NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ballot

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ballot
May 20, 2025

Three new members were voted in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 20, 2025, from a list of nominees provided by NASCAR. The nominees are split into two categories, the Modern Era, and the Pioneer Era.[1]

The final decision was made by the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel, who will also decide the winner of the Landmark Award.[2][3] A fan vote was also held from April 21 to May 18.[4][5]

Kurt Busch and Harry Gant were chosen from the Modern Era ballot, while Ray Hendrick was chosen from the Pioneer Era ballot.[6][7] They will be officially inducted on January 23, 2026.[8]

Process

The nominees were selected by representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners, and media. The 22-member Nomination Committee selects 10 nominees for the Modern Era ballot, and the Honors Committee selects the 5 nominees for the Pioneer Era ballot.[9]

Modern Era

The two new nominees on the ballot are Kurt Busch and Randy Lajoie.[10][11][12]

Inducted

Nominee Image Years active[a] Position Achievements
Kurt Busch 2000–2022 Driver 2004 cup champion, 34 Cup Series wins, 2017 Daytona 500 winner[13]
Harry Gant 1973–1996 Driver 18 Cup Series wins, two-time Southern 500 wins[13]

Nominated

Nominee Image Years active[b] Position Achievements
Greg Biffle 1996–2022 Driver 2000 Craftsman Truck Series and 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion, 19 NASCAR Cup Series wins[13]
Neil Bonnett 1974–1993 Driver 18 Cup Series wins, two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner[13]
Tim Brewer 1978–2007 Crew chief 53 Cup Series wins, two-time Southern 500 winner[13]
Jeff Burton 1988–2014 Driver 21 Cup Series wins, two-time Coca-Cola 600 and one-time Southern 500 winner[13]
Randy Dorton 1970s—2004 Engine builder Built engines for cars that won nine NASCAR national series championships[13]
Harry Hyde 1965–1996 Crew chief 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series champion, 55 Cup Series wins[13]
Randy Lajoie 1984–2006 Driver 1996 and 1997 NASCAR Busch Series champion, 15 Busch Series wins[13]
Jack Sprague 1989–2008 Driver Three-time Craftsman Truck Series champion, 28 Truck Series wins[13]

Analysis

Despite appearing on the ballot for the first time, Kurt Busch has been considered a favorite by Bob Pockrass, who is a voting member of the panel,[14] various writers for Frontstretch,[15] and Motorsport.com reporter Kevin DeGroot, who also considers Randy Dorton as a favorite.[16]

Pioneer Era

Jake Elder returned to the ballot for the first time since 2021.[17][18]

Inducted

Nominee Image Years active[c] Position Achievements
Ray Hendrick 1953–1983 Driver Over 700 late model and modified wins[13]

Nominated

Nominee Image Years active[d] Position Achievements
Jake Elder 1960s–1990s Crew chief Three-time Cup Series champion, 44 Cup Series wins[13]
Banjo Matthews 1952–1985 Driver, owner, crew chief Several wins as an owner, prolific car builder in the 1970s and 80s[13]
Larry Phillips 1976–2001 Driver Five-time NASCAR Weekly Racing Series champion[13]
Bob Welborn 1953–1964 Driver Three-time NASCAR Convertible Division champion, 9 Cup Series wins[13]

Notes

  1. ^ In any NASCAR sanctioned series
  2. ^ In any NASCAR sanctioned series
  3. ^ In any NASCAR sanctioned series
  4. ^ In any NASCAR sanctioned series

References

  1. ^ Christie, Toby. "Busch, LaJoie First-Time Nominees on NASCAR Hall of Fame 2026 Ballot". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  2. ^ Long, Dustin (April 21, 2025). "Kurt Busch among nominees for NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026". NBC Sports. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  3. ^ Connuck, Shane. "Humpy Wheeler, former CMS president, among NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Busch, Lajoie, and Elder Join the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame Ballot". The Daily Downforce. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Modern Era and Pioneer Era Nomination Ballot". NASCAR. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  6. ^ Aragon, Dominic. "NASCAR announces 2026 Hall of Fame class". The Racing Experts. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  7. ^ "NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award". Jayski. May 20, 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  8. ^ Long, Dustin. "Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick selected to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class". NBC Sports. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  9. ^ Smith, Steven Cole. "The Nominees, Both New and Old, for the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame". Hagerty. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Kurt Busch headlines NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Nominees". On3. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  11. ^ "15 Nominees Announced for NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026". Performance Racing. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  12. ^ Donaldson, Simmey Hannifin. "Kurt Busch features as NASCAR make official 2026 Hall of Fame announcement". GP Fans. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Nominees". NASCAR. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  14. ^ Pockrass, Bob. "Will Kurt Busch be a first-ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer?". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  15. ^ Glover, Luken; Altmayer, Jake; Kendall, Logan; Neff, Mike; Hansen, Christopher (April 24, 2025). "Friday Faceoff: Is Kurt Busch a 1st-Ballot Hall of Famer?". Frontstretch. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  16. ^ DeGroot, Nick. "Who should be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Class of 2026?". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Kurt Busch, Randy LaJoie & Jake Elder Added to NASCAR Hall of Fame Ballot". Frontstretch. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  18. ^ Aragon, Dominic. "NASCAR Hall of Fame 2026 nominees announced". The Racing Experts. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
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