TALLADEGA, AL — Even though the International Motorsports Hall of Fame’s 8th annual induction ceremony, set for Thursday evening, April 23rd, has sold out earlier than any of the previous inductions, IMHOF Executive Director Don Naman has announced plans to make it even bigger and better.

    “In honor of NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary celebration, we are adding a salute to the Top 50 drivers in NASCAR history. These drivers were chosen by a independent media panel prior to the kickoff of the celebration, and we are extending invitations to each of them and their spouses to be honored at our induction ceremony.” said Naman.

    “Many of these drivers have already been inducted into our Hall of Fame, including Davey Allison this year, and it is likely that all 50 will wind up being enshrined here some day.”

    Including the six inductees for 1998, there are 75 motorsports greats that grace the walls of the Hall of Fame in the Union 76 Building at IMHOF. Of these, 21 are listed as being among NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. They include Bobby and Davey Allison, Buck and Buddy Baker, Ralph Earnhardt, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Bobby Isaac, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Fred Lorenzen, Tiny Lund, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee and Richard Petty, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Joe Weatherly and Cale Yarborough.

    The vast majority of the other 29 are still actively racing, and will be strong candidates for inclusion into the Motorsports Hall of Fame when they become eligible.

    Naman was pleased that the induction ceremony sold out as quickly as it did, but regrets that many fans who wanted to attend waited too long to get their tickets.

    “We are getting phone calls every day from folks wanting tickets, and all we can tell them is to make their plans earlier for 1999.” said Naman.