Prior to Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officially named the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, who currently serves as an analyst for FOX Sports’ coverage of NASCAR’s highest level, is the most notable addition to the Modern Era Ballot, in what is his first year of eligibility post-retirement.
A 60-time race-winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, Harvick retired from full-time competition after the 2023 campaign. The Bakersfield, California-native is also a champion in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and began his career as the replacement for the late Dale Earnhardt, after his passing in a last-lap accident at Daytona in 2001.
Joining Harvick as newcomers to the Modern Era Ballot are six-time ARCA Menards Series West champion Ray Elder and 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief Ernie Elliott.
Ray Fox, the 1956 Mechanic of the Year and a 14-time race-winning car owner, and Herb Nab, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, are among those on the Pioneer Era Ballot this season.
Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era Ballot, with five on the Pioneer Ballot, which is designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two modern era candidates and one Pioneer candidate will be elected as the Class of 2027.
The Landmark Award honors those who have made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR. T. Wayne Robertson, the former Senior Vice President at R.J. Reynolds and the President of the company’s Sports Marketing Enterprises division, makes his debut on the Landmark Award ballot. Robertson previously appeared on the NASCAR Hall of Fame ballot before the award’s creation.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2027 and Landmark Award on Tuesday, May 19. Once again, the fans will have the opportunity to have a voice in the selection process via the NASCAR Fan Vote. The Fan Vote will open April 14 and close May 17.
The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, as well as at-large industry representatives. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of NASCAR Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners, and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.
Modern Era Ballot
- Greg Biffle, 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion.
- Neil Bonnett, 18-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories.
- Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.
- Jeff Burton, 21-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600 victories.
- Randy Dorton, built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR’s national series
- Ray Elder, six-time ARCA Menards Series West champion
- Ernie Elliott, 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, including victories in two DAYTONA 500s and two Southern 500s
- Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, winner of the 2007 DAYTONA 500, and two-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion
- Randy LaJoie, two-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and 1985 NASCAR North Tour champion
- Jack Sprague, three-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion
Pioneer Ballot:
- Ray Fox, 1956 Mechanic of the Year and 14-time NASCAR Cup Series winner as an owner, including the Southern 500.
- Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.
- Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships.
- Herb Nab, two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, ranks third on the all-time crew chief wins list with 92.
- Larry Phillips, five-time NASCAR Weekly Series national champion.
Landmark Award:
- 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 Ritcher, a long-time NASCAR executive who oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast.
- T. Wayne Robertson, held dual roles of Senior VP at R.J. Reynolds and President of the company’s Sports Marketing Enterprises division, oversaw the creation of The Winston.
