NASCAR champions, innovators will be inducted into Hall of Fame on Friday night


Cars have been the overarching story of the NASCAR preseason, and the focal point will shift from Generation 6 to a finer vintage Friday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Rusty Wallace, 56, and Leonard Wood, 78, will be enshrined along with the posthumous inductions of Buck Baker, Cotton Owens and Herb Thomas.

The two living inductees represent a significant link to the famous cars of yesteryear.

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Wallace's exhibit will feature a restoration of his most famous ride, "Midnight." The black and gold Ford Thunderbird that made its debut in 1992 and posted 13 wins and 30 top fives in 38 starts.

"It's going to be absolutely gorgeous," said the 1989 champion, who was known as a hands-on star well versed in constructing the shocks, springs and suspension tricks that delivered speed. "That car was such a huge part of my career, and it fit me like a glove."

Wood will be inducted with a restored 1963 Ford Galaxie that he built for Daytona 500 winner Tiny Lund. While the Galaxie is on display at Daytona International Speedway for Speedweeks this month, Wood's display will feature a 1966 Modified restored by championship crew chief Ray Evernham.

"As a kid growing up, Leonard was one of my heroes and one of the greatest mechanics ever," Evernham said. "You get to meet them, race against them, become friends and now he's being inducted in the Hall of Fame, it's an honor."

There's some serendipity to Wallace's induction, too, which comes on the heels of Roger Penske's first Cup championship. Wallace drove from 1991-2006 for Penske, who will attend Friday along with many major players from Wallace's career.

"It feels so awesome Roger won that title," Wallace said. "But watching from the studio, I felt so involved but so removed at the same time. I'm like, 'Man, I'm so glad he won this championship, but damn, I wish I was the one driving that car.' To see that whole organization at the Hall of Fame as I go in at the same time that Roger wins a championship is fantastic. That's going to be a really great feeling."

The induction ceremony airs Friday on Speed at 7:30 p.m. ET.

In separate interviews with USA TODAY Sports, Wallace and Wood addressed the same questions. Their responses:

What does this honor mean for your career and legacy?

Rusty Wallace: It's a huge night for me. I'm really honored to be in, and I think about Benny Parsons and Fred Lorenzen and some of the big, big names that I grew up adoring and knowing I went in before them is something I still can't believe. I love being in the Hall of Fame, but I'm nervous that it gives you this certification that you're the old guy. I'm like, 'I don't know if I want that or not.' Then they say, 'Well, you are the youngest guy in the Hall of Fame.' OK, I feel better now.

Leonard Wood: We've raced with them guys and watched them race, and they're all true champions, and it gives me more of a high honor to go in with that bunch and right behind my brother, Glen. It's certainly a high honor. My nephews and nieces and Glen has built this special car to go in the Hall of Fame with me. They've invited all these special people to come in my honor, and the way they've treated me has been overwhelming.

Who would you like to see inducted in future classes and should it favor pioneer drivers?

Wood: I just watched a video on Curtis Turner, and he drove for us, and that guy had so much talent. He was a show to watch drive. Curtis Turner, Tim Flock, Fireball (Roberts) all deserve to be in there. There's so many of them that deserve to be in there. I guess it depends on someone voting if they was a fan of a certain driver or a crew chief, that's who they tend to vote for, I guess. There's a ton of them deserving to be in there.

Wallace: They put me in because of things I've done off the track and how I constantly sell NASCAR because I believe in it so much. But they also said we couldn't not put you in because you had better numbers than everyone — 55 victories and (36) poles. I think they really have to pay attention to that. I think Dale Jarrett should be the next guy in if you look at the numbers. I really think they need a mix of people who helped build the sport, too. You can't go by one thing. I think it needs to be a mixture of the numbers and what you gave to the sport and how you contributed to building it.

What are your impressions of the 2013 car?

Wood: I saw it in the Daytona test, and the nose is so eye-catching when it comes around the corner. I remember years past, cars being on pole and on the front line and had a certain look to them that looked racy. There's something about this car that stands out and is going to be an eye-catcher.

Wallace: I think they have a hell of a car. I think they built a really nice car. There are other steps to make it better. I've been pushing (NASCAR) hard to put some offset back into this car. The car before the (Gen 5 car), the chassis always had a 1-inch offset. These new cars are straight up. If they go back to the 1-inch offset, the right-side tires will be better yet.

What will you say Friday?

Wood: I've got my speech all ready. My nephew, Eddie, is inducting me. I inducted Glen and David Pearson, and I've been on the other side of it. Now I'm on this side. It's going to be special.

Wallace: I'm not going to write a speech. I'll write some bullet points. I won't read a teleprompter or nothing. I'll just deliver it the way I normally do stuff. It's an honor. This punk who grew up in St. Louis short-track racing and now you're going to the Hall of Fame. It's like, 'Wow,' you know?

Follow Nate Ryan on Twitter @nateryan


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