Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, Ray Hendrick inducted into 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame

Busch's career was ultimately cut short in 2022 by a concussion suffered at Pocono, but his list of accomplishments already read like that of a Hall of Fame worthy driver. 

Unlike Busch, Gant's path to the Cup Series started when Gant was in his 30s. Even for his era, Gant was a late bloomer in terms of success. His first Cup Series win at Martinsville in 1982 didn't come until he was 42. What followed, however, was an 11-year stretch where Gant won 18 races and finished top-10 in the points standings seven times. In 1991, Gant earned the nickname "Mr. September" after he won four consecutive races at 51. 

Ray Hendrick (no relation to Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports) is perhaps the best modified racer of all-time. Hendrick won over 700 races and won more races (20) at Martinsville Speedway than any other driver. In his famed "Flying 11," Hendrick became a staple of racing in the southeast, and his inclusion in the Hall of Fame is a credit to how much modified racing means to the greater NASCAR world. 

Busch, Gant and Hendrick will be officially enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Jan. 23.