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International Motorsports Hall of Fame facts for kids

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International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Talladega AL
The outside of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame (often called IMHOF) is a special place that honors people who have done amazing things in motorsports. It's like a museum and a hall of fame all in one! It's located right next to the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega County, Alabama. This hall of fame celebrates everyone who has made a big difference in racing, whether they were a driver, an engineer, a car owner, or someone who helped develop the sport.

History of the Hall of Fame

How it Started

The idea for the IMHOF began in the early 1970s. Bill France Sr., who started NASCAR, wanted to create a place to remember the history of motorsports. He wanted to make sure the people who helped racing grow would never be forgotten.

In 1975, George Wallace, who was the Governor of Alabama, helped choose a location and design for the hall of fame. Bill France Sr. even donated 35 acres of land for the project. He chose Alabama because politicians in his home state of Florida were thinking about adding a tax to the Daytona International Speedway.

Construction started with help from private donations and government money. A special ceremony was held on March 26, 1981, to mark the beginning of building. Many important people, including Bill France Sr., were there. The first part of the hall of fame opened on April 28, 1983, and the rest opened on July 28, 1990.

What You Can See There

The IMHOF has a museum filled with cool racing items. You can see real race cars, helmets, medals, posters, and trophies. It's a great place to learn about racing history!

Inside the IMHOF, there are actually six different halls of fame. These include the International Motorsports Hall of Fame itself, plus halls for the Alabama Sports Writers, the Automobile Racing Club of America, Quarter Midgets of America, Western Auto Mechanics, and World Karting. There's also a research library where you can find lots of information about motorsports.

Choosing the Honorees

Don Naman became the director of the IMHOF in 1988. He worked to make it a truly active hall of fame. The very first induction ceremony, where new members were welcomed, was held on July 25, 1990, in Birmingham, Alabama.

People were chosen for the hall of fame by a group of motorsports writers and current hall of fame members. They would nominate people who had retired from racing for at least five years. Sometimes, active racers over 61 years old could also be inducted. To be inducted, a person needed more than half of the votes.

Famous Inductees

From 1990 to 2013, 145 people were inducted into the hall of fame. The first group in 1990 included many legends like Buck Baker, Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio, Bill France Sr., Junior Johnson, Stirling Moss, Lee Petty, and Jackie Stewart.

It's important to know that women and African Americans have also been honored.

  • In 1999, Louise Smith, a NASCAR driver from the 1940s and 1950s, became the first woman inducted.
  • Later, Shirley Muldowney, a champion drag racer, joined in 2004.
  • Janet Guthrie, another famous race car driver, was inducted in 2006.
  • Wendell Scott, the first African American driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race, was inducted in 1999.

No new members have been added to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame since 2014.

