NASCAR's
50-year history can be
told from many different perspectives -- track history, promoter history or
manufacturer history. But the one that adds the color and drama, and ignites
our imaginations, is NASCAR history seen through the eyes of those who made
it on the track.
As part of its 50th Anniversary celebration, NASCAR is honoring its past and
present by naming its 50 greatest drivers. This list is a "Who's Who" of the
greatest talent to ever strap themselves into race cars at NASCAR-sanctioned
events.
From the dirt ovals that hosted NASCAR's early races to the modern speedways
of today, the list of the 50 greatest drivers begins with NASCAR's first
champion Red Byron to 11 active drivers of today. The 50 drivers are not
only from the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as it includes Modified champions
like Richie Evans as well as division champions like Ralph Earnhardt, Jack
Ingram and Hershel McGriff.
Twenty-two of these drivers have won at least one NASCAR Winston Cup Series
championship and 13 have won more than one. Enhancing the sports long
tradition of family, there are five father-son combinations among the 50.
The drivers were introduced this evening at Daytona USA, the "Ultimate
Motorsports Attraction," on the grounds of Daytona
International Speedway.
"These are the men who define the competition of our sport," said Bill
France, president of NASCAR. "Their accomplishments are the benchmark that
much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the
beginning of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary celebration, is one way of showing
our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have
given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR
fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR
history."
An independent group of 50 individuals -- drivers, team owners, crew chiefs,
media members, track operators and others -- participated in selecting the
50 greatest NASCAR drivers of all time. The voters were asked to give their
objective and educated opinions on drivers from all NASCAR years, series and
divisions.
The chosen group of drivers will be the backbone to many NASCAR 50th
Anniversary projects throughout the year, including television, online,
publications and other special projects.
A key element of the tribute is the unveiling of a limited edition
lithograph produced by PRESS PASS. The signed lithographs will be sold for
$25,000 each, and are projected to raise $1,000,000 for charity. All
contributions will be made in the names of all 50 drivers to the Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Special Olympics, Leukemia Society, Speedway Children's
Charities and Give Kids the World.
One of the 250 lithographs produced, which are signed by each of the 34
living members of the 50 greatest drivers, will be auctioned with a starting
price of $25,000. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the
Foundation Fighting Blindness in memory of T. Wayne Robertson, the president
of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's Sports Marketing Enterprises, who lost
his life Jan. 14, 1998 in a boating accident.
In addition, PRESS PASS has introduced a "retro" line of trading cards that
will be a part of the company's 1998 PRESS PASS Race Cards race brand, a
150-card collection. The "retro" cards represent the 50 greatest NASCAR
drivers and will be packaged with a single card in every two packs. The
cards will feature a "retro" 2x3 size, uv coating and feature a foil
stamping.
The 34 living members of this select group were honored Feb. 15,
1998 during pre-race festivities for the 1998 Daytona 500 at Daytona
International Speedway. *********
Also see Steve
Samples "REAL Top 50
Bobby Allison
*Davey Allison
Buddy Baker
*Buck Baker
Geoff Bodine
*Neil Bonnett
*Red Byron
Jerry Cook
*Dale Earnhardt
*Ralph Earnhardt
Bill Elliott
*Richie Evans
Red Farmer
*Tim Flock
A.J. Foyt
Harry Gant
Jeff Gordon
*Ray Hendrick
Jack Ingram
*Bobby Isaac
Ernie Irvan
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson
*Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Fred Lorenzen
*Tiny Lund
Mark Martin
Hershel McGriff
Cotton Owens
Marvin Panch
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Richard Petty
*Lee Petty
*Tim Richmond
*Fireball Roberts
Ricky Rudd
*Marshall Teague
*Herb Thomas
*Curtis Turner
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
*Joe Weatherly
*Bob Welborn
Rex White
Glen Wood
Cale Yarborough
*LeeRoy Yarbrough
Red=
Page Links
*Deceased
Also see Steve
Samples "REAL Top 50
