The NASCAR Hall of Fame was established to honor the history and heritage of NASCAR and those who have contributed to its success and is scheduled to open on May 11, 2010.

Wednesday, the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame was announced and includes Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty.

The Class of 2010 will be officially inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in a ceremony held in Charlotte on May 23, 2010.

This deliberation process took place in a closed session meeting for most of the day, where a 50-member committee considered 25 nominees before casting their votes.

The voting panel consisted of members of the nominating committee along with 29 other representatives from the NASCAR community including major race track ownership groups, retired drivers, owners, crew chiefs and motorsports media members.

More than 670,000 NASCAR fans submitted votes online at NASCAR.com to determine the panel's 51st and final ballot.

Petty, the winningest driver in NASCAR history, was one of the obvious choices.  He holds numerous records including 200 wins, 123 poles, seven Daytona 500 wins and is tied with Earnhardt for the most Cup titles with seven. 

“It feels good,” Petty said. “I felt like this was a race, then you feel good finishing…in the front five.”

He was, however, disappointed to see his old rival David Pearson was not included. It's a good bet that he will be at the top of the list for the next class of nominees.

"Anybody that won 105 races and didn't make the cut -- somebody ain't adding right,” Petty said. Pearson's 105 wins rank him second only to Petty's 200.
 
Earnhardt, one of NASCAR'S most popular all-time drivers, won 76 races and earned seven Cup championships. His most memorable win came in 1998 after he won the Daytona 500 in his 20th attempt. In an unforgettable show of respect, crew members from all the different teams lined up along pit road to congratulate him.

His widow, Teresa Earnhardt, made a rare public appearance for the announcement.

"It is truly an honor to see Dale Earnhardt recognized as one of the five most influential members of the NASCAR family and inducted in the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” she said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. thanked the nominating committee for recognizing his father's accomplishments and included himself among his father's fans.

“He was the man, plain and simple,” Earnhardt Jr. said, in a sentiment echoed by many who still miss “The Intimidator.”

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in the 1940s and his influence has been significant in the history of American motorsports. His son Bill France Jr. took over for his father in 1972, ushering NASCAR into the 21st century.

Some, even NASCAR Chairman Brian France, questioned the inclusion of both France family members in the first class of inductees, but Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey emphasized the importance of the France legacy.

“Without the actions and leadership of Bill France and Bill France Jr., there would be no NASCAR, no Daytona and no Talladega, Humphrey said. “

Junior Johnson found success as a driver with 50 wins and won the second Daytona 500 in 1960. He has also been credited with discovering the drafting technique still used at superspeedways today.  Johnson retired in 1966 and went on to become a team owner, winning six Cup championships.

House Republican Leader John Boehner applauded the “vision of the early pioneers of America's number one motorsport” and credited the success of all three drivers to “persistence, talent, and tenacity.”