On Thursday NASCAR released the complete list of 25 nominees for the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction class. From those 25, only five will actually earn their spot in the Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 25 nominees were chosen by a 21-person group made up of NASCAR representatives, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and track owners from large and small venues.

The first induction class of the Hall of Fame will be elected by a panel of 50 members. The group consists of 14 members of the media, four manufacturer spokespersons, nine retired drivers (drivers, owners and crew chiefs – three of each) and two industry leaders. The 51st ballot will get the most important part of the sport involved. Hardcore Race Fans will have the opportunity to vote on NASCAR.com.

"This first list of potential inductees is impressive, to say the least," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "Now comes the hard part -- choosing only five to be inducted. Every single person on this list is worthy to be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame."

The following are the 25 nominees for the originating class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame:

•  Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races
•  Buck Baker, the first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
•  Red Byron, first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, in 1949
•  Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
•  Dale Earnhardt, won record seven NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
•  Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
•  Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
•  Bill France Jr., NASCAR president, chairman and CEO (1972-2003)
•  Bill France Sr., NASCAR founder and first president (1948-1972)
•  Rick Hendrick, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
•  Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
•  Junior Johnson, 50 wins as a driver, 132 wins and six championships as an owner
•  Bud Moore, 63 wins and two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles as a car owner
•  Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner
•  Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
•  David Pearson, 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
•  Lee Petty, winner of the first Daytona 500 and first three-time series champion
•  Richard Petty, 200 wins and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles -- both records
•  Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
•  Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and '53
•  Curtis Turner, first to win Daytona 500, Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 in same year
•  Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships
•  Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion
•  Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success
•  Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 1976-78

Be sure to make your voice heard by casting your vote on NASCAR.com.

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