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DETROIT, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday, January 23, that longtime NASCAR correspondent and Autoweek editor Al Pearce is joining its Class of 2012.

The late NASCAR short-track legend Ray Hendrick also will be inducted.   

"I'm enormously proud to be a part of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012," said Pearce. "Ray Hendrick is one of the first drivers I covered when I started writing, and to be included in this class with him is a true honor."

Pearce's career as a NASCAR correspondent began in 1969 at Virginia's Times-Herald (now the Daily Press). Before retiring from the Daily Press in 2004, Pearce won eight Virginia Press Association Awards and won the Henry McLemore Award in 2003 – the highest recognition for a motorsports journalist.   

In 2003, Pearce also was inducted into the Media Wing of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega, Ala. His contributions to motorsports journalism have been recognized by Langley Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Martinsville Speedway, and by the Peninsula Sports Club.

Pearce began writing for Autoweek in 1973. 

Nominees for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame include athletes and coaches with strong ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia, voted on each year by the statewide Honors Court committee. Rosters are presented to the Virginia legislature and are honored at a formal induction ceremony.

This year's 41st-annual induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 28, as the crowning event of Hall of Fame Weekend. Along with Pearce and Hendrick, inductees will include former Green Bay Packers star Antonio Freeman, the NBA's Gerald Henderson and Jess Kersey, University of Virginia women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan and Major League Baseball pitcher Billy Wagner.

"The Class of 2012 is an example of the quality of athletes and coaches that are being produced across the Commonwealth," said Hall of Fame president Eddie Webb. Each nominee's resume is recognized on a national or international level, proving the point that the State of Virginia is one of the leaders in producing this nation's top competitors."

About Autoweek

Autoweek, launched in 1958, based in Detroit, Mich., and published by Crain Communications Inc., is a fortnightly magazine of consumer car news, information and insight. It's also delivered via the Internet (autoweek.com) and the iPad, and through video and social media. The autoweek.com site includes Daily Drive, an e-mail newsletter sent to more than 100,000 registrants; Car Life, a social community, and Autoweek TV, a daily video newscast. The Autoweek iPhone app Car News & Reviews is the first free app built for serious enthusiasts. From a magazine to video, online, podcasts, events, mobile applications and social media, Autoweek is a must-have for those who live the automotive lifestyle. Follow Autoweek on Facebook (facebook.com/autoweekusa) and Twitter (@autoweekUSA).

SOURCE Autoweek