NASCAR prepares to honor legends of its sport with the 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony. The most successful driver and crew chief pairing in NASCAR history will enter the Hall of Fame together, as Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus both got the call to the Hall. They will be joined by another member of the “Alabama Gang” who was an important part of an iconic Daytona 500 moment. And a trailblazer for women also takes her place in the Hall.

2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Modern Era Inductee: Jimmie Johnson

The man Jeff Gordon handpicked to drive the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports turned in one of the greatest careers in NASCAR history. Despite an inauspicious start to his NASCAR career, Jimmie Johnson found his groove while racing in the Cup Series, NASCAR’s highest level. Johnson joined Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt as the only drivers to win seven Cup Series championships. He became the first driver to win five championships in a row from 2006-2010. Johnson also tied Cale Yarborough for sixth on the all-time wins list with 83 race wins.

Johnson’s career includes two Daytona 500 victories, four Brickyard 400s and four All-Star Race wins. He retired from full-time racing following the 2020 season to race in the Indycar series for two years. Johnson still drives part time for Legacy Motorsports as part of joint venture with Richard Petty. Johnson received 93 percent of the votes for the Hall of Fame.

2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Modern Era Inductee: Chad Knaus

The man on top of the pit box for Jimmie Johnson in a majority of those wins will be joining him in the Hall of Fame. Chad Knaus started at Hendrick Motorsports in the body shop before learning the ins and outs of the pit crew from Jeff Gordon’s legendary crew chief, Ray Evernham. However, it was the pairing with Johnson in 2002 that led to a Hall of Fame tandem.

Knaus guided Johnston to all seven championships and 81 of his 83 wins. He would also serve as crew chief for William Byron during the 2020 season, guiding the Hendrick Motorsports driver to his first career win. Knaus received 81 percent of the vote for induction.

2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Pioneer Era Inductee: Donnie Allison

Donnie Allison served as an ambassador for NASCAR for more than 50 years. A member of the famed “Alabama Gang” Donnie will join his brother, Bobby, and nephew, Davey, in the Hall of Fame. Allison won ten races in his career with his best season coming in 1970 when he won three. He was also named 1967 Rookie of the Year.

Despite his accomplishments, Allison’s greatest claim to fame is probably his role in the infamous brawl at the 1979 Daytona 500 following a crash between Allison and Cale Yarborough. Allison maintains that Yarborough cost him the win that day. Still, the publicity from the crash and fight helped NASCAR gain popularity in the United States. Donnie Allison received 53 percent of the Pioneer Era vote.

2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR: Janet Guthrie

A true trailblazer for women in NASCAR, Janet Guthrie becomes the third woman inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Working as an aerospace engineer in the 1960s, Guthrie became a race car driver in 1972. She became the first women to drive a super speedway race in NASCAR’s top series when she raced in the 1976 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Guthrie made history as the first woman to race in the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500, qualifying for both races in 1977. In all, she made 33 stars in NASCAR’s premier series.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be streamed Friday, January 18th on Peacock. Congratulations to all the inductees.

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