Earnhardt Jr HOF?

Ford 222

Ford 222

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I heard Dave Moody make a comment about the time Gordon, Stewart, and Earnhardt Jr get into the HOF.....?

If Jr were to hang it up today, is his career HOF worthy?
 
Hate to tell you , but I think he's a lock . There are already a quite few guys in the HOF with fewer wins . There is hardly anybody with more wins left to put in (except for guys still racing). They either stop putting new people into the HOF or put Junior in . There isn't any other choice .
 
If you just look at on-track performance, then no. If you look at how influential he has been to the sport and its fans, then yes.
 
ted@economy said:
Hate to tell you , but I think he's a lock . There are already a quite few guys in the HOF with fewer wins . There is hardly anybody with more wins left to put in (except for guys still racing). They either stop putting new people into the HOF or put Junior in . There isn't any other choice .
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I agree with Ted and others who say Dale is a lock. Even ignoring the "most popular" thing, he has 26 cup wins including two times Daytona 500 winner, and the two Busch championships don't hurt either. That is enough.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
:confused:

Two Busch Series championships, 26 Cup wins and two Daytona 500 wins. That's pretty stellar, honestly.

What's the criteria for getting in?
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There should be no objective criteria like 25+ wins, 3+ Daytona 500 wins, 1+ championships, etc. I think it should be based on subjective criteria based upon the era. With that said, I would put guys like Kenseth, Johnson, and Stewart WAAAAAAAAY ahead of Earnhardt for HoF worthiness because they accomplished much more against practically the same competition during the same time frame.
 
He's got over 250 top 10s. I say he's in. Had he won a championship it wouldn't even be a discussion. Ricky Rudd is nominated. Little E has more wins, but Rudd considerably more top 10s. Is Bobby Labonte going to get in? Alan Kulwicki was a nominee. If he gets in, Bobby Labonte has to get in, right? Is Harry Gant going to get in? If you think Gant should get in then Jr. certainly should, right? I think as the years go on all these guys are getting in and rightly so.
 
RacerrecaR said:
I would put guys like Kenseth, Johnson, and Stewart WAAAAAAAAY ahead of Earnhardt for HoF worthiness...
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That is a different question entirely. No one in this thread has ranked Junior above those guys.
 
LewTheShoe said:
That is a different question entirely. No one in this thread has ranked Junior above those guys.
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True, but I think there should be a limit on how many drivers are inducted during a given era. Let's say it's 10 driver per 15 years...if that's the case, I think Earnhardt is worthy.

BUT...I think the HoF in any sport should only induct the truly great athletes. The NFL has tens of thousands of players per era, yet NASCAR only has a few hundred. The NFL inducts 5 (I think) players/coaches per year, while NASCAR inducts almost the same even though they have many fewer athletes competing in the sport. I just think this sport is muddying the waters too much when it comes to HoF worthiness, and I think we would be better off if we only inducted 1 driver/crew chief/track owner/etc every year in order to let the true legends shine. I do not think that describes Earnhardt from solely an on-track performance standpoint.
 
Keep in mind the NFL HOF has been around for over 50 years and NASCAR's is only six. NASCAR currently takes 5 guys a year but that doesn't mean they always will. If you're going to have a hall of fame you have to put people in it. It's just getting on its feet. There are always going to be differences of opinion about who does and doesn't get in anytime you have enshrinements like this in sports. It's good discussion.
 
Kurt B is definently in too then right? A championship and more wins

So current active drivers
Stewart
Gordon
Johnson
Dale Jr
Brad K
Kyle B
Kurt B
Kenseth
Edwards?
Harvick?
Logano probably when finished
 
Jr
Jeff
Jimmie
Smoke
Kenseth
KyBu
KuBu
Harvick
Carl
Hamlin
Brad K
Biffle (Busch and Truck championships also)
Logano

All of these guys will eventually be in the HOF for sure. Newman, Kahne, and Bowyer may even have a chance depending on how the remainder of their careers go.

I don't necessarily agree with this, it's just what I expect.
 
As long as Jr doesn't get in before any other Championship winners...Gordon and Stewart are automatic.
 
