From left, Robert Yates, Ray Fox, Waddell Wilson

Three legendary engine builders are among the 20 nominees eligible to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2017.

NASCAR announced the names today, and the list includes Robert Yates, the late Ray Fox and Waddell Wilson — all three noted for their contributions as engine builders. The nominees were selected by a nominating committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, select track owners and the media. Voting for the 2017 class will be conducted May 25.

Wilson among the first of highly regarded engine builders to share some his expertise when co-wrote “Racing Engine Preparation — A Complete Performance Guide From Building to Tuning” with Steve Smith in the late ’80s. He won three NASCAR championships as an engine builder, and has worked with teams like Holman-Moody and Hendrick Motorsports.

There’s also a biography about Fox, who passed away at age 98 in 2014. He was building engines in ’50s before moving on to become a car owner. He was named Mechanic of the Year in 1956.

Yates is still involved in engine building today, although his son, Doug, handles most of the business at RoushYates Engines.