The Corvette Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 inductee categories, honoring four individuals whose work has left a significant impact on the nameplate. New members will be officially inducted in the fall of 32And National Corvette Museum anniversary celebration.
The Corvette Hall of Fame includes inductees in three specific categories, including Enthusiast, Racing, and GM-Chevrolet.
Kirk Bennion
In the GM-Chevrolet category, Kirk Bennion and Harlan Charles will be recognized for their extensive roles at General Motors and their long-standing involvement in vehicle development. Bennion played a key role in shaping the Vette’s styling across generations, contributing to the visual identity of the C5 through C8 models. His work on the mid-engined C8 sought to combine form and function with mid-engine proportions that still function as a daily driver and track machine.
Meanwhile, Harlan Charles works on product planning, and helps guide feature content, trim strategy, and personalization options based on customer feedback.
Harlan Charles
Additionally, John Middlebrook will be inducted in the Racing category, and recognized for his impact on the Corvette motorsports presence during his tenure at General Motors. Serving as General Manager of Chevrolet beginning in 1996, Middlebrook supported the launch and expansion of factory-backed Corvette racing efforts, including its collaboration with Pratt & Miller. His leadership also helped strengthen the relationship between the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Corvette brand.
John Middlebrook
In the Enthusiast category, author James Schefter will be honored for his contributions to documenting the history of the American Sports Car. The book All Corvettes Are Red offers an in-depth look at the development of the fifth-generation Vette, drawn from extensive access at General Motors. Schefter’s work lifts the lid on what shaped the C5, and it has become a popular resource among enthusiasts, offering historical context and personal insight into one of the most important chapters in the model’s evolution.
James Schefter
The National Corvette Museum is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, just one mile from the GM Bowling Green plant where the sports car is manufactured.
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