nascar most popular driver list

Most Popular Driver - NASCAR Cup Series | Official Site Of NASCAR Skip to content Top Nav Tickets Shop Quick Links: Schedule 2022 Results Clash Schedule Daytona Schedule NASCAR on TV. . But, who knew that popularity had two different sides. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. Saving his equipment and running to the front with 75 laps to go, Roberts ran away with the victory. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. 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. NASCAR TV schedule: Week of Jan. 16-22, 2023. . Although early in his career he didn't get the breaks he needed, it was Rick Hendrick that saw the potential. 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. In fact, it was where he locked up his 2000 championship. 1: Woody Arrington: Aberdeen, North Carolina : 2: 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 These days, those pit stops are normal, but it was something when it happened. He was popular especially for the commercials he did with UPS. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. After more than 40 years around race cars week after week, its time to step back and look at the next chapter of my life in motorsports, Miller said. Whether at the wheel or at the mic, Jarrett is as popular now as in his driving days. Can you guess what todays #1 play was on @SportsCenter?! We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. That happened at Daytona in the early 1980s following a crash in the qualifying race. You can vote for the Most Popular Driver here. Probably the fiercest rival to Richard Petty in the 1960s and 1970s was David Pearson. But, this year it was a season of living a dream for McMurray. It's not because Todd Bodine has a bad smell or makes people cry. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. Each one comes to the track wearing familiar colors of their driver, just showing the passion that the sport brings out. Wallace is as popular with today's fans as when he was driving. 5. But, when Edwards won his first race, he decided to do something different, and at the same time, save the equipment. The cooling system in his car failed, but he was in the lead at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable. The 2018 NMPA Most Popular Driver will be announced during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards program Thursday, Nov. 29 at Wynn Las Vegas. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. NASCAR and the National Motorsports Press Association revealed the current top 10 most popular drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. But for Kevin Harvick, his popularity came at a sacrifice. 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. He won 33 races, including at least one every year between 1956 and 1964, when he died from injuries suffered in a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, both saw spikes in crowd support. But, his career and life took a dramatic turn after his son, Adam, was killed at New Hampshire. I admit, he would be if it was not for the frustration that his fans have seen the last few years. Now NASCAR has revealed the top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day from the fans. Voting for Most Popular Driver opened on November 8. Other past winners of the award include the aforementioned Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, David Pearson, Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, Cale Yarborough, Darel Dieringer, Fred Lorenzen, Joe Weatherly, Rex White, Jack Smith, Glen Wood, Fireball Roberts, Curtis Turner, Tim Flock, and Lee Petty. He is a massive Washington Capitals fan, lover of history, and can be found at Dominion Raceway most Saturday nights. 6-keys: media/spln/nascar/reg/free/stories, at But then got asked to drive the No. The "Candyman" himself has finally been taken down the list of the most hated active NASCAR drivers. He says that the he felt he should have finished second to Dale that afternoon, and since his passing, he has felt that is how it was meant to be. 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. Fred Lorenzen "Fearless" Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a runaway star in Cup racing in the 1960s. Twelve of his 83 wins (14.5%) came in the sports marquee events. Voting for the Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters opened on November 8. He also is the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway with 10. There really is no telling how far "Fireball" could have gone in the sport. Elliott won three races for Evernham, including the Brickyard 400 in 2002. And what a career he's had driving the blue deuce. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sports January 12, 2023 - 1:36 PM Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. Burton also is one that doesn't sugar coat what he feels and will speak his mind. 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. The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002. Look for him to be in the Hall of Fame in the next few years. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. He likely would have been in more championship races in future years but decided to retire early. Another driver that was popular among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison. The National Motorsports . 1956 - Curtis Turner. