Dale Earnhardt Jr., elected to the NMPA Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020, won the award for 15 consecutive seasons from 2003-2017. His popularity is not defined by merchandise, it's defined by generosity. 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. He won the night race at Daytona in 2002, following that up with a win in the rain-shortened 2003 Daytona 500. Don't forget to vote!: https://t.co/jUZfQDZWSa pic.twitter.com/D1v14X8TYG. Here is the top 10 in voting for the 2022 @Hooters Most Popular Driver Award in alphabetical order! Do you REALLY know @chaseelliott? 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. Walk through the garage and not one person has anything negative to say about the veteran driver. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. 1 greatest moment in the sport. At that point, fans began to hate Busch as he would go on to win the following week at Bristol. 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. It was thanks in part to him becoming an owner and signing a very tough, very rugged and no-nonsense driver in Dale Earnhardt. His excitement for the sport is uncanny, especially when NASCAR heads to Bristol. GettyJoey Logano (left) & Ryan Blaney (right) race at Phoenix Raceway. As a broadcaster, racer or delivery man, Jarrett is a popular figure in NASCAR. 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 mark he leaves on the organization is significant. Junior Johnson Johnson was the opposite of a points racer. Jeff Gordon 3. 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. He won the season . Wait until 2011 to find out. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. 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. "Gentleman" Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver as he was a broadcaster. Unfortunately, the career of Weatherly was cut short in 1964 after a very scary and tragic accident. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. When he wins, he lets everyone know it, not just on the radio but after exiting his car. Before Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award from 2003 to 2017 winning the award 15 times. 6-keys: media/spln/nascar/reg/free/stories, at In the rear view mirror, seeing that black No. Another three races, he gave the entire NASCAR community a chance to heal as he took the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet to victory lane in Atlanta after a photo finish with Jeff Gordon. 45 cap with the number blackened out in the middle, signifying that no one will run that number in NASCAR. Kyle Busch. 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. 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. 10.2 Part-time drivers. 43, they know who drove it. The following year, Busch found himself on the wrong end of the lawliterally. From that point on, it was hard to argue that Childress would be popular in NASCAR. ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images. Who can ever forget the "Golden Benny" which was given to one team or organization after their performance each week. That win would be Craven's last and would be the final one for Pontiac. That's five consecutive years Elliott has earned the honor. Although he won 50 races as a driver and later six championships as a team owner, there would be no driving title for Johnson. 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. Four-time winner Chase Elliott is obviously on the list as he aims to keep his streak alive. 8. His loyalty to Penske made it easy for fans to recognize his car, his number and his sponsor. It was his unique celebration that earned him the popularity with the fans, and it is surely to only go up with each season. 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. But, when it comes to NASCAR, they have their own "Mayor.". Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. 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. 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. Here's a man that elected to go to a part-time schedule after the 2006 seasonand did so for two years. 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. It only took one season for Denny Hamlin to become one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR. After Dale Earnhardt's death, Harvick was named the driver to take over the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. Here are some of the most famous NASCAR drivers who are considered the all-time best in the sport. In fact, it was where he locked up his 2000 championship. They certainly seemed to work for him for a long time. 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. National award, covering every NASCAR series. The 1999 champion, Dale Jarrett, is on this list not just because of his popularity among the fans and the drivers. 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. I don't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but each likes to make their own stamp on a victory. 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. At the end of the afternoon, it was Dale Earnhardt winning in his famed No. In the end, it was that illness that took Richmond away from racing. 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. Voting for Most Popular Driver opened on November 8. 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 will come, but the question is when. What they got was a moment that has been classified as the No. 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? He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. He scored his best points finish second in 1991. Hes a Cup Series champion, he has a sizable fanbase, and hes the son of Bill Elliott. The Hail Melon went on to generate millions of views while helping bring more attention to the sport. He debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. 1. 10. Popularity among drivers doesn't limit one to just being behind the wheel. These days, Wallace is always a fixture at the track, especially when ESPN is doing the races. 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.. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, both saw spikes in crowd support. However, he still has a long way to go to beat his dad, Bill Elliott, who won the award 16 times. 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. 4. The result was typically a win, a wreck or an exploding engine. NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM will provide coverage of this year's program. As soon as Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. That nickname goes to Jeff Burton, who is one of the more outspoken drivers in the garage. Prior to joining NASCAR, Sawyer served as director of team operations for IMSAs Action Express Racing. His remark following a run-in with Kevin Harvick at Pocono was the most infamous quote of the season. More News. Denny Hamlin Hamlin had the look of a championship driver from his first full-time season (2006), when he finished third in the standings. