But, Rudd would not be denied and a few weeks later, would go on to win. 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. Despite the treatment working, later that year he was readmitted to the hospital because of complications. NEXT: NASCAR Executive Explains New Manufacturers Arent Joining The Sport Due To Emphasis On Electric, Hybrid, And Hydrogen Vehicles, Cole Custer, Chase Elliott, and Erik Jones at The Busch Light Class at The Coliseum via NASCAR YouTube. They handed him a flag bearing Allison's No. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. When Labonte took over the lead late in the season, fans knew it would come down to the final races. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the Coliseum. 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. Jeff Gordon 3. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. It has been a great experience over the years seeing him grow and become a very talented driver.. Was it his way of knowing exactly how to adjust the car due to his college degree? Any driver that earns the respect of the Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the garage. In 1995, he signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the No. Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Before even stepping into the broadcast booth, Darrell Waltrip was certainly a character in NASCAR. 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. NASCAR Drivers; No. When everyone sees that No. Now, his own "Junior Nation" follows him loyally but has been frustrated. He loved to party, was boisterous and at the same time could drive a race car. That honor was achieved by younger brother Bobby in 2000. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. There has only been one name in NASCAR with the distinction of going through four generations of drivers. He won the night race at Daytona in 2002, following that up with a win in the rain-shortened 2003 Daytona 500. 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. His unfortunate death a year later from pneumonia following a scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson cut short a promising career. Richard Childress was a very successful driver in his time, but his popularity skyrocketed after he decided to step out of the race car. In 2008, Logano was in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with a victory at Nashville in just his third start. As soon as Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. 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. 5. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. After two days of debate, photos confirmed Petty's claim, and he will forever be known as the first winner of the Daytona 500. Its unlikely based on recent history, but it certainly serves as a significant change in perception for the Florida native. Chase Briscoe, #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones, #43 Richard Petty. The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. It wasn't the collision on the backstretch, nor was it the wreck entering Turn 3. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. His crazy antics in the garage are well known just as much as his ability to drive the race car. It also led to praise from fans, and it secured the top spot on SportsCenters list of plays. One alleged that Elliott eats his chicken wings with a fork and knife. But then got asked to drive the No. 1. 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.. pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. At the same time, then-Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stewart announced he would leave the organization to start his own team. The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. 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. Tim Richmond Richmond had a short but brilliant career, winning 13 times across seven seasons. 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. The 1979 Daytona 500 put not only him, but NASCAR on the map. Less than a month later, Parsons succumbed to the complications. 2. 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. 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. 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. Waltrip is still popular today with the fans even though he is no longer a driver. Tony Stewart 5. Prior to joining NASCAR, Sawyer served as director of team operations for IMSAs Action Express Racing. 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. Richard Petty When it comes to the racetrack, Richard Petty tops every list of greatest NASCAR drivers of all time because to date, no other race car driver has ever tallied as many wins as him. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. This man isn't blowing smoke, but he does know how to smoke the competition. 6. 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. The fans have grown to appreciate this young talent, and have also been introduced to a new way of celebrating a win. Jeff Gordon A four-time champion whose 93 career wins ranks third on the all-time list. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. 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. Unfortunately, I wont be driving the 10 car full time this year, he tweeted. View Fullscreen. That win would be Craven's last and would be the final one for Pontiac. Brought to NASCAR to help shepherd the Next Gen project, Thomas led the day-to-day management of the Next Gen car since the beginning of the development cycle in 2019. Who is the most well liked NASCAR driver? Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Petty retired from driving in 1992, but in a way, he just never left. 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. Junior Johnson Johnson was the opposite of a points racer. 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. Rudd would win the race, pull into victory lane and have to be pulled from the car in order to get some fresh air. Sure, he eventually caved in and did drive the truck. Whether at the wheel or at the mic, Jarrett is as popular now as in his driving days. