HALL OF FAME IS A NEW THRILL FOR PETTY.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. For a long time, records, wins and awards have been a common part of Richard Petty's life, but he conceded that his upcoming induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame The International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as a driver, owner, developer or engineer. is different. ``The thing is, this is international,'' said Petty, who wore his trademark black cowboy hat, STP STP or standard temperature and pressure, standard conditions for measurement of the properties of matter. The standard temperature is the freezing point of pure water, 0°C; or 273.15°K;. shades and a huge Winston Cup Champion belt buckle to Wednesday's announcement of the newest inductees. At a ceremony next April 24, Petty will join Buddy Baker
Elzie Wylie "Buddy" Baker, Jr. (also "Leadfoot , the late Ralph Earnhardt Ralph Lee Earnhardt (February 23, 1928—September 26, 1973) was a NASCAR racing legend. He was the father of Dale Earnhardt, the grandfather of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kerry Earnhardt, and great grandfather of Jeffrey Earnhardt. , Don Garlits Donald Glenn Garlits (born January 14, 1932, Tampa, Florida) is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as the "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C. , Jim Hall Jim Hall is the name of:
``You get in with people from all different kinds of racing, from all over the world,'' Petty said. ``That's a lot bigger situation, to me, because now you're not only recognized in the United States, you're recognized all over the world.'' Petty formed a loyal following of American fans during a 34-year career, over which he simply became known as ``The King.'' The NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. superstar won 200 races and seven Winston Cup points championships. He won 127 pole positions, set the record for most wins in one season (27), most consecutive wins (10), most wins from the pole (61) and won the Daytona 500 seven times. He was voted Most Popular Driver by fans nine times, and was named Driver of The Year in 1971. Other inductees next year will include Baker, best known as the first driver to exceed 200 mph on a closed course. It happened March 24, 1970 while Baker was testing his Dodge Daytona at the then-Alabama International Motor Speedway. He turned a lap around the 2.66-mile course at 200.477 mph. Earnhardt, the father of seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, won more than 350 races in NASCAR's Grand National, Sportsman and Modified series races through the 1950s and '60s. He won the Sportsman championship in 1956, and finished in the top 10 of the Sportsman points standings six times. Earnhardt died of a heart attack in 1973 at age 45. Garlits stands as the most important figure in the history and development of drag racing. He was the first drag racer to top the marks of 170 mph, 180, 200, 240, 250 and 270. In 1985-86, Garlits - known as ``Big Daddy'' - became the first person to win the National Hot Rod Association's highest honor, the Top Fuel World Championship, in consecutive seasons. Mears is being inducted for his success in IndyCar events. The racer who began his IndyCar career as a substitute for Mario Andretti, won both the pole position and the race at the 1979 Indianapolis 500. It was the first of his record-tying four Indy 500 victories. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: PETTY |
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