The NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2026, which will include Kurt Busch and Harry Gant entering via the Modern Era Ballot, Ray Hendrick from the Pioneer Ballot, and Humpy Wheeler as the recipient of the Landmark Award.

Busch enters the Hall in his first year of eligibility.  The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Champion owns 34 wins on the circuit, including the 2017 Daytona 500.  He also made history as the first racer to win a race with four manufacturers (Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Toyota), and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

Gant, an 18-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, finally enters the Hall after being on the ballot for seven years.  He was chosen for both NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) and 75 Greatest Drivers (2023).

Nicknamed “Mr. Modified,” Hendrick had over 700 wins in modifieds and the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series.  Like Busch and Gant, Hendrick was also named as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Wheeler was a promotional wizard who was the former President and General Manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

We have big news from the NASCAR Hall of Fame: They have announced the 2026 Class finalists.

They are in three categories: the Modern Era, Pioneer Era (designed for those whose career began more than 60 years ago), and the Landmark Award.  The committee will meet next month. 

The Modern Era Ballot Nominees (of which two people will be chosen) are:

Greg Biffle.  Biffle won the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series Championship, the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship, and he captured 56 sanctioned NASCAR races.

Neil Bonnett.  Bonnett won 18 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, had 156 Top Ten finishes, and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 and 75 Greatest Drivers. 

Tim Brewer.  Brewer is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Crew Chief.

Jeff Burton.  Burton owns 21 wins on the NASCAR Cup Series (including the 1994 Southern 500 and 1999 & 2001 Coca-Cola) and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Kurt Busch.  Busch won the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series, the 2017 Daytona 500, and the 2010 Coca-Cola.  He has 34 NASCAR victories, 339 Top Ten finishes, and was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Randy Dorton.  Dorton built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR.

Harry Gant.  Gant won 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, most notably the 1984 and 1991 Southern 500.  He also has 208 Top Tens, and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 and 75 Greatest Drivers.

Harry Hyde.  Hyde was the Crew Chief of the 1970 NASCAR Cup Series.

Randy LaJoie.  LaJoie won the Xfinity Series Championship twice and also won the 1985 North Series Championship.  He has 15 Wins and 118 Top Ten Finishes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Jack Sprague.  Sprague is a three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion (1997, 1999 & 2001), with 28 overall wins and 192 Top Ten Finishes in the Craftsman Truck Series.

The Pioneer Ballot Nominees (of which one person will be chosen) are:

Jake Elder.  Elder was a three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion as a Crew Chief.

Ray Hendrick.  Nicknamed “Mr. Modified”, Hendrick won over 700 races in NASCAR Modified and the Late Model Series, and is also part of NASCAR’s 50 and 75 Greatest Drivers.

Banjo Matthews.  Matthews had more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series wins from cars he built.

Larry Phillips.  Phillips made history as the first five-time NASCAR weekly series champion and is also part of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Bob Welborn.  Named to NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers, Welborn won the last three NASCAR Convertible Series Championships (1956-58).

The Landmark Award Nominees (of which one person will be chosen) are:

Alvin Hawkins.  Hawkins was NASCAR’s first flagman and established NASCAR at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Lesa France Kennedy:  Kennedy is one of the most influential women in NASCAR history.

Dr. Joseph Mattioloi.  Mattioli is the founder of the Pocono Raceway.

Les Richter. Richter, who was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, helped grow the sport on the West Coast, specifically in California.

Humpy Wheeler.  Wheeler was the former President and General Manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class nominees.