Picking a Mount Rushmore (Plus 4) of American Racing Is Sure to Start a Debate

• Each journalist and industry insider polled was asked to name—in no specific order—eight Americans who deserve to be honored.

• In this case, we considered Italian-born Mario Andretti an American (he’s been a naturalized citizen since 1964) and Australian-born Scott Dixon, who’s lived in America for years and drives in an American series for an American owner.

• There were three unanimous picks and a few head-scratches. You’ve never heard of H.H. Kohlsaat, have you?

Four is simply not enough. At least, not to be considered even remotely legitimate. To be legitimate, we’re gonna need a bigger mountain.

Fans and series-watching insiders have spent decades debating the concept of a mythical “Mr. Rushmore” of American racing drivers. With a half-dozen candidates too obvious to ignore, showing just four images like the four U.S. presidents on the real Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota simply wouldn’t be fair.

But eight images, perhaps? Maybe a two-sided “Mt. Rushmore” would work.

A few journalists watching the rain at Richmond on Easter Sunday evening were discussing that very issue. To wit: if given room for eight, whose images would you carve on this make-believe mountain? Racers, mainly, but anyone who’s made a significant impact in racing. It’s your mountain and your heavy equipment… do with it what you will.

So Autoweek asked around, polling 25 men and women with decades-long ties to American racing. The panel included award-winning active and retired print journalists, active and retired radio and television broadcasters, a speedway owner, co-owners of an active Cup Series team, an international correspondent, a Florida attorney with ties to Daytona International Speedway, a former NASCAR executive, a veteran photojournalist, reporters with expertise in drag racing, sports car racing, and the IndyCar Series, a retired race-winning Cup Series driver, and a former PR executive at a major American speedway.

Each was asked to name—in no specific order—eight Americans who deserve to be honored. In this case, we considered Italian-born Mario Andretti an American (he’s been a naturalized citizen since 1964) and Australian-born Scott Dixon, who’s lived in America for years and drives in an American series for an American owner.

American Racing's Mount Rushmore (Plus 4)

Here's eight who most voters feel have earned their place on the mountain:

Mario Andretti

Dale Earnhardt

John Force

A.J. Foyt

Don Garlits

Dan Gurney

David Pearson