Dale Earnhardt Jr.. has always spoken openly about the legends of NASCAR, paying glowing tributes to them through his podcast and other shows. But now he came up with another idea that would not only elevate the old drivers but also give them a new identity and more popularity among the younger generation.
Previously, NASCAR inducted three people into the Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. This tradition has been going on for years now and has seen seventy drivers inducted. However, a former FOX broadcaster and pilot seems uncertain about the future of HoF, but Dale Jr. appears to have a solution to that problem.
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Dale Jr. calls out fallen veterans
Kenny Wallace has its own concerns. Speaking on social media, he claimed that NASCAR may soon run out of drivers to award the Hall of Fame to, comparing the sport to MLB.
“I don’t see how you can put someone in the Hall of Fame every year unless you don’t pay attention to the statistics. And that’s where I come in.”
Dale Jr, however, offers a unique solution. Leaving a comment, he mentioned that NASCAR should also welcome some of the sport’s most veteran drivers, most of whom are now deceased. It included Larry Phillips, Butch Lindley and Ray Elder, with particular emphasis on the latter.
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“Larry Phillips, Ray Elder, Sam Ard, Jack Ingram, Butch Lindley. Ray was a 6 time Winston West champion. Beating the Cup boys twice when they went out west at Riverside. He was racing in NASCAR and building the western foundations of the sport long before it became popular. So many guys who won hundreds of Nascar sanctioned races in their careers,” he wrote.
Ray Elder didn’t get enough of a chance to direct the major national series in the late ’60s and early ’70s; however, he managed to absolutely dominate the Winston West Series, now the ARCA Series. By winning 47 races in a decade, he managed to win six championships.
Likewise, Sam Ard ran the Busch Series (now NOAP) for three consecutive years, winning twice and finishing in second place once. But once again, he didn’t get a chance to race enough in the Cup Series.
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This is exactly what Kenny Wallace wants NASCAR to do. He wants the sport to focus more on statistics rather than the series a driver has competed in. Many drivers absolutely dominate at the lower levels, but never get enough opportunities to showcase their performance in the Cup Series.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at this year’s inductees.
2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees
Among the 15 nominees selected for 2026, three emblematic drivers, Kurt Busch, Harry GantAnd Ray Hendrickwere inducted into the Hall of Fame, Class of 2026. Busch, known for his long tenure in the Cup Series, competed in more than 800 races in all three NASCAR levels, winning a collective 43 races. He also won the Cup Series championship in 2004 and was expected to continue racing. However, he had to retire mid-season in 2022 due to his injuries with 23XI Race.
January 22, 2026, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA honors its 2026 class of inductees, Kurt Busch, Ray Hendrick and Harry Gant, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte United States – ZUMAa161 20260122_aaa_a161_007 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x
Meanwhile, Harry Gant, although never winning the Cup Series or NOAPS title, had quite a long career. Running 474 races in the Cup Series alone, he managed to win 18 races and placed in the top 10 208 times, proving his consistency against his competitors.
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Ray Hendrick happens to be the most interesting candidate of the three. In four decades of his career, he managed to achieve 700 victories in modified races and in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series, which eventually became the Busch Grand National Division.
These drivers have proven to be some of the best challengers in the history of the sport, and there is still much to be done. But Kenny Wallace may not be completely wrong in his prediction. Dale Jr came up with an interesting solution, so let’s see how long before NASCAR decides to take action.
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