Kurt Busch, the NASCAR driver, was pretty anxious on Tuesday about whether he’d make it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Turns out, his name was the last one called by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, who got to share the exciting news with Busch and the other new inductees. Alongside Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick were named, as well as Landmark Award winner Humpy Wheeler, for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Busch and Gant managed to secure their spots with 61% of the vote from the Modern Era ballot. This was Busch’s first shot at getting in, so it was a pretty big deal for him. “I felt like it was race mode,” Busch said. “I had to put the emotional blinders on, and yet, you’re watching the video of the past and thinking of the present and the future all at once.” It was a surreal moment for Busch, who never imagined he’d make it this far, coming from a blue-collar family in Las Vegas where racing was just a fun hobby for father and son.
Family was indeed present at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the big announcement. Busch’s parents, Tom and Gaye Busch, were there to support him. The moment his name was called, Busch leaned over to his mother’s shoulder and reached out to his father’s arm, showing his appreciation for their unwavering support throughout his career.
From racing at the Bullring in Las Vegas in 1999 to qualifying for the Cup Series in 2000, Busch’s journey to the top was nothing short of remarkable. “There wasn’t a ladder that you see a lot of the kids these days have a system where we’re going to this and this. A lot of mine was being in the right place at the right time, and the universe smiled down on me,” Busch reflected. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Busch managed to secure wins with top team owners like Roush, Penske, Stewart, Ganassi, and even Michael Jordan. He also made history as the only Cup Series driver to win with four different manufacturers.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Busch. Off the track, he faced his fair share of controversies and legal troubles, which often overshadowed his racing achievements. However, Busch chose not to dwell on what could have kept him out of the Hall of Fame. “I was exploring IndyCar, NHRA, doing some dirt racing,” Busch shared. “The NASCAR car kept calling my name and I was given plenty of advice from top team owners.” Despite the ups and downs, Busch’s career came to an abrupt end in 2022 after a crash at Pocono Raceway left him with a head injury. The emotional and physical toll of the incident made it one of the toughest times in his career, but Busch eventually came to terms with his forced retirement.
Looking back, Busch is content with how things turned out. “I was going for pole with a competitive team at the age of 43,” he said. “To be competitive and be locked in the playoffs for as many years as I was, and at the end going for pole, it’s almost like a Hollywood-type story. So, I’m OK with it.” Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Busch’s journey in NASCAR has left a lasting impact on the sport, solidifying his place in the Hall of Fame.