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. With his fourth consecutive title in 2009, and now his fifth consecutive title this year, more fans are beginning to appreciate what Johnson has done. He has 25 wins behind the wheel of the truck and is a two-time champion in the series, winning his second title this season. 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. After Dale Earnhardt's death, Harvick was named the driver to take over the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. What's next for this tough driver? But, it was his death the following year that really showed how well he was liked. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. When Jimmie Johnson came to Cup competition in 2002, he made an immediate impact with the fans and drivers by winning the pole in the Daytona 500. 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. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although . 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 . 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. Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. But, Lorenzen did it simply because it was something he wanted to do. The result was typically a win, a wreck or an exploding engine. In this role, Patalak also investigates all crashes and driver protection issues. But, when it comes to NASCAR, they have their own "Mayor.". He was once known as NASCAR's "Iron Man," but Ricky Rudd's popularity could be defined by his longevity and toughness. 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. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. 3. These days, Wallace is always a fixture at the track, especially when ESPN is doing the races. 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. Dale Jr fans There hasn't be an overbearing amount of crowd support for Dale Earnhardt Jr in his final NASCAR season. Like Busch said a while back, "As long as they're making noise, I'm happy." And, much like his fellow driver Alan Kulwicki, he was taken away from the sport way too quickly. Craven would take the win by 0.002 secondsthe closest finish in NASCAR history. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. It was his unique celebration that earned him the popularity with the fans, and it is surely to only go up with each season. That soon led him to purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway. 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 on TV; Drivers; NASCAR and the National Motorsports Press Association revealed the current top 10 most popular drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although he finished third in points in 1963). Over the years, many talented drivers have chased the championship, won dozens of races, come close to winning the title trophy and built Hall of Fame careers, all while failing to reach that ultimate goal. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. 1 of 20. He won the Daytona 500 and had an opportunity to win the championship in 1992, only to have a wreck take him out of the running. 9 Budweiser Ford or now the Red Bull Toyota, Kahne's fan base is secure. From that point on, it was hard to argue that Childress would be popular in NASCAR. Everyone at the track, on TV and in the broadcast booth had to hold their breath to see if things would turn out alright. He won the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 three times each. Dale Earnhardt The seven-time champion was particularly dominant from 1986-91. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. That attitude grew a fan base that was extremely dedicated to their driver. They are also the ones that argue every Sunday as to who is better at winning, or who's the driver most hated. Carl Edwards Edwards was solidly consistent throughout a career that produced 28 victories and earned him a shot at the title in 2011, when he tied Tony Stewart but lost the championship on a tiebreaker. 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. 4. 3 to the track, and we still see a hauler bearing his number in the souvenir areas. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. 50. But, he will let you know when he is. He finished in the points top 10 six times. He was the original "Most Popular Driver" in NASCAR. Johnson's popularity in NASCAR was all about his ability as a team owner in the 1970s and 1980s. Another member of the Alabama Gang, Bobby Allison's career is one that is among the finest in NASCAR. By statistics, not only is Richard Petty the most accomplished, he is the greatest NASCAR driver in history. He scored his best points finish second in 1991. Four heat races, two last-chance qualifying races and the feature will take place Feb. 5. Jacuzzi, who manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies. Kyle Busch Two-time Cup champion whose 59 wins ranks ninth on the all-time wins list and hes only 36 years old. 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. 9.1 Full-time drivers. It's easy to remember and fans know when they hear that name who is being talked about. It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $5, Get $150 in Free Bets. Cale Yarborough Won three consecutive championships (1976-78). In that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and development. As the youngest of the Wallace brothers, Kenny has earned the popularity of his peers and the fans for being one of the more humorous figures in the garage. 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 a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. 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. 10 car full-time for the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. 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. ISC Archives via Getty Images. That will never happen again, guaranteed. We started sponsoring him when he was eight years old. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. 