NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Hall committee honors pioneers 1st

Published Oct. 17, 2010 10:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

After Darrell Waltrip failed to make the second NASCAR Hall of Fame class this week, the three-time Cup champion lamented that "it just wasn't my time." It might not be next year either. Members of the Hall of Fame voting committee made a statement with their selections Wednesday: they intend to honor the sport's pioneers over those who rank higher in wins or are from a more recent era.

The 52 members (plus one fan ballot) decided David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett and Bud Moore will make up the second class. Some argue that by skipping Waltrip and fellow three-time champion Cale Yarborough, the Hall loses some luster. Instead, the group, many of which are 60 or older, made a statement that it's important to remember the sport's pioneers. With no veterans committee expected for five or more years, the older group of voters took it upon themselves to ensure that those in the sport in the early days were honored. That likely will continue next year since the committee makeup will remain about the same. With that in mind, here's an early look at what next year's Hall of Fame class could look like: 1. Raymond Parks. There was a good bit of discussion about one of the early founders of the sport. Parks aided Bill France Sr. behind the scenes, often helping with money and entering a number of cars to help fill fields. 2. Dale Inman. The eight-time champion crew chief received votes Wednesday. The committee could decide next year that it's time to add Inman as a crew chief to honor his accomplishments and, in a way, salute all the mechanics who have worked in the sport through the years. 3. An older driver. Again, the older voters are likely to influence or select a driver from the sport's early days. That could be Buck Baker, a two-time champion who won 46 races, or Herb Thomas, the sport's first two-time champion, or Fireball Roberts, considered the sport's first superstar before his death. 4. Richie Evans. He could be the wild card. The nine-time modified champion won an estimated 475 races. What could help him is if the voting members note how this is a NASCAR Hall of Fame and not just for those in Cup. If Evans makes the cut and the older group of voters lean the way they did this week, that would leave only one spot for Waltrip and Yarborough next year. Then the voters will have to decide which is worthy to make the third Hall of Fame class. Thus, a three-time champion might not become a Hall of Fame member until Year 4.