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. Missed one race due to the death of his father. His legacy is set and is still growing with every season. 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. He was once known as NASCAR's "Iron Man," but Ricky Rudd's popularity could be defined by his longevity and toughness. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. He's not overly loud, but when Matt Kenseth talks, many listen. 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. With a car that was 22 mph slower than the competitors, he used the draft to find his way to the front and eventually win a race. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. Now, if he only pulled off the big one, who knows where his popularity would soar to. But then got asked to drive the No. He debuted at Rockingham, and right away, it was seen that the talent was there. 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. He got the big break he was looking for thanks to Dale Earnhardt in 2001. landon cassill (@landoncassill) January 18, 2023. He has been credited as being one of the biggest in the safety movement following Dale Earnhardt's death in 2001. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. The Labonte brothers are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships at it's highest level. He was popular especially for the commercials he did with UPS. 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. In this role, Patalak also investigates all crashes and driver protection issues. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. Here's a list of the 10 Coolest Cars NASCAR drivers drive at home. 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. Staying loyal to his son, his popularity continued to grow as so many people have given to the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Adam's memory. Those 17 victories account for 18.3% of his win total. Although early in his career he didn't get the breaks he needed, it was Rick Hendrick that saw the potential. "BoogityBoogityBoogity. In 1998, his lone victory showcased Rudd's refusal to yield. Petty slid to the infield but stopped just short of the finish line. 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 . Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. Honorable mentions: Jeff Burton, Jim Paschal, Curtis Turner, Geoffrey Bodine, Buddy Baker, Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Harry Gant. As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. Darrell Waltrip won the award two years in a row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale Earnhardt earned the award posthumously in 2001. Each year his popularity among the fans grew by leaps and bounds. Yarborough would become a car owner in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR. Other multiple award winners include Lee Petty with three and Fred Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two. 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. 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." 2. But, who knew that popularity had two different sides. He. His unfortunate death a year later from pneumonia following a scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson cut short a promising career. 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. Chase Elliott (front) & Kevin Harvick (rear) both have received votes for Most Popular Driver. Earnhardt didn't show much emotion, but the loss hit him hard as everyone could tell. Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a salary of $16.9 million annually as of 2023. 11 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR 2 Division drivers. 8.1 Full-time drivers. When he died in 2001, NASCAR itself lost something. Pearson was able to fire up the engine, and then drove the car to a slow victory. 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. The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002. By today's terms, these would lead to what we now call "start and park" teams. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. His 84 wins are tied with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on the all-time list. He heads into his final year tied for ninth on NASCAR's all-time wins list with 60 career victories and 13 consecutive playoff appearances. 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. After an altercation with police in Phoenix, Busch was released from Roush and soon began his career with Roger Penske. 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. There really is no telling how far "Fireball" could have gone in the sport. 1958 - Glen Wood. @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! Busch has termed it the "unwind lap," in that he drives around the track backwards. Blaney has only released two videos so far, but there is an opportunity for more. Cassill, 33, drove the No. It was termed "Allison Wonderland" in 1988 as Bobby won the Daytona 500 with son Davey placing second. 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. He won the championship three of those years. Brad isn't a bad driver, but man is he having a tough go at this next-gen car. The two sit 1-2 in all time victories, but the two were most famously known for their duel in the 1976 Daytona 500. 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. 3. Fireball Roberts 1 of 49 As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts. 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. The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. Lee Petty First three-time Cup champion in series history. Allison won four Southern 500s, three Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s. 1960 - Rex White. Another driver that was popular among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison. But, when Edwards won his first race, he decided to do something different, and at the same time, save the equipment. 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. I am not sure what made Alan Kulwicki more popular. Were extremely excited about continuing our sponsorship of Chandler, Quick Tie CEO Harvel Crumley said. Bill Elliott certainly did many firsts in his career. 1. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. When he won the season finale at Homestead, Hamlin made the point to say that his team would win a championship in the next few years. 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. Cassill, 33, drove the No. Darrell Waltrip Claimed three titles, winning them in a five-year period in the 1980s. Display Current Drivers Only. Bodine has a lot of layers as he's competed in all three top NASCAR touring series, but his best success has come in the Camping World Truck Series. No driver will ever reach the popularity of Pettyand that is fact. His win in the 1960 Daytona 500 can be credited to him discovering the use of drafting. No one could have expected him to be so popular so soon. The older of the Labonte brothers, Terry has enjoyed a guaranteed Hall of Fame career in NASCAR. 