Do Modified drivers have a place in the Hall of Fame?

Like it or not, the Modifieds are a major part of NASCAR. The series is part of NASCAR history and drivers who were successful in the Modified Series have every right to be among the 25 drivers nominated to be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Here's a quick history lesson: the Modified Series is NASCAR's oldest series. The first NASCAR-sanctioned race on the Daytona Beach and Road Course came on Feb. 15, 1948 and it was a Modified race. Strictly Stock, which has become the current Cup Series, didn't exist until 1949.

That's right -- the first NASCAR series was the Modified Series.

And there are a handful of competitors that have earned the right to be nominated for enshrinement.

These drivers don't deserve special treatment, but they do deserve the opportunity to be among the nominees. Just because they weren't stars in the three current national divisions doesn't take away their accomplishments.

Richie Evans won more than 400 races and nine national Modified championships. Mike Stefanik holds seven national Modified championships. Jerry Cook has six national Modified championships, 342 wins and became the series director in 1985.

No, the Modified Series is not on par with the current Big Three, but to limit Hall of Fame nominations to those only in Cup, Nationwide and Truck is ludicrous. Modifieds played a major role in the history of NASCAR and to deny those who had Hall-worthy careers because the series has changed makes no sense.

This isn't the Cup Hall of Fame -- it's the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

This is one of those times when it's important to note the distinction between being "in the Hall of Fame" and being "inducted into the Hall of Fame."

Being "in the Hall of Fame" can mean that there's an exhibit that includes you -- or your equipment -- in it. When you're inducted into the Hall of Fame, it means that your career is among the greatest of all time.

The greatest of all time.

A Modified driver could be the greatest Modified driver in the history of the world. If there is a Hall of Fame exclusively for Modified drivers, he or she absolutely deserves to be in.

But being King of the Weekend Warriors does not a Hall of Famer make.

A Modified driver should not be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, just as minor-league baseball players are not inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and semi-pro players are not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

If you are among the greatest of all time, Modified racing should not be the apex of your career.

In that case, every Cup driver needs to be inducted.

Should the Modified Series have an exhibit or a wing in the NASCAR Hall of Fame? There is no question. Obviously, Modified racing has paved the way for many a Hall-of-Fame Cup Series career. Modified racing has entertained millions of fans and has introduced many -- including myself -- to the excitement of stock car racing.

Induction? Sorry, but no.