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Kurt Busch, Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant voted into NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 | News, Sports, Jobs

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — 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.

His journey to NASCAR stardom began in 2000 with a Truck Series rookie season that foreshadowed greatness. His big breakthrough came in 2004, when he became the first driver to win the title under NASCAR’s “playoff” system — a feat that proved both his excellence and adaptability.

The consistent Busch finished in the top 10 in the Cup Series standings 10 times.

“Things happened fast for me in this sport and I don’t know how or why,” Busch said. “There was no template, there wasn’t the ladder that these days you see the kids that have a system where it is going to be this or that. For me it was being in the right place at the right time and the universe smiled down on me.”

Hendrick, who died in 1990 at age 61, was the original “Mr. Modified.”

He is one of the winningest drivers of all time, with than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. His success started in his home state of Virginia, where his No. 11 was well know. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway — four modified and one late model sportsman.

He was known as a driver that was willing to race “anywhere and everywhere,” and did just that. He filled his schedule with modified and late model sportsman races across the East coast. Hendrick was known best for his wins on short tracks, but also produced victories at Talladega, Charlotte and Dover.

Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69.

The 85-year-old Gant, known as the “Bandit” for his long-time sponsorship with Skoal Bandits, won 18 Cup Series races, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. In the five seasons from 1981 through 1985, he finished in the top five in points four times, including a runner-up championship finish to Terry Labonte in 1984.

He also won 21 Xfinity Series races.

Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met Tuesday in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote on the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

The 49-person voting panel included representatives from NASCAR, the Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Joey Logano).

Busch and Gant both received 61% of the “modern era” ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton.

Hendrick received 31% of the “pioneer” ballot votes. Bob Welborn finished second.

Gant raced into his 50s, and still holds premier series records for oldest driver to win a race (52 years old) and a pole (54). He drove the first race car with a telemetry system installed in it at Talladega in 1985 and relayed the data to CBS during its coverage of the event.

This was the Gant’s seventh time on the ballot. He did not attend the announcement ceremony on Tuesday and was not available for comment.

All three were among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified’s All-Time Top 10 Drivers.

Wheeler became synonymous with promotion and innovation.

He spent 33 years as the president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and played a pivotal role in transforming the venue into a world-class facility.

Wheeler added a new dynamic to the sport, a visionary whose leadership and creativity helped shape today’s fan experience with the introduction of dramatic prerace ceremonies and the development of night racing at superspeedways.

He was known for his innovative promotions and stunts.



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Motorsports

Mobil 1, Autodromo Again Partner on Limited-Edition, Auto-Inspired Watch

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The Mobil 1 brand has again teamed up with Autodromo to introduce a limited-edition, automotive-inspired wristwatch—the Group B Mobil 1 Edition. After the sellout success of their first collaborative timepiece, the Monoposto Mobil 1 Edition, the companies return with a new design crafted for motorsports enthusiasts.

Inspired by the Group B rally era, a short-yet-iconic period from 1982-86, the watch draws from a chapter widely regarded as one of motorsports’ most thrilling, according to officials. Group B combined fearless driving with advanced materials and bold engineering, producing the kind of speed and spectacle that helped define modern performance culture. Drivers charged across mountain passes, desert roads and snowy forest stages in machines that continue to shape the way fans view the sport today.

Autodromo’s interpretation of this era blends that history with modern craftsmanship. The Mobil 1 Group B Pegasus Edition features a bimetallic case construction with a lightweight 39mm titanium capsule housed within a stainless steel outer structure. Designed with a unisex fit, the watch offers a versatile wear experience for collectors and fans alike.

mobil 1 + autodromo logos

The integrated stainless-steel bracelet is finished with a black DLC coating for a sharp, contemporary look, and a high-contrast dial inspired by vintage racing tachometers reinforces the motorsports influence. Each piece arrives in a handcrafted aluminum box, and the bracelet can be easily removed with a spring bar tool for those who prefer to swap in a strap.

Blending Innovation & Passion

Only 70 watches will be available at Autodromo.com (retail value: $995).

“Group B represents a moment in motorsports where innovation and passion were at their highest. It still inspires so much of what the Mobil 1 brand stands for,” says Austin Johansen, North America marketing manager on behalf of the Mobil 1 team. “We loved seeing the response to our first watch, and we are excited to bring fans a second collaboration that celebrates both performance and lifestyle.”

