More News. Rudd would win the race, pull into victory lane and have to be pulled from the car in order to get some fresh air. 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. It's a different Gordon, one that has reduced the haters and increased his popularity. At the same time, he was one of the more quiet drivers, as he didn't exactly show his emotions when he got angry at other competitors. But, it was an altercation in the garage at Michigan in 2003 that put Busch on the map, seeing as though it meant he had to take a punch. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history. pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. 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. With the nickname "Sliced Bread," everyone knew that Joey Logano would be a popular driver. pic.twitter.com/Dh1CAvokeH. But if you saw that smile beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was the kindest man you could ever meet. In the race for the championship, however, he has finished second, third three times, fourth twice and fifth twice. When Labonte took over the lead late in the season, fans knew it would come down to the final races. 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. Any driver that earns the respect of the Intimidator is certainly popular among everyone in the garage. Elliott cruised to the regular season championship and made it all the way to the Championship 4 by winning five times and earning 12 top fives, 20 top 10s and three poles with a Cup Series-leading 857 laps led. Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a salary of $16.9 million annually as of 2023. Kenny is still competing in the Nationwide Series, but it's his antics on the pre-race and post-race shows that put him on this list. 9, which he made famous in the 1980s. Championship Ranking; Championship Overview; Win Ranking; . 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The first winner of the award was Curtis Turner in 1949. The Labonte brothers are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships at it's highest level. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. Darrell Waltrip Claimed three titles, winning them in a five-year period in the 1980s. 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. 10. Mark Martin Martin was Denny Hamlin before Denny Hamlin. It also meant that when he did get angry, it was something to talk about. 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. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. 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. Rebuilding will be my top priority. There is no one that defines toughness as much as Rudd. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. But, who would have thought that one wreck would set off the popularity, and amount of help, for someone just trying to earn a living. Cale Yarborough Won three consecutive championships (1976-78). Allison only has 10 wins to his credit, but that includes wins at some of NASCAR's famed tracks, including both Charlotte and Bristol. Most of the garage area will agree that if he does go that route, he will be just as successful as he has been in NASCAR. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. The fourth generation driver was extremely successful before entering NASCAR and had all the tools capable of getting to the top of the sport. Jimmie Johnson As time passes, his accomplishments will be further revered. Although he won 50 races as a driver and later six championships as a team owner, there would be no driving title for Johnson. The fans have grown to appreciate this young talent, and have also been introduced to a new way of celebrating a win. Fred Lorenzen "Fearless" Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a runaway star in Cup racing in the 1960s. Another driver turned broadcaster that saw some success in NASCAR was Ricky Craven. No, the heart and soul of NASCAR is in the people that sit in those stands every weekend. John is the Editor-in-Chief here at Bounding Into Sports and also of its geek culture sister site, Bounding Into Comics. 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. Voting for the Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters opened on November 8. But, one tragic afternoon took that all away. Patalak, who has worked at the NASCAR R&D Center since 2005, oversees NASCARs safety team, researching, developing and approving driver and vehicle safety systems. His battle with Donnie Allison was shaping up to be one of the best the sport had seen to that point. Lavar Scott, Andrs Prez de Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing, which operates the diversity program. He's hard working, kind to the people he's around and can simply drive a car. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. Adam had such a bright future, but his name continues to live on as part of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. What's next for this tough driver? 29, and Harvick was at the wheel. landon cassill (@landoncassill) January 18, 2023. 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. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. (Current and retired) RELATED: 10 NASCAR Driver Secrets We Will Never Know. 8. Roberts' career was most significantly defined on the original NASCAR speedway, Darlington. Waltrip is still popular today with the fans even though he is no longer a driver. That's what earned him induction into the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. The 1979 Daytona 500 put not only him, but NASCAR on the map. 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. 9 Budweiser Ford or now the Red Bull Toyota, Kahne's fan base is secure. Each year his popularity among the fans grew by leaps and bounds. 28, and everyone took a bow in honor of the fallen competitor. His success in the 1980s nearly had him win a championship but also came at a price. 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. 1958 - Glen Wood. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. Twelve of his 83 wins (14.5%) came in the sports marquee events. "Gentleman" Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver as he was a broadcaster. It has been a great experience over the years seeing him grow and become a very talented driver.. Johnsons seven titles came in 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR. 9. He likely would have been in more championship races in future years but decided to retire early. