With it being Coca-Cola 600 week, dignitaries and media gathered to elect the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class. After several hours of deliberating and voting, the class has been officially unveiled. The 2026 class certainly covers all forms of racing. Its three-member class represents victories across the Cup, Xfinity, Truck, and even Whelen Modified Series. It’s safe to say the electors got the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 right.
NASCAR Unveils Its 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Each year, the voting panel gathers during the week of the Coke 600, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Hall of Fame itself to cast their ballots. Two members are selected from the Modern Era ballot, while the other comes from the Pioneer ballot. There is also the Landmark Award Winner, who is chosen each year.
Ray Hendrick – Pioneer
Hendrick was a modified racing driver during his illustrious career, which spanned between 1950 and 1988. In a way, you could define him as ‘Mr. Modified, which was his nickname. His career was historic, given that he won more than 700 races between the modified and late model sportsman divisions between 1955 and 1988. Amidst all those wins, Hendrick never was able to capture a championship. He did finish top 10 in the standings nine times between 1960-1969. The Richmond, Virginia, native was named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list in 2023.
The original Mr. Modified.
Welcome to the #NASCARHOF, Ray Hendrick. pic.twitter.com/Zzf0JEUiZI
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 20, 2025
Remembered for his Flying 11 number font on the side of his modified. A scheme which was famously recreated aboard Denny Hamlin’s Southern 500 car in 2017. Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Modified.
Harry Gant- Modern
Mr. September, the Skoal Bandit, Handsome Harry. Just many of the nicknames Harry Gant has had over the years. Now he can call himself Hall of Fame Harry. Gant is officially a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026. It has been a long wait, but it was finally worth it. Gant was an 18-time Cup Series race winner, including two Southern 500s. His run of four-straight wins in 1991 at the age of 51 was simply remarkable. Not to mention, he still stands as the oldest winner of a NASCAR race, when in 1992 he captured his final career win at Michigan at the age of 52. Gant was also very special in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he won 21 times during his career.
Harry Gant, a man with many nicknames.
He can now be called a NASCAR Hall of Famer. #NASCARHOF pic.twitter.com/oXCxpZLKE1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 20, 2025
Seven years of waiting on the ballot, and it all finally paid off for Harry.
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Kurt Busch – Modern
Yet another first-ballot selection. Much like Carl Edwards for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Jack Roush knew what he was getting when he brought in a young driver in Kurt Busch in 2000. The 2004 NASCAR Cup Champion and 2017 Daytona 500 Champion will take his rightful place in the Hall of Legends. The Las Vegas native, who is just as famous for winning 34 cup races as he was for getting into a fight with “Mr Excitement” Jimmy Spencer. His success driving for seven teams over his 20-year career was special. Every team he drove for, he made better. Not to mention, he is the only driver to win for four different manufacturers. That alone is special.
Fiery.
Competitive.
Passionate.The newest member of the #NASCARHOF is @KurtBusch! pic.twitter.com/oAiEcMRymN
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 20, 2025
Despite a head injury cutting his career shorter than he would’ve liked, Kurt has meant so much to NASCAR and will continue to. Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass was able to speak with Kurt about the honor.
Kurt Busch reflects on his NASCAR career after his Hall of Fame selection Tuesday: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/3vCa6gnBZT
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 20, 2025
H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler – Landmark Award
Finally, the Landmark Award recipient. This award goes to a member of NASCAR who has given outstanding contributions to the sport. H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler has meant so much to NASCAR over the years. He was always known to have a flair for creativity as the president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Wheeler was huge in helping usher in a new era of race-track promotion. He was once referred to as the PT Barnum of NASCAR. He was the master mind behind putting lights at Charlotte, and the now infamous ‘One Hot Night’ during the 1992 All-Star Race.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will officially be inducted on January 23, 2026. Congratulations to another outstanding group of NASCAR legends.
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Main Photo: IMAGO/Newscom World
Recording Date: 2/26/2017
