The NASCAR Hall of Fame will grow by three new members as a voting panel meets in Charlotte, North Carolina. The three new hall members and the winner of the Landmark Award for outstanding contributions to NASCAR will be announced later in the afternoon at the Hall of Fame. A discussion of the hall nominees is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. (ET) at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Voters will choose two hall members from the Modern Era ballot and one from the five-person Pioneer ballot, with a total of about 50 voting panelists participating in the process.
The Modern Era nominees include drivers Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Jeff Burton, Ray Elder, Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie, and Jack Sprague, as well as engine builder Randy Dorton and crew chiefs Ernie Elliott and Tim Brewer.
Harvick's impressive career, which includes 60 Cup Series victories, has likely contributed to his strong chances of election in his first year of eligibility.
Every eligible driver with more wins than Harvick already is in the Hall of Fame, making it a significant achievement for him to be considered alongside such legendary drivers.
Biffle's name might attract more support this year after his death in a plane crash last December, and Elder's inclusion on the ballot marks his first time as a nominee.
The Pioneer ballot is expected to produce tight results, with nominees including crew chief/mechanics Ray Fox, Harry Hyde, Banjo Matthews, and Herb Nab, as well as driver Larry Phillips.
Nab's influence on Junior Johnson's teams has made him a notable figure in NASCAR history, and his first-time nomination adds another layer of interest to the voting process.
The Landmark Award nominees include Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter, and Wayne Robertson, all of whom have made significant contributions to NASCAR's growth and success.
The addition of new members to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a significant milestone in the sport's history.