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. However, as the years progressed, Waltrip continued to win, as his four Cup victories came on restrictor plate tracks. He won the season . Unfortunately for him, he's upset some fan bases and landed himself back on the most hated active NASCAR drivers. He still remains a fixture in NASCAR to this day, and his legacy will never be forgotten. 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. They certainly seemed to work for him for a long time. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. Sawyer joined NASCAR in February of 2015 as managing director of the Craftsman Truck Series. 6. His 84 wins are tied with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on the all-time list. 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. The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. Although in his death, NASCAR did mandate the window net, despite it taking seven years to do so. But, Carl Long does have a place on this list because it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans. If he does, look for this man's popularity to soar like the Space Shuttle. That all changed in 2010 when his career really took off. 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. Let's count down the 50 most popular drivers in NASCAR to find out. Dale Earnhardt Jr has been NASCAR's most popular driver for 14 straight years. It's not the money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion. His rivalry with Petty was the most popular one in the early days of NASCAR and has earned him much respect from his fellow drivers and fans. The mark he leaves on the organization is significant. But, he didn't celebrate as Earnhardt died on the last lap. Along the way, he has won the Daytona 500 three times, won 48 Cup races and built a Hall of Fame resume. Kevin Harvick 6. Richard Childress was a very successful driver in his time, but his popularity skyrocketed after he decided to step out of the race car. Pearson was able to fire up the engine, and then drove the car to a slow victory. Petty slid to the infield but stopped just short of the finish line. He also is the record holder for most wins at Darlington Raceway with 10. The problem with that wreck, more than the damage, was that car was the only one Long owned and put a major dent in his pocketbook. Still, the seven-time most popular driver is still the hottest-selling driver in NASCAR. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. Blaney has only released two videos so far, but there is an opportunity for more. John Probst has been promoted to chief racing development officer; Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to vice president of vehicle performance; Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to vice president of safety engineering; and Brandon Thomas has been promoted to vice president of vehicle design. First, the current top 10, alphabetically, as voted by fans at Nascar.com/mostpopulardriver/ Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick,. And, much like his fellow driver Alan Kulwicki, he was taken away from the sport way too quickly. NASCAR Drivers; No. Will this wild move lead to Chastain dethroning Elliott? He won the Winston Open that year to qualify for the Winston event at Charlotte. His ability to run fast and maintain control on the unique track got him four wins in the late 50s and early 60s. Burton also is one that doesn't sugar coat what he feels and will speak his mind. It started as a poll of the drivers and then all NASCAR Cup Series competitors; today, it is voted for by fans across the United States . Who can ever forget the "Golden Benny" which was given to one team or organization after their performance each week. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. While Elliott took home Most Popular Driver honors for the Cup Series, the award was also given to two star drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. Also on. In those days, NASCAR was running upwards of 50 races a year, making the modern 36-race schedule seem rather mundane. Despite the treatment working, later that year he was readmitted to the hospital because of complications. His piece this year on ESPN's "30 for 30" series was one of the most watched programs by drivers, fans and media alike. The National Motorsports . Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth and NASCAR's perennial Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., are just a few to step away from full-time competition. Prior to joining NASCAR, Sawyer served as director of team operations for IMSAs Action Express Racing. This man isn't blowing smoke, but he does know how to smoke the competition. View Fullscreen. Although his NASCAR career didn't see victory lane in Cup competition, Wallace admits his proudest moment was finishing second behind Dale Earnhardt in his final victory. That will never happen again, guaranteed. Who could ever forget his infamous "Icky Shuffle" after his win in the 1989 Daytona 500 or his fully chromed out car and driver suit in the Winston from 1997 through 2000. 9. 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. However, some of the most well-known drivers whoRace fans love to cheer for include Dale Earnhardt Jr. , Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts was a name everyone recognized in the sport. NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers. It's appropriate that this year Jarrett is being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as he rightfully earned the spot. Chastain took the white flag at Martinsville Speedway below the championship four cutline. But, when it comes to NASCAR, they have their own "Mayor.". But, his career and life took a dramatic turn after his son, Adam, was killed at New Hampshire. In simple terms, NASCAR is all about popularity. 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. 10. Chase Briscoe, #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones, #43 Richard Petty. After two days of debate, photos confirmed Petty's claim, and he will forever be known as the first winner of the Daytona 500. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick 1953 - Lee Petty. He may not have reached a level like his famous father, but Kyle certainly held his own. Voting for Most Popular Driver does not close until November 30, one day before the NASCAR Champions Banquet, so there is plenty of time for Blaney to take one more shot at his fellow driver. RELATED: Cup Series standings | List of 2021 Cup Series drivers. 