NASCAR, despite its niche audience predominantly in the U.S., boasts a fervent fan base. Kenny Wallace, a former NASCAR driver, recently provoked this passionate crowd with a contentious opinion. Wallace, known for previously calling Danica Patrick “a breath of fresh air” and comparing her to his legendary brother, Rusty Wallace, sparked debate again by listing the three most popular NASCAR drivers as Hailie Deegan, Bubba Wallace, and Denny Hamlin. His tweet suggested that without these drivers, NASCAR would lack excitement, which angered many fans who view these drivers as more controversial than popular.
Critics quickly noted that Chase Elliott, a six-time consecutive winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver award, was conspicuously absent from Wallace’s list. Fans highlighted Elliott’s popularity, bolstered by his association with Hendrick Motorsports, and questioned Wallace’s criteria. They argued that Elliott and Kyle Larson, both from Hendrick Motorsports and notable for their success and fan support, are far more deserving of the “most popular” label. Fans differentiated between being polarizing and truly popular, with many asserting that Wallace’s picks are known more for their controversies than their widespread appeal.
The backlash also included remarks on the recent struggles of Bubba Wallace and Hailie Deegan, emphasizing their contentious presence in the sport. Bubba Wallace’s recent $50K penalty for an incident at Chicago and Deegan’s underwhelming rookie Xfinity season were cited as reasons they are seen as polarizing figures. Denny Hamlin, self-dubbed the “villain” of NASCAR, also fits this controversial mold.
Fans noted that while Bubba Wallace and Deegan garner significant social media engagement, drivers like Elliott and Larson enjoy broader popularity. Larson’s impressive Cup Series standings and Elliott’s consistent performance were highlighted as evidence of their deserved popularity. Fans and critics alike questioned Wallace’s list, underscoring the importance of distinguishing genuine popularity from mere controversy in NASCAR.
