Full Throttle

Now that the “race for NASCAR’s HOF” is over and the five competing cities bids are in - all that remains is for the Daytona big wigs to announce the winning site later this year - media attention has turned to the first group of nominees. I have not seen any official word but it appears only 10 people will be inducted in the first Hall class. A very small number considering NASCAR’s long history and lends it self to months of “how could they leave out driver “Red Fender” or track owner “Bent Guardrail.”

That’s Racin’ has chosen a group of 25 luminaries and is asking it’s readership to select their top ten. Their list is in the extended entry. Never one to shy away from controversy - and you can bet this will be a much talked about subject well into next year - I have chosen my top ten. Some match other lists, some are obvious selections, some may be virtually unknown to the Johnny come lately fans who know nothing prior to Jeff Gordon’s arrival.

Lee and Richard Petty are the first of the obvious choices, no need to belabor the point, if you fail to agree, well… you don’t know NASCAR!

Big Bill France and another lock selection, Without France Sr. there may never have been a NASCAR, at least in it’s present form. He corralled a bunch of raga-muffin drivers, shyster promoters, and fly-by-night track owners and formed an entire sport! His is a four wheeled, door slammin’ version of Dr. James Naismith’s peach baskets and Abner Doubleday myths.

Dale Earnhardt, Another lock with his 7 Championships and the first modern era superstar. Sr. was the bridge between the rough and tumble past of the 50’s and 60’s and the modern age of win on Sunday, make-up enhanced appearances on Good Morning America Monday morning.

In the great NASCAR tradition of if you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t winnin’, I’ll count Glen and Leonard Wood as a single entry. The Wood Brothers are true legends and have the oldest continuously operating team in NASCAR NEXTEL/Winston Cup. They have compiled 97 wins, fourth all-time in NASCAR history and the most of any Ford team.

Junior Johnson Junior epitomized what it was all about in the early days - moonshining legend of Ingle Hollow N.C. on the one hand - winner of 50 NASCAR events as driver on the other. Jumping to the other side of pit wall he fielded six championship teams as an owner. Restrictor plate era drivers eat your hearts out, Junior is credited with discovering “drafting,” In 1960, racing a Chevrolet, Junior was losing up to 10 mph to the hot Pontiacs. Then on a whim coming out of a corner in practice he nosed his Chevy up near the bumper of a fast Pontiac. To Johnson’s surprise he stayed with the Pontiac and went faster than ever.

Herb Thomas Between 1951-54, he was champ twice and runner-up twice. He won 48 times in just 230 career starts, a winning percentage of 20%. His career was cut short by a 1956 crash that likely kept him from more titles.

Smoky Yunick If for no other reason Smoky deserves a place due to his