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The honorees revealed Friday also include Carl
G. Fisher, the founder of Indianapolis Motor Speedway; U.E.
"Pat" Patrick, a team owner who won the Indianapolis 500 three
times; John Buttera, who built title-winning drag race vehicles;
Bob Tullius, a sports-car driver and team owner; and Fred
Merkel, a motorcycle-riding legend.
"Our inductee classes are always intriguing but this year is
even more so," MSHFA president Ron Watson said. "Howard Hughes
and Jeff Gordon in the same class -- that is probably the best
example we've ever had to illustrate the breadth of our inductee
roll."
The announcement was made at Daytona International Speedway,
with Tullis, 87, on hand.
"To be here at Daytona makes it even more special," Tullis said,
according to Autoweek.com. "My first race at Daytona was in
1962. ... The honor to be selected by your peers is far and
above other kinds of awards."
Gordon captured NASCAR's top-series title in 1995, 1997, 1998
and 2001, the fourth-highest total in history. His 93 Cup Series
wins rank third as part of a career that included starts in 797
consecutive events.
The eccentric Hughes founded Hughes Aircraft, built the "Spruce
Goose" aircraft and set many air speed records in the 1930s.
--Field Level Media
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