With a trip to the ISC Archives and Research Center already serving as the starting point of the Daytona International Speedway “VIP Tour”, an exciting addition has been made to the end of all fan tour experiences.
Recently relocated from Novi, Michigan, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) is up and running in the Tickets and Tours Building at Daytona International Speedway, offering a vivid journey through the history of motorsports.
The MSHFA is the only hall of fame that encompasses the full spectrum of American motorsports: stock cars, sports cars, motorcycles, open-wheel, drag racing, off-road, powerboat, land and water speed record chasing – plus aviation.
2016 Inductees
This year’s class of MSHFA inductees span the entire range of motorsports, reflects the hall’s philosophy. Among the inductees are Richard Childress and Chip Ganassi, who have built much of their respective legends at Daytona International Speedway.
Childress’ remarkable career has established him as one of the premier owners in NASCAR, winning 14 overall national series championships, six in the Sprint Cup Series. His drivers have won the DAYTONA 500 twice, including Dale Earnhardt’s memorable 1998 DAYTONA 500 victory.
Ganassi is the only car owner to have won the DAYTONA 500, the Indianapolis 500, the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Brickyard 400, giving him an unprecedented “Grand Slam” in America’s major auto races. Overall, his teams have won 18 championships and more than 170 races, including six Rolex 24s and a DAYTONA 500 victory.
Heroes of Horsepower
Eligibility for induction into the MSHFA is available to anyone who has driven, piloted, ridden, owned, designed, built, supported, maintained, prepared, or promoted motorized vehicles in pursuit of speed, distance, endurance, or other records –in racing, endurance or other competition. To be eligible, an inductee must have been retired for at least three years or must have been engaged at the top level of his or her specific field for at least 20 years.
Each inductee receives the MSHFA’s prestigious “Heroes of Horsepower” award -- an original bronze bust created by Ann Arbor, Michigan sculptor Michael Curtis. Currently, 230 members of the motorsports community are enshrined.
Historic
Notable Inductees: Louis Chevrolet, Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford
On Display: 1914 Stutz Indy Racer
DAYTONA Connection: Former DIS President and current ISC COO Joie Chitwood III’s grandfather Joie Chitwood was enshrined as a historic selection in 2010 for his achievements as one of the great performers as a stunt man for his famed “Chitwood Thrill Show”.
At Large
Notable Inductees: Sir Malcolm Campbell, Roger Penske, Ken Squier
On Display: Blue Bird 5
DAYTONA Connection: Class of 1994 inductee Sir Malcolm Campbell gained fame mere miles from the future site of Daytona International Speedway, recording five new land speed records on the sands of Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach. In 1928, Campbell drove this second "Blue Bird" to set the record at Daytona of 206.956 mph.
Drag Racing
Notable Inductees: Don Garlits, John Force, Don Prudhomme
On Display: Don Garlits’ Dodge Dragster, Sox & Martin Plymouth Road Runner Pro Stock car, Kenny Bernstein Buick NHRA Funny Car
DAYTONA Connection: When Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, dragsters used the 3,000-foot backstretch as a drag strip, with the NHRA Winternationals held here through 1960.
Sports Cars
Notable Inductees: Mark Donahue, Peter Gregg, Hurley Haywood
On Display: 911 Brumos Porsche
DAYTONA Connection: Since 1962, DIS has been the site of North America’s most prestigious sports car race, the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. Among the inductees are eight Rolex 24 champions, including the champion of the very first Rolex 24 (Dan Gurney, 1962; in what was then a three-hour version of the event) and the event’s all-time leader in victories (Hurley Haywood, five).
Stock Cars
Notable Inductees: Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip
On Display: Rusty Wallace’s No. 2 Dodge Charger, Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
DAYTONA Connection: Daytona International Speedway founder Bill France Sr. was made a member in 1990, while the two all-time winningest drivers in DAYTONA history, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, were enshrined in 1989 and 2002, respectively. Among the 23 members of this category that were either drivers, owners or crew chiefs, 15 won the DAYTONA 500 as a driver or owner and won a race at Daytona International Speedway.
Open Wheel
Notable Inductees: Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser
On Display: Chip Ganassi Racing No.9 Indy Car Series
DAYTONA Connection: Honorees Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt are two of only three drivers to have won the DAYTONA 500 and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. Andretti scored his lone NASCAR victory by taking the 1967 Daytona 500, while his Rolex 24 victory came in 1972. Foyt, on the other hand, is a two-time winner of the Rolex 24, earning victories in 1983 and 1985, with his lone victory in the Daytona 500 in 1972.
Motorcycles
Notable Inductees: Ricky Carmichael, Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath
On Display: Bruce Penhall Bike and Firesuit, Nick Cummings’ Pair-A-Nine No. 9 Kawasaki
DAYTONA Connection: Among the inductees in this category are two-time DAYTONA 200 champion Dick Mann, who became the first rider to win on a Japanese bike (Honda) and Ricky Carmichael, a five-time champion of DAYTONA Supercross By Honda.
Aviation
Notable Inductees: James Doolittle, Amelia Earhart, Glenn Curtiss Hall Features
DAYTONA Connection: Class of 1992 inductee Amelia Earhart’s influence can still be seen today as the 2016 Air Race Classic, an annual four-day, 2,700-mile, all-women around-the-clock airplane race, ended in Daytona Beach on June 24.
Power Boats
Notable Inductees: Bill Muncey, Ron Musson, Bill Seebold
On Display: Bob Norskog’s No. 62 Norskog Marine Power Boat
DAYTONA Connection: DAYTONA’s 180-acre infield includes the 29-acre Lake Lloyd, in which Bill France Sr. once hosted powerboat racing events.
Experience The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America for yourself with hall visits included as part of all Daytona International Speedway fan tours.
Fans may visit the ISC Archives and Research Center as part of a Daytona International Speedway “VIP Tour” that provides an opportunity for an intimate, exclusive look behind-the-scenes at the “World Center of Racing.”
Admission to the VIP Tour is $52 per person and advanced reservations are encouraged as availability is limited. Reservations can be made in person at the Daytona International Speedway Ticket Office or by calling 855-802-7223.
