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NASCAR Hall of Fame 2026: Why I voted Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton over Harry Gant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 48-member NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel on Tuesday faced one of its most challenging choices for the Class of 2026, with a three-way split among the voting for two spots on the “Modern Era” ballot. By the numbers, 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch seemed like a slam dunk. […]

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 48-member NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel on Tuesday faced one of its most challenging choices for the Class of 2026, with a three-way split among the voting for two spots on the “Modern Era” ballot.

By the numbers, 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch seemed like a slam dunk. He won 34 Cup Series races (by far the most of anyone else on the ballot) and a Daytona 500. He was one of the elite talents of the 2000s and 2010s.

But Busch was also a volatile personality who burned some bridges, which was enough to make some voters wary of rewarding him for the times when they perceived him to be a detriment to the sport.

Ultimately, though, Busch was elected and received the same percentage of ballots (61 percent) as his fellow Modern Era inductee, “Handsome” Harry Gant, a beloved multi-nicknamed star also known as “Mr. September.”

Busch and Gant will be joined by modified racing legend Ray Hendrick from the “Pioneer” ballot, and famed Charlotte track promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler was voted to be the recipient of the Hall’s Landmark Award in recognition of his contributions to NASCAR.

Jeff Burton finished third on the Modern Era ballot, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick, who received 31 percent of the vote, was followed by three-time Convertible Series champion Bob Welborn.

The new class will be inducted Jan. 23.

Below is how I voted and how I perceived the results unfolding.

Modern Era ballot

Entering the voting process, Busch was my one slam-dunk pick from which I would not be swayed. I was open to hearing arguments for the other Modern Era winner as well as the other categories, but Busch was a lock for me for one of the two selections each voter was allowed (the top two vote-getters, regardless of percentage, were elected).

Busch had 13 more Cup wins than Burton and 16 more than Gant, who were my other primary considerations. He won a championship, and they did not; he also won a Daytona 500, and they did not.

Busch was the top Hall-eligible driver in wins, top-fives and top-10s. His exceptional talent and abilities raised the level of every car he drove.

Was he a jerk during many years of his career? Yes. There’s no getting around that. Though he mellowed in his later years, he had many clashes off the track.

But for me, this isn’t the Hall of Good Guys. It’s the Hall of Fame. And Busch, without question, is a Hall of Famer for what he accomplished on the track. He’s not exactly the only driver who had prickly interactions with people in the garage during his career.

The sentiment in the room was divided over whether others viewed him the same way, and it became obvious Busch had some hurdles to face. In the end, though, enough voters decided to check their boxes for him to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Harry Gant


Harry Gant celebrates his first win, at Martinsville in 1982. Gant was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame alongside Kurt Busch. (ISC Images / Archives via Getty Images)

It was also obvious there was a lot of support for Burton and Gant, and I was extremely torn on which one to vote for. Even when representatives from the accounting firm passed out the ballots, I had to stare at mine for a minute before making my second choice.

Ultimately, I went with Burton over Gant. Though “Handsome Harry” was very popular and won his 18 races in far fewer starts than most, I personally feel 20 victories is the current baseline for getting a Hall vote. Burton has 21, so he met my criteria for on the track.

That said, I also felt Burton met the standard for being a Hall of Famer off the track — contributions to the sport that cannot be discounted and are viewed favorably by voters. “The Mayor” has long been a safety advocate on behalf of his fellow drivers, he has helped explain the driver’s point of view through his extensive broadcasting appearances and has been working — for free — as the head of the Drivers Advisory Council, which acts as the key go-between for NASCAR and the drivers. Burton has undoubtedly made NASCAR a better place.

Surely, there were voters who took Gant’s age (85) into consideration, and I was almost swayed by that factor because I get the sentiment of wanting people to be inducted while they’re still alive. But ultimately, I chose to vote for who I felt was more deserving.

Based on the arguments for Burton in the room last year and even more this year, it feels like he has momentum. His time is coming soon, although the next two years could be tricky, with Kevin Harvick (2027 class) and Martin Truex Jr. (2028) likely first-ballot Hall of Famers.

