Im not positive here but the inner portion does not drive the rotor, the outer portion at the tip does.
If I remember from Wagontok (spelling) correctly about the inner 1/4 of the blade is considered stalled, the middle half is considered driving and is creating much of the lift and moving the rotor, and the outer 1/4 is the driven region which produces lift and drag. Also a stalled airfoil will create much much more drag than a airfoil which is not which means the inner region would resist the movement create no lift, the middle would drive it and create lift, and the outer portion would make produce lift with its drag. That was only for a helicopter falling straight down and I believe if forward airspeed is used all the regions move forward and to the retreating side.
Again I dont have my aerodynamics book with me but that sounds more correct than the inner portion driving the rotor.