The NASCAR Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the legends of the sport, and the Class of 2026 is shaping up to be another memorable one. With the 15 nominees officially announced in April 2025, attention now turns toward which retired greats will soon take their place among stock-car racing’s most honored names. The Hall’s Voting Day is scheduled for May 20, when the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel will meet in Charlotte to make their selections. Typically, the panel consists of 62 members, along with one additional fan vote, with two Modern Era inductees and one Pioneer Era inductee selected each year.
Opened in 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte has inducted 61 individuals across its first 15 classes. The facility stands as a tribute to the sport’s history, housing iconic race cars, trophies, and artifacts from decades of competition. In 2023, the Hall welcomed 180,000 visitors, underlining its importance to NASCAR’s connection with its past and its fans. Each year, the Hall recognizes figures who contributed significantly to the growth, competition, and business of NASCAR.
Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, headlines the list of first-time eligible drivers. Busch’s 34 career Cup Series victories rank him tied for 25th all-time, alongside legends like Fireball Roberts and Denny Hamlin. His 2017 Daytona 500 win remains a highlight of a career that also included victories at all of NASCAR’s crown jewel events except the Southern 500. Busch competed in 776 Cup races, scoring wins across 18 seasons and racing for top teams like Roush Fenway Racing, Penske Racing, and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Joining him among the Modern Era nominees is Greg Biffle, one of the few drivers to claim championships in multiple national series. Biffle secured the 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title with 9 wins that year and followed up with the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series championship. Over his Cup career, he notched 19 wins, including marquee victories at tracks like Darlington and Homestead-Miami Speedway. His Truck and Xfinity success made him one of the most complete drivers of his era.
Jeff Burton also returns to the ballot, bringing a résumé that features 21 career Cup Series wins. Among his victories are four at New Hampshire Motor Speedway — where he was once dubbed the “Mayor of the Garage” — and two at the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race. Burton also posted four consecutive top-10 points finishes between 1997 and 2000, peaking with a third-place standing in 2000.
Harry Gant, beloved by fans for his timeless competitiveness, is also nominated. Gant earned 18 career Cup victories, including four consecutive wins in September 1991 — at Darlington, Richmond, Dover, and Martinsville — at the remarkable age of 51. Over his 474 career Cup starts, Gant recorded 123 top-five and 208 top-10 finishes, establishing himself as one of NASCAR’s most durable and popular drivers.
The Pioneer Era nominees recognize contributors from NASCAR’s early decades. “Suitcase” Jake Elder made his name as a master crew chief, contributing to 44 Cup Series victories across his career. Elder helped guide David Pearson to two of his three Cup titles, and his hands-on, plainspoken approach left a lasting impression in the garage. Bob Welborn, another Pioneer nominee, was a three-time NASCAR Convertible Division champion, winning titles in 1956, 1957, and 1958. Welborn also won nine races at NASCAR’s highest level and claimed pole position in the inaugural Daytona 500 qualifier in 1959.
Larry Phillips remains one of the most dominant grassroots racers in NASCAR history, winning five NASCAR Weekly Series national championships (1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, and 1996). Over his career, Phillips won more than 1,000 short-track races, building a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors outside the national series. Ray Hendrick, known as “Mr. Modified,” collected more than 700 feature wins across various series, despite never running a full Cup season.
The Landmark Award nominees include Lesa France Kennedy, whose leadership roles at International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR have helped shape the sport’s business landscape for decades. ISC, under Kennedy’s direction, operated 13 tracks and helped drive NASCAR’s expansion efforts. Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway, is also nominated for his vision in creating the unique 2.5-mile triangular track that has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races since 1974.
The numbers and achievements of the Class of 2026 nominees align closely with standards set by prior inductees. Matt Kenseth, inducted in 2023, amassed 39 Cup wins and a 2003 Cup championship, slightly edging out Kurt Busch’s 34 wins but reflecting a similar level of elite competition. Meanwhile, Greg Biffle’s 19 wins match favorably with inductees like Bobby Labonte (21 wins) and Terry Labonte (22 wins), both recognized for consistency across multiple series. Harry Gant’s 18 wins place him ahead of several Hall of Famers, including Red Byron, who had two wins but was honored for his pioneering role.
5 Forgotten NASCAR Legends Deserving Honor
Sterling Marlin’s name remains a powerful symbol of perseverance and achievement in NASCAR history. A two-time Daytona 500 champion, Marlin secured his place among the sport’s elite by winning on racing’s grandest stage in back-to-back years. His calm demeanor and consistent performance made him a favorite at superspeedways throughout his career. Despite his impressive record and influence on the sport, Marlin has yet to receive a Hall of Fame nomination. Ken Schrader also stands as one of NASCAR’s most respected figures. With four Cup Series wins and a lifelong dedication to short-track racing, Schrader represents the bridge between NASCAR’s grassroots origins and its modern era. His contributions to the sport go beyond his on-track results, reflecting a career defined by passion and commitment.
Ricky Rudd, known as NASCAR’s “Ironman,” set a standard of endurance with 788 consecutive starts, a record at the time. His 23 Cup Series victories and ability to adapt through multiple decades highlight a career of remarkable toughness and skill. Neil Bonnett, a proud member of the Alabama Gang, brought both talent and charisma to NASCAR, collecting 18 wins before his career was tragically cut short. His influence helped shape the sport’s identity during its critical growth years. Jeff Green, whose dominant 2000 Busch Series championship season remains a benchmark for excellence, also deserves greater recognition. His success helped elevate the level of competition in NASCAR’s second-tier series. Each of these drivers—Marlin, Schrader, Rudd, Bonnett, and Green—left an undeniable mark on the sport and have earned rightful consideration for future Hall of Fame classes.
As the Hall prepares to welcome a new class, fans, historians, and industry veterans continue to debate which names deserve the ultimate honor. The final announcement later in 2025 will conclude a selection process that weighs not only championships and race wins but also contributions to NASCAR’s growth, resilience, and fanbase connection over decades.
The Class of 2026 nominees embody the spirit, grit, and transformation of NASCAR. Their stories — filled with perseverance, championship moments, and memorable wins — illustrate the path NASCAR has taken from its beach-racing roots to the modern spectacle of today. As the sport evolves, the Hall of Fame remains the place where history is honored and legends are immortalized.
ALSO READ: Racing Legends Overlooked: Why NASCAR Hall of Fame Continues to Snub Short-Track Icon
