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NASCAR Hall of Fame 5th Class Finalist - Les Richter - Executive/Promoter


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Les Richter - Executive/Promoter(Credit ISC Archives/Getty Images)

SEE ALSO: Complete List Of Finalists - Includes Official NASCAR Bio's and Pictures

(b. 10/6/30 - d. 6/12/10)
Hometown:
Riverside, Calif.


Les Richter achieved extraordinary success as both a NASCAR executive and a National Football League defensive star.

After becoming an All-American and All-Pro as a hard-nosed lineman and linebacker, Richter, a native of Fresno, Calif., brought an incomparable work ethic to the world of motorsports. His second career began in 1959 at Riverside International Raceway, where he quickly rose to become president and general manager in 1961.

Richter, affectionately known as "Coach" throughout the motorsports industry, came to NASCAR in 1983 and evolved into one of the most important advisors to then-NASCAR Chairman/CEO Bill France Jr. as NASCAR’s popularity expanded. Richter was named NASCAR's executive vice president of competition in 1986 and the senior vice president of operations in 1992.

His last job in motorsports was as vice president of special projects for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., a track he helped come into existence and then become established as a big-time facility.

Richter was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February of this year.

Richter passed away in 2010 at the age of 79.