[Robertdjr]

SPEED will air an exclusive one-hour special at 8 p.m. ET Thursday from the site of the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., as NASCAR unveils the 25 nominees for the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

NASCAR Hall of Fame: The First Class will be hosted by legendary motor sports broadcaster Ken Squier, with guest appearances from NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced May 11, 2010, as the official grand opening date for the state-of-the-art facility under construction in Charlotte.

To date, the NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced two major artifacts for display in the Hall -- the Plymouth Belvedere that Richard Petty drove to 27 wins in 1967, and an epic collection of NASCAR awards and memorabilia donated by Raymond Parks, including the first NASCAR trophy ever awarded a team.

The hall's inaugural class, consisting of five members, is scheduled to be enshrined in May 2010. That class will be selected by the Voting Panel from a list of 25 candidates assembled by a 21-person Nominating Committee.

The Voting Panel will consist of the members of the Nominating Committee and 29 others from throughout the NASCAR industry. There also will be one more ballot, decided by a nationwide fan vote, for a total of 51 Voting Panel ballots.

Members of the Nominating Committee represent NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups and operators of historic short tracks.

NASCAR Hall of Fame * News

[Bob Tanner]

I believe the majority of the first two-three groups of inductees should be people who were around at the beginning and did whatever they did to get NASCAR up and going successfully.

My suggestions are:
Bill France Sr.
Red Byron
Lee Petty
Harold Brasington
and the minority vote for contributions to the sport from any era,

Richard Petty

Let's not turn this into just another personality-driven popularity contest. But, I'm sure we'll see someone suggest DW, Jeff Gordon, Davey Allison or even [shudder!] Brian France.

[mike honcho]

UPDATE: NASCAR Says, a blog of NASCAR.com, blogs this week that will provide some “sneak peeks” at the inaugural list of nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The first two sneak peaked are lengendary drivers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.(NASCAR Says)(6-30-2009)

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by mike honcho

UPDATE: NASCAR Says, a blog of NASCAR.com, blogs this week that will provide some “sneak peeks” at the inaugural list of nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The first two sneak peaked are lengendary drivers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip.(NASCAR Says)(6-30-2009)

I read that. I must have gotten stuck in a time warp. It's April Fools day all over again!

[Stewart Fan]

If Richard Petty doesn't go in I'll be shocked.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Stewart Fan

If Richard Petty doesn't go in I'll be shocked.

I don't think you have to worry. Virtually every -serious list I've seen all have Richard and Big Bill at the top. But... Vry few of us remember Bill Sr. so maybe some one current, Like Mikey, will take his place of honour?

[Robertdjr]

Two more of the 25 nominees were released today...Glen Wood and Richard Childress.

[onearmsteve]

i'm going to have to see more names before i comment, but i'll say the 4 (?) listed so far don't strike me as being sure locks.

i think they should probably just admit all 25 to the hall as a first year thing. NASCAR could easily do a similar type list as the NBA did several years ago to commemorate their 50 greatest players of all time, on their 50th anniversary year of the league. just put together the names 25-1.

i think then you could include those 4 names, but unless they do that, so far- meh.

[saltysenior]

Pete Rose !!!

[mike honcho]

Originally Posted by saltysenior

Pete Rose !!!

Pete Rose,seriously Pete Rose in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.Salty are you and Mayfield friends

[Stewart Fan]

Wonder if Earnhardt will be in it?

[mike honcho]

If DW is a nominee I would say yes to Sr. being nominated

[mike honcho]

I can't believe that they can't come up with 25 nominees from the roots of NASCAR to start this off.I like RCR but to nominate current team owners in the HOF to start it off???

[Robertdjr]

Originally Posted by Stewart Fan

Wonder if Earnhardt will be in it?

We'll have to wait and see. I know quite a few of the Voting Panel have already said they'd put him in, but that's just the ones I've heard about. But there are a lot more who haven't said one way or the other who they're gonna vote for. And there's also the fan vote that will be included in the top 5 decision that has to be considered.

Right now, the NHOF website is doing a survey to list the 5 you would put in. As of 6/30/2009, it's looking like this:

1. Richard Petty (537 votes)
2. Dale Earnhardt (514 votes)
3. Cale Yarborough (195 votes)
4. David Pearson (169 votes)
5. Lee Petty (147 votes)

Not sure why Big Bill or Junior Johnson isn't up there, but that's just me.