CHARLOTTE — Some of NASCAR’s most popular faces will enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame after being voted in Wednesday afternoon.
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are highlighting this year’s class, NASCAR announced. The longtime successful driver-crew chief duo combined to win seven Cup Series Championships. Ten-time Cup winner Donnie Allison is joining them this year on the pioneer ballot.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met at the Charlotte Convention Center to vote on 15 nominees. Harry Gant finished third in modern ballot voting, followed by Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards.
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On the pioneer ballot, Banjo Matthews finished second in voting.
Despite Johnson’s long list of accomplishments in NASCAR, he was not a unanimous nominee. He received 93% of the votes. Johnson won five consecutive titles, only tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Knaus was there for most of Johnson’s success, as the two won 81 races over 19 seasons.
Allison has been an ambassador for NASCAR for more than 50 years and was part of NASCAR’s famed “Alabama Gang.” Allison is most known for his 1979 Daytona 500 fight with Cale Yarborough during the sport’s first nationally televised race. The fight led to growth for the sport in the coming years.
Former driver Janet Guthrie was named the Landmark Award winner. She was the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway race, in the 1976 World 600.
The induction ceremony will be held Jan. 19 in Charlotte at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets will go on sale next week.
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