-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Sprint Cup
CUP: Waltrip Is Left Out Of Hall – Again
To many observers' surprise, Darrell Waltrip wasn't chosen for the second NASCAR Hall of Fame class...
Darrell Waltrip won 84 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, along with three titles. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Another NASCAR Hall of Fame class, another snub.
Last year David Pearson was left out. This year it was Darrell Waltrip.
In last year’s inaugural five-person class the selectors incredibly omitted Pearson – No. 2 in victories and considered by many the greatest driver in the sport’s history – in favor of a couple of NASCAR executives.
In last week’s balloting they corrected their initial gaff by finally adding Pearson. The other four top voter-getters were Bobby Allison, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett, and Bud Moore.
Waltrip was left out, even though he is tied with Allison for third in all-time victories and won three championships to Bobby’s one.
He was left out even though for four decades he was – and continues to be – one of the most influential individuals in the sport.
I rank Waltrip’s impact on stock car racing behind only that of Bill France Sr., Richard Petty and Junior Johnson – all of whom were inducted in the inaugural HOF class.
Now, after two rounds of selections, Waltrip’s still not in.
Some of us older chronicles of the sport aren’t surprised at the snub – disappointed, but not surprised. We remember the 1973 Rookie of the Year “selection process.” That year’s award was bequeathed to Lennie Pond, a pleasant guy and journeyman driver, over Waltrip, a super-talented racer but unabashed blabbermouth.
Back then the Rookie of the Year Award was purely subjective – like today’s HOF voting. The Rookie award was based as much on deportment and popularity as performance. In 1973 Lennie was a nice guy who made no waves, while D.W. was a mischievous pot-stirrer who once referred to venerable dictator Bill France Sr. as “our Great White Father in Daytona.”
NASCAR was not amused, and nobody – including Darrell – was surprised when he didn’t get the Rookie of the Year Award that he obviously deserved.
Last week’s snub is harder to understand. Since his retirement as a driver following the 2000 season, D.W. has been a model NASCAR citizen. For millions of fans he has become the face and voice of the sport through his duties as a Fox Sports commentator and other media activities.
During his driving days Waltrip was the perfect persona for NASCAR’s new TV era, a sophisticated bridge from the backwoods to Broadway. He did for the sport in the 1980s what Richard Petty did for it in the 1960’s. Even during Waltrip’s boat-rocking early years he was a softie beneath his rebel exterior. He and wife Stevie were instrumental in founding NASCAR’s ministry program, and Waltrip was always at the forefront of fund-raising efforts for indigent drivers.
On and off the track, few have contributed greater.
Understand, this is in no way a criticism of the chosen inductees. Lee Petty is one of the sport’s most influential pioneers, “Gentleman” Ned Jarrett is class incarnate and Bud Moore – a battle-scarred WWII combat vet – has always been one of my heroes. I interviewed and wrote about all three over the years and admire them greatly.
The same goes for Bobby Allison, one of the most determined drivers ever to strap on helmet, and also one of the bravest. Nobody has sacrificed more for the sport than Allison.
My gripe, for the second year, is not who went in but who was left out. It left a sour aftertaste last year and an equally sour aftertaste this year. Race fans don’t like to see their heroes snubbed, and that could explain why Hall of Fame attendance has been well below expectations.
It’s all so unnecessary. With 64 years of rollicking history and colorful characters, it is illogical to attempt to distill these initial classes down to five a year – and not even five drivers. The first two classes contain a grand total of seven – SEVEN – drivers.
At this rate it will take a half-century to induct a fraction of the most deserving.
Instead of honoring the giants who built the sport, the HOF is shunning them.
Larry Woody is a veteran, award-winning sports journalist. Woody began working at the Nashville Tennessean in the 1960s and took over the auto racing beat full time in the early 1970s. Larry can be reached at lwoody@racintoday.com.
Last year David Pearson was left out. This year it was Darrell Waltrip.
In last year’s inaugural five-person class the selectors incredibly omitted Pearson – No. 2 in victories and considered by many the greatest driver in the sport’s history – in favor of a couple of NASCAR executives.
In last week’s balloting they corrected their initial gaff by finally adding Pearson. The other four top voter-getters were Bobby Allison, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett, and Bud Moore.
Waltrip was left out, even though he is tied with Allison for third in all-time victories and won three championships to Bobby’s one.
He was left out even though for four decades he was – and continues to be – one of the most influential individuals in the sport.
I rank Waltrip’s impact on stock car racing behind only that of Bill France Sr., Richard Petty and Junior Johnson – all of whom were inducted in the inaugural HOF class.
