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Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Class Not Without Controversy

26
Mike Hembree
·3 min read
1974 nascar the american 500 rockingham speedway
NASCAR 75: #40 First Hall Class Had Notable SnubThe Enthusiast Network - Getty Images

  • NASCAR announced its first Hall of Fame Class in 2010 with a chance to establish a Mount Rushmore of the sport.

  • To leave Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and series founder Bill France Sr. out of the first hall class would have been close to heresy.

  • Leaving out David Pearson—the sport's second all-time winningest driver—was a tough pill to swallow for many NASCAR fans.

When NASCAR announced that the first class to be inducted in 2010 into its new Hall of Fame, located in Charlotte, N.C., would number five, speculation immediately began on which five individuals would have the unique honor of being in the group.

david pearson
David Pearson was the greatest snub of NASCAR’s first Hall of Fame Class in 2010.RacingOne - Getty Images

were considered to be locks. Richard Petty won seven championships and 200 races. Dale Earnhardt won seven championships and the hearts of millions of fans. And Bill France Sr. was the sport’s founder.

To leave Petty, Earnhardt and France out of the first hall class would have been something close to heresy.