Inducted, May 23, 2010: Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson, Richard Petty
The first class in the NASCAR Hall of Fame was inducted the day after the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race less than two weeks after the Hall of Fame's opening.
The first five members included two members of the sport's founding family, the only two seven-time Cup champions and one of the sport's earliest superstars.
Dale Earnhardt
As Dale Earnhardt’s black No. 3 grew larger in some unsuspecting leader’s rearview mirror, so did the legend of The Intimidator. Earnhardt’s passionate all-or-nothing driving style -- and modest everyman background -- made him a fast fan favorite. His dominance didn’t hurt, either. | Read full story | Watch the video
Bill France Sr.
William Henry Getty France was called "Big Bill," and only partly because of his 6-foot-5 stature. He was larger than life it seemed, during the years of founding, then building, a sport. In the years since his 1992 death, his legend has grown, along with the sport. | Read full story | Watch the video
Bill France Jr.
William Clifton France is remembered -- and revered -- as the man who followed his visionary father at NASCAR’s helm, in the process becoming a visionary himself, as he guided NASCAR to unprecedented levels of popularity. | Read full story | Watch the video
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn "Junior" Johnson is unique in NASCAR history, with tremendous success both as a driver and a car owner. Johnson won the second annual Daytona 500 in 1960 and in the process, became credited with the discovery of "drafting" on the massive superspeedways. | Read full story | Watch the video
Richard Petty
Petty's records are staggering: most wins (200), most poles (123), tied for most championships (seven), most wins in a season (27), most Daytona 500 wins (seven), most consecutive wins (10) and most starts (1,185). Petty's success continued even after his retirement from driving in 1992. | Read full story | Watch the video