NASCAR Hall of Fame reveals Class of 2027, Landmark Award nominees

The NASCAR Hall of Fame revealed its ballot of 15 nominees for the Class of 2027 on Sunday, adding Kevin Harvick, Ray Elder and Ernie Elliott to the list of Modern Era candidates for induction.

Ray Fox and Herb Nab, two prominent figures from the world of mechanics and crew chiefs, have been added to the Pioneer Era Ballot, and longtime sports marketing guru T. Wayne Robertson joins the list of five nominees for the Landmark Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to stock-car racing.

The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet in person to cast ballots on Tuesday, May 19 in Charlotte. Fan voting, which will count as one ballot toward the selection of next year’s class, will be open from April 14 to May 17 on NASCAR.com.

The announcement came during FOX Sports’ pre-race broadcast for Sunday’s Cook Out 400 (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Martinsville Speedway.

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Harvick, in his third season as an analyst in the FOX Sports booth, appears on the ballot for the first time with credentials that include the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship and 60 Cup wins, including the 2007 Daytona 500 crown. He also won 47 times and scored a pair of titles in what’s now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Elder, another California campaigner, won a record six championships in the former NASCAR Winston West Series, which evolved into the current-day ARCA Menards Series West. He won twice in the Cup Series — both victories coming at the old Riverside International Raceway road course in his home state — and his 47 West Series wins rank second on the tour’s all-time list.

Elliott, brother of Class of 2015 inductee Bill Elliott, earned nomination as a master engine builder who powered his family racing team to 40 Cup Series victories and the 1988 championship. Elliott was recognized as Engine Builder of the Decade after leading the No. 9 Ford to dominance in the mid- to late 1980s.

Those three replace Class of 2026 inductees Kurt Busch and Harry Gant plus legendary crew chief Harry Hyde, who moves from the Modern Era Ballot to the Pioneer Era Ballot, which recognizes industry figures whose careers began at least 60 years ago. The rest of the Modern Era nominees are Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Randy LaJoie and Jack Sprague. Two inductees will be enshrined from the Modern Era list of 10.

The Pioneer Ballot will present one candidate for induction from a list of five nominees, which features two new names this year. Fox, a successful mechanic and car owner from NASCAR’s early years, reappears on the ballot for the first time since 2020. Nab, who won 92 Cup Series races and a pair of championships with Cale Yarborough for car owner Junior Johnson, makes his first appearance on the ballot.

Fox, Nab and Hyde join returning Pioneer Ballot nominees Banjo Matthews and Larry Phillips on the voting list. Jake Elder and Bob Welborn have dropped off the ballot.

Robertson guided the powerful R.J. Reynolds marketing arm during a time of significant growth for the sport. He was a senior vice president at the tobacco company, and his Sports Marketing Enterprises division produced widespread exposure for NASCAR, including a role in the creation of the NASCAR All-Star Race, then called “The Winston” at its 1985 debut.

Robertson makes his first ballot appearance alongside four returning candidates for the Landmark Award: Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Les Richter.

The election results and the new Class of 2027 members and Landmark Award recipient will be revealed after the annual Voting Day meeting on May 19. The announcement will be broadcast live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame; fans may watch in person from the Great Hall or live on the NASCAR Channel.

The full list of nominees (in alphabetical order) with biographies provided by the NASCAR Hall of Fame:

Modern Era Ballot

Greg Biffle, 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and 2002 NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series champion.

Neil Bonnett, 18-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories.

Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.

Jeff Burton, 21-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600 victories.

Randy Dorton, built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR‘s national series.

Ray Elder, six-time ARCA Menards Series West champion.

Ernie Elliott, 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, including victories in two Daytona 500s and two Southern 500s.

Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, winner of the 2007 Daytona 500, and two-time NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series champion.

Randy LaJoie, two-time NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and 1985 NASCAR North Tour champion.

Jack Sprague, three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.

Pioneer Ballot

Ray Fox, 1956 NASCAR Mechanic of the Year and 14-time NASCAR Cup Series winner as an owner, including the Southern 500.

Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief.

Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships.

Herb Nab, two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief; ranks third on the all-time crew chief wins list with 92.

Larry Phillips, five-time NASCAR Weekly Series national champion.

Landmark Award

Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR‘s first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.

Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports.

Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway.

Les Richter, longtime NASCAR executive who oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast.

T. Wayne Robertson, held dual roles of senior vice president at R.J. Reynolds and president of the company‘s Sports Marketing Enterprises division, oversaw the creation of The Winston.

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