Bill France Sr. -- The founding father of NASCARNASCAR visionary Bill France Sr. was the first inductee announced as part of the inaugural Hall of Fame classNASCAR visionary Bill France Sr. was the first inductee announced as part of the inaugural Hall of Fame classAfter years of trying to put together a proper stock car racing organization, 'Big Bill' France officially formed NASCAR in 1948, and the first 'Strictly Stock' season took place in 1949 with a mere eight races. He rapidly built the sport, and was the driving force behind the construction of iconic superspeedways Daytona and Talladega.France Sr.'s time running NASCAR coincided with what is considered the start of the modern era of NASCAR as the sport raced into a future where it would reach popularity that even its founder likely couldn't imagine.

He also pushed back on several attempts to unionize, and ruled the sport with a iron fist (Just look up the inaugural Talladega race in 1969). Near the end of his tenure, oversaw the arrival of Winston as the sport's entitlement sponsor and stepped down at the age of 61, clearing the way for his son to take over. He went on to witness the sport's rise under his son's leadership, living until 1992.Bill France Jr. -- A different leader for the modern eraLegendary Bill France meets the members of the mediaLegendary Bill France meets the members of the mediaFrom 1972 to 2003, Bill France Jr. or 'Little Billy' was leading NASCAR into a new and exciting age of expansion.

With the arrival of Winston the NASCAR schedule was reduced, becoming more organized as dirt tracks fell away, and there was more prestige with every win. France Jr. grew the sport far beyond its Southern roots, and even worked to organize exhibition races as far as Japan and Australia in the 1990s. He helped secure critical television deals to put live NASCAR in front of national audiences for the first time.

Several massive companies began to invest in NASCAR as it rose in prominence. NASCAR was rapidly becoming one of the most popular sport's in America under his watch, second only to the NFL at one point. In 2000, he made Mike Helton the president of NASCAR while he battled cancer, but the role of CEO and chairman was ultimately passed onto the next generation of the France family in 2003.

France Jr. died four years later.Brian France -- Trying to keep up with an ever-changing worldCEO and Chairman of NASCAR Brian France speaks during a press conferenceCEO and Chairman of NASCAR Brian France speaks during a press conferenceThe son of Bill France Jr. inherited a sport still trying to find its way two years after the tragic death of its biggest star, Dale Earnhardt. Winston, which had held the role of entitlement sponsor for three decades was on its way out the door, and NASCAR was about to change in a big way. The Nextel Cup Series brought with it a new Chase for the championship format, breaking away from the full-season points used for decades and still in use by most top motorsport divisions.

The Car of Tomorrow -- while strange to look at -- was a huge step in safety for the sport.At first, NASCAR remained strong with big stars and big viewership numbers, but through the Great Recession and into the 2010s, the sport began to lose its footing. In an attempt to modernize the sport and entice the casual fan, the diehards were feeling alienated. Flippantly adding an extra spot to the Chase after 2013's SpinGate controversy didn't help either.

As the world entered the 2010s and social media exploded, a radical new playoff format, even more extreme than its predecessor (and one that didn't necessarily reward the best driver and team ) was introduced. And as sport's stars like Stewart, Earnhardt Jr., and Gordon retired, NASCAR struggled to turn the new faces into household names. It was having a bit of identity crisis, and Brian's tumultuous tenure came to an abrupt end in the summer of 2018, when he was arrested on suspicion of DUI.Jim France -- An unexpected promotion Jim France, N