Kurt Busch among those selected for 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class

The voting panel had to choose two names from the Modern Era Ballot and one from the Pioneer Ballot on Tuesday, ultimately deciding on the following individuals: Kurt Busch (Modern), Harry Gant (Modern), and Ray Hendrick (Pioneer).

Busch and Gant both received 61% of the Modern Era ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick received 31% of the Pioneer ballot votes with Bob Welborn finishing second.

Humpy Wheeler was also honored with the Landmark Achievement Award, which recognizes those who have made significant and impactful contributions to the world of NASCAR.

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

It's no surprise that Busch, a first-ballot nominee, has been voted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He is the only NASCAR Cup Series champion among the Modern Era Ballot nominees this year, and no one can argue against his skill behind the wheel of a stock car.

Busch won 34 Cup races, doing so with five different organizations and four different manufacturers (the only driver to do so). Busch still had more races to win as well, if not for a career-ending crash at Pocono in 2022. A multi-time race winner in the Xfinity and Truck Series, his Cup triumphs also include the 2017 Daytona 500, the 2010 Coke 600, and the 2010 All-Star Race. 

Harry Gant

Harry Gant

Photo by: ISC Archives - Getty Images for NASCAR

Gant holds the honor of being the oldest winner in NASCAR Cup Series history, winning 52 years and eight months in 1992. His career included 18 Cup wins, all achieved while driving the iconic No. 33 Skoal Bandit car. He was the 1984 NASCAR Cup Series championship runner-up and earned the nickname 'Mr. September' for winning so many races during that time of year. In fact, Gant is one of the few drivers in the modern era to have successfully won four consecutive Cup races. Gant's remarkable career also includes two victories in the prestigious Southern 500, winning the iconic Darlington event in both 1984 and 1991.

Ray Hendrick

Ray Hendrick

The original "Mr Modified," Hendrick and his winged No. 11 dominated the short track scene for many years, winning over 700 Modified and Late Model races throughout his career. This included 20 Modified races at the historic Martinsville Speedway. His achievements have already gotten him recognized as one of NASCAR's 50 Best Drivers in 1998 and again as one of NASCAR's 75 Best Drivers in 2023.

The Class of 2026 Induction Ceremony is set to take place on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.