NASCAR has unveiled the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026and five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. First-time nominees Kurt Busch and Randy LaJoie headline the Modern Era ballot, while legendary crew chief Jake Elder returns to the Pioneer ballot.
Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 Daytona 500 winner, makes his debut on the Modern Era ballot following a storied 23-year career. LaJoie, a two-time Xfinity Series champion, joins Busch among 10 Modern Era nominees.
The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet in person on Tuesday, May 20, to determine the next class. Fans can weigh in through the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, which is open now and closes Sunday, May 18, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
The Class of 2026 will include two inductees from the Modern Era ballot and one from the Pioneer ballot. The Landmark Award will also be presented to a figure who has made significant contributions to NASCAR’s growth and reputation.
Humpy Wheeler, the longtime visionary president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, is among the five Landmark Award nominees, making his first appearance on the ballot.
Modern Era Ballot Nominees:
- Greg Biffle
- Neil Bonnett
- Tim Brewer
- Jeff Burton
- Kurt Busch
- Randy Dorton
- Harry Gant
- Harry Hyde
- Randy LaJoie
- Jack Sprague
Pioneer Ballot Nominees:
- Jake Elder
- Ray Hendrick
- Banjo Matthews
- Larry Phillips
- Bob Welborn
Landmark Award Nominees:
- Alvin Hawkins
- Lesa France Kennedy
- Dr. Joseph Mattioli
- Les Richter
- Humpy Wheeler
Fans can cast their votes and learn more about the nominees by visiting nascar.com/halloffame.
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