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The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has named D.G. Van Clief as chair of the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Nominating Committee and Josh Pons as chair of the Pillars of the Turf Committee.
The appointments were announced June 23 by Charlotte C. Weber, the board chair of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
The museum leadership is beginning an evaluation of the overall Hall of Fame nomination and election process, including a review of the contemporary Hall of Fame voting panel.
The current Hall of Fame nominating and election procedures can be viewed on the Museum website here: Hall of Fame Nomination and Election Procedures | National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Van Clief previously served as chair of the Pillars of the Turf Committee and succeeds the late Edward L. Bowen as chair of the Nominating Committee. Bowen chaired the Nominating Committee from 1987 through 2024 before passing away in January.
Pons is a third-generation Maryland horseman who owns and operates Country Life Farm and Merryland Farm with his brother, Mike Pons. A graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky School of Law, Pons has served on the Pillars of the Turf Committee for the past two years and is a Museum advisory trustee.
The Museum’s other Hall of Fame committees will continue to be chaired by Michael Veitch (Historic Review Committee) and Beverly R. Steinman (Steeplechase Review Committee), respectively.