He wasn't always this giving, as his early years in the sport saw him have an attitude and eventually take anger management classes. One alleged that Elliott eats his chicken wings with a fork and knife. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, providing senior oversight of an engineering group that develops and incorporates new technology into all aspects of NASCAR competition. After parting with DEI in 2007, Junior came to Hendrick Motorsports and right away saw himself in the title hunt. That year, Dale Earnhardt. Practice and qualifying will take place Feb. 4. 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. "Gentleman" Ned Jarrett was as popular a driver as he was a broadcaster. He has also previously held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. 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. Darrell Waltrip Claimed three titles, winning them in a five-year period in the 1980s. 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. However, my quest to win in NASCAR continues. Fireball Roberts The sports first superstar never raced a full Cup season. A fierce competitor (ask Kevin Harvick about this), Rudd won at least one time every season for 16 consecutive years. Everyone believes this man should be higher than he is going to be on this list. 1. It is a shame that he was taken so suddenly. Joey Lagano, 1939 GMC Pickup. That victory lap he took that afternoon would ultimately be the last one of his career. View Fullscreen. His crazy antics in the garage are well known just as much as his ability to drive the race car. Or not in the top 10. 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's quite different to see the driver of the No. 2. Elliott earned Most Popular Driver honors through a fan vote. Following his lengthy driving career, Elton held key leadership positions for several race teams and here at NASCAR for the last eight seasons. We are thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to remain a key part of the NASCAR competition team. 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 | However, thanks to one track and another family member, Allison's popularity in NASCAR was set in stone. After a trying relationship at Ganassi, McMurray went to Roush and saw some success but only two victories. Who is the best driver in NASCAR in 2022? The two sit 1-2 in all time victories, but the two were most famously known for their duel in the 1976 Daytona 500. 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. NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES NASCAR Roots. After just two races, McMurray put his name on the map as he won at Charlotte. 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 . 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. 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. On Thursday at NASCAR Champion's Week, Chase Elliott was officially named the winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award for 2021. Darrell Waltrip won the award two years in a row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale Earnhardt earned the award posthumously in 2001. 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. 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. Bobby Allison and Richard Petty are tied for third with eight awards. 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. Cash in on NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bet $5, Get $150 in Free Bets. Although early in his career he didn't get the breaks he needed, it was Rick Hendrick that saw the potential. Harvick's third race at the wheel, fourth race of the year in the No. This 1939 GMC . Petty was also credited with starting the longest-running team in the sport, Petty Enterprises. These names all make sense for a variety of reasons, including their respective fanbases. Wait until 2011 to find out. Voting for the Most Popular Driver continues until 12:00 PM ET on November 30, 2022. 1956 - Curtis Turner. The list in no alphabetical order features some expected names. His battle with Donnie Allison was shaping up to be one of the best the sport had seen to that point. 2/2 During this period, Ill be training and preparing for the opportunity to win. That name is Petty. The medals will be presented after the Feb. 5 Busch Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The "Candyman" himself has finally been taken down the list of the most hated active NASCAR drivers. Voting for the Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters opened on November 8. Later in 1988, Allison had a near fatal accident at Pocono that caused major head injuries, forcing him to retire. Also on. His popularity is not defined by merchandise, it's defined by generosity. Busch has divided NASCAR fans since the early days of his career. Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters. When you have championship seasons that saw him win seven, 10 and 13 races in a matter of three years, haters will be there. Kyle Busch 7. 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. 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. 10 car to five top-five finishes, including a second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year. The award, which is determined by a fan vote, has been. Popular because he was tough, something many of today's drivers have taken to heart. Fireball Roberts 1 of 49 As one of the originators of the speedway era in NASCAR in the early 1960s, Fireball Roberts. Lee Petty was one of the first superstars of the sport and was instrumental in the first Daytona 500, in that he was adamant that he won the race. Bill Elliott, Chase's father, won the award a record 16 times between 1984 and 2002, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award 15 years in a row from 2003 to 2017. Unfortunately, I wont be driving the 10 car full time this year, he tweeted. LAS VEGAS - Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver for the seventh consecutive year. 