CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR has officially unveiled the names of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Kurt Busch and Harry Gant represent the Modern Era selections. "Mr. Modified" Ray Hendrick is the Pioneer Era selection.
Forty-eight voters were in attendance Tuesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. They presented their cases during a closed-door session, arguing why these specific figures are deserving of stock car racing's highest honor.
They -- along with the fans -- ultimately cast their ballots and selected the next three people to enter the hallowed halls of racing greatness.
Busch, the 2004 Cup Series champion, is someone who quickly rose through the NASCAR ranks while achieving staggering success. He made his way from the Southwest Series to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2000, and he began driving for Jack Roush.
Busch contended for the championship while winning four races, but he ultimately finished second behind teammate Greg Biffle. He then moved directly to the Cup Series in 2001 and kicked off a 22-year run in which he captured 34 race wins, 28 pole wins, and the 2004 championship. This includes the prestigious Daytona 500.
Busch didn't score the most wins in NASCAR history, but he made every team for which he drove better. This includes Roush, Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and 23XI Racing.
He also went from being a driver who, at times, was at odds with team owners and media members to someone respected throughout the garage.
Gant, known as "Handsome Harry," holds the record as the oldest driver to win a race at 52 years old and the oldest driver to win a pole award at 54 years old.
Gant won 18 Cup Series races during his career, including the Southern 500 two times. He added another 21 wins in what is now the Xfinity Series.
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Gant never won the championship, but he finished top five in points six times. The highlight was the 1984 season when he finished second behind Terry Labonte.
Hendrick was one of the winningest drivers in racing history as he scored more than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. He also won five track championships at South Boston Speedway.
NASCAR also announced on Tuesday evening the winner of the Landmark Award, which recognizes the figures who made outstanding contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR.
The winner of this prestigious award is Humpy Wheeler, the former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wheeler spent 33 years in this role, and he transformed the venue into a world-class racing facility.
Most importantly, he spearheaded the creation of fan-centric experiences, dramatic pre-race ceremonies, and the development of night racing at superspeedways.