The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America announced its Class of 2027 on Friday at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, bringing attention back to some of the sport’s most recognized figures. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Robert Yates headline a 10-member class that will be formally inducted next March in Daytona Beach.
The ceremony will take place at the Motorsports Hall of Fame museum located on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway. The annual event includes a “Heroes of Horsepower” reception and a formal gala as part of the induction weekend. The announcement added another chapter to a growing list of motorsports legends recognized across different racing disciplines.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Adds Another Hall of Fame Honor
Earnhardt Jr. enters the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America with a career that already secured his place in NASCAR history. He competed for 19 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series and recorded 26 race wins. His victories include the Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014, two of the sport’s biggest events.
He also earned 15 consecutive Most Popular Driver awards from 2003 through 2017. That record reflects his consistent support from fans over more than a decade. Earnhardt Jr. became one of the most recognized faces in NASCAR during the 2000s and remained a key figure throughout his career.
This induction places him alongside his father, Dale Earnhardt, who was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2002. Their inclusion forms another father-son pairing in the Hall. Earnhardt Jr. was also inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2022, adding to his list of career honors.
Robert Yates’ Work Recognized at the Highest Level
Yates built his reputation through engine performance and team success. His engines powered cars to 77 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, including five victories in the Daytona 500. His work played a key role in shaping competition during his time in the sport.
As owner of Robert Yates Racing, he added 57 more wins. The team reached its peak in 1999 when Dale Jarrett won the Cup Series championship. Yates also worked with drivers such as Davey Allison, contributing to several key moments in NASCAR competition.
Robert Yates entered the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2018. His selection for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America reflects both his technical work and his results as a team owner. His engines and teams were part of some of the most competitive years in NASCAR history.
Full 2027 Class Spans Multiple Motorsports Categories
The 2027 class includes drivers and contributors from several forms of racing. Gary Bettenhausen joins the group, following his father, Tony Bettenhausen, into the Hall. Other inductees include Ron Capps and Angelle Sampey from drag racing.
Sports car racing is represented by Rob Dyson, while Herb Fishel is honored in the business category. Historic racing is represented by Harry Hartz, and aviation by Steve Hinton. Lyn St. James was also named to the class after being surprised with the announcement during the event.
Daren Lucas, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, stated, “It’s an honor for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America to be welcomed each year to make this important announcement at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. We want to thank the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, IndyCar, IMSA, and so many other top organizations and individuals who make this possible every year. The Class of 2027 is as accomplished as any group of iconic motorsports inductees in our nearly 40-year history, all still revered and admired today, and their legacies and achievements will now be forever memorialized at the Hall of Fame of ALL motorsports. Congratulations to the Class of 2027!”
NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. Headlines Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Class