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If Richard Petty had his way, he would not even be considered for the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Neither would Dale Earnhardt. Or David Pearson.

Instead, Petty says the first five-member class — to be determined and announced today — would acknowledge the sport's pioneers, those who played a key role in the birth and early development of NASCAR.

Petty probably won't get his wish. He'll likely be in the first class, along with Earnhardt. Bill France Sr., who started NASCAR likely will make it, meaning at least one pioneer will be part of the first class.

Who makes the first class is a decision facing 50 voters from throughout the sport — along with one vote representative of the fans. The first class will be announced at 4 p.m. today. Speed Channel will broadcast the announcement.

Petty is not among the voters. Ricky Rudd is. As are Ned Jarrett, NASCAR Chairman Brian France, NASCAR President Mike Helton, Harry Gant, Bud Moore and Junior Johnson. Others include media members, track operators, NASCAR officials, former crew chiefs and others with ties to the sport.

Petty says it should be simple choosing a first class.

"My criteria would be who started this stuff and who were the ones that played the big role and laid the groundwork and took the gamble initially for me or Earnhardt or (Darrell) Waltrip or (Bobby) Allison to even be considered for a Hall of Fame," Petty says. "The deal is, it winds up being sort of a popularity contest because the people that are doing the voting have never heard of the people that really started the whole thing."

Following Petty's criteria, the first class would include Bill France Sr., along with Raymond Parks, an early car owner who won the first series title with Red Byron as his driver. Byron is one of the nominees, as is Petty's father, Lee, who based on his son's assertion, would belong in the first class.

Richard Petty is not alone in his opinion on the first class.

"I think the first vote has to be pioneers," says Edsel Ford II, member of the Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of the company's founder. He also has a vote.

"I think we have to honor the founders of NASCAR," Ford said. "I'm looking at (Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.). I had no idea Red Byron won the first NASCAR championship race. I think we should honor people like that."

So what about those who say Petty and Earnhardt need to be in the first class to add legitimacy to the hall?

"Honor them in subsequent years," Ford said. "The first five have to be the pioneers, whoever the people think the pioneers are."

Track owner Bruton Smith, who also is among the voters, won't reveal his class but admits his ballot won't have only those from NASCAR's early years.

"I'm sure I'm going to vote for the King," Smith said of Petty.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com