Two NASCAR Cup Series champions are among eight first-time nominees under consideration for induction into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame (WCSCMHoF) in 2023.

The inaugural nominees are:

• Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 Daytona 500 winner
• Dick Cobb, winner of multiple weekly track championships in Las Vegas and California 
• Matt Crafton, three-time NASCAR Truck Series champion
• Davey Hamilton, pavement supermodified champion and Indianapolis 500 veteran
• Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of all four “crown jewel” races
• Jeff Jefferson, three-time NASCAR Elite Series Northwest Tour champion
• Lyn St. James, Daytona 24 and Sebring 12-hour class winner and Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year. A proponent of women in auto racing
• Jimmy Vasser, 1996 Championship Auto Racing Teams champion – the last American-born competitor to win a CART title

Nominated again after appearing on previous ballots are Austin Cameron, Ken Boyd, Ernie Cope, Mike David, Eric Holmes, Lance Hooper, Tony Hunt, Brent Kaeding, Brad Noffsinger, Greg Pickett, Nick Rescino, and Sean Woodside. 

Read all nominees’ bios here.

Five inductees will be named in early 2023, following two rounds of voting by the organization’s Board of Directors. First-round voting begins next week.

The organization will also induct its sixth Heritage class of five individuals whose careers largely began before 1970. The five Heritage inductees will be named in spring 2023.

The 2022 induction ceremonies, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, will be held Thursday, June 8, as part of the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ARCA Menard Series West weekend at Sonoma Raceway. The gala will be held in Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club and will feature the naming of the 3rd Annual Knockin Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year presented by 51FIFTY.

For more information, visit westcoaststockcarhalloffame.com.