For Autodromo, the Group B silhouette is one of the brand’s most iconic designs, known for its slim profile, precision and early-1980s high-tech aesthetic.

“The Mobil 1 brand sits at the heart of automotive culture, so this collaboration continues to feel purposeful and exciting for us,” says Bradley Price, founder of Autodromo. “This edition is a chance to honor an unforgettable motorsports era and create something that feels fresh, collectible and full of character.”

Key features include:

  • Bimetallic titanium and stainless steel case
  • Stainless steel integrated bracelet with hidden butterfly clasp and black DLC coating
  • Miyota 9015 automatic movement
  • Sapphire crystal with antireflective coating
  • Water resistant to 50 meters
  • 39mm case diameter
  • 9mm case thickness
  • 75 mm lug to lug
  • 20 mm lug width
  • Packaged in a handcrafted aluminum collector’s box



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Bigrock Motorsports Crowned Indian Supercross Racing League Season 2 Champions

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The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 concluded spectacularly with a historic Grand Finale at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut. Megastar and ISRL Brand Ambassador Salman Khan was present on the ground, adding star power to an electrifying night of high-octane racing and live entertainment.

The finale witnessed a record-breaking turnout of over 32,000 fans, marking the highest-ever attendance for a motorsport event in India and reinforcing Kerala’s strong connection with motorsport and large-scale live sporting experiences.

Indian Supercross Racing League Season 2

Amid roaring crowds and intense on-track action, Team Bigrock Motorsports was crowned ISRL Season 2 Champions, capping off a fiercely competitive championship that unfolded across Pune, Hyderabad, and Calicut. The season showcased a compelling blend of international excellence and emerging Indian talent.

Also Read: Tesla Model Y’s HEPA Filter Can Filter Out 99.97 Pc Of Pollutants: Watch Video

The Calicut round delivered thrilling racing across all categories. Matt Moss from team BigRock Motorsports (Australia) claimed victory in the 450cc International class aboard the Kawasaki KX 450, while Calvin Fonvieille from team Apollo Indewheelers (France) dominated the 250cc International category on the Yamaha YZ 250. The 250cc India-Asia Mix class was won by Delvinator Alfarizi (Thailand) riding the KTM 250 SX – F, drawing thunderous applause from the packed stadium.

Indian Supercross Racing League Season 2 Result

Megastar Salman Khan, Brand Ambassador, ISRL, said: “Watching the Grand Finale in Calicut was truly special. The passion of the fans and the intensity of competition show how far Indian motorsport has come. ISRL is creating a platform where Indian riders can compete confidently alongside the world’s best.”

Also Read: Nissan Previews New Nismo Concept Ahead Of Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 Debut

Reflecting on the season, Veer Patel, Managing Director, ISRL, said: “Season 2 reflects the growing belief in Supercross across India. From Pune to Hyderabad and now Calicut, the record-breaking fan response shows the sport has truly found a home here, while we continue building strong pathways for Indian riders alongside world-class racing.”

Over the course of Season 2, 36 international riders from 21 countries, including Australia, France, the USA, Germany, Thailand, and South Africa, competed alongside India’s top riders such as Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanath, and Shlok Ghorpade, highlighting ISRL’s growing global stature.

Beyond the races, the Reise Moto ISRL Fan Park transformed EMS Corporation Stadium into a complete motorsport festival, featuring live music, racing simulators, interactive brand zones, food experiences, merchandise, and rider interactions, creating an immersive fan experience for families and enthusiasts alike.

Also Read: Tata Sierra EV Snapped Testing In India; Here’s What We Know So Far

With Season 2 concluding on a historic high, the Indian Supercross Racing League now looks ahead to expanding its footprint, strengthening grassroots development, and further positioning India on the global Supercross map.



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Nissan plans to double NISMO lineup by 2028

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On the Dash:

  • Nissan plans to expand its global NISMO lineup from five models to 10 by 2028.
  • The move supports a broader turnaround strategy focused on motorsports and performance vehicles.
  • U.S. availability remains limited, and not all future NISMO models will reach every market.

Nissan plans to significantly expand its high-performance NISMO lineup as part of a broader turnaround strategy to reverse years of slowing sales and rebuild brand momentum.

