Two drivers – one from the Pioneer Poll and one from the Fashionable Period Poll – and one crew chief have been elected Wednesday to turn out to be the NASCAR Corridor of Fame’s class of inductees in 2024.
Becoming a member of the Corridor of Fame from the Fashionable Period Poll:
Jimmie Johnson: Johnson, 47, received seven Cup championships, equal with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for essentially the most all-time. 5 of these titles got here in succession between 2006 and 2010, a NASCAR document. That stretch of success surpassed the earlier mark held by Cale Yarborough, who received three straight titles from 1976-78.
Johnson additionally received 83 races in a profession relationship again to 2001 and spanning 689 races. He’s a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 (2006 and 2013). He additionally received 4 occasions every within the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400, including two Southern 500 crowns alongside the way in which.
Johnson’s racing profession started with bikes and off-road vehicles. He ultimately moved to asphalt – first within the American Velocity Affiliation circuit after which a short stint in what’s now the Xfinity Sequence. As soon as there, he caught the eye of present Corridor of Famer Jeff Gordon, who advocated for his addition to Hendrick Motorsports.
Chad Knaus: Main his father to a number of observe championships as a young person, Knaus was destined to be a profitable crew chief at inventory automotive racing’s highest stage. His NASCAR begin got here at Hendrick Motorsports as an assistant within the physique store, studying below Corridor of Famer Ray Evernham as a part of the “Rainbow Warriors.” His breakthrough got here in 2002 when he was paired with Johnson on a fourth Hendrick group – the beginning of one of the vital productive partnerships in sports activities historical past.
The pair mixed for seven Cup championships, together with a NASCAR-record 5 in a row. They received 81 races over 19 seasons. Knaus received his 82nd – and remaining – race with Hendrick driver William Byron in 2020. He trails solely Dale Inman and Leonard Wooden for all-time wins by a crew chief. Knaus, 51, at present serves as Vice President of Competitors for Hendrick Motorsports.
2016 Champion and race winner Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with crew chief Chad Knaus
Photograph by: Motion Sports activities Images
Becoming a member of the Corridor of Fame from the Pioneer Poll:
Donnie Allison: After profitable the 1967 Cup Sequence Rookie of the Yr, Allison partnered with famed mechanic Banjo Matthews the place he skilled his most success. In 1970, Allison received three races for Matthews, together with the Coca-Cola 600. The next weekend he completed fourth within the Indianapolis 500, setting a document for best-combined end within the two-race crossover that also stands at the moment.
Allison, 83, who ended his profession with 10 wins and 17 poles in 242 begins, is perhaps best-known for his position in NASCAR’s most well-known second – his 1979 Daytona 500 combat with Cale Yarborough.
Donnie Allison
Photograph by: Greg Gage
Landmark Award
Janet Guthrie: The primary girl to compete within the Daytona 500, will probably be honored with the Landmark Award for Excellent Contributions to NASCAR.
The 2024 Corridor of Fame class will probably be formally inducted in January 2024.
This was the third class decided below the redesigned format for Corridor inductions.
There have been 10 nominees on the Fashionable Period poll and 5 on the Pioneer poll – designed to honor these whose careers started greater than 60 years in the past. Two Fashionable Period candidates and one Pioneer candidate now compose every Corridor class.
Word: Motorsport.com NASCAR Editor Jim Utter is a member of the Corridor of Fame Voting Panel. He voted for Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus on the Fashionable Period poll; Sam Ard on the Pioneer poll; and Janet Guthrie for the Landmark Award.
