Photo Credit: Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway

NASCAR got it right yesterday when they announced their inaugural class of five inductees.  They were (if by chance you haven’t heard) Bill France, Bill France Jr., Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Junior Johnson.  There are not five other people that have had as large an affect on NASCAR.  There are arguably better drivers; barely arguable.  I hear a lot of people complaining David Pearson was left out.  Well if he isn’t the sixth inductee, and number one on next year’s list, then they have a valid complaint.  But the cut off line was five, and these five have birthed, grown, and transcended the series.  Honestly it was too easy for NASCAR this year.  Subsequent years will display whether NASCAR turns the hall of fame in to a true tribute to the great, or if they go the football route and if you were pretty good and popular you get in.

Photo Credit: cliff1066

Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, appears to be buying into Richard Petty Motorsports.  Reports say they are going to build a “NASCAR style” track and establish a Richard Petty Racing Experience driving school somewhere in the Saudi desert.  NASCAR industry insiders are also speculating that al-Saud will also purchase Gillette’s considerable share in RPM.

I’m curious how the Richard Petty faithful are accepting that possibility.  Personally I’m all for it.  My biggest problem with the report, is that oval tracks are now internationally considered “NASCAR style” tracks?  They are ovals.  NASCAR is a stock car sanctioning body.  NASCAR holds races overwhelmingly on ovals.  I will volunteer to fly to Saudi Arabia and explain this if need be, because NASCAR dominates the stock car scenery so much, we need to reestablish the distinction.  That and I love middle-eastern food, but we can’t stay too long.  I don’t want my liver getting spoiled by the lack of alcohol. 

There is nothing wrong with sending another little sliver of Americana to a rather conservative, traditional, and lets face it, oppressive region of the world.  There would be nothing better than to see a bunch of Saudi men gathered around playing backgammon with cowboy hats that have dead fowl strapped to the front. 

As for Richard Petty, he needs to find a new role in the sport.  Perhaps it is simply being an ambassador and doing things like the Goodwood Festival as he has done in the past.  Also continue with the involvement in the Victory Junction Camp.  That would be a proper display for his legacy.  It is just sad to see him chasing the unobtainable as he has the last 15 years.  I think his name needs to come off the team, but the marketing people at the new Yates-Petty-al-Saud (or whatever they call it) would surely disagree.  I just don’t want to see Petty associated as much with being an also-ran as it is with winning.  A little injection of oil money certainly won’t hurt.