Harry Gant, Kurt Busch, and Ray Hendrick Named to NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025
The NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 class of inductees, and it’s a trio that represents speed, grit, and racing legacy: Harry Gant, Kurt Busch, and Ray Hendrick. With each man’s career etched into the sport’s history, their induction is a celebration not just of wins, but of influence, endurance, and heart.
Harry Gant, affectionately known as “Handsome Harry,” was one of NASCAR’s most beloved figures throughout the 1980s and early ’90s. Gant was known for his smooth driving style and calm demeanor, but when it came time to race, he was as fierce as they come. He famously earned the nickname “Mr. September” in 1991, when he pulled off a remarkable feat: winning four consecutive Cup Series races in one month at the age of 51. Gant finished his career with 18 Cup wins and 21 Xfinity (then Busch Series) victories, along with a reputation for consistency, class, and late-race dominance. His induction is a nod to a career defined by perseverance and poise.
Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, joins the Hall as one of the sport’s most complex and compelling figures. Over a two-decade career, Busch collected 34 Cup wins across every major team he raced for, showcasing his adaptability and relentless competitive spirit. He was the first Cup Series champion under NASCAR’s “Chase for the Cup” playoff format and played a pivotal role in shaping the modern era of stock car racing. Busch was known for his raw talent, intense personality, and comeback mentality, overcoming setbacks and evolving into a respected veteran and mentor. His career ended following a head injury in 2022, but his legacy continues to influence the sport.
Ray Hendrick, often referred to as the “King of the Modifieds,” is honored posthumously. Though he never ran a full Cup season, his impact on NASCAR’s early decades is undeniable. Hendrick amassed more than 700 short track victories and was revered for his dominance in the Modified and Late Model Sportsman divisions, now known as the Xfinity Series. Racing from the 1950s through the 1980s, his success and sportsmanship helped lay the foundation for generations of grassroots racers. Inducting Hendrick acknowledges the importance of regional racing legends in the NASCAR tapestry.
Together, Gant, Busch, and Hendrick represent different eras, different paths, but a shared passion for racing at its highest level. Congratulations to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025—a well-earned honor for three drivers who left it all on the track.