NASCAR
20 Names Make Up List of Candidates for NASCAR Hall of Fame 2026 Class
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Revealed Monday, NASCAR announced the 20 names that will be voted from for the next Hall of Fame class. These include representatives from the Modern Era, Pioneer ballot, and the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. The Class of 2026 will be decided on Tuesday, May 20.
Headlining the Modern Era ballot as a new addition for 2026 is 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch. The Las Vegas native has 34 Premier Series wins to his name, including the 2017 Daytona 500. Busch took five different teams with him to victory in a Cup career that spanned 23 years. Busch’s winning ways continued up until his last season, which was unfortunately cut short by injury.
Another new name for the Modern Era group is Randy Lajoie. The two-time champion of the now Xfinity Series tallied up 15 wins in a six-year span at the turn of the millennium.
The entire Modern Era Ballot can be seen below. Two of these names will be voted into the forthcoming Hall of Fame class.
- Greg Biffle – Xfinity and Truck champion, 19-time Cup winner
- Neil Bonnett – 18-time Cup winner
- Tim Brewer – 1978, 1981 championship-winning crew chief
- Jeff Burton – 21-time Cup winner, NBC Sports analyst
- Kurt Busch* – 2004 Cup champion, 34-time winner, 2017 Daytona 500 champion
- Randy Dorton – Longtime Hendrick Motorsports engine builder
- Harry Gant – 18-time Cup winner, oldest to win a Cup race (52)
- Harry Hyde – 1970 championship-winning crew chief
- Randy Lajoie* – 1996-1997 Busch Series champion
- Jack Sprague – 1997, 1999, 2001 Truck Series champion
From the Pioneer Ballot, ‘Suitcase’ Jake Elder is the lone new entry. The celebrity crew chief raced with a who’s who of Hall of Fame drivers, winning multiple championships. See the entire Pioneer list below, one of these members will be enshrined in 2026.
- Jake Elder* – Longtime crew chief known for bouncing around teams, three-time champion
- Ray Hendrick – Virginia short track Modified and Late Model ace with over 700 feature wins
- Banjo Matthews – Modified Series driver, championship-winning car builder
- Larry Phillips – Grassroots short track racing driver with multiple championships
- Bob Welborn – Three-time Convertible Division champion, nine-time Cup winner
Lastly to make up the Hall of Fame’s 2026 class is the Landmark Award winner. This honor goes to distinguish someone who’s dedicated their lives to bettering stock car racing. The choices are:
- Alvin Hawkins – NASCAR’s first flagman, helped open Bowman Gray Stadium
- Lesa France Kennedy – NASCAR’s Executive Vice Chair
- Dr. Joe Mattioli – Founder of Pocono Raceway
- Les Richter – NASCAR executive who helped sport grow on west coast
- Humpy Wheeler* – Longtime President/GM of Charlotte Motor Speedway
Fans can make their voice heard in the Hall of Fame voting as well. You can submit your ballot now at this link until Sunday, May 18. One vote in the final committee will represent who fans decide.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to NASCAR Hall of Fame