Inductees

Key
Posthumous induction Indicates posthumous induction (meaning they were honored after they passed away)
Juan Manuel Fangio (circa 1952)
Juan Manuel Fangio, a racing legend inducted in 1990
Graham Hill Bestanddeelnr 924-6564
Graham Hill, inducted in 1990
NedJarrettMRNRadio
Ned Jarrett, inducted in 1991
Ascari last photo in car
Alberto Ascari, inducted in 1992
Henry ford 1919
Henry Ford, inducted in 1993
Colin Chapman (1965)
Colin Chapman, inducted in 1994
John Surtees at Goodwood Revival 2011 (cropped)
John Surtees, inducted in 1996
NMPA 2010 Richard Petty (4289204788)
Richard Petty, inducted in 1997
Ayrton Senna 8 - Cropped
Ayrton Senna, inducted in 2000
AlanKulwickiSearsPoint1991
Alan Kulwicki, inducted in 2002
ShirleyMuldowney2017
Shirley Muldowney, inducted in 2004
Dale Earnhardt visits Langley AFB
Dale Earnhardt, inducted in 2006
Wayne Rainey 1992 Japanese GP
Wayne Rainey, inducted in 2007
Donnie Allison Greets Rock Fans (cropped)
Donnie Allison, inducted in 2009
Richard Childress 2010 (cropped)
Richard Childress, inducted in 2012
Inductees of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Nationality Inductee Occupation Year
 United States Baker, BuckBuck Baker Stock car driver 1990
 Australia Brabham, JackJack Brabham Open-wheel driver 1990
 United Kingdom Campbell, MalcolmMalcolm Campbell Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1990
 United Kingdom Clark, JimJim Clark Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1990
 United States Donohue, MarkMark Donohue Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1990
 Argentina Fangio, Juan ManuelJuan Manuel Fangio Open-wheel driver 1990
 United States France Sr., BillBill France Sr. Series executive 1990
 United States Gurney, DanDan Gurney Race car driver 1990
 United Kingdom Hill, GrahamGraham Hill Posthumous induction Race car driver 1990
 United States Hulman, TonyTony Hulman Posthumous induction Track executive 1990
 United States Johnson, JuniorJunior Johnson Stock car driver 1990
 United States Jones, ParnelliParnelli Jones Open-wheel driver 1990
 United Kingdom Moss, StirlingStirling Moss Race car driver 1990
 United States Oldfield, BarneyBarney Oldfield Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1990
 United States Petty, LeeLee Petty Stock car driver 1990
 United States Roberts, FireballFireball Roberts Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1990
 United Kingdom Stewart, JackieJackie Stewart Open-wheel driver 1990
 United States Thompson, MickeyMickey Thompson Posthumous induction Vehicle builder 1990
 United States Unser, BobbyBobby Unser Open-wheel driver 1990
 United States Yunick , SmokeySmokey Yunick Car engineer 1990
 United States Bettenhausen , TonyTony Bettenhausen Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1991
 United States DePalma, RalphRalph DePalma Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1991
 United States Flock, TimTim Flock Stock car driver 1991
 United States Hill, PhilPhil Hill Open-wheel driver 1991
 United States Jarrett, NedNed Jarrett Open-wheel driver/Broadcaster 1991
 United States Lorenzen, FredFred Lorenzen Stock car driver 1991
 New Zealand McLaren, BruceBruce McLaren Posthumous induction Car builder/Race car driver 1991
 United States Shaw, WilburWilbur Shaw Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1991
 United States Shelby, CarrollCarroll Shelby Vehicle builder 1991
 United States Vukovich, BillBill Vukovich Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1991
 Italy Ascari, AlbertoAlberto Ascari Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1992
 United States Chevrolet , LouisLouis Chevrolet Posthumous induction Car builder/Open-wheel driver 1992
 United States Granatelli, AndyAndy Granatelli Motorsports contributor 1992
 United States Gregg, PeterPeter Gregg Posthumous induction Sports car driver 1992
 United States Meyer, LouisLouis Meyer Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1992
 United States Parks, WallyWally Parks Motorsports contributor 1992
 United States Rickenbacker, EddieEddie Rickenbacker Motorsports contributor 1992
 United States Roberts , KennyKenny Roberts Motorcyclist 1992
 United States Turner, CurtisCurtis Turner Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1992
 United States Ward, RodgerRodger Ward Open-wheel driver 1992
 United States Allison, BobbyBobby Allison Stock car driver 1993
 United States Bignotti, GeorgeGeorge Bignotti Car mechanic 1993
 United States Ford , HenryHenry Ford Posthumous induction Car builder 1993
 United States Holbert, AlAl Holbert Posthumous induction Sports car driver 1993
 Austria Niki Lauda Open-wheel driver 1993
 United States Mays, RexRex Mays Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1993
 United States Pearson, DavidDavid Pearson Stock car driver 1993
 United States Yarborough, CaleCale Yarborough Stock car driver 1993
 United Kingdom Chapman, ColinColin Chapman Posthumous induction Car builder 1994
 Italy Ferrari, EnzoEnzo Ferrari Posthumous induction Car builder 1994
 United States Lund , TinyTiny Lund Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1994
 United States Marcum, JohnJohn Marcum Posthumous induction Motorsports contributor 1994
 United States Moody, RalphRalph Moody Stock car driver/Car owner 1994
 United States Parsons, BennyBenny Parsons Stock car driver 1994
 United States Rose, MauriMauri Rose Posthumous induction Open-wheel racer 1994
 United States Thomas , HerbHerb Thomas Stock car driver 1994
 United States Weatherly, JoeJoe Weatherly Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1994
 United States Evans, RichieRichie Evans Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1996
 United Kingdom Healey, DonaldDonald Healey Posthumous induction Car builder 1996
 United States Isaac, BobbyBobby Isaac Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1996
 Germany Porsche, FerdinandFerdinand Porsche Posthumous induction Car builder 1996
 United States Rutherford, JohnnyJohnny Rutherford Open-wheel driver 1996
 United Kingdom Surtees , JohnJohn Surtees Open-wheel driver/Motorcyclist 1996
