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The checkered floor of Victory Lane is reflected in Dale Earnhardt's sunglasses after he won the second of two qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Cale Yarborough manages a little bit of a smile as he climbs out of a banged-up car after picking his way through a "demolition derby" of accidents - including one of his own - to win his third straight Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Sept. 2, 1974. (Charlotte Observer file)
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NASCAR great Richard Petty speaks at a news conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Saturday, June 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
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Drivers Joe Weatherly (left) and Richard Petty talk it over in the early days at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Bill France looks out at his track - Daytona International Speedway - from the top of the grandstands on Feb. 11, 1983. (AP file)
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Bill France Jr. was credited with helping transform NASCAR from a small Southern sport into a billion-dollar conglomerate during his 31 years as chairman. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Curtis Turner and another stock car racing legend, Smokey Yunick. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Bobby Allison, a charter member of the “Alabama Gang,” from Hueytown, Ala. (Charlotte Observer file)
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2/15/09 NASCAR legend Raymond Parks looks out over the fans walking along the track at Daytona International Speedway Sunday. JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
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Driver Richie Evans, shown in this 1974 shot, ruled the modified circuit to the point that no one is absolutely certain how many races he won. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Glen Wood was a driver and later shared ownership of one of stock car racing's best-known teams, one that set the bar for fast pit stops in the early 1960s, the Wood Brothers. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Team owner Rick Hendrick during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Tour in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
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Team owner Richard Childress monitors his drivers during a race practice. (AP file)
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One NASCAR legend, David Pearson, enjoys a laugh with another, car owner Bud Moore. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Benny Parsons is introduced before the race start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., on March 18, 2006. (AP file)
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Glenn "Fireball" Roberts got the nickname as a pitcher when baseball occupied his seasons before stock car racing. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Driver David Pearson, a.k.a. "the Silver Fox," celebrates a win in Victory Lane. Pearson became one of 25 nominees for the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, scheduled to open in Charlotte in May 2010. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Junior Johnson (left), Herb Nab and an unidentified crewman watch Bobby Isaac drive the team's car during practice for the Rockingham race on March 8, 1966. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Lee Petty in his car, and in the formative years of stock car racing. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Driver Herb Thomas (left) and car owner/innovator Smokey Yunick in 1956. (Darlington Raceway file)
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Fonty Flock (2) and Red Byron lead the pack through the North Turn on the Daytona Beach course in 1949. (Daytona Racing Archives)
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Early stock car racing star Tim Flock, circa 1960. (AP file)
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Buck Baker earned a place among the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history as well as a spot in at east six racing halls of fame. (Jack Cansler photo/Charlotte Observer file)
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NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett was honored by the city of Newton, N.C., which placed signs saluting the driver/commentator. (Charlotte Observer file)
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Darrell Waltrip hugs a trophy after winning the Rebel 500 in Darlington, S.C., April 13, 1977. (AP file)
