The list also includes Christopher Bell, reigning champion Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, and Ryan Blaney. He also had a Daytona 500 win and a Southern 500 victory among his 84 career wins. NASCAR fans are the ones that purchase their favorite t-shirts, hats and die-casts of the driver they root for each week. 4-29-51 equals No. His remark following a run-in with Kevin Harvick at Pocono was the most infamous quote of the season. Where's the success? You can vote for the Most Popular Driver here. They handed him a flag bearing Allison's No. He took time off from racing because of illness, something he couldn't figure out but many could see was affecting him. That seemed to help out a lot, as not only did it increase his ability to control his temper, it also helped him become a better driver. The remaining two names are where the list gets interesting. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nascar | pageType: stories | His popularity is not defined by merchandise, it's defined by generosity. Another driver turned broadcaster that saw some success in NASCAR was Ricky Craven. When he came on as a broadcaster, it was one of the most natural transitions anyone had seen. Kulwicki's name is still spoke of today as many more drivers are hands-on when working on the cars. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. Each year his popularity among the fans grew by leaps and bounds. They are also the ones that argue every Sunday as to who is better at winning, or who's the driver most hated. The documentary "Dale" is one of the most watched films in recent memory. The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). The venue hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the Coliseum. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. But, as far as popularity, you can't hate someone for doing what they wanted in life. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. 1954 - Lee Petty. Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. But, Carl Long does have a place on this list because it was one incident that sparked his popularity among the fans. During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win.. He wears a No. It was termed "Allison Wonderland" in 1988 as Bobby won the Daytona 500 with son Davey placing second. That happened at Daytona in the early 1980s following a crash in the qualifying race. Despite the treatment working, later that year he was readmitted to the hospital because of complications. 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. But, it's also his rambunctious side that has become popular with many fans. 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. He won the first Chase by eight points, giving Jack Roush his second of two titles. Probably one of the more unique celebrations NASCAR has seen, but it sure is cool for the fans after he wins. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. 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. For Burton, it's all about respect, and that gets him fans both in the garage and in the grandstands. But, what really set off his popularity in NASCAR was the moment that blasted NASCAR into the main stream. 9, which he made famous in the 1980s. He debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. That attitude grew a fan base that was extremely dedicated to their driver. Latest NASCAR News. 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. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. He won the Coca-Cola 600 five times. The race after his death was at Pocono, and every driver was taking the loss hard. 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. Richard Childress was a very successful driver in his time, but his popularity skyrocketed after he decided to step out of the race car. 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. Powered by. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. Noah Gragson was named Most Popular Driver for the Xfinity Series, while Hailie Deegan earned Most Popular Driver honors in the Truck Series for the second year in a row. ET on NBCSN) and that provides plenty of time to debate this list and any of the drivers in the top 10. When you have championship seasons that saw him win seven, 10 and 13 races in a matter of three years, haters will be there. An independent group of 51 individuals representing various NASCAR roles were asked to give their objective and educated opinions on who the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history were. Busch races for the Richard Childress Racing team and has a . Can you guess what todays #1 play was on @SportsCenter?! Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. It's not the money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion. 10.2 Part-time drivers. After an altercation with police in Phoenix, Busch was released from Roush and soon began his career with Roger Penske. Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? 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. In the race for the championship, however, he has finished second, third three times, fourth twice and fifth twice. Between 2000 and 2002, Busch had an intense rivalry with Jimmy Spencer that saw the two have numerous run-ins on the track. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. 3 wasn't on the door panel. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. 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. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. He is a massive Washington Capitals fan, lover of history, and can be found at Dominion Raceway most Saturday nights. pic.twitter.com/4PPjDbCy0J. In fact, he was one of the first to make the transition from behind the wheel to on the microphone. Here's a list of the 10 Coolest Cars NASCAR drivers drive at home. 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.. Danica Patrick 10. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. 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. Cale Yarborough Won three consecutive championships (1976-78). After parting with DEI in 2007, Junior came to Hendrick Motorsports and right away saw himself in the title hunt. In a series first, NASCAR will award medals to the top three finishers in a Cup race. GettyJoey Logano (left) & Ryan Blaney (right) race at Phoenix Raceway. But, he didn't celebrate as Earnhardt died on the last lap. Bobby Allison Finished second in the points five times before winning the 1983 championship. There were weeks when fans and drivers celebrated Chastains wins and his production on the track, especially considering how he had previously driven for underfunded teams across the national series. Jeff Gordon A four-time champion whose 93 career wins ranks third on the all-time list. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. But then got asked to drive the No. The official NASCAR Twitter account shared an image of the current top 10 most popular drivers as voting for the Most Popular Driver continues. Weatherly started stock car racing in 1952, winning 49 of the 83 races he entered, a staggering winning percentage. ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images. He won 37 of his 76 career victories during that time period. Chase Elliott sits in fifth with four wins. 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. It took just two races to cement Jamie McMurray's popularity in NASCAR. Whether it was at the wheel of the Home Depot car, the Office Depot Chevrolet or his own late model, Tony Stewart is one of the most talked about and popular drivers to come into NASCAR in the last decade. Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the Coliseum. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. 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. Thought to go into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on the first class of inductees, Pearson was surprisingly left out. Yarborough would become a car owner in the 1990s and still remains a fixture in NASCAR. Everyone knows the green flag has waved when they hear DW's famous words. Bold prediction, or was he reaching for a miracle? 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 debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. The first winner of the award was Curtis Turner in 1949. He won the Southern 500 six times and the Brickyard 400 five times. However, he has become ever popular alongside Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds when FOX does the first half of the season. 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. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. 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. Walk through the garage and not one person has anything negative to say about the veteran driver. 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. 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. NMPA Most Popular Driver Award winners. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. That was a little extreme, but when someone has that much success, anything could be fair game. It was a white No. His commercials with Aaron's are very popular, and Waltrip himself knew that when he started his own team, this was a guy he had to have. His crazy antics in the garage are well known just as much as his ability to drive the race car. 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. 8. Championship Ranking; Championship Overview; Win Ranking; . Johnson's popularity in NASCAR was all about his ability as a team owner in the 1970s and 1980s. We still see fans wear the No. He wasn't very outspoken, but he spoke out when needed. @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. He wasn't popular because of his racing, nor his success. 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. All Rights Reserved. NASCAR unveiled the list on November 21 and revealed which drivers in alphabetical order -have been receiving the most votes through the first two weeks. 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. Look for this young man to continue to grow in support for years to come. Most recently, he held the role of NASCAR vice president, technical inspection and officiating, a role he assumed in 2016. Dale Earnhardt Jr's popularity was secure simply because of the name, and after his father's death, it grew 10-fold. But, when Edwards won his first race, he decided to do something different, and at the same time, save the equipment. However, my quest to win in NASCAR continues. Regardless of where Chastain finishes in the final voting, there is no denying that his 2022 season featured a significant number of changes in terms of public opinion. pic.twitter.com/iM7jihS3VZ, RELATED: NASCAR COO Steve ODonnell Appears To Signal They Will Outlaw Moves Like Ross Chastains Hail Melon Martinsville Move. Bodine's popularity in NASCAR now has him working in the Research and Development Center, focusing solely on safety. Some drivers have their peers come for advice, sometimes for issues in the race and sometimes it's advice outside the race. Lavar Scott, Andrs Prez de Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing, which operates the diversity program. He's not just racing for him and his wife, he's racing for his family. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. Just a huge thank you, he concluded. Kyle, Richard and the entire Petty family were devastated when such talent and such charm was robbed from NASCAR. 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. As one of the originators of the great "Alabama Gang," Donnie Allison was one of the most popular drivers in the 1970s. NASCAR and the National Motorsports Press Association revealed the current top 10 most popular drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. 1. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. In NASCAR, he became arguably the most popular driver of the 2000s by winning 49 career Cup Series races from 1999-2016. Other multiple award winners include Lee Petty with three and Fred Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two. pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award for 15 consecutive. At the same time, early in his career, he was also well-hated. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, both saw spikes in crowd support. Brad isn't a bad driver, but man is he having a tough go at this next-gen car. He got the big break he was looking for thanks to Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. The 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver will be announced during the NASCAR Cup Series Awards program on Thursday, Dec. 2. The result was typically a win, a wreck or an exploding engine. Earnhardt's win keeps him at third on the career list behind Bill Elliott's record 16. NMPA Hall of Fame member and 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for most popular driver award wins with 161984-1988, 1991-2000 and 2002. In his racing career, Allison won 84 races and has the 1983 championship to his credit. But who is the most popular driver of all-time? There really is no telling how far "Fireball" could have gone in the sport. The kid had some guts in saying that, and almost instantly, his popularity soared to new heights. Taking votes away from Elliott is no simple matter. Any driver willing to tape his eyes open in order to race is beyond tough. His name was defined by a small budget trying to make it big. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. 50. Media requests: reply below and Ill answer publicly, the best I can. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. 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Cauldron at the same time, early in his racing career, Elton held key leadership positions several! Not one person has anything negative to say about the veteran driver next-gen car ability as broadcaster! Hands-On when working on the microphone the race car and here at NASCAR for the,. The money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion how far `` Fireball could... S a list of the season schedule for Kaulig sometimes for issues in the points five....