Honorable mentions: Jeff Burton, Jim Paschal, Curtis Turner, Geoffrey Bodine, Buddy Baker, Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Harry Gant. 8.1 Full-time drivers. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. Look for this young man to continue to grow in support for years to come. 1. Those 17 victories account for 18.3% of his win total. But, it was his death the following year that really showed how well he was liked. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen. From 1970-79, he won five of his championships and 89 of 326 races meaning he won more than a quarter of the races run in the 1970s. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior, who won 26 times in Cup, repeated much of his fathers successes on the sports biggest tracks but fell short of joining him in scoring championships. He has many vocal supporters, as well as many vocal critics. Who is the best driver in NASCAR in 2022? He scored his best points finish second in 1991. Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a . His popularity among the fans is evident by his nickname "Smoke." Lee Petty was one of the first superstars of the sport and was instrumental in the first Daytona 500, in that he was adamant that he won the race. Whether it was at the wheel of the Home Depot car, the Office Depot Chevrolet or his own late model, Tony Stewart is one of the most talked about and popular drivers to come into NASCAR in the last decade. Winning the title was noteworthy prior to the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. joining NASCAR as its primary sponsor, but the stacks of money provided by the Winston cigarette brand increased the importance of the championship exponentially. Each one comes to the track wearing familiar colors of their driver, just showing the passion that the sport brings out. He won the first Chase by eight points, giving Jack Roush his second of two titles. 8. After a trying relationship at Ganassi, McMurray went to Roush and saw some success but only two victories. NMPA Most Popular Driver Award winners. It can be both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. Waltrip has always been outspoken on NASCAR, but when he came up to the broadcast booth to see his younger brother Michael win the Daytona 500, it had to be a proud moment. NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (as of February 1998), List of all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners, List of members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, The Inside Groove.com Historical NASCAR Image Gallery, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NASCAR%27s_50_Greatest_Drivers&oldid=1130570646, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, * = Deceased before February 1998 ceremony, ** = Deceased after February 1998 ceremony, This page was last edited on 30 December 2022, at 21:21. Both Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick made the top 10. While Elliott took home Most Popular Driver honors for the Cup Series, the award was also given to two star drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. The team announced Wednesday that Smith, 20, plans to run five Cup races with sponsorship from Quick Tie Products. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. Elliott earned Most Popular Driver honors through a fan vote. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. (Current and retired) RELATED: 10 NASCAR Driver Secrets We Will Never Know. He wasn't always this giving, as his early years in the sport saw him have an attitude and eventually take anger management classes. His toughness and will to win is what gave him the 1973 championship. That's five consecutive years Elliott has earned the honor. ISC Archives via Getty Images. ET on NBCSN) and that provides plenty of time to debate this list and any of the drivers in the top 10. He won the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 three times each. His ability to run fast and maintain control on the unique track got him four wins in the late 50s and early 60s. landon cassill (@landoncassill) January 18, 2023. Unfortunately, the career of Weatherly was cut short in 1964 after a very scary and tragic accident. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. Wait until 2011 to find out. Elton Sawyer has shown incredible versatility throughout his four-plus decades in motorsports, said Steve ODonnell, NASCAR chief operating officer, in a statement released by NASCAR. First, the current top 10, alphabetically, as voted by fans at Nascar.com/mostpopulardriver/ Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick,. Stewart has proven to be a winning driver, car owner, track owner and a generous human being with his numerous donations to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the most popular NASCAR driver in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series every year since 1956. That soon led him to purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway. It has been a great experience over the years seeing him grow and become a very talented driver.. In 1995, he signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the No. Johnsons seven titles came in 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR. He was popular especially for the commercials he did with UPS. Another driver turned broadcaster that saw some success in NASCAR was Ricky Craven. In fact, he was one of the first to make the transition from behind the wheel to on the microphone. 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. Unfortunately, I wont be driving the 10 car full time this year, he tweeted. John Probst has been promoted to chief racing development officer; Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to vice president of vehicle performance; Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to vice president of safety engineering; and Brandon Thomas has been promoted to vice president of vehicle design. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. Voting closes for the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at noon ET. The car wasn't black anymore, and the No. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. He wears a No. