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First, there are six, rather than five, because of the close vote, who will be honored at the black tie banquet on April 26, 2007 -- during Talladega Superspeedway week festivities. They were selected by vote of an international panel of motorsports media from a group of 20, who surived the first cut. Secondly, and most important for Summit Drag Race Central readers, the class includes "The Professor" , Warren Johnson, who will be the seventh quarter pounder inducted into the shrine. Alphabettically, here are the other honorees: Junie Donlavey, Ray Hendrick, Jack Ingram, Johnson, Wayne Rainey and Bruton Smith. We'll look at those others, with whom most in motorsports are probably already familiar, but first to Johnson, and his thoughts: "When I looked at some the distinguished names on the list of the 20 finalists, I pretty much dismissed my chances of being included in the final cut," admitted an elated Johnson. "Therefore I was rather amazed when I received the call last week from (retiring IMHOF director) Jim Freeman letting me know that I was among the six inductees. "Naturally, I have a lot of people and sponsors to thank for helping me reach this point. Whatever success I have enjoyed is strictly the result of the quality of the people I have had working with me over the years, as well as my long-term relationships with such great companies as General Motors and GM Performance Parts. "To have my name listed alongside such racing legends as Bruton Smith, Jack Ingram, Junie Donleavy, Ray Hendrick and Wayne Rainey is quite an honor. I want to express my deepest appreciation to every one involved in the selection process, and especially my good friend Norm Froscher, and I look forward to thanking them in person at the induction ceremony next April," Johnson concluded. Although Johnson, 63, is still competing on a full-time basis as the owner and driver of the GM Performance Parts Pontiac GTO in the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series, he was eligible for induction under Freeman's unique "Over 62" rule, which waives the five-year waiting period for anyone still competing after the age of 62. So why the Professor, as the seventh member of the drag racing community? There is very likely nobody in the history of drag racing that has studied every aspect of the sport like W.J. It's no accident that he has been nicknamed "The Professor". And that paid off handsomely for the Minnesota native who now makes his home in Duluth, Ga. Johnson has the most wins -- 96 -- of any Pro Stock driver in NHRA history and that figure places him second on the all-time list just behind, you guessed it, John Force. Johnson, whose career began in 1982, has won six Pro Stock Championships, including back-to-back titles in 1992 and '93, again in 1998 and '99 and his sixth in 2001 (his first was in 1983). In the year of his most recent title, 2001, he was chosen No. 7 on NHRA's Greatest Drivers list. He was the first Pro Stock driver to shatter the 180,190 and 200 mph barriers, the latter coming in 1997. Johnson had at least one final round appearance in 24 consecutive seasons and has over 800 round wins. So whatta think he lists as his hobby? "Work". That says it all. And when W.J. -- who lists Greg Anderson among his former crew members and prodigies -- does finally decide to hang it up, the Johnson banner will be carried on by son Kurt, himself a 32-time winner and runner-up for the championship. The other six members of the Hall are: Wally Parks, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Joe Amato and Bob Glidden. Now, those classmates: Junie Donlavey, longtime stock car racer and car owner, he has a list of those who had an opportunity to drive for him which includes David Pearson, Fred Lorenzen, Joe Weatherly, Tiny Lund, Harry Gant, Buddy Baker and Ricky Rudd. Ray Hendrick ranks as one of the greatest stock car drivers who ever raced consistently on NASCAR Winston Cup/Grand National circuits. He was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers and the bulk of his 700 wins came on the modified and Late Model circuits. Jack Ingram was one of the dominant drivers in the old Grand National Series and didn't miss a beat when NASCAR introduced the Busch Series in 1982, winning that very first championship. Wayne Rainey, a master of the motorcycles, won three consecutive 500cc Grand Prix World titles, two AMA Superbike championships. His transition from minibikes to the professional ranks was swift and at the age of 18 he joined the AMA Grand National circuit. Bruton Smith really needs no introduction, from a career that began as a car salesman and local promoter in the Charlotte, N.C. He now is owner of Charlotte (Lowe's) Motor Speeday, Atlanta, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Las Vegas and Infineon Raceway. Located in Talladega, Alabama adjacent to the Talladega Superspeedway, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHOF) was the brainchild of William France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, and is dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as a driver, owner, developer or engineer. Welcoming its inaugural members in 1990, the IMHOF is now comprised of 122 inductees from all countries and racing disciplines.
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