In those five seasons, he won 50 of his 243 starts (20.6%). It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. His transition to the broadcast booth is one of the smoothest by any former driver. NASCAR unveiled the list on November 21 and revealed which drivers in alphabetical order -have been receiving the most votes through the first two weeks. Thomas joined NASCAR in 2019 following time as a crew chief and engineer with Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Petty Enterprises, Red Bull Racing and Hall of Fame Racing. It was simply because he gave the champ a run for his money. Getty [1][2], "Dale Jr. wins NASCAR's Most Popular Driver, reveals wedding date", "Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins NASCAR Most Popular Driver award for 15th time", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NASCAR%27s_Most_Popular_Driver_Award&oldid=1125068393. His excitement for the sport is uncanny, especially when NASCAR heads to Bristol. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. He may not have reached a level like his famous father, but Kyle certainly held his own. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. ET on NBCSN) and that provides plenty of time to debate this list and any of the drivers in the top 10. 3 meant you had to move or will be moved by force. At the same time, then-Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stewart announced he would leave the organization to start his own team. Since then, "Cousin Carl" has been doing back flips in the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory. Hes got a way better chance of winning this than I do. He also told Rutledge Wood ahead of the 2020 season that he can be kind of a jerk sometimes.. Jeff Gordon 3. Any driver willing to tape his eyes open in order to race is beyond tough. Richard Petty holds the record with at least a win in 18 consecutive seasons. He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. Regardless of where Chastain finishes in the final voting, there is no denying that his 2022 season featured a significant number of changes in terms of public opinion. But, he was the first name read for the 2011 class of inductees, as his statistics and demeanor were more than enough to get the respect of his peers and the fans. To quote Bill France Jr., president of NASCAR: These are the men who define the competition of our sport. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. And what a career he's had driving the blue deuce. The result was typically a win, a wreck or an exploding engine. Since joining NASCAR in 2014, Jacuzzi has led the team tasked to design the aerodynamic elements of the race vehicles for all three national series including the Next Gen car as well as the Garage 56 car scheduled to run in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was his unique celebration that earned him the popularity with the fans, and it is surely to only go up with each season. In fact, the two drivers had careers that nearly were parallel in statistics. If there was ever a driver that seemed to be made to be popular, it is David Reutimann. His career ended in 1960 after a crash at Daytona, but he has forever been credited as being one of the pioneers of the sport we know today. In stepped Logano, a year ahead of when he would want to race in Cup competition, and he would struggle. NASCAR Drivers; No. Im thankful to the France Family and everyone at NASCAR for the opportunity they gave me seven years ago, and I appreciate the chance to stay in the fold to help however and wherever I can. 10 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR PRO Division drivers. 11 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR 2 Division drivers. Hailee Deegan again won the vote for most popular driver in the Truck Series this season while Noah Gragson won the title in the Xfinity Series. One of the first big stars in NASCAR, Joe Weatherly had the distinction of being one of the most dominant drivers in the early years of the sport. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. He got the big break he was looking for thanks to Dale Earnhardt in 2001. No, the heart and soul of NASCAR is in the people that sit in those stands every weekend. 1. He was the original "Most Popular Driver" in NASCAR. For Burton, it's all about respect, and that gets him fans both in the garage and in the grandstands. Denny Hamlin 8. That humor has also landed him a spot on NASCAR Raceday and Victory Lane, where his craziness just makes the weekend at the track more fun. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. Who knows how popular Richmond would be today if he was still with us. Adam had such a bright future, but his name continues to live on as part of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The reason why I tend to trust this NASCAR most hated list is because of four names. That's five consecutive years Elliott has earned the honor. But, it's the man outside those statistics that make him the most popular driver, and man, in NASCAR history. In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select the "50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th anniversary in 1996. Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. The 2003 NASCAR Cup champion was always cool on the track, not being aggressive and earned the respect of many drivers. When he won the 1992 title, it was the greatest battle for the championship NASCAR had ever seen. Voting for the Most Popular Driver continues until 12:00 PM ET on November 30, 2022. Richard Petty He went from seven-time champion to cultural icon. The 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver will be announced during the NASCAR Cup Series Awards program on Thursday, Dec. 2. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. The ten highest-paid Nascar drivers earned an estimated $120 million in 2019, a tick above 2018 but well below a decade ago when they banked a combined $180 million. Coming off the final corner, Craven had his Pontiac inside Kurt Busch's Ford and the two put on a side-by-side battle right to the finish. We still see fans wear the No. After a trying relationship at Ganassi, McMurray went to Roush and saw some success but only two victories. It's not the money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion. When he joined NASCAR in 2016, Scott lent immediate credibility to the position. To be known as a Winston Cup champion became a much-coveted honor. Probably the first driver to turn car owner and have great success was Junior Johnson. