by Larry McReynolds

Comment

The big question on everybody's mind is "Did they get it right?" I think back to a lot of people who have made a huge contribution to our sport and they aren't just all drivers.

Obviously NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and former NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. will be strong candidates. I would like to think Junior Johnson is right up there too, not only as a driver but as a championship-winning car owner. I hope that Smokey Yunick will be a part of this Hall of Fame.

I have to admit, I was a little worried before they announced the list that they would roll out all ex-drivers. I don't think our sport was built on just what drivers did behind the wheel. There were a lot of people behind the scenes and supporting those drivers. I would have liked some track owners, like Bruton Smith, would be a part of the Top 25. There just have been so many people that have impacted our sport other than driving race cars. My gosh, look at what Humpy Wheeler has done not only for Lowe's Motor Speedway but for our sport.

Dale Inman is a name for sure that should have been considered. The man has won eight championships with a couple different drivers — Richard Petty and Terry Labonte. Ralph Moody of Holman-Moody is another. He was one of the real innovators of our sport. Leonard Wood of the famous Wood Brothers, who brought pit stops to the forefront. What a difference Bud Moore made in our sport.

From the drivers side, well that's a pretty easy list: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt Sr. head the list. I was very glad to see Ned Jarrett on the list. Going back in the earlier days, names like Rex White jump out at me that should be a part of the Hall in the future.

Out of the 25 names rolled out Thursday, only five will be chosen for the first-ever induction next May. I hope that Bill France Sr. will be at the top of that list. He's the reason we are what we are today. Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Junior Johnson would be my picks to join Bill France Sr. in the first class. I don't think you can go wrong with those five names.

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FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.

"How to Become a Winning Crew Chief" is on bookstore shelves, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.