The ceremony kicked off by conferring the Landmark Award upon Janet Guthrie for her exceptional contributions to NASCAR. Guthrie, the trailblazer who became the first woman to participate in a NASCAR superspeedway race, achieved commendable results, notably finishing 15th in the 1976 World 600 and securing 12th place in the 1977 Daytona 500. Despite her physical absence, Guthrie conveyed her gratitude through a heartfelt video message, acknowledging NASCAR and expressing regret that she couldn’t continue racing beyond her 33 races.
In her message, she thanked key figures like car owner Lynda Ferreri, Humpy Wheeler, Junior Johnson, and even Cale Yarborough, who initially disapproved of the car she drove in her debut race in 1976.
The Hall of Fame inductees commenced with Donnie Allison, a member of the renowned Alabama Gang. Acknowledged for his ten victories in the NASCAR Cup Series and a pivotal role in the memorable 1979 Daytona 500, Allison, at 84, delivered an extended speech.
He expressed gratitude to the France family, recognizing their impact on the racing world, and highlighted their role in shaping his career. Taking a moment to mention the young drivers he mentored, such as the late Ricky Hendrick and two-time Cup champion Joey Logano, Allison shared anecdotes from his illustrious career. He also humorously addressed the infamous 1979 Daytona 500 fight, asserting that it didn’t unfold as many claim.
Chad Knaus, a prominent figure at Hendrick Motorsports and the architect behind Jimmie Johnson’s seven Cup Series titles, took the stage next. Introduced by his family, Knaus shared the story of his unconventional entry into Hendrick Motorsports, reflecting on the race in 1992 when he watched Ray Evernham lead Jeff Gordon’s team.
Recounting the moment he cold-called Hendrick Motorsports in 1993 and subsequently landed a job, Knaus vividly described his journey. He spoke about his successful partnership with Johnson, the milk and cookies meeting, the tragic Hendrick plane crash in 2004, and his encounters with NASCAR officials. He concluded by expressing love for Johnson and his family.
Finally, Jimmie Johnson himself, a record-tying seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, took the stage, introduced by his family. Johnson, with 83 Cup wins, shared insights into his racing journey, emphasizing his humble beginnings as the son of a school bus driver and a heavy equipment operator.
Expressing gratitude to those who supported him, Johnson thanked everyone who played a role in his success. He concluded with a heartfelt message, acknowledging the impact of his racing career and expressing gratitude to those who influenced him.
The late Shav Glick, who passed away in 2007, was posthumously honored with the Squier-Hall Award for Media Excellence, recognizing his significant contributions to motorsports journalism.
