NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ballot

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NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ballot
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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]

Contents

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

NomineeImageYears active [a] PositionAchievements
Kurt Busch Kurt Busch Sonoma 2024.jpg 2000–2022Driver 2004 cup champion, 34 Cup Series wins, 2017 Daytona 500 winner [13]
Harry Gant Harry Gant North Wilkesboro 1996.jpg 1973–1996Driver18 Cup Series wins, two-time Southern 500 wins [13]

Nominated

NomineeImageYears active [b] PositionAchievements
Greg Biffle Greg Biffle Sonoma 2023.jpg 1996–2022Driver 2000 Craftsman Truck Series and 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion, 19 NASCAR Cup Series wins [13]
Neil Bonnett NeilBonnett1985 (cropped).jpg 1974–1993Driver18 Cup Series wins, two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner [13]
Tim Brewer 1978–2007Crew chief53 Cup Series wins, two-time Southern 500 winner [13]
Jeff Burton 191006-F-BO262-1179 (cropped).jpg 1988–2014Driver21 Cup Series wins, two-time Coca-Cola 600 and one-time Southern 500 winner [13]
Randy Dorton 1970s—2004Engine builderBuilt engines for cars that won nine NASCAR national series championships [13]
Harry Hyde HarryHyde1985 (cropped).jpg 1965–1996Crew chief 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series champion, 55 Cup Series wins [13]
Randy Lajoie Randy LaJoie (cropped).jpg 1984–2006Driver 1996 and 1997 NASCAR Busch Series champion, 15 Busch Series wins [13]
Jack Sprague Jack Sprague 1996.jpg 1989–2008DriverThree-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

NomineeImageYears active [c] PositionAchievements
Ray Hendrick Ray Hendrick.jpg 1953–1983DriverOver 700 late model and modified wins [13]

Nominated

NomineeImageYears active [d] PositionAchievements
Jake Elder 1960s–1990sCrew chiefThree-time Cup Series champion, 44 Cup Series wins [13]
Banjo Matthews Banjo Matthews.jpg 1952–1985Driver, owner, crew chiefSeveral wins as an owner, prolific car builder in the 1970s and 80s [13]
Larry Phillips 1976–2001DriverFive-time NASCAR Weekly Racing Series champion [13]
Bob Welborn Bob Welborn.jpg 1953–1964DriverThree-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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "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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