Jeff Burton


Jeff Burton, who retired in 2014, continues to be an active presence around NASCAR. He finished third in Tuesday’s Modern Era voting. (Meg Oliphant / Getty Images)

Pioneer ballot

There was a push in the room to recognize NASCAR’s grassroots, and “Mr. Modified” was the clear choice for me after hearing the various discussions. He won more than 700 races and mastered places like Martinsville Speedway like no other.

Last year, it felt like the voters wanted to put Ralph Moody in before Banjo Matthews because Moody laid the groundwork for Matthews’ car-building genius. So I was a bit surprised Matthews didn’t have more support this year, but it felt like Hendrick’s accomplishments simply could not be overlooked — and Hendrick got my vote as well.

I know some Larry Phillips fans will be upset that he wasn’t the one recognized in the grassroots way, and he clearly deserves to be in. But in some ways, Hendrick’s inclusion might set the stage for a future Phillips induction.

Landmark Award

This was an easy choice with a very short conversation in the room. There was a massive wave of support for Wheeler, and I had no problem checking the box with his name next to it.

I have fond memories of watching Wheeler’s pre-race spectacles at Charlotte, but he was known for much more than being racing’s P.T. Barnum. He is largely responsible for the first intermediate track night race after lights were installed at Charlotte, which had a significant impact on NASCAR. And he was a friend and mentor to many in the garage, including drivers.

This seemed to be a wildly simple vote, similar to when Dr. Dean Sicking (inventor of the SAFER Barrier) got the Landmark Award last year.

(Top photo of Kurt Busch celebrating his 2021 win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his second-to-last Cup Series victory: David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)



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AUTO RACING: Denny Hamlin earns 57th career win in Michigan and NASCAR heads to Mexico | Auto Racing

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Viva Mexico 250 Site: Mexico City. Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX). Last year: Inaugural race. Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny […]

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All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Viva Mexico 250

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX).

Last year: Inaugural race.

Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny Hamlin earned his third series victory alongside his 57th career win in Michigan.

Next race: June 22, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

The Chilango 150

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 65 laps, 157.3 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:05 p.m., practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 10:30 a.m., race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: The previous race, which was held in 2008 and named the Corona Mexico 200, saw Kyle Busch earn the victory after passing Scott Pruett with 7 laps to go.

Last race: Justin Allgaier took the his third series win of the season in Nashville while holding off a late surge from rookie teammate Connor Zilisch.

Next race: June 21, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Stewart Friesen held off Enfinger late to secure the victory in Michigan, breaking a 72-race losing streak and grabbing his first win since 2022.

Next race: June 20, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada

Site: Montreal.

Track: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Race distance: 70 laps, 189.6 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:25 p.m., practice, 4:55 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 12:25 p.m., qualifying, 3:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (ABC).

Last year: Verstappen secured his 60th career win, taking the lead after a restart in a thrilling race that saw rain showers and a string of safety car appearances.

Last race: Oscar Piastri secured the victory and held off teammate Lando Norris in Spain to take back momentum after Norris’s previous win at Monaco.

Next race: June 29, Spielberg, Austria.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Bommarito Automotive Grand Prix

Site: Madison, Illinois.

Track: Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Race distance: 260 laps, 310.6 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 11:30 a.m., qualifying, 3 p.m. high line & final practice, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 8 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Josef Newgarden took his fifth win out of nine visits to the Madison track, holding off teammate McLaughlin after a late restart with six laps to go.

Last race: Kyle Kirkwood surged ahead on a late restart in Detroit to take his second win of the season.

Next race: June 22, Elkhart, Wisconsin.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: June 22, North Dinwiddie, Virginia.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 1

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 2

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Next events: June 18-23, Brandon, South Dakota, Pevely, Missouri, Independence, Iowa.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing



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Dale Earnhardt Jr. pays tribute to former NASCAR crew chief, team owner Travis Carter

Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years. Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter: “Sad news. Travis added a lot […]

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Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years.

Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter:

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Earnhardt wrote. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

Carter, who was born in 1949, was previously a car owner and crew chief in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He won championships with multiple drivers there, first with Benny Parsons in 1973 and then with Cale Yarborough in 1978. Notably, he split crew chief duties with Tim Brewer during the 1978 title run.

Additionally, he owned Travis Carter Motorsports from 1970 to 2003. He’s also the father of NASCAR driver Matt Carter.

But Carter’s legacy touched many. Dozens in the sport reached out following his death, including Earnhardt and other drivers.

“Just heard about Travis Carter passing away,” wrote Brian Keselowski on Twitter. “If you didn’t know him, you missed out on a great guy. When we first moved to NC in 2010 we rented a shop from him. He was so happy for us when we made Daytona in 2011, I’ll never forget it. Rest easy my friend.”

ESPN personality Ryan McGee, who has covered NASCAR at various points, also weighed in on Carter’s death. The two were fond of each other.

“Godspeed Travis Carter. He used to greet me with ‘Hey, Cousin McGee’ because I was from Rockingham, NC and he was from Ellerbe, NC and ‘that’s close enough,’” McGee wrote. “What a NASCAR legend and what a damn nice guy.”



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Travis Carter, longtime NASCAR team owner, dies at 75

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75. Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to […]

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RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75.

Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to 2004 and was based in Statesville.

As the crew chief for Benny Parsons, he won the 1973 NASCAR Cup Series championship. It was the lone title for Parsons, a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee.

Carter won 11 races as the crew chief for Parsons and Harry Gant, most notably the 1975 Daytona 500 with Parsons and the 1984 Southern 500 with Gant.

In 1990, Carter left the pit box to start up his own team. Carter Enterprises never won a race but was a mainstay on the NASCAR scene in the 1990s and early 2000s. Jimmy Spencer, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek were some of the most notable drivers to race for Carter. Darrell Waltrip’s final two seasons were behind the wheel of Carter’s No. 66 K-Mart Ford in 1999 and 2000.

Carter left the Cup Series in 2004 and made a brief return in 2007 before dipping out for good.

Several NASCAR personalities offered their condolences and memories on social media.

“Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on X. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“He is one of the reasons I exist as a NASCAR team owner,” Carl Long, owner of MBM Motorsports, said. “If it was not for Travis Carter, I am not sure how my path would have developed. I will always be grateful for his assistance.”

Ryan McGee, a NASCAR reporter for ESPN, noted that Carter would call him “Cousin McGee” for being from Rockingham, which is about nine miles from Ellerbe.



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Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Channels A Need for Speed

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette. While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of […]

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The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette.

While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of innovation that defines the brand. Jordan Brand has always pushed boundaries, and the Heir carries that energy forward.

It’s not a retro, it’s a new lane. Inspired by the futuristic design language of early 2000s performance models, this sneaker bridges the gap between court-ready function and lifestyle versatility. The “Motorsports” name isn’t just for show either.

MJ’s passion for motorsports dates back to his post-retirement days, and the color blocking on this pair echoes some of the team gear from that era. It’s sleek, aggressive, and built like something meant to move.

Official images show off the white base with black and varsity royal overlays, plus a mix of materials and sculpted lines that give the shoe serious presence. Whether or not you’re burning rubber, this one’s all gas, no brakes.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports”

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” features a white synthetic base with breathable mesh zones and bold black leather overlays. Further, a translucent varsity royal cage wraps around the midfoot for structure and contrast.

Black laces and a knit tongue add texture, while the blue pull tab and Jumpman logos complete the look. Also, a rubber outsole in varsity royal rounds out the design with aggressive tread. The foam midsole offers comfort without extra bulk.

This modern silhouette leans into dynamic lines, mixed materials, and color blocking that gives it an unmistakable motorsport vibe.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Release Date

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Jordan Heir “Motorsports” will be released in the summer of 2025. Also, these sneakers will have a retail price of $110 when they are released.

