Checked with #nascar, and the thread to follow will have some clarifying information on how the @NASCARHall alterations announced today will impact the 15 nominees for the 2020 class who weren't elected.

Last year's ballot featured 20 names; that will shrink to 15 next year. https://twitter.com/NASCARonNBC/status/1225151682096574468

Of the 15 nominees for the 2021 @NASCARHall, 10 will be listed on a "Modern Era" ballot; 5 on a "Pioneer" ballot.

There'll be 3 inductees: 2 Modern Era; 1 Pioneer.

Pioneers are defined as careers starting pre-1961.

Modern Era nominees will be limited to 10 ballot appearances.

Eight nominees who weren't elected from the 2020 @NASCARHall ballot -- Ray Fox, Hershel McGriff, Red Farmer, John Holman, Ralph Moody, Marvin Panch, Jim Paschal and Red Vogt -- are classified Pioneers in 2021.

That means a maximum of five could be nominated for the 2021 class.

The other seven nominees who weren't elected to the 2020 @NASCARHall class would be eligible to be nominated for the "Modern Era" ballot in 2021.

But an important note: The 10-year ballot limit is retroactive. So some will have only a few years left of Modern Era eligibility.

The breakdown:

As 2020 first-time nominees, Sam Ard and Neil Bonnett can appear 9 more times;
Harry Gant (2019-20 nominee) has eight more shots;
Ricky Rudd, (2017-20) six more;
Harry Hyde (2016-20) five more;
Mike Stefanik (2015-20) four more;
Larry Phillips (2013-20) two more.

So of the 15 nominees for the @NASCARHall 2020 class, a maximum of 12 could be on the 2021 ballot, which will be assured of having at least three new names through the "Modern Era" category.

That probably bodes well for @DaleJr, who is eligible to be on the ballot for 2021.

Having three new "Modern Era" nominees should put Kirk Shelmerdine back on the @NASCARHall ballot. The crew chief in four of Dale Earnhardt's titles inexplicably was dropped last year after a 2019 nomination.

Carl Edwards (eligible but no nod last year) is worthy of a look, too.