Charlotte, NC (My Sportsbook) - The inaugural five-member class for the NASCAR Hall of Fame was selected on Wednesday, with Bill France Sr., Richard Petty, Bill France Jr., Dale Earnhardt and Junior Johnson to be inducted next year.

While meeting in a closed session for most of the day, the 50-member nominating committee considered 25 nominees before casting their vote. The panel consisted of members of the nominating committee, 14 media members, four manufacturer representatives, nine retired competitors -- drivers, owners and crew chiefs -- and two recognized industry leaders. A fan vote made up the panel's 51st and final ballot.

Bill France Sr., nicknamed "Big Bill," founded NASCAR in the late 1940's and directed it to its present status as one of the world's most popular motorsports circuits. His son, Bill France Jr., took over the chief responsibilities of NASCAR in 1972 and guided the sport into its modern era.

"There were a lot of discussions about different people that should have been in," said NASCAR chairman Brian France, who announced the class during a ceremony held at the Charlotte Convention Center. "Frankly, you could have had a different set of people that had their own honors in the sport, so obviously it worked out the way it worked out."

Earnhardt was perhaps NASCAR's most popular figure of all-time. Known by fellow competitors and fans as "The Intimidator," Earnhardt captured a NASCAR record-tying seven championships and won 76 races in the sport's premier series. In 1998, he won his most coveted race -- the Daytona 500 -- in his 20th attempt. His widow, Teresa Earnhardt, was on hand for the ceremony.

"It speaks volumes that he's one of the first in the inaugural class of five ever to be inducted," Teresa Earnhardt said. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for that voting panel because of all the incredible candidates they had to chose from over 50 years."

Petty holds numerous records in the NASCAR Cup Series, including 200 wins, seven Daytona 500 victories and 1,185 starts. "The King" also claimed seven Cup championships.

"This is the last thing that I can basically accomplish in racing," Petty said. "We could be racing or winning more championships, but we've done that."

Johnson won 50 races as a driver and six Cup championships as a team owner. During Johnson's years as an owner in the 1970's and '80's, his drivers won 132 races, which is third to Petty Enterprises and Hendrick Motorsports. He also claimed six Cup championships, three with Cale Yarborough and another three with Darrell Waltrip.

Bobby Allison, David Pearson and Yarborough were the three-leading candidates who did not receive enough votes to make the cut.

The Class of 2010 will be officially inducted in a ceremony on May 23, 2010 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.