NHRA Pro Stock legend Bill "Grumpy"
Jenkins headlines the six 2008 inductees to the International
Motorsports Hall of Fame. The list also includes late drag racing
pioneer Art Arfons, and the late Ralph Seagraves, a longtime NHRA
supporter as head of R.J. Reynolds' Special Events Operations.
Robert "Red" Byron, Frank Kurtis, and Everett "Cotton" Owens
round out the list of six inductees. determined by a panel of 125
international motorsports media, who will be enshrined in the Hall in Talladega, Ala., on April 24, 2008 are: Art Arfons,
Jenkins'
innovative use of his mechanical engineering skills in the mid-1950s
produced many of drag racing's most successful vehicles. Considered the
father of pro stock, Jenkins, built engines for 61 NHRA Eliminators,
producing five championships and three ARHA championships. Jenkins also
earned a considerable reputation as a driver, winning a combined total
of 13 NHRA national Pro Stock events from 1965 to 1975 with one
championship as a driver.