The second class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be voted upon later this year. Several of the 25 nominees for the first class surprisingly did not make it. So, of the 20 that remain, not to mention any additional names that may be added to the mix, who do YOU think should be voted into the five-person second Hall of Fame induction class, to be inducted in May 2011?
The list of 20 nominees that did not make the first class is as follows:
- Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races
- Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Red Byron, first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, in 1949
- Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
- Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
- Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Rick Hendrick, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR’s three national series
- Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Bud Moore, 63 wins and two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles as a car owner
- Raymond Parks, NASCAR’s first champion car owner
- Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- David Pearson, 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Lee Petty, winner of first Daytona 500 and first three-time series champion
- Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
- Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and ‘53
- Curtis Turner, early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
- Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
- Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
- Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers’ future team success
- Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 1976-78
Jerry Bonkowski says: To me, there were some real surprises that did make the inaugural class, most notably David Pearson. I thought for sure he'd be a first class shoe-in. But be that as it may, using the above list, my five picks for the second NASCAR Hall of Fame inaugural class are: David Pearson, Rick Hendrick, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. Feel free to take me to task for my picks -- that's what RacingDebates.com is all about.
So, RacingDebates.com asks: WHO DO YOU FEEL ARE THE FIVE BEST PICKS FOR THE SECOND NASCAR HALL OF FAME INAUGURAL CLASS?
CLICK HERE to join the debate and give YOUR 5 Nominees!
Whether you're a devoted member of 'Junior Nation' or you think he's simply not worth all the hype, here are the facts. Through the first five races of 2010, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one top-5 (2nd at Daytona) and a top-10 (7th at Bristol on Sunday). His average start has been 10.4 and his average finish has been 14.4. Now, let's compare to the first five races of 2009:
Junior's average start was a terrible 26.8, his average finish was a not-much-better 20.2, with just one top-10 finish (10th) in the first five events.
Jerry Bonkowski says: From the stats, it appears Junior has made some significant improvement in 2010. But at the same time, he's been flying under the radar of attention. That won't last long, however: with his 7th at Bristol, he moves up five spots in the standings to 8th heading into Sunday's race at Martinsville. While I won't go so far as saying Junior is definitely back for sure, he definitely appears to be on the right path. And, don't be surprised that if Junior's upward trend continues, NASCAR attendance and TV ratings will also show an upward bounce.
So, let's hear your thoughts: DO YOU THINK DALE EARNHARDT JR.'s ENHANCED PERFORMANCE THUS FAR IN 2010 WILL CONTINUE OR IS JUNIOR NATION DESTINED FOR DISAPPOINTMENT?
CLICK HERE to add YOUR THOUGHTS to the debate!
Next Sunday at Martinsville marks the return of the rear deck lid spoiler. That means this Sunday's race at Bristol will be the final Cup race ever contested with the ill-fated rear wing. We want to know if you agree or not with NASCAR going back to a rear spoiler -- albeit a taller, wider spoiler at that.
Jerry Bonkowski says: It's about time. Like a bad marriage, the rear wing and the COT just did not mesh. And the way the wing caused cars to frighteningly get airborn if they were hit from behind at over 160 mph -- let's not forget Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman at Talladega, and as recenlty as last week with Brad Keselowski at Atlanta -- we may be avoiding a potential disaster just in time. I commend NASCAR for realizing the wing may have been great in concept, but not in execution.
So, let's hear your thoughts: IS NASCAR DOING THE RIGHT THING BY GETTING RID OF THE REAR WING ON CUP CARS?
CLICK HERE to add YOUR THOUGHTS to the debate!
