WEST COAST STOCK CAR HALL OF FAME UPDATE By TIM KENNEDY

INDUCT 15 TO STOCK CAR HALL OF FAME - BY Tim Kennedy 
Monrovia, Calif., Jul. 22 - Fifteen inductees into the West Coast Stock 
Car Hall of Fame were honored during the fourth annual ceremonies held at the 
Holiday Inn San Gabriel Ballroom in Monrovia Friday from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. and 
attended by 135 persons. Nominees "must have contributed substantially to the 
sport of stock car racing." 
Honorees were: Drivers--Allen Adkins, Len Sutton, Sam Hanks, Dick Meyer 
and Ernie Irvan. Owners-Mechanics-Manufacturers-Sponsors--Bob Estes, Vel 
Miletich, Floyd Johnson, Tom Hamilton, Leon Ruther, Richard Elder and James Rush. 
Promoters-Officials-Media Members-Event/Series Sponsors--Ron Ail, Harry 
Schilling and Marion Collins. Inducters from the 1946-1969 era were: Adkins, Ail, 
Sutton, Estes, Hanks, Miletich, Schilling, Meyer, Johnson and Rush. Inductees from 
the modern era (1970 to present) were: Irvan, Ruther, Hamilton, Elder and 
Collins. 
Master of ceremonies Craig Armstrong, a former Portland racing promoter, 
gave the opening remarks. He introduced racing personalities present, 
including Parnelli Jones, Hershel McGriff, Jimmy Insolo, Jack McCoy, Walt James, Alice 
Hanks, Ken Clapp, Kevin Green, Mike David, Joe Nava and executives from 
California Speedway. Bob Butcher, of Motor Racing Outreach, gave the invocation 
before a two-hour banquet of salad, filet mignon and cheesecake desert. 
The two hour induction ceremonies commenced with acknowledgement of 
recently deceased WCSCHofF members Rodger Ward, Parker "Parky" Nall and Carl Dane. 
The widow and children of driver Sonny Easley, a past inductee, could not be 
located in the year he was inducted. This year they accepted his award on 
stage. Brief histories and accomplishments of all 15 inductees were read in 
alphabetical order and inductees or family members accepted induction plaques. 
Inductees present to accept their awards were Collins, Irvan and Ruther. Sutton was 
unable to attend because of recent surgery. Alice Hanks, widow of the 1957 
Indy 500 winner, accepted his award from Doug Stokes, of Irwindale Speedway.Clapp 
presented the son and grandson of Meyer his induction award. The late driver 
who lost his life coming home from an early race at Darlington. 
Parnelli Jones, a long-time business and racing partner of Miletich, made 
the presentation to Miletich's son Duchin. Larry Collins made the 
presentation to his father Marion, builder and promoter of Mesa Marin Raceway. He read a 
proclamation from the mayor of Bakersfield honoring Marion by naming July 22 
Marion Collins Day. McCoy was involved in the presentations for Ail, Irvan and 
Elder, who died at 56 in 1997. Walt James recalled Estes, who died at 88 four 
years ago. Nava made the presentation to Hamilton's wife in his absence. 
Johnson' s widow Gussie accepted his award. Insolo presented Ruther his plaque. 
McGriff spoke about Oakland Speedway owner Schilling, who was ill and unable to 
attend. McGriff also accepted the award for his fellow Oregonian Sutton and 
said he wanted to attend, but his doctor said he should not travel. 
Tim Meyer, publisher of Racing News West in St. George, UT., founded the 
WCSCHofFin 2001 to honor West Coast persons involved in making stock car 
racing what it is today. Meyer continues as board president. Board members who 
nominate/elect members are Craig Armstrong, Ken Clapp,, Kevin Green, Walt James, 
Owen Kearns, Jack McCoy, Les Richter and Doug Stokes. Annual induction 
ceremonies have been held for four years at a hotel near Irwindale on the night before 
the NASCAR Grand National West race in July at Irwindale Speedway.