His loss hit everyone hard in the sport, but much like the slogan for Allison since his death, he truly is gone but not forgotten. As a broadcaster, racer or delivery man, Jarrett is a popular figure in NASCAR. 1 greatest moment in the sport. 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. Bodine's popularity in NASCAR now has him working in the Research and Development Center, focusing solely on safety. But, what really set off his popularity in NASCAR was the moment that blasted NASCAR into the main stream. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. Where's it going from here? He may not have reached a level like his famous father, but Kyle certainly held his own. But, it's the man outside those statistics that make him the most popular driver, and man, in NASCAR history. 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.. This is a dream come true for me, Smith said in a statement released by the team. It was almost as though the driver was a human jack-in-the-box. It also meant that when he did get angry, it was something to talk about. Media requests: reply below and Ill answer publicly, the best I can. 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. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. Fred Lorenzen Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a runaway star in Cup racing in the 1960s. As will young NASCAR stars Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who look to claim glory as they climb the NASCAR rankings. Only question among everyone in the sport that keeps coming up is "Could he continue this dominance?". His popularity is not defined by merchandise, it's defined by generosity. NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the most popular NASCAR driver in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series every year since 1956. One thing is for sure, the "Ice Man" was always cool when behind the wheel. 10/10 10. Could it be his unique way of celebrating a victory, his "Polish Victory Lap?" Johnson won six NASCAR titles as a car owner, three each from Cale Yarborough (1976-1978) and Darrell Waltrip (1981-1982, 1985). Wait until 2011 to find out. Elliott earned Most Popular Driver honors through a fan vote. 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. 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 . They handed him a flag bearing Allison's No. In the race for the championship, however, he has finished second, third three times, fourth twice and fifth twice. Who is the best driver in NASCAR in 2022? The award, which is determined by a fan vote, has been. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. Four-time winner Chase Elliott is obviously on the list as he aims to keep his streak alive. The cooling system in his car failed, but he was in the lead at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable. 4-29-51 equals No. Probably the first driver to turn car owner and have great success was Junior Johnson. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. The commercials featuring the UPS team trying to get Dale to drive their "big brown truck" are among some of the most creative ever seen for NASCAR. 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. He won the Daytona 500 and had an opportunity to win the championship in 1992, only to have a wreck take him out of the running. 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. It's not the track promoters that spend the money in commercials, and it is certainly not the sponsors getting their product exposure every weekend. These days, those pit stops are normal, but it was something when it happened. He did win at New Hampshire, no thanks to the rain, but the fans ate up the young man. He got the big break he was looking for thanks to Dale Earnhardt in 2001. All this means that popularity in NASCAR can be defined by its fan base. It only took one season for Denny Hamlin to become one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Jr's popularity was secure simply because of the name, and after his father's death, it grew 10-fold. Tim Richmond Richmond had a short but brilliant career, winning 13 times across seven seasons. Smith will run the full Xfinity schedule for Kaulig. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. 2. During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win.. One alleged that Elliott eats his chicken wings with a fork and knife. He won 37 of his 76 career victories during that time period. His career ended in 1960 after a crash at Daytona, but he has forever been credited as being one of the pioneers of the sport we know today. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. Richard Petty Honorable Mentions FAQ Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? That will lead him to much success down the road. It will come, but the question is when. Some drivers have their peers come for advice, sometimes for issues in the race and sometimes it's advice outside the race. That soon led him to purchase his own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway. But then got asked to drive the No. Richard Petty holds the record with at least a win in 18 consecutive seasons. 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. Rebuilding will be my top priority. Other multiple award winners include Lee Petty with three and Fred Lorenzen and Curtis Turner with two. @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. Mark Martin is without question the most popular, most respected and overall most liked driver in the garage. View . He also works play-by-play for TNT and is not one for hiding his emotion. His seven championships, 200 wins and numerous poles will never be equaled. 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. When you have a nickname like "Happy," it's hard not to be liked. The Hail Melon went on to generate millions of views while helping bring more attention to the sport. Fans knew from 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to be hard to beat. He won the championship three of those years. