Kurt Busch Named to Powerful 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class

Kurt Busch will join the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2026, leading a new class that also features Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick. The announcement came after the latest round of voting on May 20, 2025.

The panel selected two modern era drivers and one pioneer, with Busch and Gant both earning 61% of the Modern Era Ballot votes. Ray Hendrick topped the Pioneer Ballot, earning 31% of that group’s votes.

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Busch’s selection was widely regarded as a certainty. He was a first-ballot nominee and the only NASCAR Cup Series champion on this year’s Modern Era Ballot.

Throughout his career, Busch captured 34 victories in the Cup Series, driving for five different organizations and four separate manufacturers. That record remains unique among Hall of Fame inductees.

His last opportunity to add to his win total ended after a crash at Pocono in July 2022, which forced his retirement. Busch is also a multi-time winner in both the Xfinity and Truck Series.

Major highlights in his career include winning the 2017 Daytona 500, the 2010 Coca-Cola 600, and the 2010 NASCAR All-Star Race. For more details on the history of this prestigious event, check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s official page.

Harry Gant also joins the Hall after a long and steady career. Gant became the oldest winner in Cup Series history in 1992 at 52 years and eight months.

In total, Gant posted 18 Cup Series wins, all with the same iconic No. 33 Skoal Bandit car. He came close to a title, finishing second in the 1984 standings.

He earned the nickname “Mr. September” after a memorable run that featured four straight Cup wins late in the 1991 season. Gant also picked up two Southern 500 trophies at Darlington, one in 1984 and another in 1991. Learn more about the history of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway’s official site.

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Ray Hendrick rounds out the 2026 group from the Pioneer Ballot. Nicknamed “Mr. Modified,” Hendrick built a remarkable legacy as one of the greatest short-track racers in the sport.

Over his career, he won more than 700 races in NASCAR Modified and Late Model competition. His domination at Martinsville Speedway was especially notable, with 20 Modified wins at the historic track. For further insights into Martinsville’s storied past, visit NASCAR’s official track history page.

Hendrick was previously honored as one of NASCAR’s 50 Best Drivers in 1998 and was named among the 75 Best Drivers in 2023, recognizing his lasting impact on the sport.

Jeff Burton received the third-most votes on the Modern Era Ballot, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. On the Pioneer side, Bob Welborn finished second behind Hendrick.

The formal Hall of Fame induction will be held on January 23, 2026, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information about the Hall of Fame and its inductees, explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s official website.

This trio joins a prestigious list of drivers who have shaped NASCAR history. Their accomplishments highlight some of the toughest eras in racing, from modern Cup Series glory to dominance on the short tracks and in classic Southern events.

The 2026 ceremony promises to be a memorable celebration of achievement, perseverance, and speed.