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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – MAY 05: RFK Racing founder, Jack Roush waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Jack Roush has made NASCAR history by becoming the first person to win the Bill France Award of Excellence twice. Announced just before the 2026 season, this honor highlights Roush’s significant impact on the sport. He first received the award in 2001 and is now the only person to have received it.
The Bill France Award of Excellence is NASCAR’s top honor and is only given to those who have truly shaped the sport. Roush’s second award shows his long-term leadership, innovation, and success in stock car racing. NASCAR says this rare recognition reflects both his career achievements and his ongoing influence.
What the Bill France Award of Excellence represents
The Bill France Award of Excellence was created to honor NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. NASCAR first presented the award in 1953, but it is not given every year. This makes the award rare and highly respected. It recognizes people who have made a lasting impact, not just short-term achievements.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France explained why Roush stood out again. “For decades, Jack Roush has helped move NASCAR forward while staying true to what makes the sport special. He has built championship-caliber teams and developed generations of drivers and leaders. Jack’s legacy extends far beyond victories, leaving a mark throughout the sport and reflecting the enduring impact this award was created to honor.”
By receiving this award again, Roush is the first person to earn the Bill France Award of Excellence twice.
How Jack Roush built a lasting NASCAR legacy
Roush started Roush Racing in 1988 and soon made it one of NASCAR’s most important teams. Today, the team is known as RFK Racing and has found success in NASCAR’s national series.
Teams owned by Roush have won several championships and achieved 331 victories across NASCAR’s three national series. Many top drivers have grown their careers with his guidance, including Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, and Brad Keselowski.
Roush changed the way teams worked in NASCAR by bringing his background in mathematics and engineering. This training influenced how his teams designed cars, prepared for races, and planned strategies. His focus on data, accuracy, and testing helped shape today’s NASCAR competition.
Why the timing matters heading into 2026
This award comes at an essential time for Roush and his team. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019 and remains active in the sport. The honor also marks the 50th anniversary of Roush Industries, which has led motorsports and other fields for 50 years.
RFK Racing is still competing as the 2026 season gets closer. The team will enter a fourth car in the Daytona 500, bringing back the No. 99 for the first race. Roush’s continued involvement shows the same dedication he had at the start of his career.
By honoring Roush again, NASCAR shows how much he has influenced the sport. Since starting his team in 1988, he has helped develop many drivers and engineers and has been key to NASCAR’s growth. As the new season approaches, the Bill France Award of Excellence underscores his enduring impact.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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