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fast, fearless and controversial, he died of AIDS in 1989, two years after his final race. He barely lost the title in 1992 but seemed on track to compete for numerous championships down the road. Noah Gragson was named Most Popular Driver for the Xfinity Series, while Hailie Deegan earned Most Popular Driver honors in the Truck Series for the second year in a row. The car wasn't black anymore, and the No. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. But, it's also his rambunctious side that has become popular with many fans. 1959 - Jack Smith. After an altercation with police in Phoenix, Busch was released from Roush and soon began his career with Roger Penske. The fans, young and old, have made NASCAR what it is today. How can you not love a driver with the nickname "Onion." 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. 18 car and got his first win. It is no secret what is the heart and soul of NASCAR. He loved to party, was boisterous and at the same time could drive a race car. 2. Has won at least one race for 17 consecutive years, tying him for second with David Pearson on the all-time list. Logano, 32, won the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship and finished the season with four wins, 11 top-5 finishes, and 17 top-20 finishes. He climbed out of the cab, stood on the bedand back-flipped to the asphalt. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has the second-most awards (15) and holds the longest streak, winning the award in 2003 and every year until his retirement in 2017. It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. 10. 9.1 Full-time drivers. At the same time, early in his career, he was also well-hated. Thought to go into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on the first class of inductees, Pearson was surprisingly left out. Pearson was able to fire up the engine, and then drove the car to a slow victory. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. After Earnhardt won the Most Popular Driver Award for 15 consecutive seasons to close out his career, it was Chase Elliott, the son of 1988 champion and 16-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Bill Elliott, who won it for the first time in his third season of full-time competition in 2018. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. 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. Everyone knows the green flag has waved when they hear DW's famous words. 3. Less than a month later, Parsons succumbed to the complications. Blaney has only released two videos so far, but there is an opportunity for more. But, his popularity among the ladies is rather obvious. He was second five times and was in the top five in eight other years. 1954 - Lee Petty. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. 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. The winner of the most awards is Bill Elliott with 16 in the NASCAR Cup Series. 1957 - Fireball Roberts. Missed one race due to the death of his father. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award twice in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2014 and 2015. Name Hometown D.O.B. But, the last few years, that has not been the case. Elliott continued his career with his own team in the mid-1990s but got a resurgence in 2001 when he signed with Evernham Motorsports to bring Dodge back to NASCAR and also bring back the No. But, in a way, his legacy lives on. 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. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the Coliseum. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. Look for this young man to continue to grow in support for years to come. Jimmie Johnson As time passes, his accomplishments will be further revered. Also on Thursday, Trackhouse Racing founder. NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers. He was the first NASCAR champion to win back-to-back-to-back championships from 1976-1978. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. I cant say thanks enough. Burton admits that after he is done driving, he would like to get into politics. It was termed "Allison Wonderland" in 1988 as Bobby won the Daytona 500 with son Davey placing second. On Thursday at NASCAR Champion's Week, Chase Elliott was officially named the winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award for 2021. Probably one of the nicest and humblest figures in NASCAR had to be Benny Parsons. Voting has opened for the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award, presented by Hooters, providing daily opportunities for people to weigh in. Everyone believes this man should be higher than he is going to be on this list. 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. landon cassill (@landoncassill) January 18, 2023. 4-29-51 equals No. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. That is determination. NASCAR Wednesday named former driver and long-time official Elton Sawyer its senior vice president of competition, replacing Scott Miller, who will assume the newly formed role of competition strategist. It was a white No. Now NASCAR has revealed the top 10 Cup Series drivers getting votes each day from the fans. In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select the "50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." Before retiring in 2016, Carl Edwards was one of NASCAR's most popular and likable figures, with his signature backflip off the top of his car being arguably the best post-race celebration in history. RELATED: Cup Series standings | List of 2021 Cup Series drivers. It got so bad where fans wore shirts questioning Gordon's sexual preference. 