Earnhardt and Seven Other Inductees Honored at 14th Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

NOVI, Mich., June 13 -- As Teresa Earnhardt went on stage to accept her late husband's "Horsepower" statuette for his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, she spontaneously walked to Dale's famous number three car, which was center stage, and kissed it. She then turned to the audience and asked them, "Don't you just miss him?"

Seven-time Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt, along with seven other honorees, were inducted Wednesday night into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America at the State Theater in Detroit. The other inductees were: Gordon Johncock, open wheel racing; Brian Redman, sports car racing; Fred Offenhauser, at-large; Eddie Hill, drag racing; Eddie Lawson, motorcycle racing; Paul Mantz, air racing; and Gaston Chevrolet, historic racing pre-World War II.

Many other big names in motorsports were on hand to take part in the festivities, including former drag racing inductee Shirley Muldowney and former open wheel inductee Bobby Unser.

Former NASCAR Champion and current NBC broadcaster, Benny Parsons, served as master of ceremonies. Stu Grant, general manager of Global Race Tires for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., served as the honorary chairman for the event.

"It was as emotionally moving as it was entertaining," said Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. "Tears were shed for some departed heroes, but most important was the sincere joy and pride shown by the honorees by reaching the pinnacle of their careers. What an incredible evening!"

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America houses numerous racing and high performance vehicles. The continually changing collection showcases racers and vehicles from the world of Indy cars, stock cars, Can Am, Trans-Am, sprint cars, powerboats, airplanes, truck racing and motorcycles. For more information, please contact the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America at (348) 349-7223.