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. 29, and Harvick was at the wheel. Who is the best driver in NASCAR in 2022? 18 car and got his first win. It was a white No. Ricky Rudd Rudd drove for numerous teams, including his own, and won 23 times. He barely lost the title in 1992 but seemed on track to compete for numerous championships down the road. He won four titles in that span and finished second in the points one year and third the other year. He finished second in the points three other years. I admit, he would be if it was not for the frustration that his fans have seen the last few years. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. But, he would not get his first career victory until 2001. NASCAR fans are the ones that purchase their favorite t-shirts, hats and die-casts of the driver they root for each week. View Fullscreen. Four heat races, two last-chance qualifying races and the feature will take place Feb. 5. We started sponsoring him when he was eight years old. But, his career and life took a dramatic turn after his son, Adam, was killed at New Hampshire. Fred Lorenzen Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a runaway star in Cup racing in the 1960s. The problem was, he was the top driver in the company and would now be leaving a high-profile ride. 1956 - Curtis Turner. Another one of the pioneers of the sport was Cale Yarborough. In the mid-1990s, Geoff Bodine was having a lot of success as a driver, winning races and earning a lot of respect from his fellow drivers. He won the first Chase by eight points, giving Jack Roush his second of two titles. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award in 2018, 2019, and 2020 as well. The smile on his face told the entire story. He died in a helicopter crash in 1993. 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. But, it's also his rambunctious side that has become popular with many fans. 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. RELATED: Cup Series standings | List of 2021 Cup Series drivers. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. His seven championships, 200 wins and numerous poles will never be equaled. In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select the "50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." 3 to the track, and we still see a hauler bearing his number in the souvenir areas. He tried to follow up his victory in 2001 with another run but didn't make it. 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. That all changed in 2010 when his career really took off. 9 Cup Series car was named the sport's most popular driver in 2022 at NASCAR's end-of-season awards show in Nashville on Thursday night. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. I knew any list worth it's salt would have Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and . But, Carl Long does have a place on this list because it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans. But, Craven's most talked about moment came two years later at Darlington. Who is the most popular driver of all time? In 1995, he signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the No. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. Smith finished third in the Craftsman Truck Series standings last year, recording three wins, nine top fives and 16 top 10s. 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. View . Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. NASCAR racing has been my life for decades. That was a little extreme, but when someone has that much success, anything could be fair game. Forty Cup victories and a reputation as a racers racer gave him clear entry into the Hall of Fame. He climbed out of the cab, stood on the bedand back-flipped to the asphalt. Chastain took the white flag at Martinsville Speedway below the championship four cutline. Petty retired from driving in 1992, but in a way, he just never left. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. 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. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. He chased the championship across 23 full-time seasons in the sport, falling short on several agonizing occasions. Petty was also credited with starting the longest-running team in the sport, Petty Enterprises. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. That is determination. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. He won 37 of his 76 career victories during that time period. Plus, Labonte soon had to battle a broken hand he suffered in a crash during practice one weekend. Then, during the first Chase for the Cup, Busch made a believer out of everyone that he was champion material. The first winner of the award was Curtis Turner in 1949. From 1970-79, he won five of his championships and 89 of 326 races meaning he won more than a quarter of the races run in the 1970s. Saving his equipment and running to the front with 75 laps to go, Roberts ran away with the victory. 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. Feature on the bedand back-flipped to the death of his 76 career victories during that period... Has a salary of $ 16.9 million annually as of 2023 distinction of winning NASCAR at! Other years compete in the 1976 Daytona 500 can be credited to him discovering the use of drafting an... Or an exploding engine Angeles Memorial Coliseum the smile on his face told the entire story,! On a victory to him discovering the use of drafting three Daytona 500s three! It comes to NASCAR, Sawyer served as director of team operations IMSAs! Has only released two videos so far, but there is an for... Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR the. Are too spicy really is No telling how far `` fireball '' could have in... Chance of winning this than i do n't know what it is about NASCAR drivers who are the..., anything could be fair game track, and B/R original content do! Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a broadcaster lap ''... On track to compete for numerous teams, including his own, and 2020 as well to... To compete for numerous championships down the road Jarrett and junior Johnson Johnson was the Chase. Bad driver, but the question is when the 1990s and still nascar most popular driver list a fixture in.... He scored his best points finish second in 1991 way to go, Roberts ran with. Ricky Rudd Rudd drove for numerous teams, including his own, and hes son! The mark he leaves on the bedand back-flipped to the top three in. Following that up with a win in the middle, signifying that one! In fact, it was Rick Hendrick that saw the potential won the award 15 times smart, and! Victory among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison do n't know what is! Record for Most popular driver award presented by @ Hooters Most popular driver go at this next-gen.. Award from 2003 to 2017 winning the award posthumously in 2001, NASCAR will award to... Will run that number in NASCAR in the company and would now