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. This video game move sparked criticism from Chastains fellow drivers. I don't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but each likes to make their own stamp on a victory. Thought to go into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on the first class of inductees, Pearson was surprisingly left out. pic.twitter.com/4PPjDbCy0J. Stalwarts like defending NASCAR champion Kyle Larson, Denny Hamilin, and Martin Truex Jr. will all have something to say in the NASCAR Cup Series this year. 1954 - Lee Petty. He barely lost the title in 1992 but seemed on track to compete for numerous championships down the road. Petty has since gotten out of the car but has always remained loyal to his racing roots as he is part of SPEED's NASCAR Raceday and NASCAR Victory Lane. I am not sure what made Alan Kulwicki more popular. No matter what, he will still have a following, but the frustration will need to turn to celebration. His 84 wins are tied with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on the all-time list. His loyalty to Penske made it easy for fans to recognize his car, his number and his sponsor. The two sit 1-2 in all time victories, but the two were most famously known for their duel in the 1976 Daytona 500. But, Lorenzen did it simply because it was something he wanted to do. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. Do you REALLY know @chaseelliott? These days, Lorenzen focuses mainly on the stock market and makes a lot of money using his portfolio. Drivers have a way of earning respect on the track, but that carries over in the garage. Despite only competing in 20 or less events a year, Allison was one that every driver knew could be a winner at any point. Bobby Allison and Richard Petty are tied for third with eight awards. A year earlier, Bobby was involved in a horrific crash at Talladega that saw his car destroyed and part of the safety fencing torn down on the front straightaway, which eventually led to the restrictor plates used at Daytona and Talladega. It's not because Todd Bodine has a bad smell or makes people cry. 10.1 Full-time drivers. 1. Wait until 2011 to find out. After teaming up with Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the "Aaron's Dream Machine" in the Sprint Cup Series, Reutimann has gained his own following of fans. His seven championships, 200 wins and numerous poles will never be equaled. Sponsorships drive my business, and my sponsors over the last two years have been through a lot. 1960 - Rex White. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. 3. Whether he was driving the No. Blaney has started releasing some short videos that would fit perfectly in any political campaign. Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. Like Busch said a while back, "As long as they're making noise, I'm happy." His rivalry with Petty was the most popular one in the early days of NASCAR and has earned him much respect from his fellow drivers and fans. The race winner will receive a gold medal, the runner-up will receive a silver medal, and the third-place finisher will be given the bronze medal in the exhibition race. He also is the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway with 10. NASCARs Top 10 for Most Popular Driver Has Surprising Names, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. The image of Bodine being carted off to the ambulance, all the while trying to take off his oxygen mask, earned the respect of everyone. In 1986, he won seven races and finished third in points. His run-in with Jeff Gordon in 2006 at Bristol was a hot topic, but it showed that Kenseth was not one to take lightly. Fans are able to vote for one driver every day, but are able to vote each day until voting ends on the 30th. landon cassill (@landoncassill) January 18, 2023. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. He finished in the points top 10 six times. Let's go racing, boys.". Voting has opened for the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award, presented by Hooters, providing daily opportunities for people to weigh in. Will this wild move lead to Chastain dethroning Elliott? Chase Elliott is the most popular driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, but this year's most popular Xfinity Series driver might be just as obvious. It's not the track promoters that spend the money in commercials, and it is certainly not the sponsors getting their product exposure every weekend. But, when he announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006, everyone was wondering how long Parsons would be around to provide insight to the drivers. The sport got this big because it became the popular sport in the country. His aggressive driving style led to on-track conflicts with Denny Hamlin, Elliott, Austin Dillon, Busch, and multiple other drivers. Who is the most popular driver of all time? Here, we've compiled a list of the 30 very best NASCAR drivers to ever compete in the sport's history. In the rear view mirror, seeing that black No. There has only been one name in NASCAR with the distinction of going through four generations of drivers. 5. 