NASCAR Announces Nominees For NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027, Landmark Award
Harvick, R. Elder, E. Elliott, and Nab appear on ballot for the first time; Robertson in Landmark running.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 29, 2026) — NASCAR today announced the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2007 DAYTONA 500 winner, joins the Modern Era ballot in his first year of eligibility. Alongside Harvick as newcomers to the Modern Era nomination list are six-time ARCA Menards Series West champion Ray Elder and 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief Ernie Elliott. Ray Fox, 1956 NASCAR Mechanic of the Year and 14-time NASCAR Cup Series winning car owner, and Herb Nab, two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, are among the Pioneer Era ballot.
Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era ballot, five on the Pioneer ballot – designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two Modern Era candidates and one Pioneer candidate will be elected as the Class of 2027.
The Landmark Award honors those who made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR. T. Wayne Robertson, former senior vice president at R.J. Reynolds and president of the company’s Sports Marketing Enterprises division makes his debut on the Landmark Award ballot after previously appearing on the NASCAR Hall of Fame ballot prior to the award’s creation.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2027 and Landmark Award on Tuesday, May 19. Once again, the fans have a voice in the selection process via the NASCAR.com Fan Vote (www.nascar.com/halloffame). The Fan Vote will open on Tuesday, April 14 and will close on Sunday, May 17. The announcement of the Class of 2027 inductees will be broadcast live on The NASCAR Channel, and fans are welcome to attend and watch in person at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, as well as at-large industry representatives. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all NASCAR Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.
The following are the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027 nominees and Landmark Award nominees:
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, long-time 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
Contact:
Madison Faulkner
NASCAR Communications
(704) 619-5169