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The top teams in NASCAR feature some of the most iconic car numbers and paint schemes in the sport’s history. However, they also fielded several random cars that people may have forgotten about. Here are some of NASCAR’s top teams’ most forgotten cars.
- For this list, we will look at all of the top NASCAR teams of today’s strangest entrants. These could be a one-off entry for a race or an entry that hasn’t been in the sport for a long time.
- This includes all three NASCAR National Touring Series. If it was fielded in NASCAR, it is eligible for this list.
- Fans love to post random NASCAR entries on social media. It either brings back memories others never knew they had, or it shows people something they never knew about.
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 02 – Joey Logano
To prepare for his move to the Cup Series in 2009, Joey Logano made a few attempts in the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2008 season. Four of those attempts came in the No. 02 Home Depot Toyota Camry. The No. 02 was an inverse of the iconic No. 20 car that Logano would take over in 2009.
The number was never used by JGR ever again after the race, and Logano didn’t do anything of note to make the race memorable. He failed to qualify for races at Richmond, New Hampshire, and Atlanta. His one start in the car came at Texas, where he started 43rd (last) and finished 40th, 7 laps down.
Team Penske No. 48 – Multiple Drivers
Team Penske’s No. 22 Xfinity Series Discount Tires paint scheme is one of the most iconic in the Xfinity Series. However, in 2013, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski took one race each in the No. 48 car, a 3rd entry for the team. The top moment this car had came in the season finale at Homestead-Miami, where Keselowski took home a win.
Following 2013, there was no need for the No. 48 car for Team Penske. The number later returned for Chip Ganassi Racing in the late 2010s. The Cup Series is where the No. 48 car shined due to 7-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson.
Hendrick Motorsports No. 35 – Benny Parsons
Many Hall of Famers have driven for Hendrick Motorsports before, but, Benny Parsons is perhaps the most random of the lot. In his final full-time season, and first in 6 years, Parsons took over the rebranded No. 35 car for an ailing Tim Richmond HMS in 1987. The 1972 Cup Series Champion had a pedestrian year.
He recorded 9 top-10 finishes and 6 top-5s, but, he also recorded 12 DNFs. Either he was in the garage or finishing up front. The No. 35 never returned for HMS after that 1987 season.
Petty Enterprises No. 11 – Buddy Baker
The Petty family is known for owning the 40s in terms of car numbers, but, they actually started the legacy for one of NASCAR’s most iconic numbers as well, No. 11. Buddy Baker drove the car for the team between 1971 and 1972, and he had some success in the car.
Baker took home wins in 1971 at Darlington and the 1972 World 600 at Charlotte. The No. 11 is more famous for its history with Junior Johnson in the 1970s and 1980s and, more recently, Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing. However, many forget about the No. 11 car fielded by the Petty family for Buddy Baker.
The Wood Brothers No. 7 – Kyle Petty
When people think of The Wood Brothers, they think of the No. 21 car, but, Kyle Petty brought the No. 7 with him from Petty Enterprises to The Wood Brothers in 1985. The number adorned Petty’s car from 1985 through 1986, and he won his first race with the number at Richmond in 1986.
By 1987, The Wood Brothers brought the No. 21 car back. Petty eventually left the team after the 1988 season to race for Felix Sabates in the No. 42 car. Still, the No. 7 is forever where Petty got his first win.
There are countless other examples of forgotten NASCAR rides, but these are some of the most obscure. There are plenty of teams that will come and go as the seasons wear on.