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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Wednesday the 2013 class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person class, which will be officially inducted in a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., consists of Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood.
-- Buck Baker
Elzie Wylie "Buck" Baker established himself as one of NASCAR's early greats, becoming the first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier series championships. His repeat performance in 1956-57 was the highlight of an incredible four-year span; in 1955 and '58 Baker finished as the series championship runner-up. His career victory total of 46 is tied for 14th all time.
-- Cotton Owens
Everett "Cotton" Owens enjoyed success as both a driver and owner in NASCAR. Behind the wheel, he won nine times in NASCAR's premier series competition, including the 1957 Daytona Beach road course. He nearly won the 1959 championship, finishing second to Hall of Famer Lee Petty. But as an owner, Owens stood out as one of the greats of NASCAR's early eras. His eye for talent was unmatched. He hired Hall of Famer Junior Johnson in 1962, the same season in which he began a future championship relationship with another Hall of Famer -- David Pearson. Owens won 38 races as an owner.
-- Herb Thomas
Herb Thomas was truly one of NASCAR's first superstars. He was the first to win two NASCAR premier series championships (1951, '53). He finished second in the points standings in 1952 and 1954 giving the North Carolina veteran top-two championship finishes in four consecutive seasons. He finished outside the top two in the championship only once (fifth in 1955) between 1951 and 1956. Thomas won both his championships driving self-owned cars.
-- Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace Jr., the 1989 NASCAR premier series champion, won his first of 55 races in 1986, capturing the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. His 55 victories rank ninth all time. He was especially adept on the circuit's short tracks, winning 25 times at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro and Richmond. His influence on the sport continued after his retirement, as an analyst on ESPN.
-- Leonard Wood
The Wood Brothers team is renowned as the innovator of the modern pit stop. Leonard Wood, brother of Glen and Delano Wood, was front and center in its development as chief mechanic (crew chief) for the Stuart, Va.,-based team. As crew chief, Wood amassed 96 wins and 117 poles in 990 races.
-- Buck Baker
Elzie Wylie "Buck" Baker established himself as one of NASCAR's early greats, becoming the first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier series championships. His repeat performance in 1956-57 was the highlight of an incredible four-year span; in 1955 and '58 Baker finished as the series championship runner-up. His career victory total of 46 is tied for 14th all time.
-- Cotton Owens
Everett "Cotton" Owens enjoyed success as both a driver and owner in NASCAR. Behind the wheel, he won nine times in NASCAR's premier series competition, including the 1957 Daytona Beach road course. He nearly won the 1959 championship, finishing second to Hall of Famer Lee Petty. But as an owner, Owens stood out as one of the greats of NASCAR's early eras. His eye for talent was unmatched. He hired Hall of Famer Junior Johnson in 1962, the same season in which he began a future championship relationship with another Hall of Famer -- David Pearson. Owens won 38 races as an owner.
-- Herb Thomas
Herb Thomas was truly one of NASCAR's first superstars. He was the first to win two NASCAR premier series championships (1951, '53). He finished second in the points standings in 1952 and 1954 giving the North Carolina veteran top-two championship finishes in four consecutive seasons. He finished outside the top two in the championship only once (fifth in 1955) between 1951 and 1956. Thomas won both his championships driving self-owned cars.
-- Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace Jr., the 1989 NASCAR premier series champion, won his first of 55 races in 1986, capturing the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. His 55 victories rank ninth all time. He was especially adept on the circuit's short tracks, winning 25 times at Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro and Richmond. His influence on the sport continued after his retirement, as an analyst on ESPN.
-- Leonard Wood
The Wood Brothers team is renowned as the innovator of the modern pit stop. Leonard Wood, brother of Glen and Delano Wood, was front and center in its development as chief mechanic (crew chief) for the Stuart, Va.,-based team. As crew chief, Wood amassed 96 wins and 117 poles in 990 races.
