NASCAR presents Roush with excellence award for a second time

Jack Roush has become the first individual to be presented the Bill France Award of Excellence twice after receiving the award ahead of the 2026 season.

NASCAR announced the honor for Roush on Wednesday afternoon. The award, named after NASCAR founded Bill France, is not given annually. It is presented to individuals within the sport who have made significant and lasting contributions.

Roush first received the honor in 2001.

“For decades, Jack Roush has helped move NASCAR forward while staying true to what makes the sport special,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France. “He has built championship-caliber teams and developed generations of drivers and leaders. Jack’s legacy extends far beyond victories, leaving a mark throughout the sport and reflecting the enduring impact this award was created to honor.”

Now a current co-owner of RFK Racing alongside Brad Keselowski, Roush founded the company in 1988 and has won championships in all three national series. Roush, who turns 84 years old in April, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Nicknamed "The Cat in the Hat" for the straw hat that became a well-known part of his appearance, Roush is known as a hands-on owner and technical entrepreneur. Through the years, he has fielded cars for some of the most recognizable names in the sport and fellow Hall of Famers like Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch. Others among the sport’s more popular drivers like Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards and the late Greg Biffle, also drove for Roush.

Roush is credited with having won 32 championships and over 400 races in drag racing, sports cars and stock cars. Additionally, Roush Industries, an engineering and manufacturing business, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.