On Wednesday, NASCAR announced the nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Here is a breakdown of all of the nominees, and their cases for induction.
Greg Biffle – Driver (1st Year on Ballot)
Greg Biffle joins the modern-era ballot for the first time in 2024. A member of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, Biffle was the first driver to win a Championship in two of NASCAR’s top 3 National Touring Series winning the 2000 Truck Series Championship and 2002 Xfinity Series crown. He went on to win 19 Cup Series races with 6 top-10 points finishes.
Neil Bonnett – Driver and Broadcaster
A member of the famed “Alabama Gang”, Neil Bonnett was a down-to-earth driver who fans adored. A fellow member of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, Bonnett won 18 races in 362 Cup Series starts. Later in his career, Bonnett made a name for himself in the booth as well as broadcasting for TNN before his tragic death from an accident during Speedweeks in 1994.
Tim Brewer – Crew Chief
Tim Brewer was Junior Johnson’s right-hand man as a crew chief for many years. He won 53 races and two Championships in his career. His two titles came with Cale Yarborough in 1978 and Darrell Waltrip in 1981.
Jeff Burton – Driver and Broadcaster
“The Mayor”, Jeff Burton is also a member of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list. He won 21 career races driving for legendary car owners Jack Roush and Richard Childress. After his driving career, Burton has excelled in the broadcast booth with NBC.
Randy Dorton – Engine Builder (1st Year on Ballot)
Randy Dorton was one of the greatest engine builders in NASCAR history, with his most notable work coming with Hendrick Motorsports. His engines took home 9 NASCAR National Touring Series titles, and he joins the ballot for the first time in 2024.
Carl Edwards – Driver
A fan favorite that many feel retired too soon, Carl Edwards is a 28-time Cup Series winner and a member of the 75 Greatest Drivers List. Edwards is known for his close Championship calls, but, that meant he was always a factor. In 12 full-time seasons, Edwards finished in the top-5 in points 6 times.
Harry Gant – Driver
Harry Gant was one of NASCAR’s late bloomers, with most of his accomplishments coming north of 40 years old. His crowning achievement came in 1991 when he won 4 races in a row in September, cementing the nickname “Mr. September”. He is also a part of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list.
Harry Hyde – Crew Chief
Harry Hyde is one of NASCAR’s most legendary Crew Chiefs. He won the 1970 Cup Series Championship with driver Bobby Isaac. Hyde also played a major role in the genesis of one of NASCAR’s most iconic race teams, Hendrick Motorsports.
Ricky Rudd – Driver
Ricky Rudd, nicknamed “Iron Man”, had a career marked by one word, consistency. He started every Cup Series race from 1981 through 2005 and won at least 1 race per season from 1985 to 1998. He did so for multiple car owners like Bud Moore and Rick Hendrick, and even as an owner-driver.
Jack Sprague – Driver (1st Year on Ballot)
Jack Sprague is the third new addition to the Modern Era Ballot. His success came primarily in the Craftsman Truck Series. He won 3 Championships in 5 seasons from 1997 to 2001.
Ray Hendrick – Driver (1st Year on Ballot)
Ray Hendrick made a name for himself in the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Model Sportsman Series. According to NASCAR, he has won over 700 races between the two divisions.
Banjo Matthews – Mechanic
Banjo Matthews was a legendary car builder whose cars won 262 of 362 Cup Series races from 1974 until 1985 according to NASCAR. His cars also carried Cale Yarborough to 3 consecutive Cup Series Championships from 1976-78.
Ralph Moody – Car Owner
Ralph Moody owned the iconic Holman-Moody race team in the early days of NASCAR. He won 96 races, which included drivers like David Pearson, Curtis Turner, Fred Lorenzon, and Fireball Roberts.
Larry Phillips – Driver (1st Year on Ballot)
Larry Phillips also made his hay in the lower series. He won the NASCAR Weekly Series Championship 5 times in his career.
Bob Welborn – Driver (1st Year on Ballot)
Bob Welborn was truly one of the pioneers of the sport as one of the most recognizable faces of the 1950s. While he won 9 career Cup Series races, the Convertible Series is where he truly shined, winning three straight Championships from 1956-1958.
Alvin Hawkins
Alvin Hawkins was the first flagman of NASCAR, but he also had a hand in designing one of NASCAR’s most influential race tracks. He helped design Bowman Gray Stadium alongside NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. in 1949.
Lesa France Kennedy
Lesa France Kennedy is one of the most influential women in modern NASCAR. She is NASCAR’s current Executive Vice Chair and took over as President of International Speedway Corporation from her father, Bill France Jr. in 2003.
Dr Joseph Mattioli
Dr Joseph Mattiolio built one of North America’s cathedrals of speed, Pocono Raceway. A three-turn, triangular track inspired by some of the best race courses in the United States, NASCAR at Pocono has been a mainstay for many years.
Dr Dean Sticking
Dr. Dean Sticking worked alongside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to invent the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction Barrier (SAFER Barrier) in the wake of Dale Earnhardt’s death in 2001. The invention has saved countless lives and prevented countless injuries across all forms of motorsports.
Les Richter
Les Richter was a longtime NASCAR executive and one of the most powerful men in the garage. He worked in various capacities in NASCAR, and he also spent many years managing Riverside International Raceway.
These prestigious individuals all received a high honor in being nominated. The question is, who gets inducted?