 United States Baker, BuddyBuddy Baker Stock car driver 1997
 United States Earnhardt, RalphRalph Earnhardt Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1997
 United States Garlits, DonDon Garlits Dragster/Automotive engineer 1997
 United States Hall, JimJim Hall Driver/Car owner 1997
 United States Mears, RickRick Mears Open-wheel driver 1997
 United States Petty, RichardRichard Petty Stock car driver 1997
 United States Allison, DaveyDavey Allison Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1998
 Germany Caracciola, RudolfRudolf Caracciola Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1998
 United States Matthews, BanjoBanjo Matthews Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1998
 Italy Nuvolari, TazioTazio Nuvolari Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 1998
 United States Penske, RogerRoger Penske Car builder 1998
 United States Unser , AlAl Unser Open-wheel driver 1998
 United States Hyde, HarryHarry Hyde Posthumous induction Crew chief 1999
 United States Johncock, GordonGordon Johncock Open-wheel driver 1999
 France Prost, AlainAlain Prost Open-wheel driver 1999
 United States Scott, WendellWendell Scott Posthumous induction Stock car driver 1999
 United States Smith , LouiseLouise Smith Stock car driver 1999
 United States Andretti, MarioMario Andretti Race car driver 2000
 United States Breedlove, CraigCraig Breedlove Land speed record holder 2000
 United States Foyt , A. J.A. J. Foyt Open-wheel driver 2000
 Brazil Piquet, NelsonNelson Piquet Open-wheel driver 2000
 United States Prudhomme , DonDon Prudhomme Dragster 2000
 Brazil Senna, AyrtonAyrton Senna Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 2000
 United States Bonnett, NeilNeil Bonnett Posthumous induction Stock car driver 2001
 United States Bryan, JimmyJimmy Bryan Posthumous induction Open-wheel driver 2001
 United Kingdom Hailwood, MikeMike Hailwood Posthumous induction Driver/motorcyclist 2001
 United States Offenhauser , FredFred Offenhauser Posthumous induction Car engineer 2001
 Italy Bugatti, EttoreEttore Bugatti Posthumous induction Car builder 2002
 New Zealand Hulme, DennyDenny Hulme Posthumous induction Race car driver 2002
 Belgium Ickx, JackyJacky Ickx Race car driver 2002
 United States Kulwicki, AlanAlan Kulwicki Posthumous induction Stock car driver 2002
 United States Richmond, TimTim Richmond Posthumous induction Race car driver 2002
 United States Wood, GlenGlen Wood Car owner 2002
 United States Cunningham, BriggsBriggs Cunningham Sports car driver 2003
 Brazil Fittipaldi , EmersonEmerson Fittipaldi Open-wheel driver 2003
 United States Fox, RayRay Fox Engine builder/Car owner 2003
 United States Kenyon, MelMel Kenyon Midget car driver 2003
 United States Watson, A. J.A. J. Watson Car builder/Vehicle mechanic 2003
 United States Farmer, RedRed Farmer Stock car driver 2004
 United States France Jr., BillBill France Jr. Series executive 2004
 United States Muldowney, ShirleyShirley Muldowney Dragster 2004
 United States Muncey , BillBill Muncey Posthumous induction Hydroplane racer 2004
 United States Rahal , BobbyBobby Rahal Open-wheel driver 2004
 United States Amato, JoeJoe Amato Dragster 2005
 United States Glidden, BobBob Glidden Dragster 2005
 United States Hanauer, ChipChip Hanauer Hydroplane racer 2005
 United Kingdom Mansell, NigelNigel Mansell Open-wheel driver 2005
 United States Waltrip, DarrellDarrell Waltrip Stock car driver 2005
 United States Earnhardt , DaleDale Earnhardt Posthumous induction Stock car driver 2006
 United States Gant, HarryHarry Gant Stock car driver 2006
 United States Guthrie , JanetJanet Guthrie Race car driver 2006
 United States Roush, JackJack Roush Car owner 2006
 United States Wheeler, HumpyHumpy Wheeler Race promoter 2006
 United States Donlavey, JunieJunie Donlavey Stock car driver 2007
 United States Hendrick, RayRay Hendrick Posthumous induction Stock car driver 2007
 United States Ingram, JackJack Ingram Stock car driver 2007
 United States Johnson, WarrenWarren Johnson Dragster 2007
 United States Rainey, WayneWayne Rainey Motorcyclist 2007
 United States Smith, BrutonBruton Smith Race promoter 2007
 United States Arfons, ArtArt Arfons Posthumous induction Land speed record holder 2008
 United States Byron , RedRed Byron Posthumous induction Stock car driver 2008
 United States Jenkins, BillBill Jenkins Dragster/Engine builder 2008
 United States Kurtis, FrankFrank Kurtis Posthumous induction Vehicle designer 2008
 United States Owens, CottonCotton Owens Stock car driver 2008
 United States Seagraves, RalphRalph Seagraves Posthumous induction Motorsports contributor 2008
 United States Agajanian , J. C.J. C. Agajanian Posthumous induction Promoter/Car owner 2009
 United States Allison , DonnieDonnie Allison Stock car driver 2009
 United States Cook, JerryJerry Cook Stock car driver 2009
 United States Moore, BudBud Moore Car owner 2009
 United States Parks, RaymondRaymond Parks Car owner 2009
 United States Holman, JohnJohn Holman Posthumous induction Car owner 2011
 United States Opperman, JanJan Opperman Posthumous induction Race car driver 2011
 United States Petty , MauriceMaurice Petty Crew chief/Engine builder 2011
 United Kingdom Redman , BrianBrian Redman Race car driver 2011
 United States White , RexRex White Stock car driver 2011
 United States Bernstein, KennyKenny Bernstein Dragster/Car owner 2012
 United States Childress, RichardRichard Childress Car owner 2012
 United States Force , JohnJohn Force Dragster 2012
 United States Hendrick, RickRick Hendrick Car owner 2013
 United States Inman, DaleDale Inman Crew chief 2013
 United States Schumacher , DonDon Schumacher Dragster builder 2013
 United States Wallace , RustyRusty Wallace Stock car driver 2013

Facts and Figures

Inductees by Nationality
Nationality Inductees
 United States 118
 United Kingdom 11
 Italy 4
 Brazil 3
 Germany 2
 New Zealand 2
 Argentina 1
 Australia 1
 Austria 1
 Belgium 1
 France 1

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See also

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