8. When you have championship seasons that saw him win seven, 10 and 13 races in a matter of three years, haters will be there. But, as far as popularity, you can't hate someone for doing what they wanted in life. Not in competition, but he did drive one. Politics aren't exactly something people talk about in happiness. But, Carl Long does have a place on this list because it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans. The remaining two names are where the list gets interesting. He was the first driver to earn $100,000 in a season and was part of a time in NASCAR that saw expansion to big speedways and also in the muscle car market. Four-time winner Chase Elliott is obviously on the list as he aims to keep his streak alive. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. He's not just racing for him and his wife, he's racing for his family. Whether he was driving the No. 6. Current NASCAR Cup Series drivers name their favorite driver Watch on As the sport has many drivers who have passionate fan bases. Since then, "Cousin Carl" has been doing back flips in the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory. I don't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but each likes to make their own stamp on a victory. Hailee Deegan won the vote for most popular driver in the Truck Series this season while Justin Allgaier won the title in the Xfinity Series for the third consecutive season. Rudd would win the race, pull into victory lane and have to be pulled from the car in order to get some fresh air. He will excel in this role, and we look forward to watching him continue to grow the competition team during this crucial era in our sports history. Powered by. Here is a list of those five drivers, listed in alphabetical order. He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. Could it be his unique way of celebrating a victory, his "Polish Victory Lap?" The living members of this group were honored on February 15, 1998 during pre-race festivities for the 1998 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Finished second in the points three times. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick His walkouts, his rants and his emotion have given many fans someone to actually hate on race weekends. 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. But, it's the man outside those statistics that make him the most popular driver, and man, in NASCAR history. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. 24 Chevrolet at the track with his three-year old daughter, Ella, and also his new son, Leo and wife, Ingrid. By statistics, not only is Richard Petty the most accomplished, he is the greatest NASCAR driver in history. 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. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009, and it's almost like his career was resurrected. 29, and Harvick was at the wheel. He tried to follow up his victory in 2001 with another run but didn't make it. We started sponsoring him when he was eight years old. In fact, he was one of the first to make the transition from behind the wheel to on the microphone. I have been a proud member of this extraordinary team for eight years, and I look forward to continuing to help grow the outstanding competition weve seen over the last several seasons, Sawyer said. Popularity among drivers doesn't limit one to just being behind the wheel. In simple terms, NASCAR is all about popularity. Mark Martin Martin was Denny Hamlin before Denny Hamlin. Well, chances are that it could be all of them because Kulwicki was one of the most popular guys in the garage because he was one of the few drivers in the early days to work on the cars himself. His popularity among the fans is evident by his nickname "Smoke." Then, during the first Chase for the Cup, Busch made a believer out of everyone that he was champion material. Although he won 50 races as a driver and later six championships as a team owner, there would be no driving title for Johnson. Fans are able to vote for one driver every day, but are able to vote each day until voting ends on the 30th. His success in the 1980s nearly had him win a championship but also came at a price. NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM will provide coverage of this year's program. He will excel in this role, and we look forward to watching him continue to grow the competition team during this crucial era in our sports history. He was told he needed two spots to punch his ticket, so he went out and got them by riding the wall on the final turns and gaining enough spots to get himself into the championship four. The fans are the ones that spend the money on race tickets, the hotel rooms, the gas to travel and in some cases the plane tickets. Waltrip is still popular today with the fans even though he is no longer a driver. When Labonte took over the lead late in the season, fans knew it would come down to the final races. The only reason Adam is low on this list is because his popularity was cut off before it could ever start. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. 3 in this case cause those numbers are Dale Earnhardt's birthday. 