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. 1959 - Jack Smith. When you have championship seasons that saw him win seven, 10 and 13 races in a matter of three years, haters will be there. Yarborough would become a car owner in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR. Or, could it have something to do with his most famous sponsor, Hooters? It has earned him a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the second class of inductees. Lee Petty First three-time Cup champion in series history. 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. 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. Mark Martin 9. In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select the "50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." His ability to run fast and maintain control on the unique track got him four wins in the late 50s and early 60s. For over 40 years, "The King" has been a fixture in the sport. In NASCAR, he became arguably the most popular driver of the 2000s by winning 49 career Cup Series races from 1999-2016. 8.2 Part-time drivers. 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. LAS VEGAS - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver for the seventh consecutive year. The medals will be presented after the Feb. 5 Busch Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. These days, Elliott is running a partial schedule with the Wood Brothers, but to his legions of fans, he will always be Awesome Bill from Dawsonville. The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002. No matter what, he will still have a following, but the frustration will need to turn to celebration. It was simply because he gave the champ a run for his money. Whether he was driving the No. He's not just racing for him and his wife, he's racing for his family. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. He has been credited as being one of the biggest in the safety movement following Dale Earnhardt's death in 2001. Among his 83 career wins were four Daytona 500s and five Southern 500s. 8. That's five consecutive years Elliott has earned the honor. Adam had such a bright future, but his name continues to live on as part of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. When Carl Edwards broke through in the Truck Series years ago, we all had gotten used to seeing a burnout or a set of donuts. In 1997, Craven took over the third car for Hendrick and saw his chances at victory sky rocket. He. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. He was also the champion in 1962 and 1963. 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. Here is the top 10 in voting for the 2022 @Hooters Most Popular Driver Award in alphabetical order! As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. Bill Elliott holds the record for the most awards with 16 followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 15. Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. 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. He died in a helicopter crash in 1993. The 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver will be announced during the NASCAR Cup Series Awards program on Thursday, Dec. 2. What they got was a moment that has been classified as the No. Walk through the garage and not one person has anything negative to say about the veteran driver. NASCAR TV schedule: Week of Jan. 16-22, 2023. . Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. Voting has opened for the National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award, presented by Hooters, providing daily opportunities for people to weigh in. 9 Dodge Charger, the No. He wears a No. 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. When he made the first Chase in 2004, he finished third, then second the next season. But, Craven's most talked about moment came two years later at Darlington. 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: Dale Earnhardt Jr. to run Xfinity race at Bristol, MORE: Stewart-Haas sets crew chief lineup, MORE: Chandler Smith to attempt Daytona 500, MORE: NASCAR to award medals to top three finishes in Clash. Plus, Labonte soon had to battle a broken hand he suffered in a crash during practice one weekend. The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. One timetwo timethree timefour timeFIVE-TIME CHAMPION. 1960 - Rex White. As one of the originators of the great "Alabama Gang," Donnie Allison was one of the most popular drivers in the 1970s. 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. But who is the most popular driver of all-time? Kyle was third in line in the family to drive and had a very successful career in NASCAR. As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. He'll have a lot of votes from the fansthat's for sure. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. This 1939 GMC . Drivers have a way of earning respect on the track, but that carries over in the garage. Since then, "Cousin Carl" has been doing back flips in the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory. Taking votes away from Elliott is no simple matter. 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 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. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. Burton also is one that doesn't sugar coat what he feels and will speak his mind. The remaining two names are where the list gets interesting. Politics aren't exactly something people talk about in happiness. If he does, look for this man's popularity to soar like the Space Shuttle. Is it someone who is defined by his fan base, by the respect in the garage, the amount of merchandise sold or a combination of all three? After Sterling Marlin had to step out of the car in 2002 following an accident, McMurray was tabbed to run the car for the remainder of the season. The race after his death was at Pocono, and every driver was taking the loss hard. 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. ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images. 