Breaking down the NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees

Five new nominees make for robust list

Drivers have dominated the four previous classes of those inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, with more than half of the 20 current members chosen primarily for their accomplishments behind the wheel.

No fewer than three drivers have been among the five names announced annually since the Hall of Fame opened its doors, and four of the five inductees in 2011 were drivers.

But given the number of talented people that have left indelible marks in the sport since it began more than six decades ago, it seems unlikely that a class made up entirely of drivers will be named anytime soon.

WHAT: Hall of Fame Voting Day
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22 (1-4 p.m. ET)
WHERE: Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center
WHO VOTES: 21 members of Nominating Committee and 33 members of Voting Panel. In addition, one vote is generated by fan input.
HOW MANY ARE CHOSEN: Five
WHEN THE 2014 INDUCTEES WILL BE REVEALED: 6 p.m. ET (Streamed live on NASCAR.com; live television coverage provided by SPEED)

When the 54 members tabbed with the task of selecting the five inductees for 2014 meet May 22, they will choose from a list that includes 14 drivers, three team owners, two legendary engine builders, three track owner/operators and three from the executive ranks.

While there are guidelines, voters are not required to choose nominees based on the individual’s role or position in the sport.

Here’s a look at the 25 nominees for the 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame, grouped according to the area of their expertise:

Drivers (14)

Red Byron: NASCAR’s first Strictly Stock champion

Jerry Cook: Six-time NASCAR Modified champion; 342 wins

Tim Flock: Two-time NASCAR premier series champion; 39 wins

Jack Ingram: Two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) champ; 31 wins; also three-time Late Model Sportsman champ

Bobby Isaac: Won 1970 Cup championship; 37 career wins, 49 poles

Dale Jarrett: 1999 Cup champion; 32 wins

Fred Lorenzen: Twenty-six wins in just 158 career starts, including Daytona 500 and World 600 winner in 1965

Benny Parsons: 1973 Cup champion; 21 wins

Larry Phillips: Five-time NASCAR Weekly Series champion; 226 wins in 308 starts

Fireball Roberts: Thirty-three career wins, including Southern 500 (twice) and Daytona 500

Wendell Scott: First black owner/driver to win in NASCAR’s Cup series

Curtis Turner: Seventeen career wins in premier series, including Southern 500; 38 wins in 79 starts in NASCAR’s convertible division

Joe Weatherly: Two-time premier series champion with 25 career wins; Modified champ (1953)

Rex White: 1960 premier series champ; 28 wins in 233 starts

Team Owners (3)

Richard Childress: Former driver; 11 championships as owner (6 Cup, 4 Nationwide, 1 Truck)

Rick Hendrick: Thirteen championships (10 Cup, 3 Truck)

Raymond Parks: Won inaugural Strictly Stock championship

Engine Builders (2)

Maurice Petty: Seven Cup titles and 198 wins as head engine builder for driver Richard Petty

Ray Fox: Built some of the most durable, most powerful engines of the day before finding success as a car owner (14 wins). Engine and mechanical expertise helped Carl Kiekhaefer teams win 22 of first 26 races in 1956

Track Owners/Operators (3)

H. Clay Earles: Founder of Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, the only track that has hosted Cup races every year since 1949

Les Richter: Former president and general manager of Riverside International Raceway

O. Bruton Smith: Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns eight facilities that host 12 Cup points races annually

Administrative/Executive (3)

Anne Bledsoe France: Secretary and treasurer for sanctioning body during its formative years

T. Wayne Robertson: Former Senior VP for series sponsor R.J. Reynolds and president of its sports marketing arm; helped develop series’ all-star race

Ralph Seagraves: Former RJR official, instrumental in pairing sponsor with NASCAR to create Winston Cup Series; helped develop NASCAR Weekly Racing Series program

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