6. He was the first to eclipse the 210 mph mark on a superspeedway then won the first Winston Million. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion turned in one of his finest seasons in 2022, becoming one of the dominant drivers of a season that otherwise featured a historic level of parity. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. 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. Thanks to @C_Rice1 and @MattKaulig for the shot in 2022, and for being a great team. When Jimmie Johnson came to Cup competition in 2002, he made an immediate impact with the fans and drivers by winning the pole in the Daytona 500. He debuted on the NASCAR national series scene in 1983, racing in what is now the Xfinity Series. I cant thank the fans across the country enough., Hear from your 2021 NMPA Most Popular Driver, @chaseelliott. He died in a helicopter crash in 1993. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. The race winners medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. In a Wednesday morning tweet, Cassill said he plans to continue racing. In simple terms, NASCAR is all about popularity. The Cup Series returns Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen International (3 p.m. 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. 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. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. His crazy antics in the garage are well known just as much as his ability to drive the race car. Despite the treatment working, later that year he was readmitted to the hospital because of complications. pic.twitter.com/Dh1CAvokeH. Whether he was driving the No. Roberts' career was most significantly defined on the original NASCAR speedway, Darlington. His last victory came in 1995 at Dover where he famously collapsed after getting out of the car since he was so hot and tired. But then again, the driver that does beat Johnson for the championship will be the most celebrated driver in the sport. 7. He wasn't popular because of his racing, nor his success. Not in competition, but he did drive one. Bobby Allison Finished second in the points five times before winning the 1983 championship. But, what really set off his popularity in NASCAR was the moment that blasted NASCAR into the main stream. Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. Finished second in the points three times. Richard Petty He went from seven-time champion to cultural icon. The kid had some guts in saying that, and almost instantly, his popularity soared to new heights. But, Craven's most talked about moment came two years later at Darlington. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth and NASCAR's perennial Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., are just a few to step away from full-time competition. He was also involved in the finish of the first Daytona 500, despite being two laps down to the leader. Four heat races, two last-chance qualifying races and the feature will take place Feb. 5. Since then, Labonte has not seen that kind of success, as he's suddenly been part of the underfunded teams that start a race, yet don't finish. It's quite different to see the driver of the No. 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. Later in 1988, Allison had a near fatal accident at Pocono that caused major head injuries, forcing him to retire. Elliott has won Most Popular Driver for the fifth year in a row, and he remains one of just five drivers to win the award since 1984. Who are the wealthiest NASCAR drivers? That popularity among his peers and fans earned him a spot in the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class. section: | slug: chase-elliott-wins-nascar-most-popular-driver-award-for-a-fifth-straight-year | sport: nascar | route: article_single.us | This town was particularly very special, racing at Nashville over the summer with Dad and just seeing that energy and fire and really across the country. Fireball Roberts 1 of 49 As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts. His popularity among the drivers in seeing how he backed up his word made him very popular. RETWEET to congratulate @ChaseElliott on his second! In 2008, Logano was in the Nationwide Series when he broke through with a victory at Nashville in just his third start. Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. That will never happen again, guaranteed. 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. However, my quest to win in NASCAR continues. Im hoping that comes true in this years Daytona 500.. Johnsons seven titles came in 11 seasons, a remarkable feat in what at that point was arguably the most competitive era of NASCAR. Sawyer began his racing career competing at Langley Speedway in his home state of Virginia. Kurt Busch became popular probably in the most unorthodox of ways. Media requests: reply below and Ill answer publicly, the best I can. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. How can you not love a driver with the nickname "Onion." Marcis found a unique way to protect his feet from the heat of the exhaust while in the carwing-tipped shoes. 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. Elliott previously won the Most Popular Driver award in 2018, 2019, and 2020 as well. . pic.twitter.com/PhEbgZZs6O, Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) November 18, 2022, That being said, one driver is taking a new approach. But, he would not get his first career victory until 2001. The following year, Busch found himself on the wrong end of the lawliterally. Blaney has started releasing some short videos that would fit perfectly in any political campaign. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. 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. So where are they? His first race out in the NAPA car, Waltrip won the Daytona 500. 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 the first driver to earn $100,000 in a season and was part of a time in NASCAR that saw expansion to big speedways and also in the muscle car market. 9.1 Full-time drivers. That year, Dale Earnhardt. 6-keys: media/spln/nascar/reg/free/stories, at As soon as Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired. 9 Budweiser Ford or now the Red Bull Toyota, Kahne's fan base is secure. Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCARs 75th anniversary.. But, he didn't celebrate as Earnhardt died on the last lap. Sure, he eventually caved in and did drive the truck. After parting with DEI in 2007, Junior came to Hendrick Motorsports and right away saw himself in the title hunt. It's not the money that Sprint, Nationwide or Camping World puts out to be the champion. Landon Cassill wont be returning to the Kaulig Racing No. But, his popularity among the ladies is rather obvious. 9, which he made famous in the 1980s. I don't know what it is about NASCAR drivers, but each likes to make their own stamp on a victory. He chased the championship across 23 full-time seasons in the sport, falling short on several agonizing occasions. Craven would take the win by 0.002 secondsthe closest finish in NASCAR history. