Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? Both Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick made the top 10. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although . He was the original "Most Popular Driver" in NASCAR. Chase Elliott is the most popular driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, but this year's most popular Xfinity Series driver might be just as obvious. Richard Petty holds the record with at least a win in 18 consecutive seasons. 29 and he qualified fifth and won the race. 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. His legacy is set and is still growing with every season. But, his career and life took a dramatic turn after his son, Adam, was killed at New Hampshire. For Dave Marcis, his racing career spanned over 30 years and saw him win only five times. All this means that popularity in NASCAR can be defined by its fan base. . Simply put, Tim Richmond was the first "rock star" of NASCAR. These days, those pit stops are normal, but it was something when it happened. The conversation drastically changed on October 30, 2022. 10. Maybe next year that success and popularity will return, thanks to JTG Daugherty Racing. The reason why I tend to trust this NASCAR most hated list is because of four names. He is a massive Washington Capitals fan, lover of history, and can be found at Dominion Raceway most Saturday nights. Saving his equipment and running to the front with 75 laps to go, Roberts ran away with the victory. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. One of the nicest guys in the garage in the early years of NASCAR, Jarrett won titles in 1961 and 1965. Probably one of the more unique celebrations NASCAR has seen, but it sure is cool for the fans after he wins. 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. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. 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. 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: Chandler Smith to attempt Daytona 500, MORE: NASCAR to award medals to top three finishes in Clash. 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 . What they got was a moment that has been classified as the No. He wears a No. 9.2 Part-time drivers. As a kid, you always have the goal of one day racing in the Cup Series. 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. 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. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. He drives a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and his car number is 8. Elton Sawyer has shown incredible versatility throughout his four-plus decades in motorsports, said Steve ODonnell, NASCAR chief operating officer, in a statement released by NASCAR. It wasn't the collision on the backstretch, nor was it the wreck entering Turn 3. 1955 - Tim Flock. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. National award, covering every NASCAR series. 2. 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. @RossChastains move put the entire sports world on notice pic.twitter.com/HeTYQWUFAM, Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) October 31, 2022. Everyone believes this man should be higher than he is going to be on this list. The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. 1. He was also involved in the finish of the first Daytona 500, despite being two laps down to the leader. He only ran more than 3/4 of the season five times. But even before his title, Labonte had gotten the break he needed to become a very strong and very popular driver. Finished second in the points three times. Johnson won six NASCAR titles as a car owner, three each from Cale Yarborough (1976-1978) and Darrell Waltrip (1981-1982, 1985). Later in 1988, Allison had a near fatal accident at Pocono that caused major head injuries, forcing him to retire. 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." Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. It was thanks in part to him becoming an owner and signing a very tough, very rugged and no-nonsense driver in Dale Earnhardt. Rebuilding will be my top priority. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. Kyle Busch Two-time Cup champion whose 59 wins ranks ninth on the all-time wins list and hes only 36 years old. The Cup Series returns Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen International (3 p.m. Another driver that was popular among his peers and fans alike was Davey Allison. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. It was termed "Allison Wonderland" in 1988 as Bobby won the Daytona 500 with son Davey placing second. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. 5. For Burton, it's all about respect, and that gets him fans both in the garage and in the grandstands. 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. Sponsorships drive my business, and my sponsors over the last two years have been through a lot. Drivers have a way of earning respect on the track, but that carries over in the garage. 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. 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. No driver will ever reach the popularity of Pettyand that is fact. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. 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. NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM will provide coverage of this year's program. As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. But, as far as popularity, you can't hate someone for doing what they wanted in life. Although he won 50 races as a driver and later six championships as a team owner, there would be no driving title for Johnson. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sports January 12, 2023 - 1:36 PM 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. 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? Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. Joey Logano is the best NASCAR driver right now. Here, we've compiled a list of the 30 very best NASCAR drivers to ever compete in the sport's history. Jarrett provided great insight into the drivers, their thought process and was part of the great TNN coverage team with Eli Gold and Buddy Baker. Lavar Scott, Andrs Prez de Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing, which operates the diversity program. The list also includes championship runner-up Ross Chastain and 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. 45 cap with the number blackened out in the middle, signifying that no one will run that number in NASCAR. The Most Popular Driver Award is a family affair in the Elliott household. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. 4-29-51 equals No. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen. Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a . He collected 105 series wins, second only to Richard Petty on the all-time list. 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. Who is the most popular driver of all time? Fans are able to vote for one driver every day, but are able to vote each day until voting ends on the 30th. 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. Name Hometown D.O.B. In those five seasons, he won 50 of his 243 starts (20.6%). 1960 - Rex White. Forty Cup victories and a reputation as a racers racer gave him clear entry into the Hall of Fame. Popularity not only defines a driver, it simply defines the sport. Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. He won the first Chase by eight points, giving Jack Roush his second of two titles. Blaney has started releasing some short videos that would fit perfectly in any political campaign. He'll have a lot of votes from the fansthat's for sure. He was once known as NASCAR's "Iron Man," but Ricky Rudd's popularity could be defined by his longevity and toughness. 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. 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. 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. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. That soon led him to purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway. 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. 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. 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. Earnhardt and co-host Mike Davis raise the bar with unparalleled perspective, candid commentary, and fascinating, first-person insight into the life of a broadcaster, celebrated racer. However, he has become ever popular alongside Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds when FOX does the first half of the season. The mark he leaves on the organization is significant. The list in no alphabetical order features some expected names. The following year, Busch found himself on the wrong end of the lawliterally. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. 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