NASCAR
Busch, Gant, Hendrick Make up NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 16th Class
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Revealed on Tuesday, we now know who will fill out the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Three representatives from both the Pioneer and Modern Eras comprise the 16th annual group of inductees. Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, and Ray Hendrick are the three honorees, alongside Landmark Award winner Humpy Wheeler.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met Tuesday at the Charlotte Convention Center to deliberate and vote on these finalists from a group of 20 nominees.
The Voting Panel was made up of people from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano. A total of 49 votes were cast and counted this afternoon.
Busch is the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, 2017 Daytona 500 winner, and one of the most decorated drivers of the 21st century. In total, his 34 wins came with five different teams across more than two decades of racing.
Gant was a decorated star in his own right across the 1980s and 1990s. Made famous driving the iconic ‘Skoal Bandit,’ Gant won a combined 18 Cup races over an 11-year span. Gant also earned the nickname ‘Mr. September’ after four-straight wins in 1991.
Hendrick was one of the early stars from the Modified division, racking up over 700 feature wins throughout a nearly four-decade career. Known as ‘Mr. Modified,’ Hendrick’s iconic Flying 11 was a target throughout Virginia.
*Note: Ray Hendrick has no relation to Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick.
Humpy Wheeler was the showman behind Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600’s rise to prominence. Known for always thinking with fans at top of mind, Wheeler was responsible for sideshows ranging from jumping school busses to Robosaurus. He was President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than three decades.
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Busch and Gant each received 61% of the Modern Era ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Ray Hendrick likewise got 31% of Pioneer ballot votes. Bob Welborn finished second.
Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote mirrored the three finalists: Hendrick (Pioneer); Busch and Gant (Modern Era).
The two Modern Era inductees were picked out of a distinguished group of 10 nominees including: Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Randy Dorton, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde, Randy LaJoie and Jack Sprague.
Other nominees for the Pioneer Ballot were: Jake Elder, Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips and Ralph Moody.
Lastly, the Landmark Award nominees were: Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter and Humpy Wheeler.
These elite names will be forever enshrined at the Class of 2026 Induction Ceremony. The event will be Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for this prestigious night will soon be for sale on NASCARHall.com.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images
