The North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame (NCDRHOF) held its 16th annual induction ceremony Feb. 18, during the 20th Anniversary Shriners Drag Racing and Hot Rod Expo at the Greensboro Coliseum. 

Headlining the class of 2023 was three-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion Shirley Muldowney, who now lives in North Carolina, with what remarkably represents her 16th motorsports-related Hall of Fame inclusion.

Reigning PDRA Pro Boost Champion Todd Tutterow, former Pro Modified champ and current South East Gassers Association owner and competitor Quain Stott, and nine-time nitro motorcycle champion Jay Turner also were on the inductee list.

And recognized for his contributions to drag racing with the prestigious Jeff Byrd Award, named in honor of the former Bristol Motor Speedway president and general manager who passed away in 2010, was CompetitionPlus.com founder and owner Bobby Bennett.

“This is the kind of thing that happens to other people,” a clearly overwhelmed Bennett said shortly before the ceremony began. “We spend our life out there writing articles on everybody, not expecting any kind of recognition. And then when it comes like this it just brings tears to your eyes because you don't ever expect any of that. You just do what you do because you love the sport.”

At 55 years old, Bennett said he’s already spent 43 years covering the sport and the racers he loves. And though he insists he’s never expected any recognition like a HOF award, he sincerely appreciates the gesture.

“It's kind of hard because I still see myself as a 12-year-old kid that got caught sneaking in the drag strip just because nobody would give me a chance to go. I learned that when people won't give you a chance, you make your own chance,” Bennett continued.

“But I can tell you I missed two kids growing up. Doing this, I missed a lot of things as a dad and it hit my health, everything. But I had a desire to be the best. I just wanted to be a part of the drag racing community, and this was my way in.”

Muldowney, who retired from racing in 2003, said she’s always surprised but appreciative when another Hall of Fame invitation arrives.

“Well, it’s nice to know people still remember me,” said Muldowney, widely acknowledged as a drag racing pioneer and among the most successful female racers in any motorsport, worldwide. “I miss it every day of my life,” she added from the podium. “But the business end of it drove me crazy,” she quickly added. 

For Tutterow, still very active as a Pro Mod team owner and driver, the HOF induction came as a pleasant diversion from the day-to-day business of racing.

“Basically, it's a lot of hard work, a lot of hours. I mean, most people don't understand what we do. It's seven days a week. So yeah, it's a great honor to be here,” Tutterow said. “I mean, it's a very, very big honor and I really appreciate them (HOF committee) for thinking of me.”

Stott raced as a professional for 19 years and finished in the top 10 in points for each of them. He also is the 2006 IHRA Pro Mod champ, a Don Carlton Sportsmanship Award recipient, and a 2001 Car Craft Magazine All-Star driver. And now he races in A/Gas with his popular, touring SEGA nostalgia series.   

“Every year I say I've had enough, I'm getting out of it. Well, my future is to make y'all proud that you put me in the Hall of Fame,” Stott said. “I want to keep on earning the right to be here. I don't want it to be what I did; I want it to be what I'm going to do.”

Motorcycle racer Turner said he was “humbled and surprised” to receive notice of his induction.

“The first thing I said was, ‘Well, I'm not retired yet,’ and they told me that didn’t matter,” Turner said, laughing. “But really, it’s just made me do a lot of reflecting, just about what the journey's been and where we're at now.”

Finally, NCDRHOF Pioneer Awards went to veteran sponsor Fred Wagenhals, who gave a spirited talk about several motorsports legends, and posthumously, “Bullet Bob” Reid.