Dale Earnhardt Jr has given his stamp of approval for the 2027 NASCAR Hall of Fame class, which includes Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Larry Phillips.
What happened?
The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel, which includes Dale Earnhardt Jr, has selected the newest inductees, with Harvick earning 92 percent of the votes on the Modern Era ballot.
The 2027 class will be honored at a celebration in Charlotte, with Lesa France Kennedy set to receive the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
Why it matters for Dale Earnhardt Jr
As a former champion and current broadcaster, Dale Earnhardt Jr's endorsement of the new inductees carries significant weight, particularly for Harvick, who he referred to as "The Closer".
Dale Earnhardt Jr publicly endorsed Harvick's induction, saying "Well deserved" on social media.
What comes next?
The induction ceremony will take place in 2027, with the new class joining the ranks of NASCAR's most influential figures.
Kevin Harvick's career spanned 60 Cup Series victories, including the 2007 Daytona 500 and the 2014 Sprint Cup Series championship.
Jeff Burton's career produced 21 Cup Series wins and 27 O'Reilly Series victories, despite never capturing a Cup Series championship.
Larry Phillips was inducted via the Pioneer ballot, earning recognition for a career that included over 1,000 wins, according to crew chief James Ince.
Dale Earnhardt Jr welcomed Phillips' induction, saying "He finally got it".
The NASCAR community has reacted to the new class, with some fans expressing disappointment that the late Greg Biffle was overlooked.
As a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel, Dale Earnhardt Jr played a role in selecting the newest inductees.
The 2027 NASCAR Hall of Fame class is a significant milestone in the sport's history, with Dale Earnhardt Jr's endorsement adding to the excitement.