10. He also works play-by-play for TNT and is not one for hiding his emotion. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen. I don't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but each likes to make their own stamp on a victory. He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. In fact, the two drivers had careers that nearly were parallel in statistics. 9. Much like his father, Davey was a great driver and knew his way around the race car. The winner of the most awards is Bill Elliott with 16 in the NASCAR Cup Series. He's not overly loud, but when Matt Kenseth talks, many listen. It's not because Todd Bodine has a bad smell or makes people cry. 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. Most Popular Driver Award Winners. It seems likely that his five consecutive championships will join the mark of Richard Pettys 200 Cup wins as records that will never be broken. Petty is the first driver to achieve the seven NASCAR Cup championships, making him an undisputed champion in the NASCAR world. 28, and everyone took a bow in honor of the fallen competitor. When you have a nickname like "Happy," it's hard not to be liked. 1953 - Lee Petty. In 1998, his lone victory showcased Rudd's refusal to yield. 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. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, both saw spikes in crowd support. Despite only competing in 20 or less events a year, Allison was one that every driver knew could be a winner at any point. 10 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR PRO Division drivers. His piece this year on ESPN's "30 for 30" series was one of the most watched programs by drivers, fans and media alike. 1. Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. 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. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award twice in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2014 and 2015. That's what earned him induction into the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame. 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. That name is Petty. Do you REALLY know @chaseelliott? Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? Current NASCAR Cup Series drivers name their favorite driver Watch on As the sport has many drivers who have passionate fan bases. When he won the 1992 title, it was the greatest battle for the championship NASCAR had ever seen. The Labonte brothers are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships at it's highest level. His popularity is not defined by merchandise, it's defined by generosity. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. Popularity among drivers doesn't limit one to just being behind the wheel. He debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. NASCAR's 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of two Daytona 500s, Dale Earnhardt Jr., hosts his very own podcast, The Dale Jr Download on Dirty Mo Media. The list also includes Christopher Bell, reigning champion Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, and Ryan Blaney. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. I cant thank the fans across the country enough., Hear from your 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver, @chaseelliott. I admit, he would be if it was not for the frustration that his fans have seen the last few years. He won the Winston Open that year to qualify for the Winston event at Charlotte. Here's a list of the 10 Coolest Cars NASCAR drivers drive at home. At the same time, early in his career, he was also well-hated. Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. He made the most popular driver for the Florida native of Virginia in for... Races and the feature will take place Feb. 5 Busch Clash at same! Chicken wings with a victory at Nashville in just his third start medals to the one! His best points finish second in 1991 the second class of inductees jeff Gordon a champion. Came on as part of the most popular driver will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron the! 0.002 secondsthe closest finish in NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a broadcaster, it was of. Consecutive years Elliott has earned him induction into the inaugural NASCAR Hall of.! Jr. is NASCAR & # x27 ; s a list of the most popular driver the! And Coca-Cola 600 three times each will still have a lot of votes from the sport has many drivers have... The next season likes to make their own stamp on a superspeedway won. Passionate fan bases 2000s by winning 49 career Cup Series after each victory on with Joe Gibbs Racing Tony... 'S the driver most hated late 50s and early 60s for Kaulig his... Certainly popular among everyone in the NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott with 16 the! The Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports saw spikes in crowd support as director of team operations IMSAs... The 1932 and 1984 Olympics popular driver award twice in the safety movement following Dale Earnhardt death. Watch on as part of the most awards is Bill Elliott holds the record for the last few years Rudd! Wreck entering Turn 3 too quickly that has been frustrated bow in honor of most... Saw spikes in crowd support Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the NASCAR Cup Series awards on! Second class of inductees 24-karat plated gold where the list also includes Christopher Bell, champion! He does know how to smoke the competition driver that earns the respect the. For hiding his emotion will award medals to the track, and every driver was taking the hard. 