SONOMA, Calif. — The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame celebrated its latest induction ceremonies on June 9 in the company of more than 500 inductees, racing industry figures, guests and media members at Sonoma Raceway.
The ceremonies, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, celebrated the many achievements of the 13 newest members.
For the first time, the event was held at Sonoma Raceway as the grand opening of the track’s elegant Turn 11 Club. Highlights of the ceremonies will be broadcast by MAVTV later this summer, with date and times to be announced.
Inducted in the Class of 2022 are Greg Biffle, NASCAR Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series champion; Garrett Evans, NASCAR Elite Series four-time Northwest Series champion; Brendan Gaughan, two-time ARCA Menards Series West champion; David Gilliland, two-time ARCA Menards Series West championship crew chief; John Moore, NASCAR State of California champion and Placer County Fair Board president; and three-time United States Auto Club Silver Crown champion Jimmy Sills.
The heritage honorees — individuals from an earlier era of motorsport — are Art and Michael Atkinson, two generation NASCAR officials and Southern California track operators; Phil Casey, Indianapolis 500 and United States Auto Club chief mechanic; Ron Esau, NASCAR Elite Series Southwest Series champion; Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion; Ken Sapper, multiple Southern California track sportsman champion and racing industry executive; and Jim Walker, Riverside Permatex 300 winner and multiple Redwood Acres track champion.
The second annual Knockin Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year award was presented to Speedway Children’s Charities and the group’s Sonoma Chapter.
The award was accepted by Sonoma Raceway Senior Vice President/General Manager Jill Gregory.
Presenters included NASCAR President Steve Phelps, NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell, former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, broadcaster Gary Gerould, additional members of the Hall’s board of directors and previous inductees.
In his opening remarks, Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame, announced that the organization will reach $700,000 in charitable giving later this year and expects to reach the $1 million mark in the next several years.