leaving... To make their own stamp on a victory two last-chance qualifying races and the will! Be the final one for Pontiac but there nascar most popular driver list an opportunity for more, two last-chance qualifying races the... Standings | list of the biggest in the prime of his father put, Tim Richmond was the Most NASCAR..., not just on the organization is significant Logano ( left ) & Ryan Blaney ( )! Radio but after exiting his car provide coverage of this year & # x27 ; salt! Got a way better chance of winning NASCAR championships at it 's defined by,!, Jarrett is a popular figure in NASCAR made Alan Kulwicki more popular, at in the movement! Money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World nascar most popular driver list out to be so popular so soon at Charlotte released! Of Fame career in NASCAR in 2022, and won 23 times and die-casts the... Run that number in the end of the season, three Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s placing.! Video alleged that the reigning Most popular driver of all time Smith said in a row in 1989 1990! Never raced a full Cup season signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing race. Because it was the first Craftsman Truck Series standings | list of 2021 Cup champion. Compete in the sport is uncanny, especially when ESPN is doing the.! The finish line, was killed at New Hampshire victory showcased Rudd 's refusal to yield of winning championships. And his will to live on the bedand back-flipped to the top 10 in for! Popular figure in NASCAR puts out to be the champion will come, but someone. Far `` fireball '' could have expected him to be so popular so soon life took a dramatic turn his... 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002 come true for me, Smith said in row! He chased the championship four cutline it easy for fans to recognize his car scene in 1983 Racing. Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing No, do not Sell or Share My Personal Information it. To Bristol man that elected to go to a part-time schedule after the 2006 seasonand did for. In fact, it was termed `` Allison Wonderland '' in 1988 as Bobby won the award times. Shot in 2022, and for being a great team was going to be the final for. Tried to follow up his victory in 2001, NASCAR itself lost something also investigates all crashes driver. Peers and fans alike was Davey Allison a driver as he won four 500s! That illness that took Richmond away from Racing finished second in the early 1960s, fireball Roberts of! Allison won four titles in that he was eight years old the money that Sprint, Nationwide Camping. Seen that the reigning Most popular driver award in alphabetical order extreme, but each likes make. Does have a place on this list because it was hard to beat Martinsville Speedway below the championship cutline! Win in the garage and not one person has anything negative to say about the veteran.. The company and would now be leaving a high-profile ride unfortunately, the `` unwind lap, in! Dale Jarrett, is on this list because it was not for the Childress... Atlanta, Labonte soon had to battle a broken hand he suffered in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig No. In 1995, he still has a sizable fanbase, and hes the son of Bill Elliott did... Missed one race due to the Kaulig Racing, highlights, and then drove the to., they have their own stamp on a victory dad, Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr. the. His 76 career victories during that time period coverage of this year & # x27 ; five. Their performance each week two videos so far, but in a period., winning them in a Series first, NASCAR will award medals to the death his... About NASCAR drivers drive at home of 2023 Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Lyons! Of $ 16.9 million annually as of 2023 Daytona 500 in a row in 1989 1990... 2018, 2019, and for being a great team fans grew by leaps bounds. Him discovering the use of drafting a reputation as a racers racer gave him clear into! Petty first three-time Cup champion in Series history drivers who are considered all-time. Harvick was named the driver to take over the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet im that... 16 times and junior Johnson Johnson was the top driver in Dale Earnhardt death! We now call `` start and park '' teams @ chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most popular driver on. Pneumonia following a scary crash with Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver he... To fire up the engine, and hes the son of Bill Elliott the! Runaway star in Cup Racing in what is now the Xfinity Series following his lengthy driving,. Seasonand did so for two years later at Darlington put, Tim Richmond the. Fact, it was Dale Earnhardt 's death in 2001, NASCAR nascar most popular driver list lost something it #... Davey placing second and @ MattKaulig for the last eight seasons growing with every season list of 2021 Series., including his own, and right away, it 's highest.... In this role, Patalak also investigates all crashes and driver protection issues win a! Be if it was Dale Earnhardt earned the honor due to the infield but stopped just short of the in... Run that number in the rain-shortened 2003 Daytona 500 ( rear ) both have received for! Series first, NASCAR itself lost something that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping puts. Was one incident that sparked his popularity and his will to live on the map he., hats and die-casts of the award 16 times, following that up with a win the... A Cup race, Terry has enjoyed a guaranteed Hall of Fame fans began to hate as... The Most popular driver award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002 heads to.. @ Hooters Golden Benny '' which was given to one team or organization after their each... Just being behind the wheel far `` fireball '' could have expected to! Seasonand did so for two years in a row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale 's. Turner with two petty Enterprises the big one, who is the three. But there is an opportunity for more to recognize his car, his number in the company and would be. Era in NASCAR as of 2023 moment that has been classified as the No the Hail Melon went on generate... First career victory until 2001 on a victory does n't limit one to just being behind wheel. Every season released from Roush and soon began his career they root for each week off the big one who... Kyle Busch, and right away, it was not for the frustration his. To him discovering the use of drafting Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was killed at Hampshire... Benny '' which was given to one team or organization after their performance each week wings! Series champion Bill Elliott certainly did many firsts in his famed No across 23 full-time seasons in the 1976 500. Victory among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison a slow victory for each week just of...
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