Junior Johnson is A Surprise For Hall of Fame, But A Pleasant One Indeed
Okay, I admit, I was a little surprised that voters chose Junior Johnson over David Pearson in the fifth and final pick for the inaugural induction class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Even though NASCAR’s original Junior won 50 races as a driver and 132 wins and six championships as a team owner, not to mention being the instigator that eventually brought Winston into the sport, I still thought Pearson’s credentials merited induction.
That being said, congratulations to Junior Johnson, regardless. If Pearson wasn’t going to make it on the first vote, Johnson is a more than worthy alternate – or better, in many voters’ eyes – selection in the long run.
One thing I don’t understand is why so many people seemed to be shocked that Bill France Jr., also made it in on the first ballot. How could you not include him, given all he did to make NASCAR the second-most popular spectator sport in the U.S.? How could not include him for taking the Winston sponsorship and making it arguably the most visible brand in sports for over three decades? How could you not include him, given how he helped foster the careers of guys like Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon, helping to build rivalries that got fans talking and – more importantly – spending money on tickets, souvenirs and the like? How could you not include him for bringing live television to race coverage?
To me, voting in Little Bill was a no-brainer, so I don’t understand why so many people seem to be shocked that he was included in the first induction class.
Yes, Bill Sr. helped found NASCAR and developed it, led the construction of Daytona International Speedway and the move away from beaches and onto pavement. Call me bold or crazy, but despite all the big things the elder France did for the sport, his son did a whole hell of a lot more in the whole big scheme of things.
Bill Sr. may have put NASCAR on the map, but Bill Jr. redrew that map several times over, making NASCAR its own atlas.
Anyway, congratulations to the late Bill Sr. and Bill Jr., and the late Dale Earnhardt, as well as congratulations to Richard Petty and Junior Johnson. The voters did NASCAR proud – and that’s what having a Hall of Fame is all about, isn’t it?
Now, let the posturing and guessing game for the second induction class, slated for a year from now, begin.
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