In this role, Patalak also investigates all crashes and driver protection issues. Prior to joining NASCAR, Sawyer served as director of team operations for IMSAs Action Express Racing. 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. 6. Any driver that earns the respect of the Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the garage. 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. I am not sure what made Alan Kulwicki more popular. Elliott won three races for Evernham, including the Brickyard 400 in 2002. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. The fans, young and old, have made NASCAR what it is today. 10.1 Full-time drivers. When you have championship seasons that saw him win seven, 10 and 13 races in a matter of three years, haters will be there. Taking votes away from Elliott is no simple matter. pic.twitter.com/iM7jihS3VZ, RELATED: NASCAR COO Steve ODonnell Appears To Signal They Will Outlaw Moves Like Ross Chastains Hail Melon Martinsville Move. "Gentleman" Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver as he was a broadcaster. 3. Popular because he was tough, something many of today's drivers have taken to heart. 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 At the end of 2017, you can be certain it will be 15. Were extremely excited about continuing our sponsorship of Chandler, Quick Tie CEO Harvel Crumley said. He finished in the points top 10 six times. 8. 3 in this case cause those numbers are Dale Earnhardt's birthday. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. 8. Petty is the first driver to achieve the seven NASCAR Cup championships, making him an undisputed champion in the NASCAR world. 1959 - Jack Smith. 10/10 10. His popularity among the drivers in seeing how he backed up his word made him very popular. Who is the most popular driver of all time? As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. This 1939 GMC . 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. 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. No driver will ever reach the popularity of Pettyand that is fact. Four-time winner Chase Elliott is obviously on the list as he aims to keep his streak alive. But then got asked to drive the No. When you have a nickname like "Happy," it's hard not to be liked. But, it's also his rambunctious side that has become popular with many fans. 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. He won the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 three times each. By Staff Report | Thursday, December 1, 2022. Chase Briscoe, #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones, #43 Richard Petty. Probst, who most recently held the title of senior vice president of racing innovation, oversaw the development and evolution of the Next Gen race car. Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? Kyle was third in line in the family to drive and had a very successful career in NASCAR. Busch's popularity has taken off in the last three years since he signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing, and he has become a driver that fans simply can't stop talking about. They are also the ones that argue every Sunday as to who is better at winning, or who's the driver most hated. As one of the originators of the great "Alabama Gang," Donnie Allison was one of the most popular drivers in the 1970s. Can you guess what todays #1 play was on @SportsCenter?! Although his first win came thanks to rain in last year's Coca-Cola 600, Reutimann made sure that was forgotten when he outright won at Chicago this summer. His popularity among the fans is evident by his nickname "Smoke." Drivers have a way of earning respect on the track, but that carries over in the garage. This list includes Justin. 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. 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. Voting closes for the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at noon ET. Allison only has 10 wins to his credit, but that includes wins at some of NASCAR's famed tracks, including both Charlotte and Bristol. Junior Johnson Johnson was the opposite of a points racer. 4. A former Busch Series champion as well, Kenseth's cool demeanor has been very popular with the fans because he's not one to get angry. 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. His most popular and signature win came at Talladega that same year when Waltrip popped out the roof of his Chevrolet, thanks to the new escape hatch. He could be the most hated and feared enemy on the track, yet when it came to helping others, there was no one with a bigger heart. He also went as far as challenging the pit crews on the air, saying that if a team performed a four-tire pit stop in under 13 seconds, each member would be given $100 cash from his own account. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award in 2018, 2019, and 2020 as well. Powered by. His aggressive driving style led to on-track conflicts with Denny Hamlin, Elliott, Austin Dillon, Busch, and multiple other drivers. After running to the front of the field, he and Kurt Busch had an intense battle that saw both bump and beat on each other for seven corners. Display Current Drivers Only. It got so bad where fans wore shirts questioning Gordon's sexual preference. . 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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. 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. Unfortunately, I wont be driving the 10 car full time this year, he tweeted. 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. In a way, Michael Waltrip's popularity skyrocketed because of tragedy. David Pearson A three-time champion. I admit, he would be if it was not for the frustration that his fans have seen the last few years. 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. 3 to the track, and we still see a hauler bearing his number in the souvenir areas. 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. There is no one that defines toughness as much as Rudd. He got the big break he was looking for thanks to Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Ricky Rudd Rudd drove for numerous teams, including his own, and won 23 times. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. With the nickname "Sliced Bread," everyone knew that Joey Logano would be a popular driver. His nickname was "The Professor," and in NASCAR, it's hard to find those kind of legends to give that kind of insight. He won the Coke 600 and Brickyard 400 four times each and won the Southern 500 and Daytona 500 twice each. Thought to go into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on the first class of inductees, Pearson was surprisingly left out. Petty was also credited with starting the longest-running team in the sport, Petty Enterprises. Saving his equipment and running to the front with 75 laps to go, Roberts ran away with the victory. 10. But even before his title, Labonte had gotten the break he needed to become a very strong and very popular driver. I was really mind blown on a few occasions this year of that support to see it first hand.. To be known as a Winston Cup champion became a much-coveted honor. His seven championships, 200 wins and numerous poles will never be equaled. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. 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. Probably one of the more unique celebrations NASCAR has seen, but it sure is cool for the fans after he wins. 11 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR 2 Division drivers. It was a white No. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. His win sent Harvick's popularity through the roof, and now he finally has accepted the role of being the driver taking over the Earnhardt legacy. