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NASCAR HOF's first class of inductees a “No Brainer,” and that’s not a compliment!
Well, it was just a matter of time until I put forth my “$1.87” worth of opinion about the first “class” of NASCAR Hall of Fame (HOF) inductees.
About one year ago, I discovered Bleacher Report. An article by Nate Powers is what caused me to join Bleacher Report:
NASCAR's Hall Of Fame To Open In 2010 by Nate Powers http://bleacherreport.com/articles/56912-nascars-hall-of-fame-to-open-in-2010
This inspired my first ever work here at B/R:
NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominees: Richard Petty, David Pearson, and...? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/57679-nascar-hall-of-fame-nominees-richard-petty-david-pearson-and
That started my string of articles, most of which have a historical "bent". After all, I love racing, and I love history, so when the two come together…well, you’ve got my attention!
But to my point: four of the five members of the first "class" of inductees were a “No Brainer.” The inaugural class includes: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France, Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson, and Richard Petty.
Dale Earnhardt, Bill France, Bill France Jr., and Richard Petty, were the "no brainer" picks, I felt, if the inductees were picked solely by the fan vote. But the fan vote was only one component of the process, so I was hopeful.
I was hopeful, but not very, that the voters on the selection committee would, at minimum not pick “Bill Jr.” to the Hall on this first ballot. Yes, I know: “What were you thinking?”
Honestly, with only five spots "available" it meant that, in reality, only one person would be truly "voted-in". I felt that the two Frances, along with Richard and Iron-head were "locks" as soon as the pool of nominees was announced.
In my most recent article: NASCAR Hall of Fame: My Comments on the Nominees and the Process (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/239046-nascar-hall-of-fame-my-comments-on-the-nominees-and-the-process ), I mentioned a [minimum] two "wing" HOF.
I feel that if the hall had two “wings,” that this would give the Hall a better, more representative, first “class” [at least]. With two “wings”, a maximum limit could be set at five for each “wing”, with no minimum for each “class.”
If the Hall was to be in the format as announced, at minimum, this first “class” should have been set for 10 people, and then the arbitrary five person figure could take effect in subsequent elections.
Why? Well, for the very reason that has inspired me to write: too many people to consider because the nominating committee did a great job, for the most part.
To quote the induction press release from NASCAR:
“ The nominees included many of the sport's legendary names:
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