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. The cooling system in his car failed, but he was in the lead at Martinsville despite the temperatures beyond miserable. In 1995, he signed on with Joe Gibbs Racing to race the No. 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. This man isn't blowing smoke, but he does know how to smoke the competition. 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. In the rear view mirror, seeing that black No. Danica Patrick 10. He wasn't very outspoken, but he spoke out when needed. Chase Elliott sits in fifth with four wins. We have a strong team at NASCAR, and Im excited to remain a part of it.. Kyle, Richard and the entire Petty family were devastated when such talent and such charm was robbed from NASCAR. 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.. 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. 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. The two sit 1-2 in all time victories, but the two were most famously known for their duel in the 1976 Daytona 500. In that capacity, Sawyer oversaw race event management, transportation and NASCAR official training and development. Earnhardt is still here, although not physically. Popularity not only defines a driver, it simply defines the sport. 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. There has only been one name in NASCAR with the distinction of going through four generations of drivers. His popularity among the fans is evident by his nickname "Smoke." That victory lap he took that afternoon would ultimately be the last one of his career. 3. The fourth generation driver was extremely successful before entering NASCAR and had all the tools capable of getting to the top of the sport. Jeff Gordon 3. Taking votes away from Elliott is no simple matter. NASCAR's 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of two Daytona 500s, Dale Earnhardt Jr., hosts his very own podcast, The Dale Jr Download on Dirty Mo Media. Dale Earnhardt Jr has been NASCAR's most popular driver for 14 straight years. He climbed out of the cab, stood on the bedand back-flipped to the asphalt. 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. NASCAR also announced the promotions of several individuals to key positions within its competition team. But, it was the first Craftsman Truck race at Daytona that put his popularity and his will to live on the map. Darrell Waltrip Claimed three titles, winning them in a five-year period in the 1980s. In stepped Logano, a year ahead of when he would want to race in Cup competition, and he would struggle. But, the last few years, that has not been the case. Weatherly started stock car racing in 1952, winning 49 of the 83 races he entered, a staggering winning percentage. 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. Plus, Labonte soon had to battle a broken hand he suffered in a crash during practice one weekend. 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. X Most Recent @nascarcasm At-Track Driver Wins eNascar Fantasy Fastlane Garage 56 Lineup Gallery Memorable Moments Most Popular Driver NASCAR 75 NASCAR Competition NASCAR Roots Paint Scheme . But, he was the first name read for the 2011 class of inductees, as his statistics and demeanor were more than enough to get the respect of his peers and the fans. 6. He was the one driver that could exemplify what NASCAR is all about. Voting for the Most Popular Driver continues until 12:00 PM ET on November 30, 2022. I admit, he would be if it was not for the frustration that his fans have seen the last few years. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The ten highest-paid Nascar drivers earned an estimated $120 million in 2019, a tick above 2018 but well below a decade ago when they banked a combined $180 million. He debuted at Rockingham, and right away, it was seen that the talent was there. His career also included seven Daytona 500 victories among the mountain of accomplishments. He won 37 of his 76 career victories during that time period. But, it's also his rambunctious side that has become popular with many fans. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which will be located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the Coliseum. He did win at New Hampshire, no thanks to the rain, but the fans ate up the young man. Sure enough, it didn't matter as on the final weekend of the season, Labonte won the title and brother Bobby won the race. In those days, NASCAR was running upwards of 50 races a year, making the modern 36-race schedule seem rather mundane. But, at the same time fans began to get tired of seeing his title run, and some jeers came his way. 1960 - Rex White. Smith finished third in the Craftsman Truck Series standings last year, recording three wins, nine top fives and 16 top 10s. 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. More News. 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. 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. ISC Archives via Getty Images. However, as the years progressed, Waltrip continued to win, as his four Cup victories came on restrictor plate tracks. 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. Smith finished third in the Craftsman Truck Series standings last year, recording three wins, nine top fives and 16 top 10s. It can be both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. Logano, 32, won the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship and finished the season with four wins, 11 top-5 finishes, and 17 top-20 finishes. NMPA Most Popular Driver Award winners. Twelve of his 83 wins (14.5%) came in the sports marquee events. The list in no alphabetical order features some expected names. He truly is, and forever will be, known as "The King." 2. 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.. That smile, the joy and the happiness grew on the fans and will only continue as the years progress. But, the most success Labonte saw in his career came at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. These names all make sense for a variety of reasons, including their respective fanbases. His trademark bow to the fans has become a staple at the end of a race just like a burnout. 3 meant you had to move or will be moved by force. 1. But, after the race, he pulled to the start/finish line with his crew. Labonte retired following the 2006 season but has made appearances for Michael Waltrip Racing and other teams throughout the last few years. Elliott Sadler has the most with four awards in the Xfinity Series, and Johnny Benson Jr. has the most awards at three in the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. 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. In his racing career, Allison won 84 races and has the 1983 championship to his credit. Although his NASCAR career didn't see victory lane in Cup competition, Wallace admits his proudest moment was finishing second behind Dale Earnhardt in his final victory. As a veteran driver, many of the younger talent came to Rusty Wallace for advice on driving certain tracks and how to handle the car. 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. At the end of 2017, you can be certain it will be 15. 5. The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). 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