On Monday, NASCAR officially confirmed the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
There are a total of 10 nominees featured on the Modern Era Ballot and five on the Pioneer Ballot — which is designed to honor industry members whose careers began more than 60 years ago.
Two of the nominees on the Modern Era Ballot and one of the nominees on the Pioneer Ballot will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class.
Joining the modern-era ballot for this year’s vote are 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch and two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie.
Busch, who spent more than two decades competing across NASCAR’s National Series, picked up 34 victories and a championship in the NASCAR Cup Series, including a win in the 2017 Daytona 500.
LaJoie, who made his final NASCAR National Series start in 2006, was a two-time champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series (1996, 1997), and the 1985 NASCAR North Tour champion.
Additionally, Humpy Wheeler, Former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has joined the ballot for the Landmark Award
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2026 and Landmark Award on Tuesday, May 20. Fans will have a voice in the selection via the NASCAR.com Fan Vote — which is currently open and will close May 18.
The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities, and historic short tracks. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all NASCAR Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners, and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.
Modern Era Ballot:
- Greg Biffle
- 19 NASCAR Cup Series wins.
- 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.
- 2002 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
- Neil Bonnett
- 18 NASCAR Cup Series wins.
- Back-to-back Coca-Cola 600 winner.
- Tim Brewer
- Two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.
- Jeff Burton
- 21 NASCAR Cup Series wins.
- Southern 500 winner.
- Two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner.
- Kurt Busch
- 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
- 2017 DAYTONA 500 winner.
- Randy Dorton
- A successful engine builder who won more than nine championships across NASCAR’s National Series.
- Harry Gant
- 19 NASCAR Cup Series wins.
- Two Southern 500 wins.
- Harry Hyde
- 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.
- Randy LaJoie
- Two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
- 1985 NASCAR North Series Champion.
- Jack Sprague
- Three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.
Pioneer Ballot:
- Jake Elder
- Three-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.
- Ray Hendrick
- Won more than 700 times in NASCAR Modified and Late Model Sportsman divisions.
- Banjo Matthews
- Built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series events and three championships.
- Larry Phillips
- First five-time NASCAR Weekly Series National Champion.
- Bob Welborn
- Winner of nine NASCAR Cup Series events and three Convertible Division championships.
Landmark Awards:
- Alvin Hawkins
- NASCAR’s first flagman, established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.
- Lesa France Kennedy
- NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports
- Dr. Joseph Mattioli
- Founder of Pocono Raceway
- Les Richter
- Long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast
- Humpy Wheeler
- Former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, transformed the venue into a world-class facility
