NASCAR Hall set to name first inductees

By Ron Green Jr. - The Charlotte Observer

CHARLOTTE -- At approximately 4 p.m. today, the NASCAR Hall of Fame will have its first five inductees.

Who will they be?

That's what NASCAR President Brian France will announce after the 50 voters emerge from a day of meetings and discussion that culminates with five names chosen from a list of 25 nominees for the Hall's first class.

�It's due, something like this,� retired driver Harry Gant, a voter, said.

�I think everybody knows what they're going to do.�

That's Gant's opinion.

Other voters interviewed in recent days have said they're still undecided about whom they will include on their five-name ballot. The voting panel is made up of NASCAR officials, industry leaders, retired car owners, drivers and crew chiefs, media members and others.

There's strong sentiment that NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt will be three of the five chosen for the first class. Beyond that, it's less certain.

Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson, David Pearson, Lee Petty and Darrell Waltrip are among the names that have been mentioned as potential first-time inductees.

The announcement will be made at the Charlotte Convention Center, where the voting will take place.

The schedule calls for the voters to gather at 10 a.m. There will be a review of the candidates, time for open discussion, a lunch break and a vote in midafternoon.