Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

The MSHFA was incorporated in 1986 as an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by civic leaders of the City of Novi, Michigan, led by Founding Chairman Larry G. Ciancio. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony was held in 1989. Ron Watson was its founding President and continued to serve in that capacity until his untimely death in October 2019. He was succeeded as president at his request by noted motorsports author and historian and longtime MSHFA board member George Levy.

The mission of the MSHFA is to “further the American core values of leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and spirit of competition embodied in motorsports.”[1] The MSHFA is operated by the nonprofit Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America museum on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway showcases vehicles and memorabilia from all forms of motorsports and attracts more than 100,000 visitors per year.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America museum on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway welcomes more than 100,000 visitors[2] per year. The museum was originally located in Novi, MI, birthplace of the famous Novi Special Indianapolis 500 racecars. It later moved to the Detroit Science Center before relocating to Daytona Beach. [3][4] The museum is housed within the Ticket and Tours Building at Daytona International Speedway. Admission is open daily as part of regular speedway tours.

On display are vehicles and artifacts related to the Hall of Fame's inductees and achievements. Examples include historic racing vehicles, memorabilia, informational displays and plaques honoring the MSHFA's more than 260 inductees. There are also two movie theaters featuring motorsports content.

The MSHFA also serves as a research organization, with a network of experts on motorsports topics. It fields a broad range of questions on motorsports topics from journalists, historians, researchers and individuals.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America's Induction Ceremony has been attended by major names in the motorsports world throughout its history. Recent Honorary chairmen have included Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey, 1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti and 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch. Autoweek said of the 2019 induction, “Emceed by the best in the business, broadcaster, former driver and 2009 inductee David Hobbs... it was arguably the smoothest, best-run ceremony in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s history.”[5] The announcements of each new class of inductees are covered by TV outlets, magazines and websites, including ESPN, Forbes, INDYCAR, Autoweek, and Racer.

Other publications such as Autocar and Car and Driver have lauded the museum and its exhibits as an enthusiast destination.

+ Person inducted under special rule. Usually, an inductee must have been retired for at least three years in their field. However, inductees may also have been engaged at the top level of his or her area of motorsports for at least 20 years, and if that is the case, the retirement rule is waived.

• International Motorsports Hall of Fame
• Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame

• Official website