His stats are borderline for the HOF, but I think his popularity gets him in. It is the Hall of Fame after all.
 
ted@economy said:
Hate to tell you , but I think he's a lock . There are already a quite few guys in the HOF with fewer wins . There is hardly anybody with more wins left to put in (except for guys still racing). They either stop putting new people into the HOF or put Junior in . There isn't any other choice .
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They are putting in 5 or 6 people a year so it won't be long before Greg Sacks and Lennie Pond get the call.
 
I had forgot about his Busch titles. I'd say those along with his Cup career it should get him in. And his popularity probably should help. It is the Hall of FAME and who's more famous?

Hard to compare the NASCAR HOF to others especially since it's only been around a little while. I believe they should do a mass enshrinement for all the old drivers, owners, and NASCAR leaders/supporters that truly made the sport what it was and became to be. Then do the selective 3 or so every year for those still alive to enjoy and be proud of it.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
They are putting in 5 or 6 people a year so it won't be long before Greg Sacks and Lennie Pond get the call.
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And that is true. If they reduce the drivers going in to one per year , it will be better in the long run for the sport. But they haven't done that yet. And if Gordon , Stewart and Junior retire this year, then they are the next in line to go in. Other current drivers will go in behind them . Like Junior or not , he has the numbers ready.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
The HOF is in such bad shape financially and attendance wise that stalwarts like Stewart, Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon won't stop the bleeding.
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Really? Wow didn't know that. Never been there but if all they have are displays on 30 or so people I can't see why it would be all that interesting?
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
The HOF is in such bad shape financially and attendance wise that stalwarts like Stewart, Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon won't stop the bleeding.
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For sure. But they do need to start slashing the budget first . They need a manager that doesn't spends millions on lavish induction ceremonies , just sell tickets and polish the trophies .
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
They are putting in 5 or 6 people a year so it won't be long before Greg Sacks and Lennie Pond get the call.
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The Pro Football HOF inducts about as many every year, but they have a MUCH larger pool of players to choose from. NASCAR is probably going to have to back off the 5 per year number at some point. Unless you really want to see a Timmy Hill exhibit.
 
ToyYoda said:
The Pro Football HOF inducts about as many every year, but they have a MUCH larger pool of players to choose from. NASCAR is probably going to have to back off the 5 per year number at some point. Unless you really want to see a Timmy Hill exhibit.
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I hear ya. I'm not going though till they complete the Buckshot Jones Wing. I hear it's gonna be awesome.
 
Ford 222 said:
Really? Wow didn't know that. Never been there but if all they have are displays on 30 or so people I can't see why it would be all that interesting?
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I'm certain there are folks like me who would say the same thing about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Baseball Hall Fame , but lots of folks I know have been to those places. Surely there are Nascar fans who will go and see it.
 
ToyYoda said:
. Unless you really want to see a Timmy Hill exhibit.
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Thanks for the mention . I am about to start a ' go fund me ' campaign to help Timmy get in . Anyone who wants to get an early contribution in should pm me .
 
Ford 222 said:
Really? Wow didn't know that. Never been there but if all they have are displays on 30 or so people I can't see why it would be all that interesting?
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I know a while back the HOF went to a couple of local banks to get out of repaying 21 million in loans, it loses about 2 million a year and was supposed to draw 800,000 per year but only get 150K. Like many things that involve Nascar the HOF was not well thought out.
 
ToyYoda said:
The Pro Football HOF inducts about as many every year, but they have a MUCH larger pool of players to choose from. NASCAR is probably going to have to back off the 5 per year number at some point. Unless you really want to see a Timmy Hill exhibit.
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I could understand doing as one time induction when the place opened and then adding a maximum of 2 people per year. There are probably more people associated with 2 football teams than in all of Nascar combined so your point makes sense.
 
ted@economy said:
I'm certain there are folks like me who would say the same thing about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Baseball Hall Fame , but lots of folks I know have been to those places. Surely there are Nascar fans who will go and see it.
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The last stats I read were the Hockey HOF in Toronto draws in about 300K per year and Baseball in Cooperstown about 250K so IDK where someone ever figured the Nascar HOF would move the turnstile 800,000 times as that is just plain crazy.
 
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