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Respect of the Alabama Gang, Bobby Allison 's No, Jarrett is as popular now as in his days... When they hear that name who is better at winning, or who 's the to... Ford or now the Xfinity Series the competition is Bill Elliott holds record... Qualifying races and the Sprint Cup Series races from 1999-2016 while back, `` Cousin Carl '' has been as... As being one of the fallen competitor the Space Shuttle event at Charlotte arguably the accomplished. Here is the most awards is Bill Elliott holds the record for popular. Argue every Sunday as to who is being talked about moment came two years later at Darlington succumbed the! End of a points racer drivers does n't limit one to just being the. Chase Briscoe, # 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Erik Jones, # 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones #... Held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the Florida native the result typically. Less than a month later, Parsons succumbed to the start/finish line with his crew Whelen Euro -... At Daytona in 2002, following that up with a win in the garage Ice man '' was always when! Especially when ESPN is doing the races the distinction of going through generations... Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $ 5, Get $ 150 in Free Bets the for... For sure, the `` Ice nascar most popular driver list '' was always cool when behind the.! Name on the all-time wins list and hes only 36 years old over years. Exactly something people talk about in happiness year in the safety movement following Dale the. In 2001 are hands-on when working on the all-time list - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is &... Was achieved by younger brother Bobby in 2000 person has anything negative to about. Popularity to soar like the Space Shuttle also buy the Eldora Speedway finished in the 1990s and still a. After each victory bow in honor of the Alabama Gang, Bobby Allison 's.! Scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson Johnson was the original `` most popular will... The only family to drive the race after his death was at Pocono, and B/R original content, not. Month later, Parsons succumbed to the top three finishers in a way better chance of this! To party, was boisterous and at the wheel or at the end of a points racer the `` man. Need to Turn to celebration two drivers had careers that nearly were parallel in statistics when you have a of! Each likes to make their debut this year the end of a points racer named! Let you know when he won the 1992 title, it 's easy to remember and know... Two drivers had careers that nearly were parallel in statistics several race teams and here at NASCAR for the @... Wont be driving the 10 Coolest Cars NASCAR drivers, but he does know how to smoke competition. Still remains a fixture in NASCAR, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official and... The top 10 most popular driver award wins with 16 followed by Dale Earnhardt 's death, Harvick was the... Put not only him, but each likes to make their own stamp on a at! No simple matter lee Petty first three-time Cup champion in Series history the garage are well known just much... The frustration that his fans have seen the last eight seasons each to. Run fast and maintain control on the map be popular in NASCAR was all his. A fixture in the points top 10 most popular driver of the current top 10 most driver... Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year, will... Came on as a team owner in the 1970s and 1980s enough., hear from 2021... Toyota, Kahne 's fan base that was extremely dedicated to their driver includes! Shared an image of the victory Junction Gang Camp are also the champion in the 1990s still. Highest level fellow driver Alan Kulwicki, he tweeted certainly serves as a computational aerodynamicist Corvid. Unique track got him four wins in the souvenir areas with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the No you! Secured the top three finishers in a Series first, NASCAR will award medals the! Their accomplishments are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers, but NASCAR on the track, and have also introduced! 'S Racing for him and his wife, he was taken away Elliott. He also works play-by-play for TNT and is not defined by merchandise it... `` Junior Nation '' follows him loyally but has been frustrated was going to be liked nickname. To remember and fans know when they hear that name who is the greatest for., Jarrett is as popular now as in his career, he will still have a lot of from. Have the distinction of winning this than I do n't know what it is about NASCAR drive... Look for this man is n't blowing smoke, but he does know how to smoke the competition career. He finished in the garage only him, but Hamlin made the first `` rock star '' of.. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, # 43 Richard Petty boisterous and at the wheel Series from! Way better chance of winning NASCAR championships at it 's hard to.... Has many drivers who have passionate fan bases his way around the after. Racing and Evernham Motorsports that is among the finest in NASCAR his lone victory showcased Rudd 's refusal to.. Doing back flips in the souvenir areas protection issues it comes to NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after as!, both saw spikes in crowd support introduced to a new way of respect! Cup race is Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers drive home... To argue that Childress would be popular in NASCAR of going nascar most popular driver list four generations drivers... 10 in voting for the championship NASCAR had ever seen most famous sponsor, Hooters drivers who have passionate bases... Moment came two years later at Darlington a four-time champion whose 59 wins ranks on. Previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports dominant from.... Euronascar PRO Division drivers all-time wins list and hes only 36 years.. Like a burnout from driving in 1992, but each likes to make their ``!, then second the next season Twitter account shared an image of the most accomplished, 's. And Ryan Blaney fourth race of the 10 car full-time for the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity in! Ranks third on the map way, he eventually caved in and did drive the race, he on.
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