The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • B6

6B Thursday, May 21, 2015 charlotteobserver.com The Charlotte Observer Labonte received 61 percent of the vote, Turner 60 percent, Cook 47 percent and Isaac 44 percent. The five drivers that constitu- ted the vote, registered on NASCAR.com, were Buddy Bak- er, Alan Kulwicki, Labonte, Mark Martin and Benny Parsons. Labonte was the only driver from the fan vote that made the 2016 class. He won champion- ships in the Cup series in 1984 and 1996 a 12 year stretch that still stands as a NASCAR record. really said Labonte, who took part in a tele- conference call from his hotel in Dallas.

certainly do appreciate all the fans out there that voted for me. very exciting. something when you start out racing not one of your goals you set. You set to do as good as you can every weekend and try to win races and win championships, and being se- lected to something like is really, really an unbelievable Although Cook stopped com- peting on the track in 1982, he re- mains involved in the sport, first serving as modified series direc- tor and working now as compe- tition administrator. learned how to lose it be- fore I learned how to win Cook said of his induction.

was the same way with the championship I learned how to lose them two or three times, fin- ishing second, before I learned how to win Asked what he first thought when he heard France call his name, Cook replied, had to make sure it was Isaac, who won 37 races in what is now the Cup series, still holds the record for most poles won in a season (19 in 1969). He won the 1970 series champion- ship behind 11 wins, 32 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes in 47 starts. Turner, one of the most color- ful competitors of his time, won 17 times in the Cup series and 38 of the 79 races in which he com- peted in the NASCAR convert- ible division. He remains the only series driver to win two consecutive races from the pole by leading every lap. Harold Brasington, who opened Darlington (S.C.) Race- way, first super- speedway, in 1950, was named the second winner of the Landmark Award for outstanding contribu- tions to NASCAR.

Utter: 704-358-5113; Twitter: Hall of Fame class selected PHOTOS BY CHUCK BURTON AP Modified standout Jerry Cook acknowledges the applause at the NASCAR Hall of Fame after being named to the 2016 class. HALL from 1B Margaret Turner Wright, center, reacts with her husband Barry Wright, left, and Patsy Agner, right, after her father, Curtis Turner, was named to the 2016 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Jerry Cook Made his name in modifieds, winning six NASCAR modified championships, including four in a row (1974-77). Made 1,474 starts and won 26 poles and 342 races in his career, which ended in 1982. Won nine track championships across three states.

After retire- ment, he served as the modified director when it began in 1985 and remains with NASCAR as competition administrator. Bobby Isaac His 49 career poles rank 10th all time, and he won 19 in a single season (1969), still a NASCAR re- cord. Was runner-up for the premier series championship in 1968 and won the title in 1970 behind 11 wins, 32 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes in 47 starts. His 37 premier series wins rank 19th all time. In 1971, Isaac set 28 world- class records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, many of which remain today.

Died Aug. 14, 1977. Terry Labonte A two-time champion in NAS- premier series, and a two- nickname star. Early in his career he was known as the for his coolness under pressure. Later, he became known as the thanks to his 655 consecutive starts, a record that stood until 2002.

The 12 years between two championships (1984 and 1996) stands as a NASCAR record. One of six drivers with championships in two decades. Labonte had 22 wins and won 27 poles in 890 career starts. He offi- cially retired at the end of the 2014 season. O.

Bruton Smith Longtime chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports he bought his first race car at the age of 17 and a year later promoted his first stock car race, in Midland. Built Charlotte Motor Speedway, which became the foundation of SMI, and currently owns eight NASCAR tracks hosting 12 premier series races each year. Took SMI public in 1995 to become the first motorsports company to be traded at the New York Stock Exchange. Is active in child-related causes with his philanthropic foundation Speedway Charities. Curtis Turner The Ruth of stock car rac- Turner was among the fastest and most colorful competitors in the early years.

Competed in first premier series race, in Charlotte in 1949, and earned the first of his 17 career victories in his fourth start, at Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway. Although many of his wins came on short tracks and dirt, he did win the 1950 Southern 500 at Darlington and the first American 500 at Rock- ingham Speedway in 1965. Re- mains the only driver to win two consecutive races from the pole while leading every lap. Died Oct. 4, 1970.

JIM UTTER NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016 RACINGONE ISC Archives via GETTY RACINGONE ISC Archives via GETTY TYLER BARRICK GETTY FILE PHOTO family was legendary in NASCAR circles not with Brian, who Smith once told me he very and talks with often, but with father Bill and his grandfather Bill Sr. There were fights about money. Lots of them. The France family not only runs NASCAR but con- trols various racetracks, too, and so it was almost inevitable there was going to be conflicts with the other primary racetrack owner in the sport. There was a long dispute about whether or not speedway in Texas deserved a second date on the NASCAR schedule.

There was even a longstanding rumor that Smith would split off from NASCAR entirely, buying off some of the best drivers and de- veloping his own race series at his own tracks. think that was just one of those get Bill France four feet off the type of Wheeler said of the ru- mored split. Said Jarrett: think that maybe some voters might have thought the rivalry might have been too much of a hill to climb over (for Smith to ever make the hall of fame.) But I think NASCAR realizes that whatever rivalry there was between Bruton and the France family, it was good for the When France announced the five new inductees Wednesday night Smith was joined by former drivers Terry Labonte, Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac and Curtis Turner Smith in the room. NASCAR said he be immediately availa- ble for interviews. Charlotte Motor Speedway did issue a statement from Smith in which he said in part: a frus- trated builder who had a knack for promoting races, and been fun to always try to push the sport to greater heights for the fans.

From the first World 600, al- ways wanted the fans to leave with something spectacular to re- member about their He has certainly done that. Humpy and Bruton had a messy breakup in 2008, but Wheeler said a lot of nice things about his former boss Wednesday. like a good marriage that end the best Wheeler said. we had a great time. We did a lot of great things together Between Bruton and we conked Billy head a whole bunch of times, but he was hard-headed enough that let us have it back.

Rivalries are what make And Brian decision to speak up for Smith Wednesday, Wheeler said, was in character. has never been confron- tational, like his Dad was and his grandfather Wheeler said. more and let live and move I think we found out today that one of the great things about this business is you can bury the hatchet and every- fine. Bruton was controver- sial. Yeah, he did a lot of different things.

But he moved the needle. And the France family under- stood Fowler: Twitter: FOWLER from 1B Charlotte Race Weeks Three races are on tap this week, with longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, clos- ing out Charlotte Race Weeks on May 24. This action begins Thursday with practice ses- sions for the Xfinity and Sprint Cup races followed by qualify- ing for the Coca-Cola 600. THURSDAY p.m.: Sprint Cup practice p.m.: Xfinity Series practice p.m.: Xfinity Series practice 7:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup qualifying FRIDAY 6 p.m.: Outlaw Showdown, The Dirt Track at Charlotte SATURDAY a.m.: Sprint Cup practice 11:15 a.m.: Xfinity series qual- ifying p.m.: Final Sprint Cup practice 2:30 p.m.: Hisense 300 Xfinity Series race SUNDAY, MAY 24 6 p.m.: Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup race Note: For ticket information, call 800-455-3267 or visit charlottemotorspeedway.com. Charlotte Race Weeks Schedule.