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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Brian France spent years formulating plans to build the NASCAR Hall of Fame and holding its first induction ceremony. 

It still didn't prepare the NASCAR chairman for the emotions he felt on Sunday. Seeing his father and grandfather included in the first class hit close to home. 

This was about family - and a sport that had grown up. 

In a ballroom adjacent to the $195 million Hall of Fame that opened two weeks ago, the France family shared in a celebration of
a sport that reached another milestone in its growth from its Southern roots. 

NASCAR's founder, Bill France Sr., and his son, Bill Jr., joined Junior Johnson, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt in the first class of Hall of Famers.

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