NASCAR announces Hall of Fame Class of 2026

NASCAR announced today that Ray Hendrick, Harry Gant and Kurt Busch have been selected as the newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026. It’s been a long time coming for all of them.

In addition to the Hall of Fame recognition, the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR was also awarded. That award went to Humpy Wheeler.

The process to be selected for the Hall of Fame is not an easy one. It begins each year with 15 nominees selected by representatives from NASCAR and the Hall of Fame, track owners and the media.

From there, there are a few steps. Each year, the Nomination Committee made up of 22 members selects 10 nominees for the Modern Era Ballot. The Honors Committee (43 members, including all living NASCAR Hall of Famers) then selects five nominees for the Pioneer Ballot.

The voting panel then submits a total of 65 ballots, which includes a ballot from a nationwide fan vote, determining the three inductees — two from the Modern Era Ballot and one from the Pioneer Ballot.

The main criteria for nomination and induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame include NASCAR accomplishments and contributions to the sport. All three had ample reason to be on the list.

Kurt Busch ran more than 700 races in his 24 years at the NASCAR Cup Series level. He won 34 of them, while also securing 339 top-10 finishes. A remarkable feat, indicative of the kind of dominance he routinely displayed on the track.

Harry Gant ran 474 races at NASCAR’s top level over a 22-year career. He had 18 wins, including 208 top-10 finishes.

Finally, Ray Hendrick was selected as the Pioneer Ballot inductee. He is thought to have collected more than 700 wins in modifieds and the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series, which would later be known as the Busch Grand National Division. His famous winged No. 11 modified is an iconic part of the sport.