2007 West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame Inductees
2007 WEST COAST STOCK CAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES The 2007 inductees into the West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame shows how deep the talent runs in the West. Everyone of the inductees could have been inducted in the HOF the first time around. 1946-1969 Don Basile, Don is being inducted in honor of his outstanding achievements as a race promoter and track operator in Southern California, he was a master at dirt track preparation. Ed Justice Sr., One of the founders of the Justice Bros. Automotive Supply Company in Southern California Ed has been a long time supporter of stock car racing and motorsports in general. Dick Rathmann, born in Southern California, ran his first race at Carroll Speedway and went on to win 13 NASCAR Grand National races, 79 top tens and 13 poles in 128 races over 5 years. His best finish in points was 3rd in 1953. Johnny Steel: With 5 wins, over 30 top tens and best points finish of 3rd in 1965 and 1966. Steel was a tough and steady racer.1970 to Present: Butch Gilliland: Won the 1997 NASCAR Grand National Championship, finished 3rd in 1995, 6th in 1998 and 10th in 1999. He drove for the west coast powerhouse team of Stroppe and later for his own team. He is the father of NEXTEL Cup driver David Gilliland. Chad Little: His first year in the NASCAR Winston West Series he finished 2nd in points and was named "Rookie Of The Year" and the nest year 1987 he won the Championship. By 1995 Chad landed a ride in the BUSCH Series winning six races. In 1997 Chad was hired by Jack Roush finishing in the top 10 13 times. Wayne and Connie Spears: Long time west coast team owners and supporter of west coast stock car racing, won championships with Bill Sedgwick and Kevin Harvick and went on to establish one of the best NASCAR Craftsman truck series teams. A special tribute to the ladies of racing: Long before the drive for diversity we had a strong group of women racers on the west coast, the NASCAR Girls, the "Lady Lead Foots", Barbara Trash, Betty Townsen, Irene Richardson, Hila "Paulson" Sweet and Vickie Jones are just some on the ladies that ran. The 2007 induction ceremony will be held early in 2008, date, location and times will be announced shortly.Tim Meyer West Coast Stock Car Hall Of FameRacing News West _________________________________________________________________ Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_122007