NASCAR legends, from left: Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker, David Pearson, Donnie Allison, Richard Petty and Benny Parsons Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Saturday notebook: Legends marshal AMS

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Buddy Baker's list for the first inductees to NASCAR's new Hall of Fame is short.

"Richard Petty and David Pearson,'' he said of NASCAR's all-time race winners with 200 and 105 victories, respectively. "Not another soul. If they put 10 guys in they will lower the level of credibility.

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"It'll get to the point where you're putting the guy that scoops the snow cones at Lowe's Motor Speedway into the Hall.''

Pearson would make Bill France Sr., the founding father of NASCAR, the first inductee.

"He made [the sport] what it is today,'' said Pearson, appearing with a group of legendary drivers that served as grand marshals for Saturday's Busch Series race.

The Hall recently was awarded to Charlotte, N.C. Construction is expected to begin within the next 18 months and completed by 2010.

While Pearson didn't mention his name as an inductee, he didn't shy away from his credentials. Asked who he would like to drive against today if he could, the man known as the "Silver Fox'' smiled and said, "What do you mean if I could?''

"I feel I could drive just as good now as I could back then,'' Pearson continued. "I just couldn't last as long because I ain't used to it.''

Pearson reminded that he won a championship every time he ran a full schedule, "which was three times.'' He often wonders how many titles he could have won had he and the Wood Brothers run more full schedules.

"I felt like I had a chance to win a race about everywhere I went,'' Pearson said.

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Pearson isn't sure he could drive in today's cars with seats that envelope the driver and helmets that cover the entire head.

"I've got to have some air,'' he said.

Donnie Allison agreed, but for different reasons.

"I like to be able to look over at Richard [Petty] and give him a finger every once in a while,'' he said. "Mainly, we had to do it out the windshield most of the time.''

Baker, who had a few run-ins with Allison, understands. He recalled a race at Daytona when Allison gave him the No. 1 salute.

"I didn't know a man could drive without either hand on the steering wheel,'' he said. "He wanted to make sure I got the [message].''

Color blind

Pearson wasn't aware that Bill Lester on Friday became the first black driver in 20 years to qualify for a Nextel Cup race.

	Bill Lester will start 19th on Sunday at Atlanta. Credit: Autostock
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"And when they was talking about it I didn't even know he was a black driver,'' he said.

No problems, please

Lester's goal for Sunday is to complete all 500 miles and make a few friends.

"I hope to exchange some pleasantries with [the other drivers] and let them know I appreciate to be out racing with them,'' Lester said. "I'm essentially going to give and take as much as I can, probably a whole lot more giving.''

Lester, who qualified 19th, struggled in Saturday's Happy Hour practice with the 40th-fastest speed. But he wasn't complaining.

"I want to come home with all the fenders and doors on it, and hope to be in a position, who knows, maybe for a top-10 or something,'' he said.