Cooperstown, Canton, Springfield and now Charlotte?
Baseball, the NFL, and basketball have had successful halls of fame for some time but NASCAR proudly opens its hall of fame today. With NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Junior Johnson and NASCAR despots Bill France Jr. and Bill France Sr. being enshrined as the inaugural inductees, a lovely high tech exhibit center opens its doors with all things NASCAR including a huge display of historic cars from the sport's past and all kinds of exhibits, simulators, and interactive high tech goodies to help fans better understand the sport.
Charlotte already is the hub of NASCAR and the host city of the series annual all-star event. NASCAR teams have their shops in the Charlotte area, so it is most appropriate that the Carolina Queen City should be the choice location though Atlanta, Richmond, and Kansas City sought to be considered. While the other locations might have their travel logistics considerations, when it comes right down to it, there are only two places that really are eternal shrines to NASCAR Charlotte and Daytona. We think NASCAR made the right decision picking North Carolina as its spot.
While the first round of inductees appears so obvious, the next crop will be tougher plus recently retired drivers like Rusty Wallace become eligible. David Pearson and Bobby Allison have to be at the top of the list. Then after them, where do Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip figure in? Surely some historic figures before Richard Petty’s reign deserve enshrinement. We figure eventually, all drivers who have at least two championships and/or 50 wins are shoe-in’s. Lee Petty has three championships. Ned Jarrett has two championships and 50 wins. Rusty Wallace has 54 wins and one championship. The two time champs not covered so far are: Buck Baker, Herb Thomas, Joe Weatherly, Terry Labonte and Tim Flock.
Who’s racing today who will get in without question? Jeff Gordon has four championships and 82 wins. Jimmie Johnson has four consecutive championships and 50 wins – already as many wins as Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett. Tony Stewart has two championships and 37 wins. Should Bill Elliot make it with one championship and 44 wins along with his Winston Million victory? How about Mark Martin? He’s never won a championship, but he’s sure finished in second more times than he probably wants to remember? Martin has 40 wins. All drivers with more wins than Martin are already in the hall-of-fame discussion.
Surely some great owners deserve their place. Petty Enterprises, Hendrick Motor Sports, and Richard Childress are clearly in the picture. How do crew chiefs and engine builders get in the picture? How can we keep calling them, the “legendary” Wood Brothers without their place in the hall? Perhaps a tally of championship crew chiefs deserves scrutiny. When his time comes, how could Chad Knaus not be enshrined? Just of the top, names like Jeff Hammond, Waddell Wilson, Ray Evernham, Larry McReynolds, and Dale Inman come to mind.
Folks who promoted the sport like Humpy Wheeler and Ken Squire – where do they fit in?
How does the Nationwide/Busch/Grand National series figure in? There were notable figures like Jack Ingram, Sam Ard, and Tommy Houston figure in?
Did anyone say something about Red Farmer? He’s been everywhere?
Maybe the Camping World Truck series is too new, but in time, what about their best? Should we consider “modified” champs? Why not?
Should there be a debate about is this truly a Sprint Cup Hall-of-Fame or a NASCAR Hall-of-Fame?
It will take a few years of enshrinements to really make the list of legends feel anywhere near complete. However, there is probably not a single name mentioned in this report that is not deserving. Admittedly, there are more who deserve consideration we’ve not mentioned. Bud Moore, for instance, just came to mind.
For a sport that is 62 years old and going strong, a Hall of Fame is surely due. May it be successful and a wonderful experience for all its visitors.
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