And, where is it written that "Legends" have to be racers that come from the "Pro" category of drivers?
Sportsman racers are the great majority of competitors, an a LOT of them have become "Legends" to a greater extent, and over a longer time competing, than the majority of the "Pro" racers mentioned, here.
People like Ben Wenzel, a multi-time winner in the SAME car for nearly FORTY-FIVE years, is still racing, and STILL WINNING. How's THAT for legendary status??? Vern Moats has been racing NHRA since 1966, and still is a factor wherever he runs! These guys make most of the "legendary" PROS look like newcomers!
No, those names won't put butts in the seats like (ho hum) Muldowney or Garlits, but does EVERYTHING have to be about making money? That mindset is what has taken the soul out of drag racing. The Emporer has no clothes, once again; just like the duplicitous idea that a Chevy-bodied Funny Car that wins with a Chrysler Hemi-type powerplant is still a "Chevy," and the fact that the Harleys that win Pro Stock Bike are only pulling a fraction of the weight per cubic inch that the Jap bikes have to move is NEVER mentioned by the announcers.
It would be nice to entertain the idea that the "Legends" concept might be to honor the efforts of the people who have dedicated a goodly portion of their adult lives to making drag racing what it is; a unique activity that has turned out to be the greatest motorsport ever conceived... But no... it's just another cash cow to wring some more dollars out of the fans.
I don't think Wally would think much of that concept, compared with what it COULD be.