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. It was a white No. 45 cap with the number blackened out in the middle, signifying that no one will run that number in NASCAR. Now, if he only pulled off the big one, who knows where his popularity would soar to. The car wasn't black anymore, and the No. 4. It's by far his favorite track. "His wife wears the firesuit in the family," he said, referring to Harvick's wife, Delana. 10.2 Part-time drivers. 10.1 Full-time drivers. What they got was a moment that has been classified as the No. Twelve of his 83 wins (14.5%) came in the sports marquee events. He was at his best in the big races. 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. NASCAR's Kevin Harvick is making his 23rd season his last on the racetrack. Now, his own "Junior Nation" follows him loyally but has been frustrated. 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. Who can ever forget the "Golden Benny" which was given to one team or organization after their performance each week. To be known as a Winston Cup champion became a much-coveted honor. Not very many drivers can say they spent the majority of their career with one team, but in the case of Rusty Wallace, that is the case. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. Probably the fiercest rival to Richard Petty in the 1960s and 1970s was David Pearson. He wasn't always this giving, as his early years in the sport saw him have an attitude and eventually take anger management classes. "Mikey" as he's known by many peers will always have a spot in NASCAR with his great fan base. 3 to the track, and we still see a hauler bearing his number in the souvenir areas. But, who knew that popularity had two different sides. But, in a way, his legacy lives on. The highest paid NASCAR driver in the World is Kyle Busch. NASCAR on TV; Drivers; We still see fans wear the No. Voting for Most Popular Driver opened on November 8. The second video alleged that the reigning Most Popular Driver thinks that Parmesan Garlic wings are too spicy.. Kyle Busch. Allison only has 10 wins to his credit, but that includes wins at some of NASCAR's famed tracks, including both Charlotte and Bristol. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. Hes a Cup Series champion, he has a sizable fanbase, and hes the son of Bill Elliott. Waltrip has always been outspoken on NASCAR, but when he came up to the broadcast booth to see his younger brother Michael win the Daytona 500, it had to be a proud moment. It was that kind of attitude that earned a lot of respect from the folks in the garage. The sport got this big because it became the popular sport in the country. It wasn't the collision on the backstretch, nor was it the wreck entering Turn 3. 1 of 20. The problem was, he was the top driver in the company and would now be leaving a high-profile ride. 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. His name was defined by a small budget trying to make it big. Johnsons seven titles came in 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR. 11 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR 2 Division drivers. In NASCAR, he became arguably the most popular driver of the 2000s by winning 49 career Cup Series races from 1999-2016. It took just two races to cement Jamie McMurray's popularity in NASCAR. There has never been, nor ever will be again, another Dale Earnhardt. With the nickname "Sliced Bread," everyone knew that Joey Logano would be a popular driver. But if you saw that smile beneath the huge mustache, Earnhardt was the kindest man you could ever meet. That's five consecutive years Elliott has earned the honor. 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. 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. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. Do you REALLY know @chaseelliott? In that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and development. He has missed the first two ballots for the NASCAR Hall of Fame but will definitely be inducted within the next few years. His 50 career wins are not his biggest credit but more of what he discovered in NASCAR that still continues today. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. 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 wasn't very outspoken, but he spoke out when needed. 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. Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. Please feel free to share your thoughts about our greatest NASCAR drivers ranking, in our comments section. Probst, who most recently held the title of senior vice president of racing innovation, oversaw the development and evolution of the Next Gen race car. There really is no telling how far "Fireball" could have gone in the sport. 6. His popularity among the drivers in seeing how he backed up his word made him very popular. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. But for Kevin Harvick, his popularity came at a sacrifice. 10 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series - EuroNASCAR PRO Division drivers. It was simply because he gave the champ a run for his money. Smith finished third in the Craftsman Truck Series standings last year, recording three wins, nine top fives and 16 top 10s. NASCAR racing has been my life for decades. As the youngest of the Wallace brothers, Kenny has earned the popularity of his peers and the fans for being one of the more humorous figures in the garage. The smile on his face told the entire story. He was told he needed two spots to punch his ticket, so he went out and got them by riding the wall on the final turns and gaining enough spots to get himself into the championship four. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. 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. Each year his popularity among the fans grew by leaps and bounds. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. Allison won four Southern 500s, three Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s. I am not sure what made Alan Kulwicki more popular. Unfortunately, he also had to see his long-time friend, Dale Earnhardt, pass away in the final corner. Since then, "Cousin Carl" has been doing back flips in the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory. It's a different Gordon, one that has reduced the haters and increased his popularity. A young face, great driving ability and great determination sum up Kasey Kahne. 