People who aren’t NASCAR fans don’t understand what the big deal is about driving around in a circle for a few hours, but the difference between a good driver and a great one is staggering. If you’d like to learn more, look into the careers of these five drivers:
Bill Elliott
The first NASCAR driver to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Elliott was one of the most dominant wheelmen of the 1980s, being named the group’s Most Popular Driver a staggering 16 times and winning two Daytona 500 races and a NASCAR championship.
Darrell Waltrip
When you’re named after the scariest shark to ever hit the silver screen, you’d better have aggression in spades. Waltrip was one of the most outspoken drivers in the 1980s, helping create storylines that drew new fans into the racetrack. He also excelled behind the wheel, bringing home 84 wins throughout his career.
Jeff Gordon
One of the faces of the second generation of NASCAR drivers, Gordon’s good looks and confident personality helped make him a breakthrough star in the tail end of the 1990s. His four Brickyard 400 victories put him a class apart from every other driver in the sport today.
Richard Petty
With a total of over 200 wins in his NASCAR career, “The King” is by far the most successful driver to ever get behind the wheel. Seven NASCAR championships, an equal number of Daytona 500 victories, and both a father and a son in the business earn him a spot.
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
“The Intimidator” was exactly that – behind the wheel of his car, nobody would stand in his way. Starting his career in 1979, Earnhardt became one of the sport’s most notorious figures, and his passing in 2001 was a tearful moment for all race fans.
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