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Like any other sport, NASCAR is headlined by its lineup of competitors. The drivers are the face of the sport, and the majority of fans have a favorite driver they root for week in and week out. But what if you’re new to the sport? Or has your favorite driver just retired or called it quits? Well, let’s help you guys out with how to choose your first, or next, favorite NASCAR driver.
Many fans will choose who they root for based on the on-track results. Like any sport, NASCAR has its drivers who will take control of a race and are considered the best in the business. These guys are the favorites to win week in and week out and are the betting favorites to take the championship at season’s end. If you root for the best in the sport, here is a list of some drivers to look for:
It might seem odd to put Busch on the list, given his struggles over the past few years. But he is still a two-time champion, and if he returned to form, fans would not be surprised. Everyone, minus Byron, Bell, and Hamlin, has all won at least one championship, but Hamlin’s 54 Cup wins and three Daytona 500s speak for themselves. Due to retiring at the end of the 2024 season, Martin Truex Jr. was left off this list.
Not everyone likes to root for the best, saying it’s too easy, or that’s just being a bandwagon. Sometimes, they’ll root for the underdog. These are the guys that typically run mid-pack, but when the cards fall the right way, they can find themselves up front and even compete for the odd win here or there. Being an underdog isn’t just about performance. Some of these drivers came from humble beginnings and had to work tooth and nail to get to where they are now. It’s fair to say that any driver not in the “Dominator” tier can be categorized as an underdog. These are just some names.
This is for fans who have watched the sport and had a favorite driver but either retired or left altogether. Finding a new favorite driver is arguably harder than finding your first. Typically, the easiest approach is to root for the next in line. The driver who has, or will, replace your former or current driver. Many fans have gone this route when it comes to their next favorite. Here are some faces that have or will replace fan favorites.
Numbers in NASCAR are just as, if not more, iconic than the drivers that run them. The No. 3, No. 24, and No. 43 are just some of the most iconic in the sport, and longtime fans of the sport will gravitate towards them, especially if they have rooted for that number for a long time. Or maybe a new fan just wants to root for their favorite number if it’s running. Some of NASCAR’s most iconic numbers and their current drivers are as follows:
Here’s another one for you fans looking for a new driver. NASCAR is known as a family sport. Names like Earnhardt and Petty have made their mark, and their lineage continues to be successful to this day. Families have helped shape the sport into what it is today, and fans have clinched on ever since. Here’s a list of drivers who are part of iconic families.
Sometimes, rooting for the best doesn’t mean rooting for the most popular or biggest personality. NASCAR, like any sport, has certain faces that pop out, with massive fan bases and even bigger personalities. They command the room, and when they have the spotlight, fans give them all the attention. Here are some of NASCAR’s most popular drivers and biggest personalities:
How would you choose your favorite NASCAR driver? Did we leave anything out? Let us know on Discord or X what your take is, and don’t forget you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube.