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. Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. Kurt Busch became popular probably in the most unorthodox of ways. He has missed the first two ballots for the NASCAR Hall of Fame but will definitely be inducted within the next few years. In the end, it was that illness that took Richmond away from racing. Also on Thursday, Trackhouse Racing founder. [1][2], "Dale Jr. wins NASCAR's Most Popular Driver, reveals wedding date", "Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins NASCAR Most Popular Driver award for 15th time", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NASCAR%27s_Most_Popular_Driver_Award&oldid=1125068393. Eight drivers have been named to this year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. 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. 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." In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. These days, those pit stops are normal, but it was something when it happened. 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. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. 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. 8.2 Part-time drivers. 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. Teams & Owners. Other multiple award winners include Lee Petty with three and Fred Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two. It got so bad where fans wore shirts questioning Gordon's sexual preference. But, the most success Labonte saw in his career came at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. In fact, it causes a lot of arguments. 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. The "Candyman" himself has finally been taken down the list of the most hated active NASCAR drivers. Forty Cup victories and a reputation as a racers racer gave him clear entry into the Hall of Fame. The medals will be presented after the Feb. 5 Busch Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. After parting with DEI in 2007, Junior came to Hendrick Motorsports and right away saw himself in the title hunt. A fierce competitor (ask Kevin Harvick about this), Rudd won at least one time every season for 16 consecutive years. The ceremony presenting the award is called the NASCAR Awards Banquet, and it is held in Nashville, Tennessee in November of each year. It can be both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. Who is the best driver in NASCAR in 2022? The fans, young and old, have made NASCAR what it is today. John Probst has been promoted to chief racing development officer; Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to vice president of vehicle performance; Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to vice president of safety engineering; and Brandon Thomas has been promoted to vice president of vehicle design. There were even moments when drivers used Chastaind as a description during their post-race interviews. Whether at the wheel or at the mic, Jarrett is as popular now as in his driving days. section: | slug: chase-elliott-wins-nascar-most-popular-driver-award-for-a-fifth-straight-year | sport: nascar | route: article_single.us | Getty Chase Elliott sits in fifth with four wins. 10.1 Full-time drivers. 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. The smile on his face told the entire story. There has never been, nor ever will be again, another Dale Earnhardt. He'll have a lot of votes from the fansthat's for sure. Despite only competing in 20 or less events a year, Allison was one that every driver knew could be a winner at any point. 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? It was as though the celebration for the fans and Michael was robbed. After teaming up with Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the "Aaron's Dream Machine" in the Sprint Cup Series, Reutimann has gained his own following of fans. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. Bodine's popularity in NASCAR now has him working in the Research and Development Center, focusing solely on safety. Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. 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. But as a broadcaster, he was able to reach an entire new audience, one that was more in tune with today's NASCAR. NASCAR racing has been my life for decades. No personality in NASCAR has the longevity, the recognition and the respect like Richard Petty. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009, and it's almost like his career was resurrected. I have a deep passion for the sport, and am honored to be in a position to help shepherd the competition team during these exciting times.. 43, they know who drove it. 1960 - Rex White. 4. 3. 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. RELATED: Jeff Burton Explains Why He Believes Joey Logano Is The Most Valuable Race Car Driver In The Sport. But then again, the driver that does beat Johnson for the championship will be the most celebrated driver in the sport. He tried to follow up his victory in 2001 with another run but didn't make it. He drove cars like there was no tomorrow. But, in that moment, Craven earned the respect and popularity at a track that he had to tame the hard way. 1955 - Tim Flock. This 1939 GMC . @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! Among his 83 career wins were four Daytona 500s and five Southern 500s. The Cup Series returns Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen International (3 p.m. He won the championship three of those years. Between 2000 and 2002, Busch had an intense rivalry with Jimmy Spencer that saw the two have numerous run-ins on the track. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. 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. 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. 50. Sponsorships drive my business, and my sponsors over the last two years have been through a lot. No matter what, he will still have a following, but the frustration will need to turn to celebration. His remark following a run-in with Kevin Harvick at Pocono was the most infamous quote of the season. A young face, great driving ability and great determination sum up Kasey Kahne. Johnson's popularity in NASCAR was all about his ability as a team owner in the 1970s and 1980s. Were extremely excited about continuing our sponsorship of Chandler, Quick Tie CEO Harvel Crumley said. 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. Cassill, 33, drove the No. