When NASCAR was just a fledgling sport, trying to gain a foothold in its early days, several men gained notice and helped take it to prominence.
On Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., a number of those pioneers were named members of the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.
Four of the five inductees represent NASCAR's roots: Herb Thomas and Buck Baker, both two-time champions in the 1950s; driver-turned-championship owner Cotton Owens, who embarked on his career in 1950; and engine builder and pit stop innovator Leonard Wood, whose team is one of the oldest in the sport.
They joined the youngster of the group, 1989 Cup champion Rusty Wallace, as the new five members for NASCAR's Hall.
The group will be inducted on Feb. 8.
NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said it was "the toughest class to date in making the choices" for who would be the inductees from the list of the 25 nominees.
Thomas and Wood each earned 57 percent of the vote, followed by Wallace (52 percent), Owens (50 percent) and Baker (39 percent).
FOX Sports
