Full Breakdown
NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027: Harvick, Burton, Phillips and Landmark Award Honoree
5/21/2026, 6:32:08 AM
Hall of Fame Class of 2027 Announced
On May 19, 2026, the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel met at the Charlotte Convention Center and announced the 2027 class: Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton from the Modern Era ballot, Larry Phillips from the Pioneer ballot, and Lesa France Kennedy as the Landmark Award honoree.
Voting Mechanics and Results
The 50-member panel, which includes Hall members, track owners, media, manufacturers, the reigning champion Kyle Larson and a fan vote, evaluated 15 nominees. PricewaterhouseCoopers tabulated the ballots. Harvick received 92 % (46 votes), Burton 32 % (16 votes); Phillips earned 38 % of the Pioneer votes.
Inductees Overview
Harvick, 2014 Cup champion, posted 60 Cup wins and 826 starts before becoming a Fox analyst. Burton logged 21 Cup victories, 27 O’Reilly wins and now serves as an NBC analyst and drivers’ council leader. Phillips, a five-time Weekly Series national champion, recorded 220 wins in 289 sanctioned starts; total career wins are estimated between 1,000 and 2,000. Kennedy has overseen major track projects such as Phoenix Raceway and the Daytona Rising renovation.
Statistical Highlights
Harvick’s 60 Cup wins place him 11th all-time; his 2014 championship and victories in all four crown-jewel events underscore his elite status. Burton’s 21 Cup wins rank him among a select group with 20+ wins in both Cup and O’Reilly series. Phillips’ five Weekly Series titles make him one of only two drivers to achieve that feat.
Why It Matters
The class links modern champions with grassroots pioneers, reinforcing NASCAR’s commitment to honor both high-profile and regional contributors. Kennedy’s Landmark Award underscores ongoing infrastructure development, while Phillips’ inclusion highlights short-track talent pipelines.
Official Statements & Responses
NASCAR’s release highlighted the inductees’ lasting contributions to competition, safety and community. Harvick called the news “weird” and stressed humility. Burton expressed gratitude. Helton noted Harvick’s matter-of-fact acceptance of Dale Earnhardt’s seat in 2001. Stewart called him the sport’s most well-rounded person.
Criticism & Opposition
Fans objected to Greg Biffle’s exclusion despite his fan-vote win, two national series titles and 19 Cup victories. Burton called the omission “horrible,” reviving calls to reform the Hall’s limited-slot voting.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Phillips’s career win total varies; crew chief James Ince estimated about 1,000 victories, while other sources suggest up to 2,000, reflecting incomplete record-keeping for short-track events.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's been really weird.” — Kevin Harvick, inductee.
- “He's definitely deserving, for sure.” — Tony Stewart, driver-owner.
- “It wasn't like he volunteered for anything,” — Mike Helton, former NASCAR president.
- “Look, Greg Biffle was also a Roush driver and a teammate. And we had a lot of good times together. He won a lot of races, rallies, and truck championships. And he definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame at some point. When that is, that’s not for me to decide,” — Jeff Burton, inductee.
What’s Next
The three inductees will be formally enshrined on Friday, January 22, 2027, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center. The ceremony will also present the Landmark Award to Kennedy and may prompt discussion of voting reforms.
