David Pearson's absence from first hall class mild surprise
CHARLOTTE – While Bill France Jr. is undoubtedly deserving of inclusion in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, it was a mild surprise to see him get in on the initial vote over David Pearson, who some have called the greatest driver ever.
There was little reaction in the announcement room at the Charlotte Convention Center when the third name – France Jr. – was revealed to the audience both present and watching via live telecast. But everyone knew that France Jr.’s name meant either Pearson or Junior Johnson was likely out.
Reaction afterward was mixed. Some people predicted the five names exactly right; others had Pearson over France Jr. Just prior to the announcement, word had flown around the room that there had been much debate and politicking among the hall of fame voters over who should get the final spot.
Brian France, standing alongside sister Lesa France Kennedy, later called it a proud moment for his family. But even he acknowledged that France Jr. would have preferred to see a driver go into the hall first.
And Richard Petty, the King himself, said that when he sat down and made his own list, Pearson was No. 1.
“Anybody that won 105 races and didn’t make the cut? Somebody ain’t adding right,” Petty said.
Pearson did not appear to be too disappointed in brief comments after the announcement and said he had always heard that Johnson, Petty and Dale Earnhardt would be locks to make it.
“It’s all right,” Pearson said. “...When I seen the two Frances went in, I feel I didn’t have a chance.”