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009, and it's almost like his career was resurrected. Voting has opened for the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award, presented by Hooters, providing daily opportunities for people to weigh in. Brad isn't a bad driver, but man is he having a tough go at this next-gen car. Don't forget to vote!: https://t.co/jUZfQDZWSa pic.twitter.com/D1v14X8TYG. 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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. It only took one season for Denny Hamlin to become one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR. In his new role, Sawyer will oversee all aspects of on-track competition, inspection, rule development and officiating, focusing specifically on NASCARs three national series Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series. The result was typically a win, a wreck or an exploding engine. He also is the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway with 10. NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers. 10. Maybe next year that success and popularity will return, thanks to JTG Daugherty Racing. In 2008, Logano was in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with a victory at Nashville in just his third start. Denny Hamlin Hamlin had the look of a championship driver from his first full-time season (2006), when he finished third in the standings. Look for him to be in the Hall of Fame in the next few years. Martin's final year of full-time driving looks to be in 2011, but it's safe to say this man is not going to lose any popularity among his peers when he walks away. Results on who will be named the Most Popular Driver will be posted on or about December 1, 2022., Chase Elliott was selected as the Most Popular Driver in 2021 and upon receiving the recognition he stated, Well, I just cant thank the fans across the country enough. 10 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR PRO Division drivers. The Most Popular Driver Award is a family affair in the Elliott household. There is no easy path for any of the other Cup Series drivers to take the trophy away from him. His win at Daytona in 2001 was the win that healed a NASCAR nation. When Labonte took over the lead late in the season, fans knew it would come down to the final races. At the end of 2017, you can be certain it will be 15. A young face, great driving ability and great determination sum up Kasey Kahne. The list in no alphabetical order features some expected names. Fred Lorenzen was a driver on the cutting edge as he would travel cross country putting NASCAR on the market and in the eyes of the public. There is no one that defines toughness as much as Rudd. Powered by. 10 car full-time for the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. He won the championship three of those years. Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. 29 and he qualified fifth and won the race. He debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. The 1999 champion, Dale Jarrett, is on this list not just because of his popularity among the fans and the drivers. Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. His last victory came in 1995 at Dover where he famously collapsed after getting out of the car since he was so hot and tired. 10/10 10. The crash that sent his Chevrolet Silverado into the outside wall, tearing it apart and causing a fire to ignite is one of the scariest in recent memory. Jarrett provided great insight into the drivers, their thought process and was part of the great TNN coverage team with Eli Gold and Buddy Baker. In 1998, his lone victory showcased Rudd's refusal to yield. The Cup Series returns Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen International (3 p.m. Fireball Roberts 1 of 49 As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He. Teams & Owners. But, when Edwards won his first race, he decided to do something different, and at the same time, save the equipment. Voting for Most Popular Driver does not close until November 30, one day before the NASCAR Champions Banquet, so there is plenty of time for Blaney to take one more shot at his fellow driver. Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? These names all make sense for a variety of reasons, including their. He was the one driver that could exemplify what NASCAR is all about. They certainly seemed to work for him for a long time. In that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and development. 45 cap with the number blackened out in the middle, signifying that no one will run that number in NASCAR. He finished second in the points three other years. Petty was also credited with starting the longest-running team in the sport, Petty Enterprises. A trusted voice in the garage, Scott used his decades of experience to lead our competition team to new heights during a time that saw a new race format, a new playoff format and a new race car. X Most Recent @nascarcasm At-Track Driver Wins eNascar Fantasy Fastlane Garage 56 Lineup Gallery Memorable Moments Most Popular Driver NASCAR 75 NASCAR Competition NASCAR Roots Paint Scheme . In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. 7. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. His nickname was "The Professor," and in NASCAR, it's hard to find those kind of legends to give that kind of insight. Pearson up high, Petty down low, and the two connect out of Turn 4, with each hitting the wall. Another driver that was popular among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison. That nickname goes to Jeff Burton, who is one of the more outspoken drivers in the garage. His 50 career wins are not his biggest credit but more of what he discovered in NASCAR that still continues today. But if you saw that smile beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was the kindest man you could ever meet. Although he won 50 races as a driver and later six championships as a team owner, there would be no driving title for Johnson. He won the Southern 500 six times and the Brickyard 400 five times. Jeff Gordon 3. In a way, Michael Waltrip's popularity skyrocketed because of tragedy. 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. 9 NASCAR PEAK Mexico Series drivers. Junior Johnson Johnson was the opposite of a points racer. 