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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. was the first member inducted into the sport's new Hall of Fame. 

France was inducted in Sunday's ceremony by John Cassidy, the longtime legal counsel to NASCAR. Cassidy lauded France's vision of making NASCAR a nationally recognized professional sport. 

France's acceptance speech was made by his son, Jim France. He said if his father were still alive, he'd be proud of NASCAR and "proud of this Hall of Fame." 

France, widely known as "Big Bill," began as a promoter of beach racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., until he created NASCAR in
1949. He's regarded as one of the most influential figures in American motorsports and ruled NASCAR from 1949 until his 1972 retirement.

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