A historic day in Sports' history, yes, Sports. The first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame were selected for the new Hall opening next year in Charlotte, NC. This was a highly talked about debate amongst who to let in for the first class. With many great drivers that have come and gone, who do you let in on the first ballot? Surely all of the greats will be let in, but it says something to be elected on first ballot for the first class.
Looking at MLB's first HOF Class (1936): Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson
NBA's first HOF Class (1959), on the contrary, included 17 inductees varying from players to teams and everything in between. It maybe saturated the prestige of being the "First Class" when considering that the average NBA fan might only know 2 of the names inducted.
NFL's first HOF Class (1963) also included 17 members but back then the NFL was just coming into existence when the HOF opened.
NASCAR went along the lines of MLB and inducted their own "First Five": The list is a whose who of what NASCAR is all about. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, Bill France Sr., and Bill France Jr. Names left off the first ballot included Davey Allison, Dave Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough and donzens of other men that will soon be enshrined in Charlotte.
This is an honor that these men will have for eternity as the sport continues to grow and collect legends along the way. Look for the induction ceremony in May 2010.
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