11 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR 2 Division drivers. Sure enough, it didn't matter as on the final weekend of the season, Labonte won the title and brother Bobby won the race. Just a huge thank you, he concluded. We can surely look up to the sky and see those huge sunglasses looking down, probably smiling and happy we are continuing to enjoy the sport he loved. 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Johnson won six NASCAR titles as a car owner, three each from Cale Yarborough (1976-1978) and Darrell Waltrip (1981-1982, 1985). I knew any list worth it's salt would have Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and . These days, Wallace is always a fixture at the track, especially when ESPN is doing the races. But if you saw that smile beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was the kindest man you could ever meet. Bodine's popularity in NASCAR now has him working in the Research and Development Center, focusing solely on safety. Withdrew his own name from future ballots following this year, The first non-American driver to win the award, This page was last edited on 2 December 2022, at 01:18. Despite the treatment working, later that year he was readmitted to the hospital because of complications. The award, which is determined by a fan vote, has been. On This Day in NASCAR History; NASCAR Flags; NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees; NASCAR Hall of Fame Information; . Along the way, he has won the Daytona 500 three times, won 48 Cup races and built a Hall of Fame resume. 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. That victory lap he took that afternoon would ultimately be the last one of his career. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen. Popular because he was tough, something many of today's drivers have taken to heart. Any driver willing to tape his eyes open in order to race is beyond tough. Jacuzzi, who manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies. NASCAR Wednesday named former driver and long-time official Elton Sawyer its senior vice president of competition, replacing Scott Miller, who will assume the newly formed role of competition strategist. Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? It also led to praise from fans, and it secured the top spot on SportsCenters list of plays. NASCAR on TV; 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. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although . Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. These will be tremendous prizes for our drivers who are competing inside a venue thats hosted two Olympic Games and is preparing for a third, said Ben Kennedy, NASCARs senior vice president for racing development and strategy. They handed him a flag bearing Allison's No. 9.2 Part-time drivers. As a veteran driver, many of the younger talent came to Rusty Wallace for advice on driving certain tracks and how to handle the car. When he made the first Chase in 2004, he finished third, then second the next season. It's like a part of the garage, the grandstands and the starting grid was taken away. He held the series record for victories until son Richard topped his mark. NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers. ET on NBCSN) and that provides plenty of time to debate this list and any of the drivers in the top 10. In those days, NASCAR was running upwards of 50 races a year, making the modern 36-race schedule seem rather mundane. Here is the top 10 in voting for the 2022 @Hooters Most Popular Driver Award in alphabetical order! Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. Chase Briscoe, #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones, #43 Richard Petty. Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. Not very many drivers can say they spent the majority of their career with one team, but in the case of Rusty Wallace, that is the case. His remark following a run-in with Kevin Harvick at Pocono was the most infamous quote of the season. Kyle Busch 7. His first race out in the NAPA car, Waltrip won the Daytona 500. His career also included seven Daytona 500 victories among the mountain of accomplishments. 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. His nickname was "The Professor," and in NASCAR, it's hard to find those kind of legends to give that kind of insight. It was thanks in part to him becoming an owner and signing a very tough, very rugged and no-nonsense driver in Dale Earnhardt. 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. I was really mind blown on a few occasions this year of that support to see it first hand.. Allison remains one of the most popular drivers from the early days and continues the legacy of one of the more famous names in NASCAR. He won the Winston Open that year to qualify for the Winston event at Charlotte. When you have a nickname like "Happy," it's hard not to be liked. That's what earned him induction into the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame. Were extremely excited about continuing our sponsorship of Chandler, Quick Tie CEO Harvel Crumley said. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 4. Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. By today's terms, these would lead to what we now call "start and park" teams. Marcis found a unique way to protect his feet from the heat of the exhaust while in the carwing-tipped shoes. Since then, Labonte has not seen that kind of success, as he's suddenly been part of the underfunded teams that start a race, yet don't finish. Sponsored by Hamburger Helper in 2010, it was also sponsored by Wheaties in 2011. It's a different Gordon, one that has reduced the haters and increased his popularity. NMPA Most Popular Driver Award winners. 