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For all the new fans coming on to the sport this year, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best documentaries on YouTube. These will be great for new fans to learn a little of their favorite sport’s history, as well as for longtime fans to maybe even learn something new.
This S1apSh0es documentary is exactly what it sounds like: a breakdown of the worst sponsors, owners and track promoters in the history of NASCAR. You’ll see the likes of BK Racing, MWR, sponsor ExTenz.com, Tabasco, and more. Take a trip down memory lane in this well put together documentary, and see if you remember any of these.
This one from EllyProductions49 documents the tumultuous 2015 season that saw NASCAR make drastic changes to horsepower in the Gen4 car, in which they dropped it from 850 HP to 725 HP, Jeff Gordon’s retirement, Brad Keselowski’s villain era, and Kyle’s Busch’s unforgettable season that saw him win his first championship after coming back from a broken leg and ankle. You’ll get a great overview of that crazy year in this fantastic documentary that will surely take you back to one of the most memorable seasons in NASCAR history, even if it’s for the wrong reasons!
Ok, I had to throw another one from Elly. Why? Because this one documents one of the wildest, craziest, and most improbable moments in the history of NASCAR. The Hail Melon. Ross Chastain’s video game style move from the 2022 Martinsville fall race, which saw the driver of the Trackhouse #1 car pull off the unthinkable, wall riding his car to gain the two spots needed to make the transfer to the Championship 4, and eliminating his biggest rival, Denny Hamlin, to boot. This is a moment will live in infamy for the rest of time, and won’t be something forgotten by NASCAR fans anytime soon.
Any guesses what this one is about? You guessed it! This great video from Brock Beard documents the ways that past NASCAR drivers chose to retire and take their final bow. Some designated an entire season as sort of a “retirement tour,” like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson. Others decided it was just time to hang them up, like Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. Brock does a fantastic job in this one, and it is well worth your time.
It wouldn’t be a NASCAR list without Talladega being featured, would it? Nope! This doc from EmpLemon details the history of NASCAR’s biggest and baddest track, Talladega Superspeedway. From how it got its name, to the blockbuster movie that bears its name, this is a full-length documentary you’ll want to take the time to watch, and you may learn something new about Dega in the process.
Calling all KFB fans! This one is for you. RawGator‘s short and sweet mini-documentary focuses solely on the love-hate relationship NASCAR fans have with Kyle “Rowdy” Busch and his carefree, sometimes hot-headed mentality.
This fantastic video from Josh Revell documents the incredible Cup Series debut of 3-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen. The Kiwi came to the U.S. via Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry and took the motorsports world by storm, winning the inaugural Chicago Street Race in his maiden race. This race cemented van Gisbergen’s move to the U.S. to pursue NASCAR full-time, leaving behind the familiarity of the Supercars series which he had dominated over the last 5 years.
S1apSh0es gives us a look at the tumultuous history of NASCAR vs. Mother Nature. The video takes us back to some of the worst and most memorable (or unmemorable) moments in NASCAR history where the weather would not cooperate under any circumstances. He also details the infamous “Vortex Theory”, and whether there is any merit to it. Enjoy!
We have to have an Intimidator documentary on this list for it to be a real list, and this is one of them. EmpLemon gives a detailed look into the life, career, and legacy of the seven-time NASCAR Cup champion and how his lasting impact on the sport will never be forgotten. A compelling way to end this list and one documentary you won’t want to miss.
What are your thoughts on this list? Were there any documentaries you can think of that we missed? Have you personally seen any of the ones listed? If so, what did you think of them? Be sure to let us know, and connect with us on our social channels at The Daily Downforce. Keep up with all things NASCAR all year long with us!
