CONCORD, N.C. – When the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel meets in person to discuss and vote on this year’s nominees on Wednesday, May 4, Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott will get to cast their ballots to help determine the Class of 2023.
As the reigning Cup Series champion, Larson gets to take part in the process. Since there was no Class of 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elliott will also get to participate in the 62-person panel as part of the benefits from his 2020 championship. The rest of the voting panel is comprised of representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, media members, track owners, industry leaders, and retired competitors. A fan vote on NASCAR.com will serve as the 63rd vote and run until April 29.
"It’s definitely an honor and neat that they have the current champion on the panel," Larson said of being part of the Hall of Fame voting process. "Everybody’s goal is to make it to the Hall of Fame.
"I will take it very seriously because it’s a huge honor for the people who’ve been nominated and who make it in."
There are 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2023 with two being selected from the 10-person Modern Era ballot and one selection from the five-person Pioneer Ballot. The voting also includes making a selection among the five-person Landmark Award ballot.
Two nominees on the Modern Era Ballot have ties to Hendrick Motorsports: Harry Hyde and Ricky Rudd. Hyde was a crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports from 1984 to 1988 and he totaled 11 of his 56 wins atop the pit box with the organization. He was the crew chief for the first win in the storied organization’s history with driver Geoff Bodine in 1984 at Martinsville Speedway. He was also the crew chief for Tim Richmond’s seven-win season in 1986. His last win came with Ken Schrader in 1988 at Talladega Superspeedway. Hyde passed away in 1996.
Rudd drove for Hendrick Motorsports from 1990 to 1993 in the No. 5 Chevrolet. The Virginia native would collect four wins for the organization – one a season during his tenure with the team. He also finished as the runner up in the championship standings in 1991, which would go on to be his best finish in the standings during his Cup Series career.
For his part, Larson is delighted to get to take part in the living history of NASCAR and learn more about the sport. He plans to talk about the process with others that have been inducted and are going to vote.
"I’ll probably talk to Jeff Gordon," Larson said. "Probably talk to Chase about it. Once I see those names (on the voting panel), I’ll be able to talk and see if there are certain standards that they live by with their voting. I'm just really excited to do. It's just an honor and hopefully I can be one that’s nominated someday."