CNHI
5-25-10 — The NASCAR Hall of Fame opened this past week in Charlotte.
This isn't a feud likely to lead to any fistfights, but David Pearson
fans have to be hot for months over Pearson being left out of the inaugural
induction class.
Last October, voters selected Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Dale
Earnhardt, Richard Petty and Junior Johnson for the five-member class.
Pearson, whose 105 career victories rank second all-time and who is
considered by many as the best NASCAR driver ever, was left out.
While Pearson was diplomatic last October, the snub had to sting a bit.
It certainly caused a huge debate among fans.
At the time, Pearson said he was "not really" disappointed that he
didn't get in.
"I told them before that I always heard that they wanted Junior
[Johnson] in there, of course you know that Earnhardt and Petty are going to
be in there, no doubt about it," Pearson said. "When I see the two Frances
went in, I knew I didn't have a chance."
And that was the cornerstone of the debate. Should two members of the
NASCAR-founding France family get into the hall of fame in the first class?
Certainly they made great contributions to the sport, but there also is the
feeling that the inaugural class should have featured four drivers.
It's not like Pearson's career is ignored in the hall of fame. There are
plenty of mentions of him, including a car that he drove.
But in the "Hall of Honor" there will be no Pearson not yet.
Voting is done by a mix of former drivers, team owners and crew chiefs
as well as NASCAR executives, track operators and media. Each voter selected
five names, and the five people on the most ballots (voters did not rank
their selections) made the cut.
Pearson most likely will be part of the 2011 class, and he will get the
recognition he deserves then.
Weekend Racing: The Cup cars and Camping World Trucks will be at the
1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. It will be a regular points race for the
Trucks, but the Cup teams will compete in their annual non-points All-Star
race.
Fri., May 21, Camping World Trucks, race 7 of 25: Starting time: 7:30 pm
ET: TV: Speed.
Sat., May 22, Sprint Cup All-Star race, Starting time: 7 pm ET: TV:
Speed.
Racing Trivia Question: What is Bobby Labonte's car number in Cup
series?
Last Week's Question: Which Cup team does Jeff Burton drive for? Answer:
The No. 31 Richard Childress Chevrolet.
You may contact the Racing Reporter at: hodgesnews@earthlink.net