 2011 |
| Roger Penske | At Large | 1995 |
| Joe Petrali | Motorcycles | 1992 |
| Lee Petty | Stock Cars | 1996 |
| Richard Petty | Stock Cars | 1989+ |
| Ed Pink | Drag Racing | 2012 |
| Sam Posey | Sports Cars | 2016 |
| Don Prudhomme | Drag Racing | 1991 |
| Scott Pruett | Sports Cars | 2017+ |
| Bobby Rahal | Open Wheel | 2004 |
| Wayne Rainey | Motorcycles | 2008 |
| Jim Rathmann | Open Wheel | 2007 |
| Brian Redman | Sports Cars | 2002 |
| Phil Remington | Sports Cars | 2019 |
| Carroll Resweber | Motorcycles | 1998 |
| Peter Revson | Sports Cars | 1996 |
| Les Richter | At Large | 2009 |
| Eddie Rickenbacker | Historic | 1994 |
| Fireball Roberts | Stock Cars | 1995 |
| Kenny Roberts | Motorcycles | 1990 |
| Mauri Rose | Historic | 1996 |
| Lloyd Ruby | Open Wheel | 2015 |
| Johnny Rutherford | Open Wheel | 1996 |
| Troy Ruttman | Historic | 2005 |
| Don Schumacher | Drag Racing | 2019 |
| Kevin Schwantz | Motorcycles | 2019 |
| Bill Seebold | Power Boats | 1999 |
| Wilbur Shaw | Historic | 1991 |
| Carroll Shelby | Sports Cars | 1992 |
| Lyle Shelton | Air Racing | 1999 |
| Bill Simpson | At Large | 2003 |
| Betty Skelton | At Large | 2008 |
| Mira Slovak | Power Boats | 2001 |
| Malcolm Smith | Motorcycles | 1996 |
| Tom Sneva | Open Wheel | 2005 |
| Freddie Spencer | Motorcycles | 2001 |
| Jay Springsteen | Motorcycles | 2005 |
| Ken Squier | At Large | 2010 |
| Ivan Stewart | Off Road | 2020 |
| Tony Stewart | Stock Cars | 2019 |
| Danny Sullivan | Open Wheel | 2012 |
| Bob Sweikert | Historic | 2016 |
| Marshall Teague | Historic | 2014 |
| Herb Thomas | Historic | 2017 |
| Mickey Thompson | At Large | 1990 |
| Jerry Titus | Sports Cars | 2010 |
| Bob Tullius | Sports Cars | 2018 |
| Curtis Turner | Stock Cars | 2006 |
| Roscoe Turner | Air Racing | 1991 |
| Bobby Unser | Open Wheel | 1994 |
| Al Unser | Open Wheel | 1991 |
| Al Unser, Jr. | Open Wheel | 2009 |
| Linda Vaughn | At Large | 2019 |
| Don Vesco | Motorcycles | 2004 |
| Rich Vogler | Midgets | 2010 |
| Bill Vukovich | Open Wheel | 1992 |
| Rusty Wallace | Stock Cars | 2014 |
| Darrell Waltrip | Stock Cars | 2003 |
| Jeff Ward | Motorcycles | 2006 |
| Rodger Ward | Open Wheel | 1995 |
| A.J. Watson | At Large | 1996 |
| Joe Weatherly | Historic | 2009 |
| Humpy Wheeler | Stock Cars | 2009 |
| Ed Winfield | Historic | 2011 |
| Steve Wittman | Air Racing | 1998 |
| Wood Brothers | Stock Cars | 2000 |
| Gar Wood | Power Boats | 1990 |
| Cale Yarborough | Stock Cars | 1994 |
| Brock Yates | At Large | 2017 |
| Smokey Yunick | At Large | 2000 |
+ Person inducted under special rule. Usually, an inductee must have been retired for at least three years in their field. However, inductees may also have been engaged at the top level of his or her area of motorsports for at least 20 years, and if that is the case, the retirement rule is waived.