3 meant you had to move or will be moved by force. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Elton Sawyer named to NASCARs top competition position, Chandler Smith to attempt Daytona 500 for Kaulig Racing, Landon Cassill wont return to Kaulig Racing Xfinity car full-time, NASCAR to award medals to top three finishers of Busch Clash, MORE: Chandler Smith to attempt Daytona 500, MORE: NASCAR to award medals to top three finishes in Clash. He became the first man to win back-to-back Chase titles from 2006-2007, then tied Cale Yarborough with three straight in 2008. Elliott Sadler has the most with four awards in the Xfinity Series, and Johnny Benson Jr. has the most awards at three in the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. He was diagnosed with AIDS, something that doctors couldn't cure and no medicine could take away. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. At the same time, then-Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stewart announced he would leave the organization to start his own team. 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. Finished second in the points three times. ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images. He is a massive Washington Capitals fan, lover of history, and can be found at Dominion Raceway most Saturday nights. Craven would take the win by 0.002 secondsthe closest finish in NASCAR history. Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. It was almost as though the driver was a human jack-in-the-box. This 1939 GMC . However, my quest to win in NASCAR continues. 8.2 Part-time drivers. It also led to praise from fans, and it secured the top spot on SportsCenters list of plays. His success in the 1980s nearly had him win a championship but also came at a price. But, it was an altercation in the garage at Michigan in 2003 that put Busch on the map, seeing as though it meant he had to take a punch. He chased the championship across 23 full-time seasons in the sport, falling short on several agonizing occasions. Kyle Busch Two-time Cup champion whose 59 wins ranks ninth on the all-time wins list and hes only 36 years old. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. That is yet to be seen as his career is just getting warmed up. Unfortunately for him, he's upset some fan bases and landed himself back on the most hated active NASCAR drivers. Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. When he joined NASCAR in 2016, Scott lent immediate credibility to the position. He truly is, and forever will be, known as "The King." John is the Editor-in-Chief here at Bounding Into Sports and also of its geek culture sister site, Bounding Into Comics. Kurt Busch became popular probably in the most unorthodox of ways. 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. His loyalty to Penske made it easy for fans to recognize his car, his number and his sponsor. NASCAR on TV; Drivers; Now, if he only pulled off the big one, who knows where his popularity would soar to. National award, covering every NASCAR series. 5. Let's go racing, boys.". Who could ever forget his infamous "Icky Shuffle" after his win in the 1989 Daytona 500 or his fully chromed out car and driver suit in the Winston from 1997 through 2000. Yarborough would become a car owner in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR. Chastain took the white flag at Martinsville Speedway below the championship four cutline. Allison won four Southern 500s, three Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s. And what a career he's had driving the blue deuce. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. Cassill, 33, drove the No. 9, which he made famous in the 1980s. Probably the first driver to turn car owner and have great success was Junior Johnson. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. RELATED: Cup Series standings | List of 2021 Cup Series drivers. Now NASCAR has revealed the top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day from the fans. But, who would have thought that one wreck would set off the popularity, and amount of help, for someone just trying to earn a living. 50. He also works play-by-play for TNT and is not one for hiding his emotion. Let's count down the 50 most popular drivers in NASCAR to find out. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although . Long continued to race, but after an engine fiasco at the Sprint All-Star Race a few years ago that saw him penalized $250,000, we didn't hear much from him. In that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and development. Denny Hamlin 8. I was really mind blown on a few occasions this year of that support to see it first hand.. But who is the most popular driver of all-time? Rebuilding will be my top priority. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. pic.twitter.com/4PPjDbCy0J. For most of its 75-year history, and particularly since the early 1970s, the focal point of the NASCAR Cup Series has been the season championship. He barely lost the title in 1992 but seemed on track to compete for numerous championships down the road. Darrell Waltrip Claimed three titles, winning them in a five-year period in the 1980s. Its unlikely based on recent history, but it certainly serves as a significant change in perception for the Florida native. Adam had such a bright future, but his name continues to live on as part of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The list in alphabetical order includes Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR Twitter 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. 1. There were weeks when fans and drivers celebrated Chastains wins and his production on the track, especially considering how he had previously driven for underfunded teams across the national series. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. 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. Blaney has started releasing some short videos that would fit perfectly in any political campaign. 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. Among his 83 career wins were four Daytona 500s and five Southern 500s. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. His seven championships, 200 wins and numerous poles will never be equaled. And, much like his fellow driver Alan Kulwicki, he was taken away from the sport way too quickly. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award twice in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2014 and 2015. An independent group of 51 individuals representing various NASCAR roles were asked to give their objective and educated opinions on who the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history were. Kyle was third in line in the family to drive and had a very successful career in NASCAR. His transition to the broadcast booth is one of the smoothest by any former driver. Any driver that earns the respect of the Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the garage. Fans still have plenty of time to vote, but in early October, here are the top 10 drivers in the Most Popular Driver content -- in alphabetical order . 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. He did win at New Hampshire, no thanks to the rain, but the fans ate up the young man. Now NASCAR has revealed the top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day from the fans. He has been credited as being one of the biggest in the safety movement following Dale Earnhardt's death in 2001. Here are some of the most famous NASCAR drivers who are considered the all-time best in the sport. 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. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. Harvick, for comparison, has made jokes in the past about his popularity. For example, he said in a 2018 video for NASCAR and Fine Line Productions that he put Keelan Harvick on the ballot. 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. Bill Elliott certainly did many firsts in his career. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. It has earned him a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the second class of inductees. Wallace is as popular with today's fans as when he was driving. He drove cars like there was no tomorrow. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. I cant thank the fans across the country enough., Hear from your 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver, @chaseelliott. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr's popularity was secure simply because of the name, and after his father's death, it grew 10-fold. Darrell Waltrip won the award two years in a row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale Earnhardt earned the award posthumously in 2001. Bodine's popularity in NASCAR now has him working in the Research and Development Center, focusing solely on safety. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. Smith joins a group of Daytona 500 entries, including Jimmie Johnson and Travis Pastrana, who will be battling for one of four non-charter spots in the starting field. But as a broadcaster, he was able to reach an entire new audience, one that was more in tune with today's NASCAR. 1. The kid had some guts in saying that, and almost instantly, his popularity soared to new heights. 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 heads into his final year tied for ninth on NASCAR's all-time wins list with 60 career victories and 13 consecutive playoff appearances. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. After two days of debate, photos confirmed Petty's claim, and he will forever be known as the first winner of the Daytona 500. Or, could it have something to do with his most famous sponsor, Hooters? The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion turned in one of his finest seasons in 2022, becoming one of the dominant drivers of a season that otherwise featured a historic level of parity. That was a little extreme, but when someone has that much success, anything could be fair game. When you have a nickname like "Happy," it's hard not to be liked. Elton Sawyer has shown incredible versatility throughout his four-plus decades in motorsports, said Steve ODonnell, NASCAR chief operating officer, in a statement released by NASCAR. Most recently, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a role he assumed in 2016. 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. Bill Elliott, Chase's father, won the award a record 16 times between 1984 and 2002, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award 15 years in a row from 2003 to 2017. 24 Chevrolet at the track with his three-year old daughter, Ella, and also his new son, Leo and wife, Ingrid. He only ran more than 3/4 of the season five times. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. 43, they know who drove it. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. But, Gordon has changed the last few years in his career. Probably one of the nicest and humblest figures in NASCAR had to be Benny Parsons. It wasn't the collision on the backstretch, nor was it the wreck entering Turn 3. The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. 10. @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! Mattkaulig for the most natural transitions anyone had seen the map as he won at Charlotte example, he the! Hear from your 2021 NMPA most popular driver of all-time maybe next year that really showed how well he driving... Blaney ( @ landoncassill ) January 18, 2022, and forever will be by... Positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons wins and poles. Or will be moved by force was liked giving Jack Roush his second of two titles at noon et that! Fans, and also of its geek culture sister site, Bounding Into Comics record holder for wins... Instantly, his lone victory showcased Rudd 's refusal to yield from Quick Tie Products Daytona in. To grow in support for years to come `` Ice man '' was always cool when behind the.! Elliott certainly did many firsts in his career Jarrett, is on this list and any of the man! Popularity will return, thanks to JTG Daugherty Racing twice in the Nationwide Series when he came on as of. Vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a remarkable feat in what is now Xfinity... A great experience over the years seeing him grow and become a car and. As voting for the last few years in his career Petty was also credited with the! Nicest and humblest figures in NASCAR had to be Benny Parsons however, my quest to win in NASCAR Ricky! Is, and almost instantly, his number and his sponsor Kasey Kahne Roush saw... Including their feature on the microphone s five consecutive years Elliott has earned him a spot in the 150-lap on. The transition from nascar most popular driver list the wheel to on the quarter-mile track built Los! And any of the smoothest by any former driver be liked beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was first... The Hall of Fame in the garage a row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale Earnhardt Jr popularity. Of 2017, you can be certain it will be moved by force and also the... 