5 NASCAR drivers with strongest fanbases and why they connect

NASCAR's popularity, as a whole, was at its peak in the early 2000s and has since experienced a steep decline.

But the fan following for NASCAR drivers has also grown beyond wins, as many fans rally around drivers whose attitude or personality feels relatable. Here are five drivers with the strongest fanbases.

#5. Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott has carried the torch for a new generation of fans. The 2020 Cup Series championship has been voted by fans as the Most Popular Driver Award in the Cup Series every year since 2018. He also won the award twice during his Xfinity Series seasons in 2014 and 2015.

Fans appreciate his humility and his family legacy. His father, Bill Elliott, took home the award a record 16 times in his over 35-year career.

#4. Richard Petty

Richard Petty, who was one of NASCAR's earliest icons, became known for his strong track record. He won 200 Cup races and seven championships, numbers no one matches.

Petty also took home the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award nine times between 1962 and 1978, during NASCAR's early rise in national popularity. He helped build the foundation for what a loyal fandom around NASCAR could be and still has a strong fanbase.

#3. Dale Earnhardt

No conversation around popular NASCAR drivers can continue without the mention of Dale Earnhardt. The NASCAR legend was the second driver to collect seven Cup titles after Petty. His black No. 3 Chevrolet was a symbol of determination, and fans loved how he raced hard. Denny Hamlin detailed the long lines he had to overcome to get his autograph as a kid.

Earnhardt's attitude also helped bring NASCAR to a larger audience, and many fans still revere him decades after his tragic death in 2001.

#2. Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon's success during the 1990s and early 2000s, combined with media coverage during NASCAR's expansion, made his name recognizable to casual sports fans. His bright personality and showy driving style attracted many who weren't traditional NASCAR fans.

The former Hendrick Motorsports driver won four Cup championships and 93 Cup races. Gordon mixed strong results with high-profile sponsorships. Fans liked his clean image and consistency. He moved to a vice president role at HMS after retiring from full-time driving.

#1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also stood out for nearly two decades as the face of NASCAR fandom. He won the Most Popular Driver Award fifteen straight times from 2003 to 2017. The two-time Daytona 500 winner logged 26 Cup Series wins over 19 years. Fans connected with his open attitude and down-to-earth personality.

Earnhardt Jr. mixed his family name with an open, friendly image. Many stayed loyal when he shifted to broadcasting and team ownership after retiring in the late 2010s. Even now, long after his retirement from full-time racing, many still call him the face of NASCAR.