Kurt Busch, the 2017 DAYTONA 500 champion and former champion of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, will serve as the Honorary Chairman for the 29th Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) Induction Ceremony at the Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach on June 28.
Busch – driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing – also served as Honorary Chairman in 2011. In addition to NASCAR competition, Busch has competed in the Indianapolis 500, the Rolex 24 At Daytona and NHRA Pro Stock drag racing. In addition, he and his brother Kyle represented the United States in the global “Race of Champions,” earlier this year, finishing second. Collectively, that makes Busch a perfect fit for the role of Honorary Chairman, as the MSHFA honors all forms of American motorsports.
“I’m very thankful for the pioneers that helped pave the way to create the sport that we love and enjoy today,” Busch said. “And to have the opportunity to honor this group of inductees as Honorary Chairman is an opportunity I didn’t want to miss.”
This year’s ceremony will induct seven racing legends:
Steve Kinser (Open Wheel Category): The “King of the Outlaws” is one of the most successful Sprint Car drivers in history, with 577 World of Outlaw feature victories, 20 WoO championships and 12 Knoxville Nationals championships.
Richard ‘Dick’ Klamfoth (Motorcycles): Klamfoth burst onto the scene at the age of 20 in 1949 when he rode to victory in the DAYTONA 200 on his first attempt. He won again in 1951 and ‘52 to become the first three-time winner of America’s most prestigious motorcycle race.
Terry Labonte (Stock Car): In addition to winning the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series championship in 1984 and ’96, the “Iron Man” broke Richard Petty’s record of 513 consecutive starts in 1996 and continued his streak until Aug. 5, 2000,
Paula Murphy (Drag Racing): Murphy played a pivotal role in drag racing’s formative years, as the first woman licensed to drive a Funny Car and a successful match racer, driving an STP-sponsored ride for Andy Granatelli in an era when few drivers had sponsorships.
Scott Pruett (Sports Car): Pruett is one of America’s most successful sports car drivers, with 11 major titles from 1986-2013 in IMSA SCCA Trans-Am and the GRAND-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. He is a five-time Rolex 24 champion, sharing the all-time record with MSHFA inductee Hurley Haywood.
Herb Thomas (Historic): NASCAR’s first two-time premier series champion (1951 and ‘53) has the highest career winning percentage in Cup history (21.053%). Overall, he won 48 Cup events, 39 poles and was in a close battle for a third title when his career was cut short by injury.
Brock Yates (At Large): “The Assassin” was one of motorsports’ most respected authors and commentators. From his Car and Driver columns to his many books and several screenplays, the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash creator was one of a kind.
“It’s an outstanding class of inductees featuring pioneers, champions, record-breakers and innovators,” said MSHFA President Ron Watson. “And the presence of the 2017 DAYTONA 500 champion will help make this an induction for the ages.”
MSHFA PR
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