My Top 10 Favourite NASCAR Drivers of All-Time

Following on from my top 10’s of favourite drivers from F1 and WRC, here is my top 10 favourite NASCAR drivers of all-time.

NASCAR is my latest motorsport obsession. Having been an on and off viewer since 2017, I vowed 2020 would be the year I’d watch the full season. Aided by the pandemic, I’ve seen every race since that Daytona 500 and it’s fair to say I’m hooked.

During lockdown for said pandemic, I spent most of my time watching videos from Eric Estepp, Black Flags Matter, Slapshoes and The Iceberg as well as countless compilations of crashes, close finishes, biggest saves and alike.

So, despite my limited time watching the sport, here are my top 10 favourite drivers of all-time;

10. Darrell Waltrip

Starting off with a driver I never saw race, Waltrip is someone I learned about through historical content I’ve seen. However, I did hear him commentate and that helped earn him the place on the list. A huge personality, the inventor of ‘bogity bogity bogity’, Waltrip is an iconic voice as well as a driver in NASCAR’s history. A man who seemed to just love racing, Waltrip saw success as a driver, owner and commentator, a truly legendary figure.

9. Joey Logano

The first driver to make the list from my favourite organisation, Team Penske, 2018 champion Logano is a polarising figure. While I agree with a few of his negative commenters, Logano is aggressive but sometimes overly so. However, I like his personality when commentating or appearing in videos, as well as his win at all costs attitude which makes him exciting to watch.

8. Tony Stewart

A man who wouldn’t agree with my ninth place choice, Stewart is also aggressive, has a win at all costs attitude and a big off-track personality, that’s maybe why he clashed with Logano so much? ‘Smoke’ was a great racer and one of only few, especially in the modern era, to make a successful transition from open wheel to stock car racing. His infamous ‘crash more cars’ interview at Talladega secured him his place on the list.

7. Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Possibly the most famous name ever to grace NASCAR, Earnhardt Sr. was NASCAR for many people who grew up watching him. There’s not a more famous sight than ‘The Intimidator’s’ black Goodwrench number three. Maybe due to not seeing him race he doesn’t rank higher but I think you’d be hard pressed to find a NASCAR fan who wouldn’t have Senior in their top 10.

6. Ryan Blaney

The second Penske boy on the list, Blaney is another great personality. He can also pedal, and 2021 looks all set to be the best year of his Cup Series career. A very likeable driver both on and off track, at 27 years-old he still has a good 10 years plus at the top of his game.

5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Junior beats out his father here. He maybe didn’t have the success his father enjoyed, but the most popular driver in the sport’s history truly transcended the sport. From testing V8 Supercars to appearing in a JayZ video, Earnhardt Jr. was everywhere throughout the 2000s and beyond. A very down to earth, hard working and progressive figure, Dale Jr. also showed great speed and promise on track. Unfortunately due to injuries and driving in an era with two of the most successful drivers of all-time in long term team-mate Jeff Gordan and Jimmie Johnson, he couldn’t ever quite get it done. However, this isn;t decided by championships so here he is. Also a big fan of his podcast.

4. Bubba Wallace

Probably the current field's most famous face, Bubba has been fired into the public spotlight over the past year as the only black driver in the sport. Another divisive character amongst fans, I’ve always like Wallace from the moment I started watching, especially with him in the 43 car. A great personality, who always seems to want to use his voice to drive positive change, having spoken openly about the Black Lives Matter movement and his personal struggles with mental health in recent years, Bubba is the face to bring in a whole new group of fans to the sport. And while currently things aren’t quite going his way on track, I’ll be rooting for him to hopefully start and turn things around.

3. Austin Cindric

The only non-Cup Series driver on the list, Cindric is my favourite in the Xfinity Series. The 2020 Xfinity Champion seems to have his fair share of doubter, however, he has spent the last 18 months putting them firmly in their place. At 22 he certainly has a huge career ahead of him, particularly in the Team Penske stable.

2. Richard Petty

The King, my favourite historical driver by far. I probably learned about Petty before I learned about the modern day sport and I just love the man. Another down to earth man, especially given his astronomical success, Petty just seems to love racing. He pushed on well past his prime and after the wins dried up just for his sheer passion for NASCAR and that is something I highly respect, he was not one demand the spotlight and that makes him so much more likeable. Still a team owner and still looking as iconic as ever with his trademark hat and sunglasses, he will always be the greatest of all time in my opinion.

1. Brad Keselowski

From my historic favourite to my current favourite, Brad Keselowski takes the top spot. I’d be lying if I said his ‘Kyle Busch is an ass’ clip and his drunk interview after his 2012 Championship didn’t influence my decision back in 2017, Keselowski’s honest driving style and politeness and personality with interviews off track just struck a chord with me. Driving a Ford for Team Penske was always going to give someone a leg up but he was the first driver I followed when I started watching the sport properly back in 2017 and I’ve stuck with him ever since. Hopefully he’ll claim another championship in that famous two car in the not so distant future.

Honorable Mentions:

It was a toss up between Darrell and his grid walking brother Michael for number 10, the younger Waltrip had his fair share of iconic on and off track moments. Current drivers I have a soft spot for include Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, Aric Almirola, Daniel Suarez and Alex Bowman.

Dale Jarrett almost made the list on the strength of his UPS liveries while ‘Awesome Bill from Dawsonville’ Bill Elliott almost made it on the strength of the nickname.

Juan Pablo Montoya narrowly missed out on one of my top 10s for a second time, I might find a place for him if I ever do an endurance driver list.

And just retired I’ve got Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer, both winning me over with their personalities. Johnson just seems like another down to earth driver who’s success hasn’t gotten to his head while Bowyer’s iRacing and current commentary shenanigans got him onto my shortlist.