Waltrip heads induction class to Hall of Fame

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- Three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip heads the latest class of inductees into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Waltrip is joined by longtime drag racing stars Joe Amato and Bob Glidden, powerboat champion Chip Hanauer and Formula One and CART champion Nigel Mansell.
"This is a powerful class, one in which each member had a significant impact on the history of his particular form of racing," Jim Freemand, executive director of the Hall of Fame, said Wednesday. "All five of them have won multiple championships. It is quite a group."
Waltrip won Winston Cup titles in 1981, 1982 and 1985, driving for Junior Johnson. He also had 84 wins -- tied for third all-time with former inductee Bobby Allison -- 54 poles, and was named Driver of the Year three times.
Amato had 54 NHRA Top Fuel wins and five division championships, both records. He also finished in the top 10 in points in each of his 19 seasons.
Glidden captured 10 NHRA Pro Stock titles and another one in the IHRA.
Hanauer won seven Unlimited Hydroplane national and world titles and 61 national events, including a record 11 Gold Cup races.
The five-member class will be inducted on April 28, 2005.