Roger ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ Inducted Into NASCAR Hall of Fame
Recognizing the accomplishments of a man that has made an indelible impact on the sport for more than 55 years, Roger ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday evening, February 1, 2019.
ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ was among five legends of stock car racing that were enshrined at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, including former legendary drivers Jeff Gordon, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison, along with fellow longtime team owner Jack Roush. The 2019 honorees represent the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
First competing in NASCAR as a driver in the early '60s before becoming a team owner and also a race track operator and promoter, ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ has one of the most unique and diverse legacies in the history of the sport.
The man affectionately known as βThe Captainβ won a NASCAR Pacific Coast race at Riverside in 1963 and that began a long and storied history of winning in stock car racing for ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½.
Through the 2018 season β the 52nd year of competition for Team ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ β Roger ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½βs teams have produced 182 victories in NASCARβs two premiere series, including winning the Daytona 500 with Ryan Newman in 2008 and Joey Logano in 2015. Team ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ won its first Cup Series title in 2012 with Brad Keselowski and Logano is the reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion after a dramatic run to the crown last season. Keselowski also won the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) title in 2010 and Team ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ has earned four NXS Owner championships in the last six seasons.
In addition to his accomplishments as a team owner, ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ and his organization served as one of NASCARβs top track owners and race promoters for years at popular venues including Michigan International Speedway, California Speedway, North Carolina Speedway and Nazareth Speedway.
ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ reflected on his history in the sport during Friday nightβs induction ceremony.
βThis Hall of Fame honor and this moment is very special to me, and I am so glad to share it with my family and friends,β said ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½. βRacing has been a part of my life almost as long as I can remember. It is a common thread that is woven throughout all of our ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ business. Racing is simply who we are.β
As prepares to defend its Cup Series crown in 2019, ΜΗΠΔ΄«Γ½ was proud to be honored with four other NASCAR icons and take his place in the hallowed halls of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.