The International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be top-heavy with NASCAR characters. Tonight’s program includes three stock-car men who helped push their sport into major-league status. The NASCAR banner will be carried into the Hall of Fame by Robert “Red” Byron, Everett “Cotton” Owens and Ralph Seagraves. On the other half of the program are Art Arfons, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins and Frank Kurtis.

The following men will be inducted into the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame tonight in Talladega, Ala.:

Art Arfons (1926-2007): Set the unlimited Land Speed Record three times in the infamous Green Monster.
Robert “Red” Byron (1926-60): Won the first NASCAR-sanctioned race on the Daytona Beach & Road Course in 1948.
Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins (1930- ): Built engines for 61 NHRA eliminators, producing five titles and three ARHA crowns.
Frank Kurtis (1908-87): Built five Indy 500-winning cars, and his midget-car package dominated the sport for 20 years.
Everett “Cotton” Owens (1924- ): Scored 41 NASCAR wins and 38 poles as driver and car owner.
Ralph Seagraves (1929-98): Helped initiate R.J. Reynolds’ sponsorship of motorsports, including NASCAR, in the 1970s.

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