DAYTONA BEACH – NASCAR has 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, 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, a 14-time NASCAR Cup Series winning car owner, and Herb Nab, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, join the Pioneer Era ballot.
Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era ballot, five on the Pioneer ballot, which is 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 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 on May 19. Fans have a voice in the selection process via the NASCAR.com Fan Vote at nascar.com/halloffame. The Fan Vote opens April 14 and closes May 17. The announcement of inductees will be broadcast live on The NASCAR Channel, and fans are welcome to watch in person at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
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 Southern 500s
• Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion 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
• Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway
• Les Richter, long-time NASCAR executive who oversaw competition
• 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