The first round of voting is done by the 100-member Nominating Panel, choosing from the full list of nominees. Eligibility for induction is open to all American racers or to foreigners with exceptional achievements in U.S. racing. They must be retired three years from competition or have participated at the highest levels for a minimum of 20. The six top vote-getters in each of nine racing categories become finalists for Step 2.

The second round of voting involves the same 100 voters, plus 100 more — the full 200-member Voting Panel. About half of the voters are inductees, the other half leading journalists, historians and other experts. Ballots in this round contain only the names of the six finalists in each racing category. From those six, the one who garners the most votes is that year’s inductee in that category.

Once the voting is completed and the results checked and rechecked under the watchful eye of Bonwell Kelley & Associates PC, the nine selectees are announced. They will be formally inducted at our black-tie induction ceremony in Daytona Beach in March. Some call it the Oscars® of motorsports.