Big Names and Active Drivers Add Star Power to NASCAR’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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Hall of Famer, Richard Petty at NASCAR's Hall of Fame October 22, 2013 Photo - Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Hall of Famer, Richard Petty at NASCAR’s Hall of Fame October 22, 2013
Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Big Name Inductors and Active Drivers Add to NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Star Power 

A brother, a contemporary, a rival, a colleague and a friend will all take the stage to induct this year’s Class of 2014 into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Richard Petty, Waddell Wilson, Harry Gant, Humpy Wheeler and Blake Shelton will induct the fifth class – Maurice Petty, Fireball Roberts, Jack Ingram, Tim Flock and Dale Jarrett – on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

The five legends, who account for 15 NASCAR championships, will also be joined on stage by five current stars, combining for 15 national series championships of their own. Aric Almirola, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart will all take part in the evening’s festivities.

The Induction Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Tickets start at $45 and are available at www.nascarhall.com/inductees/induction-ceremony and the NASCAR Hall of Fame box office.

Jarrett has experience as an inductor, joining his brother Glenn and sister Patti Makar to induct father Ned into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s second class.

“That was really a cool place to be and see the pride on his face, and to be able to show him how proud we were of him,” Jarrett said of inducting his father. “This time will be a little different as I’m the one handing out the ‘thank-you’s’ and accolades to others. It’s going to be an emotional time, it will be a tough seven or eight minutes to get through with some of the things I have to say.”

As long-lasting as they are varied, this year’s inductee-inductor relationships are uniquely special – each with a story all its own…

  • Maurice Petty built the engines that propelled his brother Richard to seven NASCAR championships and most of his 200 wins.
  • Fireball Roberts won the 1963 Southern 500 with an engine built by Waddell Wilson.
  • Jack Ingram and Harry Gant had a fierce rivalry that helped build the popularity of what is now the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
  • Tim Flock worked with Humpy Wheeler at Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than 30 years.
  • After an introduction by former teammate Elliott Sadler nearly a decade ago, Dale Jarrett and country music star Blake Shelton have become close friends. 

“I couldn’t have all four of my kids as inductors, and I couldn’t just ask one. I wanted my dad to be able to enjoy the moment with my mom and the rest of my family.  So it just kind of opened up the opportunity,” said Jarrett.

“This sport brought a lot of really good things to me. It gave me a chance to be a competitor, an opportunity to compete at the highest level and win, but it also has allowed me to make some really good friendships and Blake Shelton is one of those people.”

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will kick off with a media red carpet entrance in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame at 4:15 p.m. ET.  The formal presentations begin during the Induction Dinner, where the inductees will receive their NASCAR Hall of Fame jackets. Chris Economaki will also be honored as the third recipient of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

Buz McKim, Historian at NASCAR’s Hall of Fame is our next guest on Fan4Racing Fan2Fan NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 9:30pm ET. Fans can call 347-996-5176 during the LIVE broadcast with any questions or comments for Buz McKim or our Fan4Racing panel.