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike



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Elite Motorsports’ Richard Freeman Reacts to Points Deduction, $5,000 Fine from NHRA Following Disqualified Run in Bristol: “Ridiculous”

Just days after showing signs of a resurgence at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders finds herself at the center of a brewing controversy in Bristol. On Tuesday, NHRA officials announced a 100-point deduction and a $5,000 fine for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team following a […]

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Just days after showing signs of a resurgence at the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders finds herself at the center of a brewing controversy in Bristol.

On Tuesday, NHRA officials announced a 100-point deduction and a $5,000 fine for Enders and her Elite Motorsports team following a disqualified qualifying run during the fourth session at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The penalty stems from the use of rear wheels that allegedly did not meet NHRA’s approved specifications for Pro Stock competition.

Team owner Richard Freeman didn’t hold back in his response to the sanctioning body.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Freeman told Drag Illustrated. “We spoke with Rick [Dodge, NHRA tech official] the week prior in Epping and asked him about that wheel and his opinion. He checked the rule book—as he did Saturday in Bristol. The wheel is a beadlock, the proper width, and exceeds the SFI specification. We would love an explanation how that warrants a 100-point deduction and $5,000 fine. Whomever made that decision is clearly delusional.”

Freeman also raised concerns over consistency and transparency in the rule enforcement process.

“The rule book does not say a liner is illegal. It is legal in Pro Mod, legal in Alcohol. And it is not a performance advantage—it’s a disadvantage due to the weight.”

The penalty announcement comes as a gut punch for Enders, who was hoping to build on the momentum of a runner-up finish to rival Greg Anderson in Epping just a week ago. Enders, who has 49 national event wins and is the winningest female driver in motorsports history, had expressed confidence that her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Scag Power Equipment Camaro was finally trending in the right direction.

“We made some substantial changes and spent a lot of time on the dyno,” Enders said in a pre-race statement. “Pro Stock is not for the weak. It’s competitive problem-solving and we take a lot of pride in how well we work together. We may be down now, but they will not keep us down forever.”

Enders currently sits ninth in points and had entered the Bristol weekend optimistic about gaining ground in both qualifying and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, where she was slated to face teammate Aaron Stanfield in a highly anticipated rematch.

Instead, the focus now shifts to whether Elite Motorsports will appeal the penalty—a right they retain per NHRA’s official statement. NHRA also confirmed that proceeds from the fine will be used to enhance the Safety Safari’s operational capabilities.

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As the season nears its midpoint, the incident adds more tension to what has already been a turbulent year for one of drag racing’s most dominant dynasties.

This story was originally published on June 10, 2025. Drag IllustratedDrag Illustrated





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2026 Formula One Race Schedule Released – SportsTravel

A new Madring street circuit in Madrid will debut on the Formula 1 schedule in September 2026, replacing the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy. Spain gets two races in 2026 as Barcelona stays on the calendar for the final year of its contract before Madrid’s race on September 13. F1 has said Madrid’s […]

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A new Madring street circuit in Madrid will debut on the Formula 1 schedule in September 2026, replacing the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy.

Spain gets two races in 2026 as Barcelona stays on the calendar for the final year of its contract before Madrid’s race on September 13. F1 has said Madrid’s race will be known as the Spanish Grand Prix; the schedule doesn’t specify a new name for Barcelona’s race, which has been known as the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991.

Spain’s second race means Italy drops back to having one grand prix as Imola leaves the schedule. The historic track returned to the schedule in 2020 as a late addition amid the pandemic and has hosted five races since.

“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and chief executive officer.

The Australian Grand Prix on March 8 starts the season for the second year running because the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia again move to April to avoid clashing with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The season stays at 24 races and concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from Dec. 4-6.

As part of a push to limit intercontinental travel, the Canadian Grand Prix moves forward from June to May 24 so that it follows the Miami Grand Prix, a potential clash with the Indianapolis 500.

Moving Canada in 2026 creates a consolidated European leg of the season across the summer months, beginning in Monaco from June 5-7 and finishing in Madrid. The championship then returns to Asia with the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, ahead of a triple header in the Americas highlighted by Austin on October 25, before Las Vegas on November 21, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season.



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