NASCAR has unveiled the nominees for the 2026 Hall of Fame class. This group includes 10 nominees for the Modern Era ballot, which now features Kurt Busch.
The 2004 Cup Series champion is one of two new additions to the Modern Era ballot. Two-time Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie, one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers, is the other new name on the ballot.
Busch, who grew up racing in the Southwest, made his move to the national NASCAR series in 2000. He took on the Craftsman Truck Series in 2000 and drove for Jack Roush. He won four races and finished second in the standings behind teammate Greg Biffle, who is also a Modern Era nominee.
Busch moved directly to the Cup Series in 2001 and kicked off a winning career. He went winless as a rookie but won four races in 2002. Busch then won the Cup Series championship in his fourth full-time season.
Busch made 776 starts at NASCAR's top level. He won 34 races, which included a Daytona 500, and he finished 10th or better in the championship standings in 10 seasons. He won the pole 28 times.
LaJoie achieved success in multiple series during his career. He won 10 races in NASCAR North and captured the 1985 championship title. He then won 15 races in what is now the Xfinity Series. He captured the championship in both 1996 and '97.
NASCAR also revealed the five people eligible for the Pioneer Era ballot and the five people eligible for the Landmark Award, which honors those who made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting panel will meet to discuss the nominees on Tuesday, May 20. They will cast their votes and finalize the 2026 Hall of Fame class. Fans can also weigh in to decide the Fan Vote by visiting www.nascar.com/halloffame.
Hall of Fame Modern Era Nominees
- Greg Biffle - 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and 2002 Xfinity Series champion
- Neil Bonnett - Won 18 times in the NASCAR Cup Series, including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories
- Tim Brewer - Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief
- Jeff Burton - Won 21 times in the NASCAR Cup Series, including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600s
- Kurt Busch - 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 Daytona 500 winner
- Randy Dorton - Built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR's national series
- Harry Gant - Winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including two Southern 500 victories
- Harry Hyde - 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief
- Randy LaJoie - Two-time Xfinity Series champion and 1985 North Series champion
- Jack Sprague - Three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion
Hall of Fame Pioneer Ballot Nominees
- Jake Elder - Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief, including the Daytona 500 and two Southern 500s
- Ray Hendrick - Won over 700 times in NASCAR Modified and Late Model Sportsman
- Banjo Matthews - Built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships
- Larry Phillips - First five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion
- Bob Welborn - Winner of nine NASCAR Cup Series races and three Convertible Division championships
Landmark Award Nominees
- Alvin Hawkins - NASCAR's first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.
- Lesa France Kennedy - NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports
- Dr. Joseph Mattioli - Founder of Pocono Raceway
- Les Richter - The long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast
- Humpy Wheeler - Former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, transformed the venue into a world-class facility