One built a southern-based racing organization into one of the strongest sports leagues in the world.
Another built some of the most powerful engines in auto racing history and owned cars that won the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and the Nextel Cup championship.
A third has described more NASCAR races than most people have seen live or on television. He is possibly the most recognized voice in auto-racing broadcasting.
And the fourth has played a vital role behind the scenes for one of NASCAR’s most successful teams while giving as much back to sport — and society for that matter — as it gave to him.
All four were honored during NASCAR’s week of celebration in New York.
Bill France, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Myers Brothers award for contribution to stock-car racing. Robert Yates, who retired at the end of the season, was recognized with the Buddy Shuman Award. Barney Hall was presented with NASCAR’s Bill France Award of Excellence and retiring Penske Racing President Don Miller received the Home Depot Humanitarian award.
It was not only fitting, but proper that NASCAR honored four individuals who played major roles in its history on the weekend when it traditionally celebrates the stars and the success of the present NASCAR era.
France, the son of NASCAR founder William H.G. France, died June 6 at age 74. The second-generation France, whose son Brian is acting CEO of NASCAR, is credited with taking NASCAR from a regional racing series to a national phenomenon with corporate sponsorships and a national television contract.
It was his iron-fisted rule and ability to see into the future of the sport that brought to the sport to the point where more than $24 million was awarded at Friday night’s banquet.
Yates started as a crew man and eventually became engine builder with the famed DiGard team and later for car owner Harry Ranier. Yates eventually purchased Ranier’s team and became a successful car owner, first with Davey Allison and later with drivers including Ricky Rudd and Dale Jarrett, who won the Cup championship for Yates in 1999. His potent engines were matched only by his quiet demeanor and his gentlemanly style.
Yates, who decided earlier this year to retire and turn his team over to his son, Doug, was genuinely appreciative of the honor bestowed on him, accepting with the class that had become synonymous with his career in the sport.
Maybe the most surprised of the foursome, and arguably the most deserving, was Hall, who has been calling NASCAR events on the radio for 30 years. Generations of NASCAR fans, especially those of us who grew up before NASCAR was on television on a regular basis, learned about the excitement of NASCAR racing through the precise and exciting calls of Hall on the radio.
The way older generation baseball fans grew up listening to the likes of Ernie Harwell and Mel Allen, my generation grew up listening to — and in many cases imitating the voice and expressions Hall brought to life on Sunday afternoons.
Finally, Miller, who has been around auto racing all of his adult life was honored not as much for his contribution to racing, but his contribution to society.
Miller, who has worked exhaustively behind the scenes to benefit the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, received the inaugural Home Depot Humanitarian award for his work with Stocks for Tots, which he helped create in 1989.
Since then, the fundraiser for Stop Child Abuse Now, has raised more than $400,000 and distributed nearly 40,000 toys to North Carolina children.
Four men. Four legacies.