Class of 2026 Inductees:

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 22: (L-R) 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Kurt Busch, the grandsons of Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant pose for photos during the NHOF Class of 2026 Blue Jacket Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 22, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 22: (L-R) 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Kurt Busch, the grandsons of Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant pose for photos during the NHOF Class of 2026 Blue Jacket Ceremony at NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 22, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch’s journey to NASCAR stardom began in 2000 with a Truck Series rookie season that foreshadowed greatness. With four wins and a championship runner-up finish, Busch signaled to fans and competitors alike that he would soon be a force at the top level of the sport. By 2002, Busch was already making waves in the NASCAR Cup Series. His first win came at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway, he finished third in points, and from there, his career soared to new heights. Busch’s big breakthrough came in 2004, when he captured the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, becoming the first driver to win the title under NASCAR’s ‘playoff’ system – a feat that proved both his excellence and adaptability. Busch earned 34 Cup Series wins in 776 starts, including a thrilling victory in the 2017 Daytona 500.

Harry Gant

Harry Gant was a man with many nicknames: “Handsome Harry” for his good looks, the “Bandit” due his long-time sponsor Skoal Bandit, “Mr. September” after his four consecutive premier series and two Xfinity series wins in September of 1991 and “High Groove Harry” because of his proficiency in taking the high line through the corner. Gant won 18 premier series races, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. The North Carolinian also registered 21 wins in the Xfinity Series. In the five seasons from 1981 through 1985, Gant finished in the top five in points four times, including a runner-up championship finish to Terry Labonte in 1984.

Ray Hendrick

The original “Mr. Modified,” Ray Hendrick is one of the winningest drivers of all time, amassing more than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. Hendrick’s success started in his home state of Virginia, where his famous No. 11 was known to all. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway – four modified and one late model sportsman. Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69. Hendrick was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified’s All-Time Top 10 Drivers.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Humpy Wheeler

Humpy Wheeler’s name is synonymous with promotion and innovation. Best known for his 33-year tenure as President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wheeler played a pivotal role in transforming the venue into a world-class facility that attracted a wide range of fans and corporate sponsors. Most notably, Wheeler spearheaded the construction of the iconic Turn 4 grandstands and introduced the “NASCAR Experience,” which brought fans even closer to the action. Adding a new dynamic to the sport, Wheeler’s visionary leadership and creativity helped shape today’s fan experience with the introduction of dramatic pre-race ceremonies and the development of night racing at superspeedways.

Past season inductees: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 – none/COVID, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence