Yahoo Autos National Motorsports Press Association Adds Four to Hall of Fame
An oft-honored journalist and three championship drivers have been named as the Class of 2023 for the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Journalist Dr. Dick Berggren and drivers Shirley Muldowney, Scott Pruett, and Frank Kimmel will be recognized and inducted during the organization’s convention in January of 2023.
Dick Berggren
Berggren raced Super Modifieds, Modifieds, Stocks, and Sprint Cars with some success in the Northeast before transitioning into broadcasting and writing. He wrote for several newspapers before moving to Stock Car Racing magazine, where he became the editor. He retired from driving in 1981 and became a familiar sight on motorsports programming from ESPN, CBS, TBS, TNN, and FOX.
Shirley Muldowney
Without question, 18-time winner Muldowney is America’s most accomplished female racer. “The First Lady of Drag Racing” went from street racing to becoming the first woman to earn a Top Fuel license in 1965. Not only was she the first woman to win a Top Fuel race (in 1971), she won NHRA championships in 1977, 1980, and 1982. She also won the International Hot Rod Association’s Top Fuel title in 1981. Upon retiring, she founded “Shirley’s Kids” to help children in need.
Scott Pruett
Pruett went from winning youthful go-kart races to winning 10 titles, including the 1981 Professional Karting Association World Championship. He won IMSA’s 1986 GTO title in his first full season and repeated as champion in 1986. He also won SCCA Trans-Am titles in 1987, 1994, and 2003.
Pruett competed in 145 CART races between 1988 and 1999, recording two victories. His sports car resume shows 60 total victories and 11 championships, including a record-tying five 24 Hours of Daytona overall victories, a class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and an overall victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Frank Kimmel
Kimmel was the long-time “king” of the ARCA Menards Series with eight consecutive championships (2000-2007) among his series-record 10 titles. The 1992 ARCA Rookie of the Year got the first of his record 80 victories at Toledo Speedway in 1994.
In 2006, he was the first ARCA driver selected to compete in the International Race of Champions.
