77 years of heritage can hardly be overexpressed. NASCAR aptly expresses it in a vast museum called the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ranging from the victories of legendary drivers like 200-time Cup race winner Richard Petty to the star-studded 40-year-old legacy of Hendrick Motorsports, the Hall of Fame houses spectacular wonders. And since fans enjoy navigating this hall of memories, the government took steps in that regard.

The 2025 NASCAR season gave ample evidence of legendary drivers who would be first-ballot Hall of Famers one day. Be it Connor Zilisch’s jaw-dropping 10-win Xfinity campaign or Denny Hamlin’s 60th victory celebration, several moments deserve to be preserved. And future fans will experience these timeless moments in an advanced venue.

NASCAR Hall of Fame to expand its walls

In June this year, the NASCAR Hall of Fame requested $25 million from the Charlotte government. The purpose was a significant renovation aimed at enhancing visitor experience, increasing event capacity, and modernizing the venue. And five months later, the government agreed, as news reporter Joe Bruno stated on X. “Charlotte City Council voted to spend $25 million to upgrade the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The funds will come from the NASCAR Hall of Fame fund, which is comprised of a 2% tax on hotel rooms and can only be used for this purpose because of state law.”

The money will modernize the 16-year-old facility with new studio space, expanded classrooms, updated learning labs, and additional event areas. According to Council member Malcolm Graham, this project marks the first big investment since the venue opened in May 2010. “This will be the first time that there’ll be any major improvements or enhancements to the NASCAR Hall of Fame since its opening,” Graham said. “Obviously, there is much work that needs to be done.”

The fund will stem from installment financing repaid by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Tax Fund, which receives hospitality tax revenues. The Hall of Fame welcomes more than 200,000 visitors a year, according to the city. According to a June report, it generates nearly $75 million in economic impact, including $43.1 million in “direct spending” and $2.4 million in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024. Due to the economic benefits, the Charlotte Council voted 9-1 for the project; only Council member Renée Johnson voted against the plan.

This marks a significant milestone for NASCAR’s heritage center, which is preparing to welcome its new set of inductees.

A slew of legends are next in line

Every year, the NASCAR Hall of Fame welcomes a fresh batch. And for its 16th Class of inductees, two legends are in the roster – Harry Gant and Kurt Busch. Gant scored 18 Cup wins, best remembered for winning four-straight Cup races in September 1991. Called Handsome Harry, Gant is now 85 years old. He was elected to the hall in his seventh year on the ballot. On the other hand, 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch is also a trendsetter with 34 Cup wins, although he also harbored a questionable reputation on the track.

Nevertheless, both are overjoyed about NASCAR’s honorable gift. Harry Gant confessed his happiness when he first learned about the induction. “I was surprised and caught off guard about everything. It’s starting to dawn on me now how good this all is, and I’ve been looking forward to it.”Kurt Busch got the same butterflies he got when a race was flagged off in his glory days. He said, “I felt like it was race mode,” Busch said, admitting to those nerves. “I had to put the emotional blinders on.”

Evidently, the NASCAR Hall of Fame lives up to its name of honoring the sport’s legends properly. Hopefully, the new renovation will keep serving this purpose.