Death: June 29, 2006

Bill Gazaway, of Newnan, Ga., joined NASCAR in 1960 as a team owner, with his cars making seven starts. Tiny Lund made four starts for Gazaway, with Joe Caspolich making one start. Gazaway himself piloted the car in one event, at Atlanta, falling out after one lap with rear end trouble.

But what Gazaway is best known for is being the man who controlled NASCAR’s competition side for almost 20 years. Gazaway first went to work with NASCAR as a technical inspector in 1963, becoming assistant technical director in 1967 before becoming technical director for the tour in 1967. Gazaway became director of racing operations and competition director in 1979, and then became vice president of competition in 1984. He would hold that position until his retirement from NASCAR in 1987.

Gazaway made big contributions to the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association as the person who spearheaded the GARHOFA Georgia State prestige license plate, the funds from which helps to support the preservation of automobile racing in the state of Georgia.

Gazaway also served on the Hall of Fame voting committee, which votes to choose inductees.

Gazaway passed away on June 29, 2006.