NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 ballot
Nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame
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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]
May 20, 2025
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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 were 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 | .jpg) |
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 | .jpg) |
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 | .jpg) |
1965–1996 | Crew chief | 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series champion, 55 Cup Series wins[13] |
| Randy Lajoie | .jpg) |
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] |