It’s time for the fan vote for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Collectively, we get one vote. Don’t ask me how that works. Rest assured, when I see Hall Director Winston Kelley and Historian Buz McKim next month, I WILL ask how that many people casting ballots can culminate in a single vote for this gang of 5.
Looking over the list of possible enshrines, we again bring up the issue of family enshrinement. The Woods, the Pettys, the Earnhardts, the Flocks.
After the nominees were announced a couple weeks ago, Mike Helton admitted that is something to look at in the future.
Really? Ya think, Mike?
And another thing. . .It may be a bit soon to be thinking about adding the likes of Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick. Now, before my friend Joyce Harmon in Proctorville, Ohio, threatens to whup up on me, there really is a reason.
Until they leave the sport completely, not just have their driving days behind them, the numbers are going to change every year. That means reworking their Hall displays every year to keep current. Of course, they may never retire from ownership, and if that’s the case, they’ll never see themselves enshrined.
This year’s list has a few omissions, according to me. MIA are:
Rex White, 1960 Grand National champion, who overcame childhood polio, is at age 81 the oldest living NASCAR champion. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame earlier this month. In 1960, he won 6 races and finished in the top 10 in 35 of 40 starts, in addition to being the series champion. When I met him four years ago, I found him soft spoken, gentlemanly and quite engaging. He is, as am I, a charter member of the NASCAR Official Members Club.
Wendell Scott broke the color barrier in NASCAR in March, 1961. In December, 1963, he was the first, and to this day, the only African-American driver to win a top NASCAR series race in the sport’s 58 years.
Now, who will get my vote? Don’t forget, voting is underway now at www.nascar.com
Consider WWDD? What Would Dale Do? He once said that when you think about NASCAR, certain names come immediately to mind. Petty. Earnhardt. Waltrip. Yarborough.
First, ‘ol DW get the nod from me, again. Did you see him at the announcement last year for the 2011 class? The Boogity Man was hurt deep inside not making it. But he was a trooper and kept broadcasting.
My next vote is for Bennie Parsons. Like DW, on the track he made a name for himself, and off the track he did the same.
On my list again is Tim Flock. And if Richard Petty is in the Hall, his crew chief and cousin Dale Inman should be too. Again, both should be a family entry.
My last pick? I have it down to four – Fireball Roberts, Glen Wood, Leonard Wood or Cale Yarborough.
Look over the list. Go to www.nascar.com to cast your votes.
Buck Baker - first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships (1956-57)
Red Byron - first NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion in 1949
Richard Childress - 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Jerry Cook - six-time NASCAR Modified champion
H. Clay Earles (NEW) - founder of Martinsville Speedway
Richie Evans - nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
Tim Flock - two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Rick Hendrick - 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Jack Ingram - two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion
Dale Inman - eight-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championship crew chief
Bobby Isaac (NEW) - 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Fred Lorenzen - 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
Cotton Owens (NEW) - driver-owner won 1966 owner championship with David Pearson
Raymond Parks - NASCAR's first champion car owner
Benny Parsons - 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Les Richter (NEW) - former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway
Fireball Roberts - won 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series races including the 1962 Daytona 500
T. Wayne Robertson - helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
Herb Thomas - first two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion (1951, 1953)
Curtis Turner - early personality called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
Darrell Waltrip - 84 wins and three NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships
Joe Weatherly - two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Glen Wood - as driver laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success
Leonard Wood (NEW) - part-owner and former crew chief for Wood Brothers who revolutionized pit stops
Cale Yarborough - three consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series titles (1976 - 1978)
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