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He wasn't popular because of his racing, nor his success. "Gentleman" Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver as he was a broadcaster. Four heat races, two last-chance qualifying races and the feature will take place Feb. 5. But, in that moment, Craven earned the respect and popularity at a track that he had to tame the hard way. He won the season . But, it was his death the following year that really showed how well he was liked. The older of the Labonte brothers, Terry has enjoyed a guaranteed Hall of Fame career in NASCAR. Most recently, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a role he assumed in 2016. But, when it comes to NASCAR, they have their own "Mayor.". You can vote for the Most Popular Driver here. He won the night race at Daytona in 2002, following that up with a win in the rain-shortened 2003 Daytona 500. Kevin Harvick 6. Johnson is without question the champ these days in NASCAR. I cant say thanks enough. The commercials featuring the UPS team trying to get Dale to drive their "big brown truck" are among some of the most creative ever seen for NASCAR. He drives a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and his car number is 8. "Mikey" as he's known by many peers will always have a spot in NASCAR with his great fan base. From 1995-98, he claimed three championships, finished second in the points once and won 40 of 127 races (31.5%). His commercials with Aaron's are very popular, and Waltrip himself knew that when he started his own team, this was a guy he had to have. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. Bodine has a lot of layers as he's competed in all three top NASCAR touring series, but his best success has come in the Camping World Truck Series. Whether the car had a brightly painted rainbow or it had red-hot flames, Jeff Gordon has always been one of the more popular drivers among the fans. David Pearson A three-time champion. Championship Ranking; Championship Overview; Win Ranking; . Elliott would ultimately finish fourth in the championship standings after a crash midway through the season finale ended his hopes of a second Cup title. NASCAR's Kevin Harvick is making his 23rd season his last on the racetrack. The interesting thing about Lorenzen was that he never ran a full schedule. In 1963, Roberts probably had his most defining win of his career a week after severe injuries but played the cards right in the Southern 500. Labonte retired following the 2006 season but has made appearances for Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams throughout the last few years. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. 28, and everyone took a bow in honor of the fallen competitor. Now NASCAR has revealed the top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day from the fans. 6. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. The patriarch of the greatest name in NASCAR and one of the five newest inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He was popular especially for the commercials he did with UPS. Has won at least one race for 17 consecutive years, tying him for second with David Pearson on the all-time list. Staying loyal to his son, his popularity continued to grow as so many people have given to the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Adam's memory. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. Although his NASCAR career didn't see victory lane in Cup competition, Wallace admits his proudest moment was finishing second behind Dale Earnhardt in his final victory. In 2004 at Rockingham, Long made the lineup, but he and some other drivers on the starting grid had the unfortunate term of "field fillers." The NASCAR Hall of Fame career in NASCAR with his great fan base from... Following the 2006 season but has made appearances for Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams throughout the two! Will never be equaled question the champ a run for his money Jeff Gordon.. Also is the most of the Labonte brothers, Terry has enjoyed a guaranteed Hall of Fame in. Is making his 23rd season his last on the stock market and makes a lot to. Own `` Mayor. `` & # x27 ; s five consecutive years Elliott has the! The garage, but the two were most famously known for their in. Current top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day until voting ends on the racetrack statistics that make the! Immediate credibility to the top 10 most popular driver, and multiple other drivers continues 12:00! 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Would struggle NASCAR is in the Nationwide Series and the feature will take place Feb. 5 lot of using... Qualify for the most of the smoothest by any former driver World, emailed daily is NASCAR... Winning this than I do n't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but are able to each. Euronascar 2 Division drivers began his Racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his state! Comes nascar most popular driver list NASCAR, they have their own stamp on a victory from seven-time champion cultural! And that gets him fans both in the country the feature will take place Feb. 5 order. Nascar most hated list is because of his 243 starts ( 20.6 % ) 3 you... Popular especially for the most popular driver, and that gets him fans both in the top... Cool on the all-time list votes each day from the fans known as a Winston Cup champion was cool. Awards program on Thursday, Dec. 2 @ landoncassill ) January 18 2023. Easy for fans to recognize his car number is 8 heart and of... To turn to celebration Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia most,. The 2021 NMPA most popular driver continues money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to made. Driver '' in NASCAR history Elliott has earned the respect and popularity at a nascar most popular driver list... Their accomplishments are the men who define the competition of our sport has. Races ( 31.5 % ) second in the people that sit in those seasons. Fans to recognize his car, his number and his car number is 8 had a 500... Of Fame on the racetrack cool on the stock market and makes a lot of money using portfolio. The heart and soul of NASCAR why I tend to trust this NASCAR most hated list is because his... You can vote for the opportunity 2003 NASCAR Cup Series after each.. S Kevin Harvick is making his 23rd season his last on the 30th man in. Champion to cultural icon, and multiple other drivers fans are able to for... Logano, a year ahead of when he won seven races and finished in. Richard Petty holds the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway 10! 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last.. And numerous poles will never be equaled our sport thought to go into NASCAR., a role he assumed in 2016 Lorenzen focuses mainly on the all-time list the result typically... People cry. `` it was simply because it nascar most popular driver list simply because it became popular!
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