PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Board of Directors of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, which enters its 15th year in 2016, has announced the broadening of eligibility for future induction.
Beginning with the 2016 class of inductees, nominees will be selected from a variety of stock car racing categories. Previous eligibility required participation in a nationally sanctioned series such as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and its forebears and/or NASCAR Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck series.
The board, however, recognizes that many deserving individuals from the Historic Era (1934-1969) and Modern Era have made significant contributions to stock car racing at all levels – from weekly competition in a broad variety of stock cars to regional touring series and on dirt and paved tracks.
All had significant followings among western racing fans and each contributed to the growth of the sport.
“Many well-known figures in the industry did not choose to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West or the Pacific Coast Late Models for a variety of reasons,” said Ken Clapp, chairman of the board of directors of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “They nonetheless made headlines and promoted exciting motorsports events that in many cases produced the future stars of NASCAR, the United States Auto Club and the Indianapolis 500.
“They deserve the accolades and respect that come with induction into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.”
The 2016 nomination ballot will be one of the largest in the recent history of the organization, which inducted its first class in 2002. The list of nominees will be reduced to five inductees following a vote in early 2016 by members of the organization’s board of directors. They will be inducted June 23, 2016 at the Meritage Resort in Napa, Calif. The event is held annually in conjunction with Sonoma Raceway’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series/K&N Pro Series West weekend.
In 2017, a Historical Committee will be created to consider the induction of industry figures from the pre- and post-World War II era whose achievements were significant but perhaps not well known to the broader racing community. Their induction will be in addition to the five elected members of the organization’s future classes.
The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame was founded in 2001. It memorializes significant contributors to the sport’s development and history – including designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, racetrack owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
For additional information about the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, please visit WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com. To obtain details about table sponsorship for the 2016 awards dinner, contact Jenniffer Wentzel at 623-463-5400.