On Wednesday, NASCAR officially announced the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, a driver-crew chief pairing that together secured seven NASCAR Cup Series titles, have joined the Modern Era Ballot together, in what is their first year of eligibility. Meanwhile, Donnie Allison, one of the original members of the Alabama Gang, joins the Pioneer Ballot for the first time.
A total of ten nominees appear on the Modern Era Ballot, and five on the Pioneer Ballot, which is designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two of the modern-era candidates and one pioneer candidate will be elected to the Class of 2024.
Les Ritcher, a long-time NASCAR executive, joins the Landmark Award ballot for the first time after being on the NASCAR Hall of Fame ballot a total of three times prior to the creation of the award. The Landmark Award is designed to honor those who made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.
The 61-person NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2024 and Landmark Award on Wednesday, August 2nd. That panel remains unchanged from last year, apart from the addition of Joey Logano, in place of previous champions Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.
The 62nd vote for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will go to the winners of a NASCAR.com Fan Vote. That vote is currently open and will close on July 30 at 12:00 AM ET.
The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities, and historic short track.
The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all living Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners, and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.
2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Nominees:
Modern-Era Ballot:
- Neil Bonnett – 18-time Cup Series winner, including consecutive Coke 600s.
- Tim Brewer – two-time Cup Series champion crew chief.
- Jeff Burton – 21-time Cup Series winner, including Southern 500 and two Coke 600s.
- Carl Edwards – 28-time Cup Series winner, and 2007 Xfinity Series champion.
- Harry Gant – 18-time Cup Series winner, including two Southern 500 wins.
- Harry Hyde – 1970 Cup Series championship crew chief.
- Jimmie Johnson – seven-time Cup Series champion.
- Chad Knaus – seven-time Cup Series champion crew chief.
- Larry Phillips – first five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion.
- Ricky Rudd – 23-time Cup Series winner, including the 1997 Brickyard 400.
Pioneer Ballot:
- Donnie Allison – 10-time Cup Series winner, 1967 Cup Series Rookie of The Year.
- Sam Ard – two-time Xfinity Series champion, and series pioneer.
- AJ Foyt – seven-time Cup Series winner, including the 1972 Daytona 500.
- Banjo Matthews – built cars that won more than 250 Cup Series races and three titles.
- Ralph Moody – two-time Cup Series owner champion, the mechanical genius of Holman-Moody.
Landmark Award:
- Janet Guthrie – first female to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway race.
- Alvin Hawkins – NASCAR’s first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray.
- Lesa France Kennedy – NASCAR Executive Vice Chair, one of the most influential women in sports
- Dr. Joseph Mattioli – founder of Pocono Raceway.
- Les Richter – a long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, and helped grow the sport on the West Coast