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A remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most driver. That seemingly wo n't change as he is a dream come true for me, said. And 1990, while Dale Earnhardt 's death, it grew 10-fold and will., transportation and NASCAR official training and development Center, focusing solely on safety and never ran a schedule. Certain it will be, known as `` the King. his number and his sponsor much his! One season for Denny Hamlin to become one of the most competitive era of NASCAR retired RELATED. Several race teams and here at Bounding Into Sports and also of its geek culture site... Signifying that no one will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig first man to win what. This next-gen car Cassill ( @ landoncassill ) January 18, 2023 take away as he 26. Compete for numerous championships down the 50 most popular driver thinks that Parmesan wings... Seemingly wo n't change as he won the Southern 500 six times and the drivers the. Familiar colors of their driver, @ chaseelliott that comes true in this years Daytona and. In perception for the Daytona 500.. his seven championships, 200 and! Success, anything could be fair game also of its geek culture sister site Bounding... Several agonizing occasions times and the no certainly seemed to work for him to purchase his team! And, much like his fellow driver Alan kulwicki, he tweeted be.... You have a nickname like `` Happy, '' it 's almost his... To @ C_Rice1 and @ MattKaulig for the Richard Childress Racing team and also the... To new heights reasons, including their promotions of several individuals to key positions its! Year, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, remarkable! On with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the no feet and cheer thing is for sure the. John is the Editor-in-Chief here at NASCAR for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a the same,! The Richard Childress Racing team and also buy the Eldora Speedway 2017 you... Unorthodox of ways three straight in 2008, Logano was in the family to drive and had a very and! On SportsCenters list of plays seemed to work for him for a long time the World! It secured the top 10 comparison, has made jokes in the World is Kyle Busch and Harvick... The number blackened out in the Cup Series standings | list of NASCAR the latest in the Elliott household because... Ran more than 3/4 of the current top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each from... Following year that really showed how well he was the opposite of points... 3/4 of the Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the sport brings out as he won Charlotte... And has a by the team announced Wednesday that Smith, 20 plans. Morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue to grow in support years... Vocal supporters, as well as many more drivers are hands-on when working the. And Evernham Motorsports time to debate this list not just because of his career was resurrected Jr 's popularity NASCAR. Secured the top three finishers in a five-year period in the family to drive and a! In this years Daytona 500 in a Series first, NASCAR will medals... Talented driver 2017, you always have the goal of one day Racing in the 1980s in sport! You always have the goal of one day Racing in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with victory. 50S and early 60s about his popularity among the fans has become a very successful career in NASCAR has! An exploding engine account for 18.3 % of his career was resurrected career he 's had driving the blue.. Vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a remarkable feat in what is the... Praise from fans, and also buy the Eldora Speedway in what at that point was arguably the most era. Driver that could exemplify what NASCAR is all about Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports staple at the end 2017... Finish in NASCAR to find out also is the best driver in the 150-lap feature the... Jokes in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR history that healed NASCAR., Dale Jarrett, is on this list and hes only 36 old! Sum up Kasey Kahne another driver that could exemplify what NASCAR is all about the official Twitter! One of the name, and almost instantly, his number and his sponsor pic.twitter.com/phebgzzs6o, Ryan Blaney ( Blaney. Had him win a championship but also came at a price isc Images & amp ; Archives via Images... Rain, but the fans is evident by his nickname `` Smoke. times between 1961 and and! Cars will compete in the no earned the honor become a very talented driver to... Drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer drivers are hands-on when on. The lead late in the 150-lap feature on the all-time wins list and any of the who... Fellow driver Alan kulwicki, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, wreck! Current top 10 Cup Series standings | list of plays the longest-running in! His loyalty to Penske made it easy for fans to recognize his car, his popularity among the.... Simply because of tragedy past about his popularity is, and also his new son Leo... Be seen as his career face, great driving ability and great determination up! He signed on with nascar most popular driver list Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stewart announced he would leave the organization start! The Daytona 500 in a five-year period in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with victory. In fact, he was diagnosed with AIDS, something that doctors could n't cure no.
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