Kurt Busch Inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kurt Busch has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, bringing joy and relief to the 46-year-old driver, who has been a dominant force in the sport.

Busch expressed his gratitude after hearing his name called. “I’m very grateful and thankful that it happened this first time,” he said. “You want to have that answer as fast as you can.” Alongside Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick were also inducted, and Humpy Wheeler received the Landmark Award for his contributions to NASCAR.

The official ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place on January 23, 2026. Busch is celebrated for winning the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series championship and a total of 34 Cup races during his career. He retired in 2023 after a remarkable run in which he achieved at least one victory in each of his 21 full-time seasons.

Busch’s career began in 2000 with a strong performance in the Truck Series, and he made history by winning the first title under NASCAR’s playoff format in 2004. “Things happened fast for me in this sport and I don’t know how or why,” Busch reflected. “For me it was being in the right place at the right time.”

Gant, known as the “Bandit,” won 18 Cup Series races, including the prestigious Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. Hendrick, referred to as “Mr. Modified,” piled up over 700 wins in modified and late model sportsman events throughout his career before passing away in 1990.

The 49-person voting panel responsible for the induction included NASCAR representatives, media members, and a fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com. Busch and Gant achieved 61% of the “modern era” ballot votes, underscoring their impact in the sport.

As a notable figure in NASCAR’s history, Busch and his fellow inductees will bring the Hall of Fame membership to 70 members.