Latest news with #PioneerEra
Fox Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Kurt Busch headlines 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class as first-ballot honoree
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kurt Busch earned a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection with stats that show him as one of the sport's greats. Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick — all three former NASCAR Cup drivers — will comprise the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. "I've been through a lot, and to have this is a nice icing on the cake so to speak, from how my career finished in the car versus where we are today, it's a nice feeling," said Busch, who has not raced in NASCAR since July 2022 when concussions sidelined him. "It's fun to reflect back on all the different moments now." A panel of 48 voters plus one combined vote from fan online voting determined the 2026 Hall of Fame class. The two top vote-getters from the 10 Modern Era nominees and the one top vote-getter from the five Pioneer Era nominees earned spots in the 16th induction class. Busch had far and away the most prolific career when it came to results: 34 Cup victories, one Cup title, a Daytona 500 win, finishing top-5 in more than 20 percent of his starts, winning in 19 different seasons at 18 different tracks. But two suspensions — one race in 2012 for threatening a reporter (this reporter) and three races in 2015 after a civil no-contact order was issued against him for alleged domestic abuse — and several run-ins with media and competitors were considered a hurdle for Busch to get in on first ballot. "The late [NASCAR public relations director] Jim Hunter, said it best to me once when I was in some trouble, and he said, 'Son, you can get as much trouble as you want because you have that much talent to dig yourself out of these holes you keep putting yourself in. But wouldn't it be better if you didn't dig those holes, and you could just stay on top riding with your talent?' Busch said. "Took a lot of lessons, but this was a fun announcement, and I can't wait to tell more stories to everyone on what this sport has meant to me and how I'll still be around." He made my ballot — his achievements on the track were significantly stronger than any of the other drivers nominated — as did Gant. Gant won 18 Cup races, including twice in the tough Southern 500. He also is the oldest driver (age 52) to win a Cup race. Similar statistics as the other drivers nominated as well as his toughness and his appearing in several racing movies pushed him onto my ballot. I felt people came to watch "Handsome Harry" Gant, and he played a role in increased exposure of the sport. Busch and Gant each earned 30 votes among the 49 panelists on the Modern Era ballot. Former driver and current broadcaster Jeff Burton was third, followed by former crew chief Harry Hyde and former engine builder Randy Dorton. Hendrick earned the spot reserved for the Pioneer Era with 15 of the 49 votes, indicating a heavy split among the voters (former driver Bill Welborn was second). Hendrick was on my ballot last year and kept that spot this year. Winner of more than 700 short-track races and named one of the top-10 modified drivers of all time, Hendrick had respectable results when racing in top divisions against those who did it regularly. Former Charlotte Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler earned the Landmark Award for contributions to the sport. The 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 23. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and IndyCar for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick selected to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class
CHARLOTTE — Former Cup champion Kurt Busch headlines the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that was selected Tuesday. Busch and Harry Gant were selected on the Modern Era ballot. Modified racer Ray Hendrick was selected on the Pioneer Era ballot. Track promoter Humpy Wheeler was selected as the Landmark Award winner. Advertisement Busch and Gant each received 61% of the votes on the Moderan Era ballot. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick received 31% of the votes on the Pioneer Era Ballot. Bob Welborn finished second. There were 49 ballots. Forty-eight voters and the fan vote. The fan vote had Ray Hendrick from the Pioneer Era and Kurt Busch and Harry Gant from the Modern Era. Busch, Gant and Hendrick — who will be inducted Jan. 23, 2026 — will join 67 others in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and represent the Hall's 16th class. The mercurial Busch was known as much for his success as his temper. He competed in Cup from 2000-22. Busch won at least one race 10 consecutive years. He had a streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least a victory when he was forced out of the car due to a concussion he suffered in a crash at Pocono in July 2022. Advertisement Busch scored 34 career victories, including the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 and 2017 Daytona 500. He had memorable run-ins with Jimmy Spencer, NASCAR officials and media during his career, adding to his reputation as a fiery competitor. This was the first year on the ballot for the 46-year-old Busch. This was the sixth year on the ballot for the 85-year old Gant. He won 18 races, including two Southern 500s and was known as 'Mr. September' for winning four consecutive Cup races in 1991. Gant finished third in balloting for the Class of 2025, a class that had Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards.
NBC Sports
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick selected to 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class
CHARLOTTE — Former Cup champion Kurt Busch headlines the 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class that was selected Tuesday. Busch and Harry Gant were selected on the Modern Era ballot. Modified racer Ray Hendrick was selected on the Pioneer Era ballot. Track promoter Humpy Wheeler was selected as the Landmark Award winner. Busch and Gant each received 61% of the votes on the Moderan Era ballot. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Hendrick received 31% of the votes on the Pioneer Era Ballot. Bob Welborn finished second. There were 49 ballots. Forty-eight voters and the fan vote. The fan vote had Ray Hendrick from the Pioneer Era and Kurt Busch and Harry Gant from the Modern Era. Busch, Gant and Hendrick — who will be inducted Jan. 23, 2026 — will join 67 others in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and represent the Hall's 16th class. The mercurial Busch was known as much for his success as his temper. He competed in Cup from 2000-22. Busch won at least one race 10 consecutive years. He had a streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least a victory when he was forced out of the car due to a concussion he suffered in a crash at Pocono in July 2022. Busch scored 34 career victories, including the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 and 2017 Daytona 500. He had memorable run-ins with Jimmy Spencer, NASCAR officials and media during his career, adding to his reputation as a fiery competitor. This was the first year on the ballot for the 46-year-old Busch. This was the sixth year on the ballot for the 85-year old Gant. He won 18 races, including two Southern 500s and was known as 'Mr. September' for winning four consecutive Cup races in 1991. Gant finished third in balloting for the Class of 2025, a class that had Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards.
Reuters
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Vitor Belfort named to UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2025
May 11 - Former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, the promotion announced. Belfort (26-14, 1 no contest) made his professional MMA debut at 19 years of age on Oct. 11, 1996. The Brazilian defeated Jon Hess via knockout in 12 seconds of the first round despite being at a seven-inch, 100-pound disadvantage. Belfort immediately signed with UFC following his victory. He made his UFC debut as a heavyweight on Feb. 7, 1997, recording first-round TKO wins over both Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo to win the heavyweight tournament. "Vitor Belfort was 19 years (old) when he was signed by UFC and he quickly made an impact by becoming the youngest athlete to win a UFC fight, and UFC tournament," UFC president & CEO Dana White said. "Vitor was a pioneer of the sport and is definitely a UFC legend. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer." Belfort will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 20th member of the Pioneer Era Wing, which includes athletes who turned professional before Nov. 17, 2000. The 2025 UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on June 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. --Field Level Media