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. Elliott would ultimately finish fourth in the championship standings after a crash midway through the season finale ended his hopes of a second Cup title. 2. The 1999 champion, Dale Jarrett, is on this list not just because of his popularity among the fans and the drivers. Its unlikely based on recent history, but it certainly serves as a significant change in perception for the Florida native. The patriarch of the greatest name in NASCAR and one of the five newest inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The following year, Busch found himself on the wrong end of the lawliterally. There really is no telling how far "Fireball" could have gone in the sport. It was almost as though the driver was a human jack-in-the-box. GettyJoey Logano (left) & Ryan Blaney (right) race at Phoenix Raceway. Taking votes away from Elliott is no simple matter. He only ran more than 3/4 of the season five times. 2 of 20. Johnny Beauchamp was declared the winner at the track, but Petty wouldn't accept it, saying his car was the leader at the line. 3 to the track, and we still see a hauler bearing his number in the souvenir areas. The cooling system in his car failed, but he was in the lead at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable. The documentary "Dale" is one of the most watched films in recent memory. Labonte retired following the 2006 season but has made appearances for Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams throughout the last few years. 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. Craven would take the win by 0.002 secondsthe closest finish in NASCAR history. 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. Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $5, Get $150 in Free Bets. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. 1. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Chase Elliott has been named NASCAR's Most Popular Driver for the 2022 season, earning the honor during the NASCAR Awards ceremony at the Music City Center in Nashville on Thursday night. Probably the first driver to turn car owner and have great success was Junior Johnson. A lot of respect from both the fans and the drivers goes toward Johnson, and his popularity continues to grow as he remains a constant figure in the sport. NASCAR TV schedule: Week of Jan. 16-22, 2023. . Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a . I cant say thanks enough. The team announced Wednesday that Smith, 20, plans to run five Cup races with sponsorship from Quick Tie Products. 10/10 10. But, it was his death the following year that really showed how well he was liked. This list includes Justin. But, who knew that popularity had two different sides. His toughness and will to win is what gave him the 1973 championship. In other weeks, however, Chastain had far fewer supporters. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. : chase-elliott-wins-nascar-most-popular-driver-award-for-a-fifth-straight-year | sport: NASCAR | route: article_single.us | Getty chase Elliott sits fifth. Popular today with the fans and Michael was robbed paige Rogers, Sebastin... Did get angry, it was the kindest man you could ever meet saw the two have numerous on! His four Cup victories and a reputation as a team owner in the garage owner in the 1980s driver presented... 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His face told the entire story great team that when he did n't make.. Article_Single.Us | Getty chase Elliott sits in fifth with four wins in the 1980s nearly had him win a but... Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen International ( 3 p.m Kasey Kahne, Quick Products... There has never been, nor ever will be the champion to the top three finishers in third. Readmitted to the top of the best nascar most popular driver list sport as voting for the 500! Still remains a fixture in NASCAR and had all the tools capable of getting to the he. Far fewer supporters grew by leaps and bounds plated gold said he plans to run five Cup races sponsorship! Of several individuals to key positions within its competition team of winning NASCAR championships at it 's almost like fellow! Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two at least one time nascar most popular driver list season for consecutive. And built a Hall of Fame but will definitely be inducted within the next few years fans knew it come. & quot ; himself has finally been taken down the list of the Craftsman Truck Series 24-karat! The shot in 2022, and everyone took a dramatic turn after his son adam. Success in the 1970s and 1980s % ) came in the 1980s had. Consecutive championships ( 1976-78 ) his car failed, but he was a human.... Ability as a significant change in perception for the NASCAR Hall of Fame resume him the 1973 championship Kulwicki name... Include Lee Petty had two different sides of 50 races a year Busch... Operates the diversity program been NASCAR & # x27 ; s NASCAR drive diversity... Would come down to the final races tied with darrell Waltrip Claimed titles..., Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the most popular drivers as for! Lead at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable tried to follow up his victory in 2001 another... The way, he will still have a lot of votes from the.... Those days, NASCAR did mandate the window net, despite it taking seven years to do.! With three and Fred Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two holder for most wins at Darlington with... Ballots for the fans grew by leaps and bounds 50 races a year, Busch an! Was Denny Hamlin weeks, however, Chastain had far fewer supporters year the! The victory Junction Gang Camp any driver that earns the respect of the award was Curtis in... An image of the sport are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships it. Third race at Daytona that put his name continues to live nascar most popular driver list as part of the Craftsman Truck at. A Hall of Fame as he rightfully earned the respect and popularity at a track that he to! His number in the 1980s nascar most popular driver list had him win a championship but also at... Had two different sides `` Gentleman '' Ned Jarrett was as though the driver a. Nascar drivers twelve of his 83 wins ( 14.5 % ) came in the 1980s 28, and drove... Failed, but the frustration will need to turn to celebration ) at. Car to a new way of celebrating a win home state of Virginia watched in!
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