BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – One of auto racing’s best-known hosts for more than six decades, Linda Vaughan has been named Lady of the Century by the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.

Vaughan’s many achievements will be feted during the organization’s June 11 Induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.

“We are honored to recognize Linda Vaughan and everything she has done to enhance all forms of racing,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “Our friendship – and her friendship with the racing community – spans a half century.

“The Lady of the Century is a unique award for an individual whose love of racing and racers is without parallel.”

The most iconic model in motorsports, Linda Vaughan was a world-wide figure as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter. But the Dalton, Ga. native was more than that – a self-taught PR and marketing expert who traded her costume after the race into a business suit.

Known as the First Lady of Motorsports, she worked for then-California-based Hurst Shifter, under George Hurst and Jack Watson. Ms. Vaughn was perhaps best known for her work at NASCAR premier series events but appeared at many other races – the Indianapolis 500, Formula One and NHRA national drag races.

In 1972, for example, Vaughan did 172 events. Her first love was drag racing, introduced to sport as a teen. She received a Wally among other NHRA awards for her public relations work in behalf of the organization. She also appeared in a number of film and television productions including, Stroker Ace, and was the subject of ESPN’s 30 for 30.

One of 20 individuals nominated for induction into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2019, Vaughan resides in Southern California.

The organization’s 17th inducted class is comprised of Mike Bliss, a USAC Silver Crown and NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series champion; Craig Keough, a Las Vegas team owner and track sponsor; Rick Mears, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion; Jim Pettit II, the 1984 NASCAR Pacific Coast Region champion; Jerry Pitts, ARCA Menards Series West championship crew chief and team owner and Tom Sneva, the 1983 Indianapolis 500 winner and a ferocious pavement supermodified champion.

Six additional Heritage members – individuals whose careers took place, or began, prior to 1972 – also will be enshrined during the ceremonies, highlights of which will be shown later in the summer on MAVTV.