NASCAR Trucks Master Ron Hornaday Named to NASCAR '75 Greatest' List

In 1998, during its 50th anniversary season, NASCAR unveiled what it considered its 50 greatest drivers. The list included most of the stars from the organization’s earliest years, many of whom eventually would find their way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame when it opened in 2010.

Beginning April 9, the sanctioning body will add 25 names to its “all-time” list as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. It is expected to name five drivers per week—most likely one per weekday—in the five weeks ending with the May 14th Goodyear 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

The newest group among the sport’s greatest drivers is being selected by a committee comprised of former drivers, team owners, industry personnel, NASCAR executives, and current and former media members. All 75—the original 50 class named 25 years ago and the new 25—will be recognized during Goodyear 400 pre-race ceremonies.

As NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998, company president Bill France called that group “the men who define the competition of our sport.” He added, “Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.”

The original “50 Greatest Drivers” were from the Modified, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series. The Craftsman Truck Series was too young to have had any “greatest drivers,” but that’s expected to change with this new group.

Today's Addition: Ron Hornaday

NASCAR promised to go beyond just the Cup Series when it announced it was adding 25 names to its 1998 list of "50 Greatest Drivers" in NASCAR history, and it did just that again on Tuesday when it named four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday to the honor list.

Hornaday, who was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2018, dominated the early years of the Truck Series. After winning six of the 20 races and finishing third in the championship in the first year of the Truck Series in 1995, Hornaday captured his first of four NASCAR championships in the series the following year.

That 1996 season, the 38-year-old Hornaday won four race, finished in the top-5 18 times and finished in the top-10 in 23 of the season's 24 races.

Hornaday also won the Truck Series title in 1998, 2007 and 2009. His 1996 and 1998 crowns came while driving for Dale Earnhardt, and his 2007 and '09 crowns were with team owner Kevin Harvick.

In total, Hornaday won 51 races in trucks, to go with four in the Xfinity Series. He was winless in 46 Cup Series starts between 1991 and 2015.

Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director Wayne Auton introduced Hornaday at the Hall of Fame induction in 2018.

“More than being in a Hall of Fame, you really need to be in a Hall of Fame of people because of the way you care for everybody,” Auton said. “You let people sleep on your couch that you didn't even know, and look where they're at today, and now you are in the Hall of Fame.

“Instead of Ron Hornaday, champion, you're now Ron Hornaday, NASCAR Hall of Famer."

And now, Ron Hornaday, member of NASCAR's "75 Greatest Drivers" of all-time.

NASCAR'S 50 Greatest Drivers

Selected in 1998

Bobby Allison
Davey Allison
Buck Baker
Buddy Baker
Geoff Bodine
Neil Bonnett
Red Byron
Jerry Cook
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Earnhardt
Bill Elliott
Richie Evans
Red Farmer
Tim Flock
A.J. Foyt
Harry Gant
Jeff Gordon
Ray Hendrick
Jack Ingram
Ernie Irvan
Bobby Isaac
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson
Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Fred Lorenzen
Tiny Lund
Mark Martin
Hershel McGriff
Cotton Owens
Marvin Panch
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Lee Petty
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond
Fireball Roberts
Ricky Rudd
Marshall Teague
Herb Thomas
Curtis Turner
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Joe Weatherly
Bob Welborn
Rex White
Glen Wood
Cale Yarborough
LeeRoy Yarbrough

The Next 25

Selected in 2023

(To be released one per weekday by NASCAR, in no particular order.)

51, Tony Stewart

52, Kasey Kahne

53, Mike Stefanik

54, Randy Lajoie

55, Kyle Larson

56, Greg Biffle

57, Sterling Marlin

58, Ryan Newman

59, Chase Elliott

60, Ron Hornaday

61, Coming April 26.