Ceremonies take place for first time at Sonoma Raceway’s elegant Turn 11 Club
SONOMA Calif., June 14, 2021 – The West Coast Stock Car /Motorsports Hall of Fame celebrated its 2022 induction ceremonies on June 9 before more than 500 inductees, racing industry figures, guests and media members at the Sonoma Raceway.
The ceremonies, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, celebrated the many achievements of 13 members of the Class of 2022. For the first time, the event was held at Sonoma Raceway, as Grand Opening of the track’s elegant Turn 11 Club. Highlights of the ceremonies will be broadcast by MAVTV later this summer, date and times to be announced.
Inducted in the Class of 2022 are Greg Biffle, NASCAR Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series champion; Garrett Evans, NASCAR Elite Series four-time Northwest Series champion; Brendan Gaughan, two-time ARCA Menards Series West champion; David Gilliland, two-time ARCA Menards Series West championship crew chief; John Moore, NASCAR State of California champion and Placer County Fair Board president; and three-time United States Auto Club Silver Crown champion Jimmy Sills. 2022 Heritage honorees, individuals from an earlier era of motorsport, are Art and Michael Atkinson, two generation NASCAR officials and Southern California track operators; Phil Casey, Indianapolis 500 and United States Auto Club chief mechanic; Ron Esau, NASCAR Elite Series Southwest Series champion; Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion; Ken Sapper, multiple Southern California track sportsman champion and racing industry executive; and Jim Walker, Riverside Permatex 300 winner and multiple Redwood Acres track champion. The Second Annual Knockin Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year award, presented by 51FIFTY was presented to Speedway Children’s Charities and the group’s Sonoma Chapter. The award was accepted by Sonoma Raceway Senior Vice President/General Manager Jill Gregory. Presenters included NASCAR President Steve Phelps, NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell, former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, broadcaster Gary Gerould, additional members of the Hall’s board of directors and previous inductees. Ralph Sheheen, West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame president and owner and publisher of National Speed Sport News, served as master of ceremonies. The annual induction ceremony is the cornerstone of the Hall’s charitable outreach. The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 non-profit. In his opening remarks, Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame, announced that the organization will reach $700,000 in charitable giving later this year and expects to reach the $1 million mark in the next several years. What they said: Kurt Busch on inducting Jim Walker: “He was a fellow blue-blue collar racer. Guys like Jim were the types of racer I looked up to.” Phil Casey, looking at his many achievements, pointed to his role in developing the SAFER Barrier as an IndyCar official: “It was a real honor to do that.” Brendan Gaughan on retirement: “When you’ve raced a grandchild, you know it’s time to go.” David Gilliland: The racing community is truly a family. (We’re pleased) that three generations of Gillilands have been able to race in the Cup Series.” Cole Moore, introducing his father, recounted early days racing with John Moore. Asked if his father would let him win, “We were racing Stockton … 10 laps to go, I’m leading and we’re door-to-door. Coming off Turn 4, he put me in the wall.” John Moore: “I’m honored to be here. I don’t know if I deserve it but I’m here.” Gary Gerould introducing Jimmy Sills: “We appreciated his versatility but the best part is that he’s a downright great human being.” Jimmy Sills, on driving for 51 different owners in his career: “I figured driving, not owning, I’d be on the plus side (of the ledger).” About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is to preserve history and heritage of the key role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media. The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. Since 2017, the Hall has raised more than $600,000 for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue and other charitable causes. For additional information about the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame and its charities, please visit WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
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Owen A. Kearns
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