NASCAR has had so many legends come through their great sport and leave such a lasting impact on the sport and the fans that support NASCAR. For the first time in NASCAR history, these men will finally be honored with the first NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony. These five men will take their rightful place on May 23rd, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C. Here are the five men that will recieve this great honor.
Bill France – In 1936, Bill France helped construct the first beach/road course in Daytona Beach, FL. Thanks to France, the Great American Race known as the Daytona 500 was born, Soon there after in 1946, NASCAR was created, as he became the first president of NASCAR. He was a pioneer that helped build NASCAR from the ground up.
Bill France, Jr. - If Big Bill helped build NASCAR from the ground up, then his son, Bill France Jr, was the driving force that helped put NASCAR on the map. He became NASCAR’s president in 1972 and thanks to his vision, NASCAR became the number one motorsport in the country. France remained president until 2000, until his son Brian France took over.
Junior Johnson - Johnson won the second ever Daytona 500 in 1960. He is credited with finding “drafting” and boasts 50 wins as a driver. As an owner, he won 132 races and six championships with drivers Bill Elliot, Cale Yarbarough, and Darrell Waltrip.
Richard Petty - There will never be another driver like ”The King” Richard Petty. Petty holds multiple records including most wins as a driver (200), most poles (123), tied for most championships (7), most wins in a season (27), most Daytona 500 wins (7), most consecutive wins (10), and most consecutive starts (1,185). In 1992 after he retired from racing, he went on to create Petty Enterprises, which boasts over 280 wins. He is now owner of Richard Petty Motorsports and owns the 9, 19, 43, and 44 cars in the Sprint Cup series.
Dale Earnhardt - A fitting tribute to such a fantastic driver, Dale Earnhardt joins the inaugural 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. His mustache, crooked grin, and black number three race car is simonious with stock car racing. He co-holds the record for most championships (7). In only his second season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, he nabbed his first championship (1980). Earnhardt’s 76 wins rank seventh all time. He is the all time leader in wins at the Daytona International Speedway (34). The most memorable moment of his career was winning the 1998 Daytona 500 at long last, and having every crew member for every team congratulate him. Earnhardt lost his life on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, a fitting end to such a hard nosed race car driver.
