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SPORTS Wednesday 23 May 2018

Jeff Gordon headlines nominees for NASCAR Hall of Fame

By JENNA FRYER
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) —
When Jeff Gordon’s name
is presented to panel of
voters for the NASCAR
Hall of Fame, the debate
should be short and simple.
Yes, Gordon gets a slot.
Gordon is on Wednesday’s
ballot for the first time and
there should be zero dis-
cussion regarding his wor-
thiness. The four-time NAS-
CAR champion played
a massive role in moving
stock car racing beyond
its Southern roots and into
the national landscape.
Business models changed
because of Gordon, who
appealed to Madison Av-
enue advertisers and stick-
and-ball sports fans.
He was the star the sport
needed and it certainly
didn’t hurt that he won, al-
most all the time.
Gordon’s debut was the
1992 season finale, also
Richard Petty’s final race.
He was a winner in his sec-
ond full season, a NASCAR
champion in year three.
Gordon’s 93 victories and
81 poles both rank third on
NASCAR’s all-time lists, and In this Feb. 16, 2006, file photo, Jeff Gordon celebrates in victory lane at Daytona International Speedway after winning the Gatorade
he’s a three-time Daytona Duel #2 qualifying auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla.
500 winner and five-time Associated Press
winner at Indianapolis Mo-
tor Speedway. other nominee. But he’s it means to be in the Hall of age of 38. In his champion- 500 when he followed Bob-
Gordon also won at every been part of past ceremo- Fame is on a whole other ship season, Kulwicki over- by across the finish line in
active Cup Series track ex- nies, most recently when level than what it’s ever came a 278-point deficit 1988. He was killed in a he-
cept for Kentucky, made he helped induct his former been.” with six races remaining to licopter accident in 1993.
805 career starts and briefly crew chief Ray Evernham, Just five of 20 nominees will win the title. He was 32.
came out of retirement to and admitted he’s look- be selected by the panel of Last year, Truck Series — Another debate could
help Hendrick Motorsports ing forward to the day his 57 voters and one fan vote. champion Ron Hornaday center on three current
when Dale Earnhardt Jr. name is called. The 2019 class is one of the Jr. beat out Kulwicki in a tie- team owners, Joe Gibbs,
was sidelined with a con- “I’ve gone to the Hall of toughest yet to predict: breaking vote. Jack Roush and Roger Pen-
cussion. Gordon is only Fame for the inductions — Two drivers, Davey Allison Allison is on the ballot for ske.
three years removed from many times and seen some and Alan Kulwicki, could the second year. He won Roush is on the ballot for a
full-time competition and great speeches and leg- potentially split voters. 19 times in 191 races, was third time, while Gibbs and
just 46. ends in our sport, so when- Kulwicki was NASCAR’s the 1992 Daytona 500 win- Penske are up for consid-
“On one hand I’m excited,” ever that day comes (for 1992 champion and is on ner and the 1987 rookie of eration for just the second
Gordon said of Wednes- me) it’s a huge honor,” said the ballot for the fourth the year. year. Two of their peers,
day’s vote. “On the other Gordon. “I’m thankful that year. He was rookie of the The son of Hall of Famer Richard Childress and Rick
hand, I’m like too young to timing has definitely been year in 1985, won five rac- Bobby Allison, Davey was Hendrick, were inducted
go into the Hall of Fame.” on my side . and 10 or 15 es in seven full seasons but part of the famed “Ala- in 2017 and former Roush
Gordon said he will wait years ago the Hall of Fame was killed in an aviation bama Gang” and part of driver Mark Martin, also in-
for the results of Wednes- was not what it is today. accident five races into his the only father-son combo ducted in 2017, has made
day’s voting like every That ceremony now, what championship reign at the to finish 1-2 at the Daytona a case for his former boss.q