West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame celebrates quarter century in Las Vegas
Nearly 500 toast induction of 23rd class, awarding of sixth Philanthropist of the Year
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (October 6, 2026) – Nearly 500 inductees, VIPs and guests packed a lavishly decorated Equestrian Center ballroom at the South Point Hotel and Casino on October 1 to welcome the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s 23rd class, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
The gala, presented by Wide World Technology Raceway, kicked off a mammoth weekend of NASCAR competition which included the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series West Kyle Busch Classic, presented by Star Nursery and the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame; the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Focused Health 302, and the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400.
Among highlights of the celebration was awarding of the Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year by 51FIFTY and Allied Packaging to the late Greg Biffle, whose heroic efforts saved lives and property following Hurricane Helene’s destructive winds and rain in North Carolina and Tennessee. The presentation, by 51FIFTY executive Jason VanDusen, was accepted by the Biffle Foundation’s Jeff Biffle.
Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame, said, “My ideas from a quarter century ago have blossomed far beyond my wildest dream and those of my associate directors. We continue to be obsessed with what has been accomplished and what we envision in the future.
“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors – large and small – for their continued support. Their generosity has enabled us to donate to charities across American and underwrite major Western racing events, contributing $1.5 million in recent years. Our goal is to reach $3 million by the end of 2030.”
Members of the Class of 2026 are the late Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion; National Hot Rod Association Funny Car legends Ron Capps and John Force; NASCAR national series crew chief and competition director Ernie Cope; Off Road Hall of Famer Roger Mears and his son, Casey Mears; National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Brad Noffsinger and 1999 NASCAR ARCA Menards Series champion Sean Woodside.
The 2026 Heritage Class is comprised of Chris Evans, Trans Am West champion;; Dave Fuge, two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship crew chief and car builder; Jim Michaelian, the late former president and CEO of Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach; the later John and David Philpott, Stockton 99 Speedway NASCAR crew chief and two-time Sportsman champion; Chris Pook, founder of Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach; The Stockman Family – the late Harry, a post-World War 2 open wheel champion; son Gary, driver, car owner, car builder, crew chief, and track promoter and grandson Danny, a multiple NASCAR national series championship chief.
The organization’s third Pioneers of Speed are Clint Brawner, championship Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic; Jimmy Bryan, Indianapolis 500 winner and champion; Al Dean, USAC championship and Indianapolis 500 car owner; Bill Deschamps, Northern California and West Coast open wheel champion; Jim Dunn, pioneer NHRA funny car competitor; Vic Edelbrock Sr., famed speed parrs innovator; Joe and Walt James, Indianapolis 500 competitor and promoter; The Morales Brothers, Southern California sprint car legends; Ed Pink, championship engine builder and George and Harold (Hal) Robson, AAA Big Car competitors, the latter the first post-War Indianapolis 500 winner. All but Dunn and members of the Morales family are deceased.
The Event emcee was West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame president and inductee Ralph Sheheen. Jocelyn Beauville hosted the awards presentations.
The 2027 West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductions will be held October 7 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
What they said:
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell about inductee Dave Fuge: “He is simply one of the good guys of the sport a true racer.”
Chris Pook, about his late Long Beach Grand Prix Association colleague and fellow inductee Jim Michaelian: “He always saw things half full, not half empty.”
Team owner Ray Claridge recalling the first time he met inductee Sean Woodside: “You cut your hair and I’ll give you a test.”
West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Chairman and CEO Ken Clapp recognizing the accomplishments of inductee Chris Pook: “J.C. Agajanian along with Chris Pook would be on the (very small) list of promoters who truly moved the needle.”
Chris Pook, an Englishman, recalled standing at the foot of the Long Beach Pier with two suitcases in hand: “In America anything is possible.”
Samantha Busch, the late Kyle Busch’s widow: “He expected excellence from himself and if he believed that Kyle could be better, they (crew, his drivers) could be better.”
Championship crew chief and broadcaster Steve Letarte, on crew chief Ernie Cope’s induction: “He has an unwavering drive to survive (in the NASCAR Cup Series) and that is one of the reasons her finds himself in the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame.”
Inductee Roger Mears, recalling his first race at Bakersfield (California) Speedway: “I went up to the pay window and got $17 and thought, ‘they actually pay me to do this.’”
Danny Lawrence, Vice President, Richard Childress Racing, on inductee Danny Stockman Jr.: “I was taught this way that details matter. He learned that from his family, a real, true racing family. I’ve been at Richard Childress Racing for 42 year and (Stockman) is one of the best crew chiefs we’ve ever had.”
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3, soon to be (c)4 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $1.5 million during the past 6-1/2 years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes and the support of Western racing events.
For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
