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Kurt Busch, Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant voted into NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2026

Nascar driver Kurt Busch raises the Nextel 2004 Cup Championship trophy Sunday Nov. 21, 2004 at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Nascar driver Kurt Busch raises the Nextel 2004 Cup Championship trophy Sunday Nov. 21, 2004 at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File) Nascar driver Kurt Busch raises the Nextel 2004 Cup Championship trophy Sunday Nov. 21, 2004 at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)

By STEVE REED / AP Sports Writer 5 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Given his resume, Kurt Busch knew it was a matter of when, not if, he would be selected into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Still, getting voted in on the first ballot on Tuesday was a huge relief for Busch, who let out an emotional sigh of relief after hearing his named called at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“I’m very grateful and thankful that it happened this first time,” Busch said. “You want to have that answer as fast as you can.”

Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant were also voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Tuesday, while executive Humpy Wheeler was named the Landmark Award winner for his contribution to the sport. A ceremony will be held to officially induct the class of 2026 into the Hall of Fame in March.

The 46-year-old Busch held off Jimmie Johnson to win the 2004 Cup Series championship and went on to win 34 Cup races, including at least one victory in 19 of his 21 full-time seasons on the premier circuit before he retired in 2023.