Now, after two rounds of selections, Waltrip’s still not in.
Some of us older chronicles of the sport aren’t surprised at the snub – disappointed, but not surprised. We remember the 1973 Rookie of the Year “selection process.” That year’s award was bequeathed to Lennie Pond, a pleasant guy and journeyman driver, over Waltrip, a super-talented racer but unabashed blabbermouth.
Back then the Rookie of the Year Award was purely subjective – like today’s HOF voting. The Rookie award was based as much on deportment and popularity as performance. In 1973 Lennie was a nice guy who made no waves, while D.W. was a mischievous pot-stirrer who once referred to venerable dictator Bill France Sr. as “our Great White Father in Daytona.”
NASCAR was not amused, and nobody – including Darrell – was surprised when he didn’t get the Rookie of the Year Award that he obviously deserved.
Last week’s snub is harder to understand. Since his retirement as a driver following the 2000 season, D.W. has been a model NASCAR citizen. For millions of fans he has become the face and voice of the sport through his duties as a Fox Sports commentator and other media activities.
During his driving days Waltrip was the perfect persona for NASCAR’s new TV era, a sophisticated bridge from the backwoods to Broadway. He did for the sport in the 1980s what Richard Petty did for it in the 1960’s. Even during Waltrip’s boat-rocking early years he was a softie beneath his rebel exterior. He and wife Stevie were instrumental in founding NASCAR’s ministry program, and Waltrip was always at the forefront of fund-raising efforts for indigent drivers.
On and off the track, few have contributed greater.
Understand, this is in no way a criticism of the chosen inductees. Lee Petty is one of the sport’s most influential pioneers, “Gentleman” Ned Jarrett is class incarnate and Bud Moore – a battle-scarred WWII combat vet – has always been one of my heroes. I interviewed and wrote about all three over the years and admire them greatly.
VIDEO: NASCAR HOF - 2011 Inductees Recap SPEED's experts break down the newest NHoF selections. (Image: SPEED)
The same goes for Bobby Allison, one of the most determined drivers ever to strap on helmet, and also one of the bravest. Nobody has sacrificed more for the sport than Allison.
My gripe, for the second year, is not who went in but who was left out. It left a sour aftertaste last year and an equally sour aftertaste this year. Race fans don’t like to see their heroes snubbed, and that could explain why Hall of Fame attendance has been well below expectations.
It’s all so unnecessary. With 64 years of rollicking history and colorful characters, it is illogical to attempt to distill these initial classes down to five a year – and not even five drivers. The first two classes contain a grand total of seven – SEVEN – drivers.
At this rate it will take a half-century to induct a fraction of the most deserving.
Instead of honoring the giants who built the sport, the HOF is shunning them.
Larry Woody is a veteran, award-winning sports journalist. Woody began working at the Nashville Tennessean in the 1960s and took over the auto racing beat full time in the early 1970s. Larry can be reached at lwoody@racintoday.com.
Shake and Bake: Recent Posts
-
Race Day Blog: Sights and Sounds From the Sprint All-Star Race »
-
Daryl Wright Breaks It Down With Pit Road Rapper Kenyatta Houston »
-
Daryl ' Vodkatime ' Wright Takes To Charlotte Motor Speedway »
-
Brad Keselowski's All-Star Car Features Awkward Kyle Busch Photo »
-
Kyle Busch Kicks Off All-Star Weekend With Trucks Win »
-
Dale Earnhardt Sr., Father of the All-Star Paint Scheme »
-
Charlotte Television Schedule: Sprint All-Star Weekend »
-
Trickle Was A Legend »
Kansas Speedway
LATEST HEADLINES: NASCAR
-
CUP: Busches Falter In Final Shootout
Kyle, Kurt Busch lose top spots on pit road prior to 10-lap finale…… -
CUP: Johnson Sets Record With All-Star Win
Jimmie Johnson is now the only four-time winner of the Sprint All-Star… -
CUP: Saturday Charlotte Notebook (UPDATE 14)
Jimmie Johnson wins the the All-Star Race... -
CUP: McMurray, Stenhouse Advance To All-Star
Jamie McMurray dominates Showdown to move into All-Star field with… -
EXCLUSIVE: Kahne Says He And Kyle Busch Are Cool
Kasey Kahne spun out racing Kyle Busch for the lead at Darlington… -
CUP: JGR Heavily Favored, But No Slam Dunk
Joe Gibbs Racing is five-for-five on intermediate-length tracks this… -
CUP: Earnhardt Fond Of 'Home' Track
Dale Earnhardt Jr. grew up a few miles from Charlotte Motor Speedway...… - More News
