Hall Call Could Lead to Confusion

We're still a few months away from learning who the first five inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame will be, giving us a little time to banter back and forth about who should be in that critical first class.

I'm curious to see how everything plays out with the criteria for induction. With three premier but separate series – the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – how do you arrive at the finalists given the dominant success several drivers have enjoyed across the three different divisions?

For example, a look at Kevin Harvick's accomplishments as a driver in the Nationwide Series shows he certainly is Hall of Fame material. A two-time champion, he is one of the series' standouts but his Cup stats aren't Hall of Fame-worthy at this stage. Would the Nationwide Series weigh in on Harvick's resume when the day comes or would he need outstanding Cup results to garner a vote?

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Ironically, Ron Hornaday, who drives for Harvick in the Truck Series, is the series all-time winningest driver and if there was a Hall of Fame strictly for the Truck Series, he would top the list. But would that be enough to merit induction up against the Cup Series giants? Then again, the Cup Series is considered the premier group of drivers, so is it just natural for all the early inductees to spring from that division?

Or should the Hall members be divided into the Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series?

I propose as much because it is so difficult to contrast the accomplishments of drivers across the three levels. Each series has drivers who have written their names in the history books and helped the sport grow to the level it currently enjoys.

This isn't a discussion so much for the first class as for those down the road, because five annual members is an excessive amount. For the Hall of Fame to attain and retain its prestige and exclusivity, I think that number needs to taper off after the first year or two so we're not placing people in there just to hit a number. They need to be true legends and icons of NASCAR. But if NASCAR plans to continue to induct five new members each year, I think the members should be categorized by Truck, Nationwide, media and "general" categories, which likely would mean a Cup driver or owner.

Seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty made the comment last week that the first class of inductees should include those who founded the sport and not those who helped propel it forward, thereby saying he shouldn't be included. Petty's humility is part of what makes him such an ambassador for the sport and while I would never argue with the man, I must adamantly oppose him on this one. He's had more success than anyone else and is a no-brainer for the first ballot.

As for the first ballot, I'd say Bill France, Petty and Dale Earnhardt are a shoe-in for three of the first five slots. The France family's vision and work ethic grew the sport by gargantuan proportions both on and off the track. Petty single-handedly revolutionized the popularity of driver autographs and access, while Dale Earnhardt gave NASCAR one of its first true controversial heroes. France, Petty and Earnhardt helped launch NASCAR into the behemoth it has become and without them, the sport would be a mere shadow of itself. But after these three, I am not sure who belongs in the inaugural class because so many guys come to mind who have achieved equitable success . Their impact on the sport hasn't been as meteoric as the aforementioned trio.

While it becomes more difficult to select members after the obvious first three, one factor that has no place in the Hall is popularity, but as is the case with any sport's Hall of Fame, it's almost inevitable that it will play some role. In baseball's hall of fame, Don Mattingly has a chance of inclusion by virtue of playing for the New York Yankees for so many years and his media savvy in the country's largest media market. Mattingly may never be inducted, but his popularity with the vote-wielding media in New York will increase his odds.

The same is true with the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the fan vote. Race fans are so unique and have helped build the sport, and for that reason, I support giving them a voice. But on the other hand, because they are so loyal and emotional, part of me thinks they should have no input because that raw emotion could vote in members whose accomplishments might not truly merit the recognition.

All this aside, the NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees should earn their place on the strength of their wins, championships and unmatched contributions to the sport. Who would you vote for?

Adam Alexander is a SPEED reporter in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races on TNT, in addition to his duties hosting NASCAR in a Hurry and The SPEED Report.