BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame has revealed the nominees for the 2024 class.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) veteran Willy T. Ribbs and team owner Calvin Wells III are among six first-time nominees under consideration for induction.
Nominated again after appearing on previous ballots are Austin Cameron, Dick Cobb, Ken Boyd, Ernie Cope, Mike David, Davey Hamilton, Eric Holmes, Lance Hooper, Tony Hunt, Jeff Jefferson, Brad Noffsinger, Jimmy Vasser, Boris Said and Sean Woodside.
Five inductees will be named early next year, following two rounds of voting by the organization’s Board of Directors. First-round voting begins next week.
The organization will induct its seventh Heritage class of six individuals whose careers largely began prior to 1970. The five Heritage inductees will be named in the spring. The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame will reveal its first 10 Pioneers of Motorsports – most of whom began their careers prior to World War II.
The induction ceremonies, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway (Ill.) will be held Thursday, June 6 as part of the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR ARCA Menard Series West weekend at Sonoma Raceway. The gala will be held in Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club and will feature naming of the 4th Annual Knockin Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year presented by 51FIFTY.
“As the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame moves further into its third decade, I can’t recall a more diversified group of nominees for consideration. Simply said, it is really exciting to look at the 20 contestants entering the first round of voting,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. “Further to my level of excitement, I am glad to be moving forward with a Pioneer category to bring into membership figures going back to the early 1900s.
“After considerable evaluation and careful consideration, it was determined the Pioneer category’s selection would be decided by a Historical Committee, rather than via ballot, since very few persons remain who have thorough knowledge of 100 years of history.
“We are also very proud to note our organization’s charitable giving has exceeded more than $800,000 over the past six years.”