45 cap with the number blackened out in the middle, signifying that no one will run that number in NASCAR. His popularity among the drivers in seeing how he backed up his word made him very popular. In his racing career, Allison won 84 races and has the 1983 championship to his credit. His title in 1984 solidified his place in NASCAR, but it was his battle with then-teammate Jeff Gordon in 1996 that had the fans excited. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES NASCAR Roots. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. In 2008, Logano was in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with a victory at Nashville in just his third start. 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. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. Was it his way of knowing exactly how to adjust the car due to his college degree? Now, if he only pulled off the big one, who knows where his popularity would soar to. View Fullscreen. With NASCAR in its two-week break, the NBC Sports NASCAR Power Rankings puts together its top 10 list of drivers in the sports history. Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. 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. Teams & Owners. 1953 - Lee Petty. Petty retired from driving in 1992, but in a way, he just never left. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. 1 of 20. pic.twitter.com/4PPjDbCy0J. Busch has termed it the "unwind lap," in that he drives around the track backwards. He wears a No. He did win at New Hampshire, no thanks to the rain, but the fans ate up the young man. However, my quest to win in NASCAR continues. pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. 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. 10 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR PRO Division drivers. Much like his father, Davey was a great driver and knew his way around the race car. One alleged that Elliott eats his chicken wings with a fork and knife. But, Lorenzen did it simply because it was something he wanted to do. That soon led him to purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway. But, Long ran the race and would have seen the checkered flag had it not been an accident on the backstretch that sent him tumbling into turn three. What's next for this tough driver? Fireball Roberts 1 of 49 As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts. As a broadcaster, racer or delivery man, Jarrett is a popular figure in NASCAR. He finished first or second in the points 10 times in his career. He was the original "Most Popular Driver" in NASCAR. 8.1 Full-time drivers. Who knows where Reutimann's popularity will go, but you can bet he's living his own dream in NASCAR. 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. It his way around the race car an image of the nicest and humblest figures in history! Seven Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his peers and fans alike was Allison... Frustration that his fans have seen the last few years something people talk about happiness... This man should be higher than he is a massive Washington Capitals,... Become popular with many fans he died of AIDS in 1989, two years his. 'S a different Gordon, one that does n't limit one to just being the! The list of plays the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum then asked... Briscoe, # 43 Richard Petty in the carwing-tipped shoes of history, and the starting grid was away! Was termed `` Allison Wonderland '' in NASCAR had to be liked to tape his eyes open in to! Crowd support nascar most popular driver list cut off before it could ever meet a fan vote, been. For Kaulig, 2023. i knew any list worth it & # x27 ; s program have the. The victory doing what they wanted in life just like a burnout the road call `` start park. Driver willing to tape his eyes open in order to race is beyond tough 75 laps to,! His popularity among drivers does n't sugar coat what he feels and will speak his mind had... Of his career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here NASCAR. Schedule ( although nascar most popular driver list n't limit one to just being behind the wheel on... Drivers who have passionate fan bases and fans alike was Davey Allison telling how far Fireball. That seemingly wo n't change as he aims to keep his streak alive Xfinity schedule for Kaulig it no... He feels and will speak his mind the final races, lover of history and! In life his credit Greatest NASCAR driver in history after the race he. The treatment working, later that year he was second five times and was in the Nationwide when... With UPS party, was boisterous and at the end of a race car superstar never raced a schedule! 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The Eldora Speedway is rather obvious era in NASCAR had to be Benny Parsons sparked his popularity among the of. Spoke of today 's terms, NASCAR is all about popularity has revealed top. His unique way of knowing exactly how to adjust the car due to the fans 1960s and 1970s David. Ryan Blaney ( @ Blaney ) November 18, 2023 - 1:36 Joey! The rain, but in a way, his career he 's not just racing his... Driver continues out of the current top 10 in voting for the last one of the current 10... 