Parnelli Jones Leads 2025 NMPA Hall of Fame Class
The National Motorsports Press Association will induct four new members into its Hall of Fame in 2025, with Indianapolis 500 and Baja 1000 winner and Trans-Am champion Parnelli Jones leading the group.
Jones was elected to the NMPA Hall of Fame alongside NASCAR championship crew chief Tim Brewer, NHRA championship owner Don Schumacher, and Lyn St. James, the first woman to win Rookie of the Year in the Indianapolis 500 who was named one of the “Top 100 Women Athletes of the Century” by Sports Illustrated.
Jones received the most votes with 91.78% and Schumacher received 72.60% of the votes cast. Brewer and St. James were voted in with each receiving 71.23%.
To be elected to the NMPA Hall of Fame, a nominee must receive more than 65% of the votes cast by members. The four new inductees will be honored at the annual NMPA Hall of Fame ceremony in early 2025.
Additional details about the event will be announced at a later date. Biographies of the new inductees can be found below.
The NMPA Hall of Fame, which highlights all inductees and other award honorees, is located on the grounds of Darlington Raceway. It has been in operation since 1965.
PARNELLI JONES
Parnelli Jones could have been described as “Mr. Versatility” as the California driver won races in IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets, and off-road trucks.
His signature victories include the 1963 Indianapolis 500, and the Baja 1000 in 1971-72. He also earned the 1970 Trans-Am championship. In 1961, Jones and Bobby Marshman shared Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors. The following year, he became the first driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 at more than 150 mph, earning the pole at 150.370 mph.
Jones’ success continued as a car owner. He won the 1970-71 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, and the 1970-72 USAC national championships. Jones also owned vehicles that claimed class wins in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. His USAC Dirt Car won two championships and the Triple Crown three times.
Jones starred in a one-hour documentary “Behind the Indianapolis 500 with Parnelli Jones”. The film was selected for the 2016 Sun Valley Film Festival.
DON SCHUMACHER
Don Schumacher was a winning driver, innovator and championship owner in drag racing.
He’s considered one of the sport’s pioneers in Funny Car and one of the fiercest match racers to ever compete in that class. He won five NHRA national events from 1970-73, including the 1970 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.
His biggest success came as an owner. Don Schumacher Racing, which he established in 1998, won 19 NHRA championships in three different categories – 11 in Top Fuel, 7 in Funny Car and 1 in Factory Stock Showdown. Overall, his organization recorded 366 national event victories.
The NHRA honored Schumacher with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
TIM BREWER
A two-time championship-winning crew chief and television analyst, Tim Brewer began his career with Richard Childress Racing. At age 18, he became one of the youngest crew chiefs in NASCAR’s history and immediately guided Childress to his first career top-5 finish in 1973.
However, it was while he worked for the legendary Junior Johnson that his talents thrust him into the spotlight. In a four-year stretch, Brewer led Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip to 32 victories and two championships – 1978 with Yarborough and 1981 with Waltrip. During his 30-year career, Brewer totaled 53 victories and 55 poles.
After his competitive career, Brewer turned to broadcasting where ESPN utilized his knowledge to create its Emmy-winning “Craftsman Tech Garage” during race telecasts. He also was an analyst on ESPN’s “NASCAR Countdown” and “NASCAR Now”.
LYN ST. JAMES
Lyn St. James lived a barrier-breaking driving career, and her influence in the motorsports industry hasn’t waned since she hung up her helmet.
One of nine women to race in the Indianapolis 500, St. James was the first woman to win Rookie of the Year in the prestigious race, claiming the honor in 1992. Her resume also includes class victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. She has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, where here AMC Spirit AMX team finished first and second in class in 1979.
St. James was the first woman to break the 200-mph speed barrier, topping out at 227.32 mph at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sports Illustrated named her one of the “Top 100 Women Athletes of the Century.” Today, she is co-founder of Women In Motorsports North America.