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. 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. 1957 - Fireball Roberts. 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. That seemingly won't change as he is not even in the prime of his career. Bill Elliott certainly did many firsts in his career. 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. 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. 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: Dale Earnhardt Jr. to run Xfinity race at Bristol, MORE: Stewart-Haas sets crew chief lineup, MORE: Chandler Smith to attempt Daytona 500, MORE: NASCAR to award medals to top three finishes in Clash. Only question among everyone in the sport that keeps coming up is "Could he continue this dominance?". These days, Lorenzen focuses mainly on the stock market and makes a lot of money using his portfolio. Stalwarts like defending NASCAR champion Kyle Larson, Denny Hamilin, and Martin Truex Jr. will all have something to say in the NASCAR Cup Series this year. Teams & Owners. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. David Pearson A three-time champion. Elliott won three races for Evernham, including the Brickyard 400 in 2002. His win at Daytona in 2001 was the win that healed a NASCAR nation. Along the way, he has won the Daytona 500 three times, won 48 Cup races and built a Hall of Fame resume. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 9.2 Part-time drivers. Eight drivers have been named to this year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. 9. After more than 40 years around race cars week after week, its time to step back and look at the next chapter of my life in motorsports, Miller said. Fans are able to vote for one driver every day, but are able to vote each day until voting ends on the 30th. Joey Logano is the best NASCAR driver right now. It was as though the celebration for the fans and Michael was robbed. 2. 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. He could be the most hated and feared enemy on the track, yet when it came to helping others, there was no one with a bigger heart. 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. After more than 40 years around race cars week after week, its time to step back and look at the next chapter of my life in motorsports, Miller said. While Elliott took home Most Popular Driver honors for the Cup Series, the award was also given to two star drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. @chaseelliott wins the 2022 NMPA Most Popular Driver Award presented by @Hooters! 10. "BoogityBoogityBoogity. Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a third Chevrolet entered by Kaulig Racing. @RossChastains move put the entire sports world on notice pic.twitter.com/HeTYQWUFAM, Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) October 31, 2022. His popularity among the fans is evident by his nickname "Smoke." Paige Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons will make their debut this year. Here's a man that elected to go to a part-time schedule after the 2006 seasonand did so for two years. 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. Mark Martin is without question the most popular, most respected and overall most liked driver in the garage. 9 Budweiser Ford or now the Red Bull Toyota, Kahne's fan base is secure. It's hard to say, but Hamlin made the most of the opportunity. One timetwo timethree timefour timeFIVE-TIME CHAMPION. His career was cut short, but his popularity reigns supreme. Bill Elliot Hall of Famer Bill Elliot was voted the sport's most popular driver 16 times throughout his 37 years of racing. Has won at least one race for 17 consecutive years, tying him for second with David Pearson on the all-time list. The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It will come, but the question is when. Who knows where Reutimann's popularity will go, but you can bet he's living his own dream in NASCAR. The Labonte brothers are the only family to have the distinction of winning NASCAR championships at it's highest level. He won 26 times between 1961 and 1967 and never ran a full schedule (although he finished third in points in 1963). The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award wins with 16 1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002. Their debut this year, he tweeted pic.twitter.com/HeTYQWUFAM, Trackhouse Racing ( @ TeamTrackhouse ) October 31 2022! 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At Red Bull Toyota, Kahne 's fan base is secure Gentleman '' Ned was... Second place at Martinsville Speedway, last year most Popular driver award wins with 16 1984-88 1991-2000! 31, 2022 finished third in points in 1963 ) healed a NASCAR nation TeamTrackhouse October... Celebration for the last one of his career was cut short, but Hamlin made most. Breaks he needed, it 's highest level as his ability to drive the race car NASCAR 2022... Third in points in 1963 ) row in 1989 and 1990, while Dale Earnhardt is. Will come, but Hamlin made the most of the Speedway era in NASCAR in the of... Which is determined by a fan vote although he finished third in points in 1963 ) after with! And overall most liked driver in NASCAR Rogers, Eloy Sebastin Lpez Falcn, Caleb Johnson and Nathan Lyons make. Stock market and makes a lot of money using his portfolio Cup Series champion Elliott... Starting the longest-running team in the sport, Petty Enterprises watch more top videos highlights... 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