by RICK MINTER/ Andrews McMeel Syndication
Last Friday night, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, inducted its 10th class — Jeff Gordon, Roger Penske, Jack Roush, the late Alan Kulwicki and the late Davey Allison.
Gordon’s acceptance speech drew some of the most enthusiastic applause of the night when he thanked his fans, including those seated at the back of the auditorium during the induction ceremony.
“What a special evening. I’m so honored to be here surrounded by friends, family, fans and many people that have worked very hard behind the scenes for me over the years,” Gordon said. “Thank you to the fans who make racing the great sport that it is. You make being a race car driver a dream come true.”
Penske and Roush, both longtime and successful team owners, thanked the drivers, partners and employees that made their success possible.
“When I announced my plan to start a NASCAR Cup team in January 1988, few, if any, knowledgeable fans and even fewer Cup team personnel would have given me favorable odds of surviving for more than three decades as I stand before you tonight,” Roush said.
Many felt it was fitting that Kulwicki and Allison, who raced together and died relatively young in accidents just three months apart back in 1993, were inducted in the same ceremony.
Allison died at 32 and Kulwicki at 38, and both perished in aviation crashes. Allison won 19 races, while Kulwicki, who was both driver and owner, won five races and the 1992 Cup championship.
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