The automaker announced this week that it intends to double the number of NISMO models offered globally, growing the lineup from five vehicles today to 10 by 2028. The expansion is tied to Nissan’s ongoing transformation plan, which places renewed emphasis on motorsports, performance engineering and enthusiast-focused products.

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NISMO, short for Nissan Motorsports, represents the company’s performance division and delivers upgraded versions of standard models. These vehicles typically feature more powerful engines, sport-tuned suspensions and distinctive exterior styling cues that set them apart from the core lineup.

In the U.S., Nissan currently offers just two NISMO-branded vehicles. The NISMO Z delivers an additional 20 horsepower compared with the standard Z and includes track-focused upgrades such as an oil cooler, performance tires and racing-style seats. The NISMO Armada, a recent addition, produces 35 more horsepower than the standard full-size SUV and includes suspension revisions and exterior enhancements.

While Nissan confirmed the global expansion, it did not specify which vehicles will receive NISMO variants or how many will be sold in the U.S. The company also indicated that not all 10 models are expected to be available in every market.

As part of the strategy, Nissan said it is open to working with external performance partners to broaden the NISMO portfolio. Those collaborations could help accelerate development and expand the brand’s reach without relying solely on in-house resources.

The NISMO push signals a shift in priorities for Nissan as it looks to reconnect with driving enthusiasts and strengthen its brand image. Performance models have historically served as halo vehicles, helping attract showroom traffic and reinforce engineering credibility across the broader lineup.



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The Inside Lane | Ep. 109: Matt Kaulig & Chris Rice

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Devon Henry drives the inside lane, going inside the world of racing in the State of Arizona and NASCAR. In this episode of ‘The Inside Lane,’ Devon is joined by 29-time NASCAR National Series winners, two-time Xfinity Series regular season champions, and partners of the NASCAR Foundation. The Owner and the CEO of Kaulig Racing, in Welcome, North Carolina, it’s Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice.

Devon, Matt, and Chris dig into Chris’ health journey, the Speediatrics Fun Day, and NASCAR Foundation Speedy Bear Brigade. The trio also takes a deep dive into the philanthropy at Kaulig Racing and how it is affecting communities and children across North America.

0:59 Chris’ health journey

2:55 Kaulig Racing and Kaulig Giving charity and competition

4:37 The Speedy Bear Brigade

6:16 Building and growing the Speediatrics Fun Day

8:11 Giving back to the communities with the NASCAR Foundation

9:12 Mike Helton and winning the Betty Jane France Poker Tournament

10:28 How Kaulig Giving has impacted communities across North America

12:57 Teaching how to be philanthropic

15:46 How giving affects Matt and Chris

16:45 When Matt won a bike as a kid

17:12 The long lasting effect of the Speedy Bears

19:05 Samantha’s Gift of Hope



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Lindblad to drive Red Bull F1 car on Delhi streets in 2026 showrun

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The Red Bull team does more to promote Formula 1 around the world than any other team.  Formula 1 owes Red Bull a debt of gratitude.  Arvid Lindblad will make his first Formula 1 showrun as a Racing Bulls driver by taking a Red Bull F1 car onto the streets of Delhi for the Red Bull Moto Jam 2026

The ultimate celebration of motorsports is back says Red Bull!

Red Bull Moto Jam is one of India’s biggest motorsports festivals. After a first edition in Chennai, the motorsports spectacle visits the country’s capital with the second edition in 2026 taking place in Delhi NCR.

This first-of-a-kind multi-discipline motorsports extravaganza provides an immersive experience to thrill Indian fans.

The event will feature world-class athletes, including Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver Arvid Lindblad, who will dazzle the audience in a VCARB-branded F1 car.

Motorsports disciplines at Red Bull Moto Jam 2026:

  • F1 car showrun
    Drifting
    Stunt biking
    Freestyle motocross (FMX)
    Stunt cars

“Yeah, obviously very excited,” Lindblad said of the upcoming event to Autocar India. “The news is out about Red Bull Moto Jam. I think it’s going to be a really cool event. It’s going to be amazing driving an F1 car on the streets of Delhi.

“Even more special, it’s going to be my first showrun as a Formula 1 driver and doing that here in India with my heritage and background is obviously something I’m very excited about.

“I think it’s going to be an amazing event. It’s going to be just before the F1 season starts. So really looking forward to coming back to India and having some fun.”



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Roush Automotive Collection Is an Automotive Treasure Trove You Can Tour for Free

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Jamie McMurray was in the wrong lane.