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. Kaulig Racing announced Wednesday that Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Kaulig car but has not announced plans for the 10 Xfinity car. Allison won four Southern 500s, three Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s. The "Candyman" himself has finally been taken down the list of the most hated active NASCAR drivers. 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. He'll have a lot of votes from the fansthat's for sure. He. Look for this young man to continue to grow in support for years to come. But, as far as popularity, you can't hate someone for doing what they wanted in life. Another member of the Alabama Gang, Bobby Allison's career is one that is among the finest in NASCAR. But for Kevin Harvick, his popularity came at a sacrifice. Among Lee Pettys win was the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. Most recently, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a role he assumed in 2016. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. Johnsons seven titles came in 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR. Everyone knew what Petty meant to this sport. NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES NASCAR Roots. Millers focus will center on a several big picture special projects such as the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the Chicago Street Course race, as well as long-lead planning around NASCAR competition strategy. NASCAR racing has been my life for decades. The Labonte brothers are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships at it's highest level. The 1979 Daytona 500 put not only him, but NASCAR on the map. Now, his own "Junior Nation" follows him loyally but has been frustrated. His win at Daytona in 2001 was the win that healed a NASCAR nation. When he died in 2001, NASCAR itself lost something. 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 truly is, and forever will be, known as "The King." The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. Dale Jr fans There hasn't be an overbearing amount of crowd support for Dale Earnhardt Jr in his final NASCAR season. But, his popularity among the ladies is rather obvious. Earnhardt didn't show much emotion, but the loss hit him hard as everyone could tell. It's not the money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion. Whether he was driving the No. 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's a different Gordon, one that has reduced the haters and increased his popularity. 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. In other weeks, however, Chastain had far fewer supporters. 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. All this means that popularity in NASCAR can be defined by its fan base. In those days, NASCAR was running upwards of 50 races a year, making the modern 36-race schedule seem rather mundane. Burton also is one that doesn't sugar coat what he feels and will speak his mind. 9. Since then, "Cousin Carl" has been doing back flips in the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory. He drives a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and his car number is 8. All Rights Reserved. Probst, who most recently held the title of senior vice president of racing innovation, oversaw the development and evolution of the Next Gen race car. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. 9 Budweiser Ford or now the Red Bull Toyota, Kahne's fan base is secure. His crazy antics in the garage are well known just as much as his ability to drive the race car. 1: Woody Arrington: Aberdeen, North Carolina : 2: 9. Probably the first driver to turn car owner and have great success was Junior Johnson. That seemed to help out a lot, as not only did it increase his ability to control his temper, it also helped him become a better driver. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. It will come, but the question is when. Joey Logano is the best NASCAR driver right now. Bill Elliott holds the record for the most awards with 16 followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 15. Eight drivers have been named to this year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. Much like his father, Davey was a great driver and knew his way around the race car. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. 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." Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. Burton admits that after he is done driving, he would like to get into politics. He was at his best in the big races. 3. It's easy to remember and fans know when they hear that name who is being talked about. The National Motorsports . As soon as Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. By today's terms, these would lead to what we now call "start and park" teams. 6-keys: media/spln/nascar/reg/free/stories, at That popularity among his peers and fans earned him a spot in the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class. The Most Popular Driver Award is a family affair in the Elliott household. Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. He wasn't popular because of his racing, nor his success. Just a huge thank you, he concluded. 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. Do you REALLY know @chaseelliott? Yarborough would become a car owner in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR. 1955 - Tim Flock. His battle with Donnie Allison was shaping up to be one of the best the sport had seen to that point. That race has been nicknamed "Won From Above" simply because of how all the numbers lined up. The driver of the No. A young face, great driving ability and great determination sum up Kasey Kahne. They certainly seemed to work for him for a long time. The following year, Busch found himself on the wrong end of the lawliterally. The conversation drastically changed on October 30, 2022. Petty slid to the infield but stopped just short of the finish line. 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. Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. He was the one driver that could exemplify what NASCAR is all about. 2. At the same time, early in his career, he was also well-hated. The patriarch of the greatest name in NASCAR and one of the five newest inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. No matter what, he will still have a following, but the frustration will need to turn to celebration. 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. But, Craven's most talked about moment came two years later at Darlington. 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. But, Carl Long does have a place on this list because it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans. Wallace is as popular with today's fans as when he was driving. 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 became the first man to win back-to-back Chase titles from 2006-2007, then tied Cale Yarborough with three straight in 2008. NASCAR and the National Motorsports Press Association revealed the current top 10 most popular drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. 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. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. Only question among everyone in the sport that keeps coming up is "Could he continue this dominance?". The mark he leaves on the organization is significant. He also is the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway with 10. 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. If he does, look for this man's popularity to soar like the Space Shuttle. 29 and he qualified fifth and won the race. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen.
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