“We Had a Chance to Earn Some Integrity!” Tommy Baldwin Exposes Reason for Not Voting for Kurt Busch in Hall of Fame Ballot

NASCAR veteran Tommy Baldwin revealed the reason behind his decision to not vote for Kurt Busch for the 2026 Hall of Fame induction.

“We Had a Chance to Earn Some Integrity!” Tommy Baldwin Exposes Reason for Not Voting for Kurt Busch in Hall of Fame Ballot

Tommy Baldwin (via myracenews.com) and Kurt Busch (via tasteofcountry.com)

2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. The 46-year-old’s name delighted drivers and fans alike. Though, it seems that some are not happy with Busch’s entry into the elite club. NASCAR veteran Tommy Baldwin has revealed that he decided not to vote for the former Cup Series star in the ballot.

Kurt Busch was one of several names nominated for the Class of 2026. Some of the other stars in the list included Randy LaJoie, Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Ray Hendrick, Harry Gant, and Jack Sprague. Harry Grant and Ray Hendrick were the other two names who won on the ballot alongside Busch.

Tommy Baldwin revealed the real reason for his decision to not vote for Kurt Busch. The 58-year-old insisted that the former Cup champion was deserving of being in the Hall of Fame. However, for Baldwin, there were others who should’ve been chosen. So much so, that he questioned the integrity of the vote considering Busch’s offtrack activities in the past.

I was a little disappointed. Look, is Kurt Busch a Hall of Famer? Absolutely. Did I think he deserved to get in the first year? No. In my opinion, we had a chance to earn some integrity within that group of people that voted – offtrack activities that happened with Kurt and all things that he did.

Tommy Baldwin said on the Door Bumper Clear podcast.

The competition director of Rick Ware Racing highlighted that he wanted to make sure his vote set an example. Tommy Baldwin did not want to let his kids think that being involved in controversies like Kurt Busch was okay if they are winning races in the sport. Certainly, a feeling that a caring father would get, who understands that it is important to not set a bad example for the younger generation.

When I spoke, I was like, ‘I don’t want my kids to think it’s okay as long as you’re winning races and winning championships to do everything else on the outside.

Tommy Baldwin added.

Tommy Baldwin reveals ‘pressure’ situation over Kurt Busch’s induction

NASCAR takes a vote every year for the Hall of Fame. Before every ballot, a couple of new names are introduced which join the ones who did not make the cut the previous year. This allows drivers to stay in contention for induction even if they miss out at first. On the other hand, this can also make things difficult since new names always get the most attention.

Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch (via Reuters)

Tommy Baldwin reckoned that this system as a whole might’ve added pressure on the voters. The NASCAR veteran pointed out that everyone voting might’ve assumed that Kurt Busch would have to wait for a few years if he does not get inducted on his first ballot.

I totally disagreed with that situation. I think what pressured everybody was you have a couple of guys coming into the next two years that are first ballot Hall of Famers. And then, where would Kurt be? Well, Kurt would hace had to wait another a couple two, three years, right?

Tommy Baldwin explained,

Kurt Busch last raced in NASCAR in 2022 for 23XI Racing. The 46-year-old had to bid farewell to stock car racing following a heavy wreck at Pocono. Since then, fans have missed his presence in the field, albeit his brother Kyle Busch continues to race. Now, some would be hoping to see the younger Busch get his chance on the ballot in the coming years.

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