With one lap to go in the 2007 Pepsi 400, the 31-year-old driver from Missouri found himself leading a procession of drafting stock cars around Daytona Motor Speedway. The trouble was that his Ford Fusion was outflanked, with Kyle Busch to his inside. Busch, then NASCAR’s up-and-coming bad boy, had a similar comet’s tail of cars in the wake of his Monte Carlo … and the preferred lane.

Two 200-mile-per-hour conga lines raced toward the checkered flag.

In those closing moments, the bottom groove of the 2.5-mile tri-oval appeared to be the fastest way around. To make matters worse for McMurray, Busch had his brother Kurt behind him, providing a friendly shove in the draft.

Luckily, McMurray also had a drafting partner—his Roush Fenway Racing teammate Carl Edwards. Side-by-side, the two lines raced under the fluttering flag. It was a dead heat. McMurray beat Busch to the start/finish line by .005 seconds.

“I would have bet all the money in the world Kyle Busch would have won it coming out of turn four,” conceded a NASCAR announcer. Nearly 20 years later, the finish still stands as the closest in the Cup Series at Daytona.

You might expect this sort of car to be on display at a museum. You’d be correct.

You might also expect there to be some sort of admission to view a car of such provenance. You’d be wrong!

Jamie McMurray’s Daytona-winning stock car, and some 110 other historic vehicles, are on public display at the Roush Automotive Collection in Livonia, Michigan, a stone’s throw from Detroit. Cars parked mirror-to-mirror fill multiple rooms of the warehouse compound. McMurray’s winning Fusion is still covered in confetti as well as the residue left by a Pepsi and beer shower some two decades ago.

Most vehicles on display are tied to a compelling anecdote like McMurray’s Daytona triumph. Race cars, race trucks, classics, concepts, prototypes, military, tractors—name any motorsport or facet of automotive enthusiasm, and you can probably find an example in the Roush collection. The best part? They’re all free to view.

Guests are welcome to wander the diverse collection and snap photos without paying a single penny, and it’s largely thanks to one man: Jack Roush.

1974 NHRA Nationals - Indy - Indianapolis
1974 NHRA Nationals, at Indianapolis. Ed Pink, Jack Roush, and Bill Jameson watch the action.The Enthusiast Network via Getty

Roush was born in Kentucky and grew up in Ohio. After graduating from Berea College, he moved to Michigan to work for Ford. He eventually left the Blue Oval to pursue building his own company, Roush Performance Engineering, which he founded in 1976. During that era of his life, he also fielded a professional drag racing team with Wayne Gapp, competing in NHRA, IHRA, and AHRA.

In 1982, Roush partnered with German race team Zakspeed to build a Mustang for the IMSA Camel GT Series. For the next decade, Roush built fast Fords and employed road racing’s best drivers across SCCA and IMSA. Hall-of-famers like Tommy Kendall, Scott Pruett, and Willy T. Ribbs took home trophies for Roush—24 national championships and titles, including 12 manufacturer’s championships and an incredible 119 road racing victories, to be exact.

Cameron Neveu

Later that decade, in 1988, Roush pivoted from road racing to stock cars and built a shop in NASCAR country (North Carolina) and hand-picked Mark Martin as his first driver. Together the duo would go on to earn 35 Cup Series wins.

One of several stock cars driven by Mark Martin on display.Cameron Neveu

To this day, Roush still competes and owns multiple teams in NASCAR. He has since partnered with Fenway Sports Group and brought on fellow Michigan man Brad Keselowski as co-owner, and the winning results have remained the same. Roush’s teams have won eight championships across NASCAR’s three national series, and this year’s roster of three drivers—Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, and Keselowski—is poised to add to that total.

Cameron Neveu

In addition to his on-track results, Roush has contributed to the safety of the sport by helping develop roof flaps on stock cars to prevent pirouetting flips at superspeedways like Daytona.

Also, if you have any interest in go-fast Fords, you’ve likely perused the Roush Performance parts catalog. Same guy. Roush is a pilot, too, and he owns multiple P-51 Mustangs.

Take all these disciplines, combine them with personal cars, concepts, and automobilia (signs, trophies, experimental stop lights), cram everything in a 30,000-square-foot building, and you have the Roush Automotive Collection. If you ever find yourself in Southeast Michigan, it’s a must-stop.



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