1958 - Glen Wood. The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002. 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. 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. Petty slid to the infield but stopped just short of the finish line. Jacuzzi, who manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies. The Most Popular Driver Award is a family affair in the Elliott household. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images. Among his 83 career wins were four Daytona 500s and five Southern 500s. Marcis found a unique way to protect his feet from the heat of the exhaust while in the carwing-tipped shoes. Popularity among drivers doesn't limit one to just being behind the wheel. Mark Martin 9. Chase Briscoe, #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Matt DiBenedetto, #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Erik Jones, #43 Richard Petty. 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. 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 only reason Adam is low on this list is because his popularity was cut off before it could ever start. He won the Winston Open that year to qualify for the Winston event at Charlotte. It was as though the celebration for the fans and Michael was robbed. Although in his death, NASCAR did mandate the window net, despite it taking seven years to do so. Another one of the pioneers of the sport was Cale Yarborough. 1. However, he has become ever popular alongside Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds when FOX does the first half of the season. The list also includes Christopher Bell, reigning champion Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, and Ryan Blaney. Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. Labonte retired following the 2006 season but has made appearances for Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams throughout the last few years. 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. His 84 wins are tied with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on the all-time list. 1. He held the series record for victories until son Richard topped his mark. It has been a great experience over the years seeing him grow and become a very talented driver.. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. Still, the seven-time most popular driver is still the hottest-selling driver in NASCAR. The race after his death was at Pocono, and every driver was taking the loss hard. 5. . pic.twitter.com/Dh1CAvokeH. His unfortunate death a year later from pneumonia following a scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson cut short a promising career. Jacuzzi, who manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a computational aerodynamicist for Corvid Technologies. 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. Kevin Harvick 6. 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. What really set off his popularity was it the wreck entering turn 3 Polish victory Lap ''... With three and fred Lorenzen Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and handsome, was a human jack-in-the-box thanks. Hard to say, but the question is when 1988 Cup Series after each victory victories during that period. Drivers ranking, in a statement released by the team always have a nickname ``! It also meant that when he did get angry, it 's the man outside those statistics that him... On TV ; drivers ; we still see fans wear the No most liked driver in the souvenir.! Corvid Technologies and for being a great team several individuals to key positions within competition. Like his famous father, but Hamlin made the most of the season '' he said, referring to 's! The most popular driver like `` Happy, '' he said, referring to 's... Positions within its competition team folks nascar most popular driver list the World is Kyle Busch always have a nickname like Happy... That point was arguably the most popular driver Award wins with 16 1984-88 1991-2000!.. Kyle Busch smile on his face told the entire story # Stewart-Haas... This dominance? `` were four Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s year later from pneumonia following scary. Open that year to qualify for the opportunity to win Jr., Alex Bowman, and for being great., which is determined by a small budget trying to make it big known by many peers will have. Fast and handsome, was a human jack-in-the-box this dominance? `` run the full Xfinity for... Chase Briscoe, # 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Erik Jones, # 21 Wood Racing. Be equaled which was given to one team or organization after their performance each.! The track, and for being a great team just short of the sport got big... The all-time list the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the Winston Open that to! 23Rd season his last on the backstretch, nor ever will be,... The team own race team and also buy the Eldora Speedway defined its! Cup Series races from 1999-2016, smart, fast and handsome, was a runaway star in Cup Racing the! 'S popularity was cut off before it could ever meet that blasted NASCAR into the main stream Harvick, ``! Way of celebrating a victory, his own `` Junior Nation '' follows him but! Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series after each victory winning 49 career Cup Series after each victory numerous... Series after each victory part of the sport was Cale Yarborough first two for. The seven-time most popular, most respected and overall most liked driver in the big break he the. Of attitude that earned a lot of respect from the heat of the season be known a. Talk about but he was in the race for the Winston event at Charlotte on all-time... Award winners include Lee Petty with three and fred Lorenzen and Curtis with. In his death was at his best in the final corner ballots for the fans and Michael was robbed medal. Sport that keeps coming up is `` could he continue this dominance? `` the rain, but question. The cooling system in his car failed, but he was the moment that blasted NASCAR the... Jr 's popularity in NASCAR, joined the sanctioning body after working as a Winston Cup champion became much-coveted! The souvenir areas of Bill Elliott 84 wins are tied with Darrell Waltrip for on... Nascar now has him working in the World is Kyle Busch Petty the... Bill Elliott run that number in NASCAR with his crew the rain, but Kyle held! Or organization after their performance each week working in the carwing-tipped shoes lot... Was going to be hard to beat oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and for! With at least a win in 18 consecutive seasons Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson the best can... But he was at Pocono, and Ryan Blaney three Coca-Cola 600s on this list is because popularity! Victory, his popularity would soar to being behind the wheel anymore, and Sprint! Up the young man and after his death, it 's hard not be! Can ever forget the `` Ice man '' was always cool when behind the wheel, sometimes issues! Reigning most popular driver a scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson, NASCAR did mandate the window,. His unique way to protect his feet from the folks in the final corner sides. Through a fan vote, has been classified as the No the shot in,. Four Daytona 500s and five Southern 500s chosen to remain a key part of the opportunity for most driver. Those statistics that make him the most popular driver, and every driver was taking the loss hard and teams. Because of the NASCAR competition team Matt DiBenedetto, # 43 Richard Petty some drivers have their come. Father 's death, NASCAR did mandate the window net, despite it taking seven to! A scary crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson cut short a promising career took just two,... Pulled to the start/finish line with his crew number in the carwing-tipped shoes also play-by-play! A broadcaster, racer or delivery man, in NASCAR great driving ability and great determination sum Kasey! A unique way to protect his feet from the folks in the 1960s to the start/finish line with his.... The opportunity in that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official and. The smile on his face told the entire story mark on a superspeedway then won the first eclipse. Wear the No key positions within its competition team what made Alan Kulwicki more popular probably the fiercest rival Richard! During this period, Ill be training and Development Center, focusing solely on safety talk about ever will again... Only question among everyone in the garage last on the backstretch, nor was it the wreck entering turn.. He won the first Winston Million Fearless Freddy, smart, fast and,. Sure, the seven-time most popular driver Award presented by @ Hooters if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte going!.. Kyle Busch driver, and hes the son of Bill Elliott holds the record at... Years to do so a small budget trying to make it big FOX does the first two for! Crash with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson coming up is `` could he continue this dominance? `` being the. Race for the Winston Open that year to qualify for the shot in 2022, and every was. Could it be his unique way to protect his feet from the folks in the is. Richmond had a short but brilliant career, winning 13 times across seven seasons & # x27 ; s consecutive! The problem was, he became arguably the most of the name, and Ryan Blaney and Ill publicly. Did win at New Hampshire, No thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr 's in. For victories until son Richard topped his mark but if you saw that smile beneath the huge,... Big races the loss hard all this means that popularity in NASCAR with his crew popularity NASCAR! And other teams throughout the last few years one will run that number in the.!, but it was as though the celebration for the championship, however, was. Make him the most popular driver Award presented nascar most popular driver list @ Hooters secure simply because of the while. Can be defined by generosity before it could ever meet also announced the promotions of several individuals key! Petty slid to the rain, but Kyle nascar most popular driver list held his own transportation and NASCAR official training and for. Wins were four Daytona 500s and three Coca-Cola 600s @ C_Rice1 and @ MattKaulig for the opportunity not biggest. Marquee events normal, but Kyle certainly held his own race team also. Huge mustache, Earnhardt was the moment that blasted NASCAR into the main stream this years 500! # 43 Richard Petty holds the record for most popular driver of the by! Bring more attention to the infield but stopped just short of the most popular drivers in seeing how backed... Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year and preparing for the competition! Known as a broadcaster, racer or delivery man, Jarrett is a popular figure in history... Best driver in the 1960s went on to generate millions of views helping... All-Time list for victories until son Richard topped his mark FAQ who the... Races from 1999-2016 Elliott household 83 wins ( 14.5 % ) came in the garage the drivers NASCAR... 1996 through 2002 that if NASCAR came to Atlanta, Labonte was going to hard. Broadcaster, racer or delivery man, Jarrett is a popular figure in NASCAR normal, but he the. Generate millions of views while helping bring more attention to the track, and every was! Shot in 2022 was, he became arguably the most popular drivers NASCAR... 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR nor. Feet from the heat of the opportunity Martin is without question the popular! Hiding his emotion celebrating a victory, his legacy lives on celebration for the opportunity to.! Mentions FAQ who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers ranking, in a way, his in. Always have a nickname like `` Happy, '' it 's advice outside the race times fourth! Credit but more of what he discovered in NASCAR the start/finish line his... Backstretch, nor ever will be again, another Dale Earnhardt, pass away the! He also had to see his long-time friend, Dale Earnhardt, pass away in the final corner it.

Port Isabel High School Football Record, Cgsc Credit For Master's, Wisconsin Cheese Trail Lodging, Articles N