Open-wheel racing champion Michael Andretti, road racer Richie Ginther, and perennial drag-racing king John Force will lead a class of seven racing greats into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, when the organization stages its annual induction ceremony on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at the Fillmore Detroit.
These three, along with NASCAR-driver Buddy Baker, motorcycle hero Wayne Rainey, versatile NASCAR / USAC-driver Paul Goldsmith, and pioneering aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton will join 167 racers already enshrined in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
“On land and in the sky, the Class of 2008 represents race wins and championships in every series in America and beyond,” says Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Michael Andretti, the oldest son of Hall of Famer Mario Andretti, is one of the first second-generation, open-wheel race drivers. He was the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year in 1984 and won the CART championship in 1991. During his driving career, he won more races, more poles, and led more laps than any other active Champ Car driver. He is third on the all-time Champ Car win list with 42, behind only A.J. Foyt and his father. As a car owner, he has won three IRL titles and two Indy 500s.
Photo: Alllen Kuhn
Richie Ginther started his driving career in 1951 and competed in the Carrera Panamericana, LeMans, and in Formula One. He was a factory driver for Ferrari and BRM. In 1965, he took Honda to the winner’s circle for the first time in F1 at the Mexican Grand Prix. He retired from driving in 1967 and passed away in 1989.
Buddy Baker, another second-generation driver, won 19 races on the NASCAR circuit including the 1980 Daytona 500 and back-to-back Coca-Cola 600s in 1972 and 1973. On March 24, 1970, he was the first NASCAR driver to break the 200 mph barrier at the Talladega Speedway. He is the son of Hall of Famer Buck Baker.
John Force is one of the most dominant drag racers in the history of the sport with 14 Funny Car championships, and his 125 career victories and 200 career final rounds are the most by any driver in the history of the National Hot Rod Association.
Wayne Rainey won the 1983 and 1987 AMA Superbike Championship (including the 1987 Daytona 200), and the 1990, 1991, and 1992 500-cc FIM World Road Racing Championship before his riding career was prematurely ended by spinal injuries suffered in a racing accident. Rainey remained in the sport as a team manager. Today he stays active racing hand-controlled karts.
Paul Goldsmith was one of American motor racing’s most versatile competitors. Between 1952 and 1966, he won four major motorcycle races, nine NASCAR national events, two USAC stock car season titles, and ran with distinction in six Indy 500s.
Tickets for the Induction Ceremony can be purchased by calling 1-800-250-RACE (7223).
