Former NASCAR exec named to NFL Hall of Fame
This Super Bowl weekend was all-NFL, all-the-time, but for a brief moment, there was a NASCAR connection. (And no, I'm not talking about the Danica commercials. We're all over that now, aren't we?)
Les Richter, one of the key figures in NASCAR's rise to prominence, was named to the NFL Hall of Fame for his sterling playing career. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he was once traded for 11 players, and his team, the Los Angeles Rams, waited two years for him to serve a military commitment.
After retiring from the NFL, Richter played several key roles in motorsports, including co-owner and president of Riverside Speedway, co-founder and chairman of IROC, vice president of NASCAR, and partial developer and vice president of California Speedway. Sadly, Richter only passed away last June.
"On behalf of all of NASCAR, I’d like to congratulate the Les Richter family on his selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said NASCAR Chairman Brian France in a statement. "Les lived a wonderful life and had a remarkable career that transcended two of our country’s major sports."
Richter could have a long wait for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but by all accounts, he's worthy of that as well. Congratulations to his family on the high honor.
Former NASCAR Executive Les Richter named to NFL Hall [Scene Daily]
