Mark Martin NMPA Hall of Fame Inductee

Mark Martin NMPA Hall of Fame inductee as of today

Mark Martin NMPA Hall of Fame inductee as winner of 40 NASCAR premier series races and a runner-up in the championship battle on five occasions. He has officially been selected for induction into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame.

Martin, 57, will be inducted Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. He was named on 95 percent of the ballots cast by the NMPA membership. The Batesville, Arkansas, native competed in NASCAR for more than three decades.

His 40 NASCAR career victories currently rank 17th on the all-time list for the series while his 882 career starts rank fifth overall for the sanctioning body’s top series.

Tony Stewart Congratulates Mark Martin Win

The National Motorsports Press Association consists of qualified members of the media who report on the sport of auto racing through affiliations with print, radio, television and/or Internet news gathering organizations.

Members of the NMPA are dedicated to maintaining high journalistic standards, providing information fairly, accurately and without prejudice.

Formed more than 40 years ago as the Southern Motorsports Association, the NMPA began as a small group of writers and broadcasters who primarily covered NASCAR and related stock car racing in the South.

Through the years, it has evolved into an organization made up of national and international members who cover all forms of motorsports. It also includes associate members, many of whom are among the most influential individuals in auto racing.

The NMPA Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame, located on the grounds of Darlington (S.C.) Raceway has been in operation since 1965.

Two of the most significant honors an individual or group in auto racing can receive are presented by the NMPA each year. The Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award has been awarded annually since 1969 during ceremonies at the group’s annual convention and awards dinner. The Myers Brothers Award, recognizing lifetime contributions to motorsports, is presented each year as part of the NASCAR Awards Ceremony.

Also presented is the NMPA Most Popular Award, determined by nationwide fan voting. Each year, millions of votes are cast. It is the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the fans.

The NMPA Spirit Award recognizes individuals or groups that perform charitable acts or display courage under adverse circumstances.

Others receiving votes but falling short of the required 65 percent necessary for induction were veteran crew chiefs Kirk Shelmerdine (61 percent), Buddy Parrott (59 percent) and Larry McReynolds (51 percent); and long-time Martinsville Speedway public relations director Dick Thompson (59 percent). Former statistician Bob Latford and driver Dan Gurney were also named as write-in candidates on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot.

 

Mark Martin Photos – NASCAR Career

 

Author: NMPA

Photos: Chris Graythen/Jeff Gross/Sherryl Creekmore/Getty Images for NASCAR

 

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