In NASCAR, all drivers wear that fire suit day in and day out, driving countless laps as the car becomes a hot box. Putting themselves through so much physical and mental strain for what? Making a name in NASCAR. And they know it’s made once they’re inducted into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame. What an honor it must be to be mentioned alongside NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr, Bill Elliott, and many others.

For those who don’t know, the induction ceremony is an annual event in which fifteen nominees are chosen. The 22-member nomination committee then casts votes to select the top three. The nominees could be anyone, from a driver, crew chief, spotter, or mechanic to a racetrack owner—literally anyone who has made significant contributions to the sport. And on 7th Feb we’ll have the ceremony for the newest batch of inductees!

Who are the 2025 inductees?

The first one on the list was a long time coming. Ricky ‘Ironman’ Rudd was named on NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers’ list. But without that Hall of Fame induction, his journey in NASCAR was feeling incomplete. In his 32-year Cup Series career, Rudd posted 23 wins, 194 top fives, 374 top 10s (seventh all-time), and 29 poles. However, the most iconic moment from his career has to be when he ‘kissed the bricks’ after winning the 1997 Brickyard 400. Rudd was perhaps one of the most consistent drivers of this time. Rudd’s 788 consecutive starts (Jan. 11, 1981-Nov. 20, 2005) was a Cup Series record. Until Jeff Gordon broke it in 2015 with 797 starts (Nov. 15, 1992-Nov. 22, 2015). Rudd got 87% of the votes on the ballot.

Next up to get inducted is Rudd’s fellow driver in NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers’ list – ‘Cousin Carl’. The story behind the unusual nickname is rather simple – he’s the first cousin of former NASCAR driver Ken Schrader, that’s why. It was unique, so it stuck. But Edwards doesn’t need a nickname to tell why he deserves to be a Hall of Famer. Edwards only ran 13 seasons in the Cup Series but was perhaps one of the most talented drivers. On so many occasions, he came so close to winning the Championship. Four, to be exact! Finished 3rd in 2005, P2 in 2008, 2011. And then a P4 in 2016, his final year.

In 2016, Edwards was set to win the championship, until Joey Logano wrecked him with 10 laps to go. Jimmie Johnson was crowned champion, and Edwards abruptly announced his retirement. We have missed that iconic backflip celebration ever since. From the panel, Edwards got 52% of the votes.

Lastly, there’s Ralph Moody. Before he was a driver, Moody was a World War II vet and won five Cup Series races between 1956 and 1957. But his real claim to fame was his mechanical expertise. In 1957, he teamed up with John Holman to form the Holman-Moody team, which won two championships in 1968 and 1969. Holman Moody’s rise to fame came in 1965, when Ford set an unprecedented manufacturer’s record, winning 48 of 55 races in a single season. He’s getting the recognition he deserves for his impact on and off the track. Moody passed away in 2004, but he continues to live in our hearts and now his legacy is cemented with the HOF recognition.

Oh, and let’s not forget Dr. Dean Sicking, the genius behind the SAFER barrier, which you see on every NASCAR track today. He’s getting the Landmark Award for his outstanding contributions to the sport. You can watch all the ceremonies either in person or from the comfort of your home.

How to be a part of the ceremony?

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Festivities began Thursday, February 6th with the NASCAR Hall of Fame Blue Jacket Ceremony, where Hall of Famers receive their official blue jackets and class rings. This is followed by the “Induction Ceremony Dine & Shine Tailgate,” where guests can watch the stars walk the red carpet and enjoy a catered dinner and cocktails before heading to the official Induction Ceremony.

Also, the events continue with a packed schedule. On February 6, from 1 p.m.ET to 4:30 p.m. ET, the Class of 2024 Induction: Insider Experience took place inside the High Octane Theater. Followed by other festivities starting at 4:30 p.m. ET with a live stream of the Red Carpet event across NASCAR’s digital and social platforms. Next, at 6 p.m. ET, the exclusive NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction dinner will commence. And lastly, the show stopper is the Induction Ceremony at 8 p.m. E.T. Here you can catch the speakers of all the inductees.

And the tickets for this are available, So you can buy them here: www.nascarhall.com. For the folks who cannot make it there in person, the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air live on the NASCAR Channel (Tubi) at 8 p.m. ET and will simultaneously be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network (MRN).

While there is probably no one more deserving than the three on the list, some of the NASCAR greats who did not make the cut was Greg Biffle, the 2000 Craftsman Truck Series and 2002 Xfinity Series champion. He won the championships with RFK, back when they were an active team in the Truck Series. Also, Biffle additionally won 19 Cup races. Another one was Jeff Burton did not make it to the top 3. If you recall, Burton scored 21 Cup Series wins, including two Coca-Cola 600 victories and one Southern 500 crown. And who’s not a fan of him calling races? Harry Grant, Jack Sprague, and some other veterans were also on the list of 15.

So, are you going to tune in to catch the ceremony? Also, do you think the three inductees elected are deserving? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.