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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
PEMBERTON: Future Hall Of Famers
Here's my list of future Hall of Fame inductees among NASCAR's current drivers...
Randy Pemberton  |  Posted October 15, 2010   Charlotte, NC
Randy Pemberton on SPEED. (Photo: SPEED)
As we segued from Wednesday’s NASCAR Hall of Fame announcement regarding the second class of inductees to this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, I couldn’t help but wonder which of our current stars will one day have the same honor bestowed upon them.

Since only five members are voted in each year, in addition to the stipulation that active drivers aren’t eligible, it will be several years before today’s top drivers are selected. But rest assured several of them eventually will make the cut.

Following are my predictions for future Hall of Famers from among today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitors, based on their present stats and with no assumptions about their future achievements:

Jeff Gordon – Gordon is a shoo-in with four Cup championships and 82 wins and should be the first of today’s drivers voted in. In addition to his stellar stats, Gordon ushered in a new era and made enormous contributions to the sport’s growth and popularity. He broke the NASCAR mold for young drivers with his California roots, age and open-wheel racing background. Additionally, Gordon raced against Dale Earnhardt Sr. and earned the seven-time champ’s respect the hard way.

Jimmie Johnson – Johnson is another guaranteed Hall of Famer. It’s impossible to argue with four consecutive championships and 53 Cup wins in only 321 starts, not to mention a fifth straight title staring him right in the face.

Mark Martin – Martin certainly will find himself in the Hall of Fame one day and probably within 10 years of his retirement. I anticipate prompt selection of Martin by virtue of the era in which he raced and the fact he is highly esteemed among his peers and those who wield voting power. Martin is an ambassador for the sport and has taught so many competitors how to race – not only the skills necessary for success, but also how to be respectful on and off the track.

Tony Stewart – Stewart also has a place in the Hall of Fame one day. The two-time Cup champion holds 39 Cup wins and has finished inside the top 10 in points in 10 of the 11 seasons in which he has competed. Furthermore, his fiery personality and wit have made him a fan favorite and drawn more fans to the sport. Additionally, Stewart took a significant step toward preserving the sport’s heritage and future when he became a driver/owner last season.

Greg Biffle – Biffle likely will make it into the Hall one day on the strength of his Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series championships, in addition to his 16 Cup wins and his second and third-place finishes in the final Cup point standings. He won’t be one of the first voted in, but Biffle’s day will come.
VIDEO: NASCAR HOF - 2011 Inductees Recap SPEED's experts break down the newest NHoF selections. (Image: SPEED)

Kyle Busch – Busch is very young and fairly new to NASCAR, but even if he gave up driving today, the kid undoubtedly would make his way into the Hall. His 82 total career NASCAR wins aside, Busch captivates crowds and peers alike with his car control, and has the ability to polarize and excite the fan base like no one we’ve seen in years. People either love him or hate him and the controversy that follows Busch is beneficial to the sport.

That’s it for today’s field. In my opinion, no one else competing fulltime in the Cup Series has the credentials for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Qualification for the Hall isn’t just about credentials and stats either; there are so many pioneers who laid the groundwork for NASCAR and ushered in a new era in the ‘60s and ‘70s and then again in the ‘80s. Dozens and dozens of worthy candidates who are retired, or in some cases deceased, deserve recognition for their contributions.

Future Hall of Fame classes will come from groups such as these, and Wednesday’s announcement demonstrated just how steep the competition is, especially when only five inductees per year are appointed. Any Hall of Fame should be reserved for the best of the best and NASCAR’s Hall has fallen right in step.

Randy Pemberton is a 24-year veteran of motorsports journalism who currently serves as host of NASCAR in a Hurry and NASCAR Race Hub, as well as a reporter for NASCAR Live on SPEED. He has hosted, produced, reported and written for numerous motorsports programs and specials over the years. Pemberton won the Russ Catlin Award of Excellence for broadcast journalism three times, in addition to being named a multi-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association award for spot news. Pemberton, who joined SPEED in 2007 after years with other networks, has produced, written and served as the talent for more than 500 feature packages for national television productions.

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