8:31 PM
Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the most popular race car drivers in history, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday night.
The 12th class of the Hall of Fame included late-model driver Red Farmer and modified driver Mike Stefanik. The Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR was given to Seagraves. The group was selected in 2020, but the ceremony was delayed due to the coronaviruses.
Earnhardt received more votes from the Modern Era ballot.
Four months after his father's death, the younger Earnhardt won two Daytona 500s and a race at the same track as he was known around the pits as "Junior".
The younger Earnhardt never won a championship like his father. His impact has been felt in the community.
"To join Dad in the Hall of Fame is probably as good as it gets," Earnhardt said.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France presents Dale Earnhardt Jr. with his jacket during the NHOF Class of 2021.
Earnhardt was the most popular driver in NASCAR for 15 years in a row.
Jeff Gordon said Dale Earnhardt Jr. has impacted the sport the most in the time he has been involved. Three-quarters of the crowd stood up and cheered when he won.
Earnhardt began his career at Dale Earnhardt Inc., winning back-to-back Xfinity Series titles and 13 races in two full-time seasons. He won his first race in the Cup Series. Like his father, Earnhardt was a master of the draft and thrived in restrictor-plate racing with 10 of his 26 career Cup victories coming at Daytona and Talladega.
He left DEI six years after his father's death and joined Hendrick in 2008 as one of the most coveted free agents in the sport.
Rick Hendrick said he's been amazed by Earnhardt ever since.
Earnhardt asked for $1 million to be deducted from his paycheck and distributed among the company's employees so that no one would have to suffer during the recession.
Earnhardt went into the front office of the company and demanded that the money be redistributed immediately.
He has an unbelievable heart.
"I don't know of anyone in any sport that has represented his family better than Richard," said the Hall of Fame driver.
Earnhardt was inducted by his wife.
She said that he gives of himself daily and loves his family very much.
Tony Stewart was the person who inducted Farmer.
According to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Farmer's win total is somewhere north of 700.
Farmer won NASCAR's Modified Division championship in 1956 and then three consecutive titles in the Late Model Sportsman Division from 1969-71. Farmer ran 36 Cup Series races with the best finish being a fourth place.
NASCAR named Farmer's one of its 50 greatest drivers.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France presents Red Farmer with his jacket during the NHOF Class of 2021.
Farmer survived a helicopter crash that killed race car driver Davey Allison, a tornado that damaged his car and trailer, and a bout with carbon dioxide.
He drives on short tracks at age 89.
"It's something that gets in your blood and you can't get it out," said Farmer, who said he can't wait to drive on Talladega's short track just days after having a treatment on his heart. I have not gotten it out of my blood in 75 years. I have had a great life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Farmer is the first driver to be in the "pioneer" ballot, which recognizes drivers who began their careers before 1962.
The nine all-time NASCAR titles won by Stefanik were tied with the most ever by Evans.
He won seven titles in the Whelen Modified Tour and two in the Busch North Series. The modified series records for championships, wins, poles, and top-five and top-10 finishes have been held by Stefanik. He was one of the tour's 10 greatest drivers.
Ray Evernham, a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2018, inducted Stefanik into the Hall. Julie accepted the honor on her husband's behalf and said he respected his competitors.
She said that he was a clean and fair racer.
The award for outstanding contributions to NASCAR was given to Seagraves. Seagraves was an official with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and helped sponsor theWinston Cup Series, a partnership that helped NASCAR launch into the national spotlight and created a bedrock of stability for three decades.
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