The new inductees into the Hall of Fame were elected on Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte. Driver Matt Kenseth and crew chief Kirk Shelmerdine became the newest Modern-Era members of the Hall of Fame. Apart from them, Hershel McGriff was honored as a Hall of Famer as well as the 94-year-old has been considered to be one of the most renowned pioneers of NASCAR back in the days.
Kenseth became the 2003 NASCAR Cup Series champion, and his road to glory became one of the main reasons why we are watching the Playoffs format nowadays. He won the championship with a single victory at the 2003 Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. Kenseth went on to be quite consistent following this win and after 25 times finishing in the top 10, he clinched his one and only title.
Kirk Shelmerdine was the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt back in the 1980s and 1990s when he won four championships. He became the youngest crew chief to win a NASCAR race at the age of 25 in 1983 at Riverside, California, with Ricky Rudd.
