NASCAR Hall Of Fame Officially Inducts 2012 Class

The membership of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame now stands at 15 people after five more legends were inducted into the uptown Charlotte shrine on Friday night.

Dale Inman, Glen Wood, Richie Evans, Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip officially became members of the Class of 2012. Speed will air the ceremony via tape delay on Sunday night (6 p.m. Eastern), but if you’re anxious to read about it beforehand, here are a few highlights from each inductee:

Known for: Winning eight Cup championships – seven as Richard Petty’s crew chief.

Introduced by: Richard Petty, driver and cousin.

Petty: “I always looked at the way that Dale approached things – with attitude, confidence and focus. That’s what he did with his people, and that’s the reason he was able to be a winner like he is.”

Inman: “I’m kind of familiar with this (Hall of Fame) ring. For the last two or three years, Richard has put it in my face a bunch of times.”

Known for: Being one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers and helping build the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team.

Introduced by: Leonard Wood, brother.

Leonard Wood: “Glen started racing 61 years ago. Glen and his partner, Chris Williams, and I were riding down the road. Chris says, ‘What we’ve got to do is get some fame.’ I’ll have to say, this is as good as it gets.”

Glen Wood: “This is not just about me being inducted in the Hall of Fame. It’s also about the Wood Brothers. And it’s about NASCAR. I’m proud to have been a NASCAR driver and car owner for the past 60 years, and I’m proud of this great honor.”

Known for: Winning nine NASCAR Modified championships, including eight in a row.

Introduced by: Billy Nacewicz, crew chief.

Nacewicz: “He left me with two lifelong lessons. One – a hard word ethic and two – to enjoy whatever you’re doing. Because as he would later say, ‘We’re all just passing through.’”

Lynn Evans, widow: “I’d like to say thanks to all of his fans who have kept his memory alive.”

Known for: Three straight NASCAR Cup championships and winning 83 career races.

Introduced by: Ken Squier, broadcaster.

Squier: “He was – and still is today – the real deal.”

Yarborough: “Racing is like a big, tall ladder. When you begin, you start off on the bottom of that ladder. And it’s a long, hard climb. But I feel like tonight, I’m finally standing on the top step.”

Known for: Winning three Cup titles and 84 races, and later gaining notoriety as a NASCAR TV broadcaster.

Introduced by: Jeff Hammond, former crew chief.

Hammond: “I would venture to say our sport will never see the likes of Darrell Waltrip ever again. He is truly one to a box.”

Waltrip: “If you’re going to dream, dream big – because it might just come true. I’m living proof of that.”