CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. headlined the five inductees into the first Hall of Fame class, a group that drew mixed reactions to the inclusion of France’s son instead of driver David Pearson.
France, who formed the National Association of Stock Car Racing in 1947, was the first inductee announced Wednesday as selected by a panel of 50 NASCAR executives, journalists, former participants and one combined fan vote from the circuit’s official website.
Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup champion and NASCAR’s all-time wins leader with 200, was the second inductee revealed, followed by Bill France Jr., son of the NASCAR founder who spent nearly 30 years at the helm of America’s top motorsports series.
“When I seen the two Frances was in, I knew I didn’t have a chance,” Pearson said moments after the ceremony ended.
The final two nods instead went to Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR’s other seven-time champion, and Junior Johnson, a former driver and car owner whose early days of running moonshine through back roads of North Carolina stands as a symbol of NASCAR’s start.
Ballesteros seeks British return
MADRID — Seve Ballesteros is hopeful his health will allow him to play a round at next year’s British Open at St. Andrews.
Ballesteros, who is recovering from brain cancer that has left him partially blind in his left eye, said he is considering an appearance at the event he won three times.
“It’s still a long way before we can make any decisions,” he said. “I would like to show up at St. Andrews this coming year because St. Andrews is a very special place.”
Ballesteros, 52, said his treatment was proceeding well and that “things are going under par” regarding his overall health after numerous operations last year to remove a malignant tumor.
Canucks lose Salo to injury
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo will miss three to five weeks with a suspected sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
• Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek (upper body) might not be out as long as originally expected and could miss only a few days rather than weeks.
• Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda will miss four to six weeks with a sprained left knee.
Footnotes.
In what could be a preview of the 2012 Olympics, Rebecca Bross of Texas and Ana Porgras of Romania were 1-2, respectively, in qualifying at the world gymnastics championships in London.
• Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier‘s chances of playing Saturday against Delaware State were upgraded because he was prepared to practice. The freshman has been hampered by a sore shoulder as well as headaches.
• Defensive end Eric Moncur (leg) and safety Randy Phillips (arm) are expected to miss Miami’s game at Central Florida on Saturday night.
• Real Salt Lake kept its MLS playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls in Sandy, Utah.
