Janet Guthrie received the Landmark Award at the ceremony, honoring her significant contributions to NASCAR. As the first woman to participate in a NASCAR superspeedway race, she achieved the 15th spot in the 1976 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Guthrie also made history as the inaugural woman to qualify for the Daytona 500, excelling in the 1977 edition by finishing 12th. Her racing prowess extended to multiple instances of the Indianapolis 500 and a second run at the Daytona 500 in 1978, where she secured the 11th position.
While unable to attend the ceremony in person, Guthrie expressed her gratitude to NASCAR and its voters for the unexpected honor. In a video message, she conveyed her love for NASCAR Cup racing and expressed regret for not continuing beyond her 33 races.
Guthrie took the opportunity to thank her car owner Lynda Ferreri, Humpy Wheeler, Junior Johnson, and Cale Yarborough, to whom she attributed her initial disapproval at Charlotte in 1976.
Donnie Allison, a core member of the historic Alabama Gang, was the first among three Hall of Fame inductees to be recognized. With ten wins in his NASCAR Cup Series career, Allison played a pivotal role in the defining moment at the end of the 1979 Daytona 500.
In his speech, he acknowledged the contribution of the France family to NASCAR and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the chance to follow his lifelong passion. Allison also highlighted the young talents he nurtured during his career, including Ricky Hendrick and Joey Logano.
Chad Knaus, known for his association with Hendrick Motorsports, was recognized for leading Jimmie Johnson to all seven of his NASCAR Cup Series titles. Introduced by his wife and children, Knaus shared a story of how he landed his first job at HMS and shed light on his work relationship with Johnson.
He acknowledged that he might not have been the perfect partner for Johnson but emphasized that his intentions were always in Johnson’s favor.
Finally, Jimmie Johnson, boasting seven NASCAR Cup Series Titles and 83 cup wins, graced the stage. Introduced by his wife and children, Johnson shared his humble beginnings and expressed gratitude to everyone who played a part in his journey.
He concluded by stating that the journey had been beyond his wildest dreams, considering it even more special than receiving his first motorcycle for Christmas in 1979.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Shav Glick, honoring him with the Squier-Hall Award for Media Excellence. Glick, who passed away in 2007, received recognition for his contributions to the world of NASCAR media.