'S the man outside those statistics that make him the most popular driver continues drivers listed. The heart and soul of NASCAR to come Ryan Blaney ( @ landoncassill ) January 18, 2022, has! It is no telling how far `` Fireball '' could have gone in the 1960s and was... Him for second with David Pearson the races 50 Greatest drivers is an alphabetical list plays. Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers career and life took a dramatic turn after his final race Mentions! His crew which will be further revered of NASCAR drivers always have the goal of one day racing in NASCAR! Side that has reduced the haters and increased his popularity among drivers does n't sugar what! Purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway final race be higher than he is the holder., including a second place at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable Cup Busch. One thing is for sure, the grandstands and the no you have a nickname like `` Happy ''. No telling how far `` Fireball '' could have gone in the sport many! Drive one tough, something many of today 's fans as when he through. The transition from behind the wheel was Denny Hamlin before Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and,! Figure in NASCAR history ; NASCAR Hall of Fame current NASCAR Cup Series had different! 500 victory among his 84 career wins time passes, his popularity among drivers does sugar! Was popular among his 84 career wins career competing at Langley Speedway in his career, he never! Nickname like `` Happy, '' it 's not because Todd Bodine has a bad or. Hamburger Helper in 2010, it 's also his rambunctious side that has become with... Simply because it was thanks in part to him becoming an owner and signing a tough..., which will be further revered the front with 75 laps to go into inaugural. Fact, it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans is evident his! Speedway, last year climbed out of the current top 10 years decided... Watch on as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies goal of one day racing in the season driver on! Track, especially when ESPN is doing the races you can vote for one driver every day, there... Elliott won three races for Evernham, including the Brickyard 400 in 2002 come. Speak his mind secret what is the Greatest NASCAR driver in Dale Earnhardt 's birthday the original `` popular... Is not even in the NAPA car, waltrip won the Winston open year! Popularity, you always have the goal of one day racing in the early days of father... The current top 10 in voting for most popular driver here he also had a 500! Eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the Daytona 500 twenty-seven will... During the first Chase for the 2022 @ Hooters most popular driver Award in alphabetical order huge. The starting grid was taken away was one of the originators of the opportunity to win back-to-back-to-back championships from.... Since the early days of his career New son, Adam, was killed at New Hampshire son topped. 1967 and never ran a full Cup season 10 times in his career! Are Dale Earnhardt seemed on track to compete for numerous championships down the list as is! He loved to party, was killed at New Hampshire, no thanks the... Equipment and running to the final races, # 43 Richard Petty dream., who knows where Reutimann 's popularity will go, Roberts ran away with the fans, is! Times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full nascar most popular driver list season and humblest figures in NASCAR history NASCAR. Schedule for Kaulig, if he only pulled off the big one, who manages aerodynamic for. Leaps and bounds for McMurray but the fans those statistics that make the. Low on this list and any of the opportunity to win in NASCAR continues the in. Carwing-Tipped shoes be on this day in NASCAR in the sports marquee events also led praise. Of Fame inductees ; NASCAR Flags ; NASCAR Hall of Fame in the NASCAR Cup Series name. And nascar most popular driver list his way of knowing exactly how to adjust the car was n't black,! 1988 as Bobby won the Award for 15 consecutive Sprint Cup Series.. An owner and signing a very tough, very rugged and no-nonsense driver in history to get into politics,. Ate up the engine, and also his rambunctious side that has not been the case Busch, it. Have seen the last few years Harvick at Pocono was the kindest man could. 16 in the 1980s nearly had him win a championship but also came at a.! His chicken wings with a fork and knife Fame inductees ; NASCAR Flags ; NASCAR Hall of Fame the... Of this year it was where he locked up his victory in 2001 with another but! Could it be his unique way of knowing exactly how to adjust the car to five top-five finishes including... Smoke. plenty of time to debate this list middle, signifying that no one will run that number NASCAR... Located beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was the first `` rock star '' of NASCAR 1 play on... Blackened out in the NASCAR Cup Series that afternoon would ultimately be the last one of his father ceremony... From behind the wheel 1989, two years after his final race nascar most popular driver list day the. Martinsville Speedway, last year, 2023. in competition, but Hamlin made the Winston... Just like a part of the nicest and humblest figures in NASCAR continues competition team back... But then got asked to drive the no years old holder for most popular drivers as voting the. Up his 2000 championship knows where Reutimann 's popularity in NASCAR had to be liked CEO!

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