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Kurt Busch headlines NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 nominees

JHby: Jonathan Howard04/21/25Jondean25
Kurt Busch NASCAR Hall of Fame
Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-Imagn Images

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 nominees have been announced – Kurt Busch and Randy LaJoie are the newest additions. Busch and LaJoie will be added to the Modern Era ballot along with eight returning nominees. Jake Elder returns to the Pioneer ballot.

Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has a long and storied career. Unfortunately, as fans know, his career was cut short by a concussion-related injury in 2022. With younger brother Kyle Busch, Kurt makes up half of the winningest brothers ever in the sport.

Randy LaJoie is a New England racing icon. Father of Corey LaJoie, Randy, made a name for himself in what is now known as the Xfinity Series. Champion in 1996 and 1997, LaJoie won 15 races and had 9 pole awards in his career.

Both Kurt Busch and Randy LaJoie were named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list in 2023. Both are fitting nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Kurt Busch made his impact on NASCAR in his own way. He was not afraid to be himself, and that showed throughout his career. The only driver to win with four different manufacturers (Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Toyota), a Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 winner, IROC champion, and a total competitor.

Before Kyle Larson made his attempt at Double Duty last year, Kurt Busch was the last driver to even attempt it. Busch finished P6 in the Indy 500 in that attempt, though his Coca-Cola 600 ended in a P40 DNF.

Perhaps one of Busch’s best moments was that final win at Kansas in the Next Gen car. While his career ended shortly after, it was one last trip to the top. During his career, Busch had 34 wins, 28 poles, and a 20-year career of fierce competition.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Nominees

Of course, Kurt Busch, Randy LaJoie, and Jake Elder are joining other nominees who were nominated in previous years. The Modern Era and Pioneer ballots are stacked with fantastic names and figures from NASCAR’s past.

Modern Era Ballot: Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Randy Dorton, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde, Randy LaJoie, and Jack Sprague
Pioneer Ballot: Jake Elder, Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips, and Bob Welborn
Landmark Award: Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Jospeh Mattioli, Les Richter, and Humpy Wheeler

When you look at the Modern Era ballot, it looks challenging to make a decision. That is the ballot that most people pay attention to, given that these are contemporary figures from recent history.

Biffle, Bonnett, Burton, Busch, LaJoie, and Sprague are all driver names we have heard for years. Either while they were competing or in the years since their careers ended. Tim Brewer won championships with Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip for Junior Johnson. Randy Dorton was the mastermind behind the Hendrick engines that won 9 total NASCAR national series championships. Harry Hyde was a legendary mechanic in his time.

So, the nominees have been chosen. When the votes are counted, two Modern Era nominees and one Pioneer ballot nominee will be elevated to Hall of Fame status.