Johnson, Knaus, Allison Inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame

by
Peter Stratta
January 19, 2024

Photo by Peter Stratta/TSJSports

2024 Class Inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame: Johnson, Knaus, Allison

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The 14th class is now officially enshrined into stock car racing’s ultimate honor–the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Both halves of the modern era’s greatest dynasty and another piece of a legendary racing gang define the 2024 class. Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, and Donnie Allison all now have their names etched next to the greatest racers ever.

From 2002 through 2018, the dynamic duo of Johnson and Knaus quickly ascended the Cup Series ranks, becoming an unmatched pair in racing’s modern age. The Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet set records we may never see again, winning five-straight titles from 2006-2010. The winning was not over yet for the 48 crew however, adding two more championships in 2013 and 2016.

Driver Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus were in lockstep for almost every achievement together. They won 81 races at each other’s side, tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven rings. No other driver or crew chief saw this elevated level of immediate and sustained success in the 2000s. The Southern California driver and Illinois-born crew chief had very disparate upbringings, but jointly shared unprecedented limelight. In a word, the two were inseparable in finding victory lanes and championship stages.

Representing the Pioneer Era for 2024 is longtime racer Donnie Allison. The younger brother of 1983 Cup Champion Bobby Allison, this pair along with Red Farmer formed the Alabama Gang in NASCAR’s fledgling days. They all found incredible success across more than a generation’s worth of racing. Donnie won ten times over the span of a 22 year career, including four 1-2 finishes with Bobby. Despite these highs, Donnie’s most memorable moment was not a win. Rather that was the wreck from the lead and ensuing fight with Cale Yarborough on the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500.

While he has not raced since 1988, Allison has had a respected garage presence and NASCAR ambassador status in the three and a half decades since. If not for Allison, we likely would not know the names Joey Logano or Trevor Bayne.

Honored with the annual Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR is trailblazing driver Janet Guthrie. She was the first female driver to start a superspeedway race (the 1976 World 600), compete in the Daytona 500, lead a Cup Series lap, and is still tied as the highest finish (sixth). Guthrie saw all of her NASCAR success despite never having top-tier rides or sponsors, a factor that led to her short tenure in stock cars.

Also receiving the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence is longtime Los Angeles Times sportswriter Shav Glick.

All three inductees represent important finishing pieces in the Hall of Fame. Allison is the last original member of the Alabama Gang to be inducted, joining Bobby (class of 2011) and Farmer (class of 2021). Bobby’s late son Davey also made the Hall of Fame cut in 2019. The Hueytown, Alabama crew is now four strong in Charlotte.

Knaus was the winningest crew chief not yet in the Hall. He largely mirrored the careers of eight-time championship crew chief Dale Inman (class of 2012) and his own Hendrick Motorsports mentor Ray Evernham (class of 2018). Knaus’ career began as a member of Jeff Gordon’s famed Rainbow Warriors pit crew.

Lastly for Johnson, he is the last Mount Rushmore driver to enter the Hall. Many fans consider Johnson’s adaptability to modern-era championship formats and his unparalleled wins as deserving of Greatest of All Time status. Along with Petty, Earnhardt, and Gordon, Johnson marks the final titan of the sport to make the Hall of Fame.

For Johnson and Knaus, they both continue building upon unmatched careers in the sport. Knaus left crew chiefing after 2020, and now serves as Hendrick’s Vice President of Competition. After a short stint as an IndyCar driver, Johnson turned to Cup Series team ownership. He co-owns Legacy Motor Club, and will compete in nine races for his own team this year. Each half of the No. 48 dynasty that defined nearly two decades of NASCAR will likely continue their winning ways for years to come.

Johnson and Knaus will each be chasing checkered flags beginning with the Busch Light Clash (Sunday, February 4) and the 66th Running of the Daytona 500 on February 18.