It’s safe to say that NASCAR Cup Series drivers are some of the most talented race car drivers on the planet. However, despite that immense talent, some drivers have made some pretty mind-boggling moves. Our very own John Rizzo breaks down the stupidest moves in NASCAR history.

• Boneheaded Wrecks: The right hook is a Cardinal Sin in NASCAR, and drivers who do so either draw the ire of a driver or get an unwanted vacation from NASCAR. This happened twice in the last two years: Bubba Wallace in 2022 and Chase Elliott in 2023. However, the most memorable right hook was Kyle Busch in 2011, which wasn’t even his first right hook of the season.
• Bad Paybacks: If you’re going to attempt to get payback, make sure you do it right. Danica Patrick is the poster child for this, as her incident in 2012 elicited Landon Cassill’s most iconic quote. However, the WORST attempt at payback was Brian Vickers in 2011 at Martinsville, leading to an iconic Jimmy Spencer rant.
• Pit Road Fails: This can take two forms: pitting from the top lane or a bad merge out of pit lane. Quinn Houff and J.J. Yeley are both guilty of the first offense, but Kevin Lepage may take the title for the DUMBEST wreck in NASCAR history thanks to a bad merge at Talladega in 2008.
• Throwing Away a Win: Drivers have thrown away wins in multiple ways. Whether they pitted on the white flag yet (Mark Martin), or went for a win that ultimately cost them a Playoff spot (Jimmie Johnson. However, one driver, Joey Logano in 2015, indirectly threw away a Championship thanks to wrecking a driver he didn’t need to.

What do you think is the stupidest move in NASCAR history? Let John know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe for more great NASCAR content.

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