Ranking the Most Polarizing Drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
There are several drivers in NASCAR who almost immediately draw negative reactions from some fans.
Those reactions oftentimes stem from either on-track incidents those drivers have had with others—and oftentimes more than one incident with the same driver—or perhaps things they say about their peers and, ahem, their driving “talent.”
We won’t go so far as to say these are the most hated drivers in the sport, but some of the things they have done in the past certainly seem to rub some fans the wrong way.
But the past history of the drivers that has at times generated significant disdain from some of their fellow drivers, as well as fans and even the media, is something that can’t be gotten around or overlooked.
Let’s look at the drivers who are among the most polarizing in the sport when it comes to fans or fellow drivers.
5. Danica Patrick
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Danica Patrick has arguably the toughest job in NASCAR.
Not only is she trying to prove that she’s a good stock car driver, she also has to fight against sexism and fan negativity solely because she’s a female in a man’s game, as well as several conflicts she’s had with fellow drivers in both her Nationwide Series days and now in the Sprint Cup Series.
Patrick hasn’t helped her cause by finishing 27th in 2013 (her first full season in Sprint Cup) or 28th this past season—although she did indeed show improvement in 2014.
While she’s not one of the boys, no pun intended, Patrick has done a credible job of putting up with a lot of guff from race fans and, at times, fellow drivers.
She's not afraid to call out other drivers for on-track incidents, even though at least some of her past incidents could point the finger of blame at her just as much as other drivers.
Still, she musters on and does the best she can in every race, which is very commendable, even if her overall statistics don’t necessarily reflect great success.
4. Jimmie Johnson
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In a sense, Jimmie Johnson is the cause of fan and fellow driver disdain, simply because he’s so darned good.
Six championships in the last nine seasons, including a record five in a row from 2006 through 2010, have rubbed some folks the wrong way.
How many times have we heard fans proclaim that Johnson should automatically be crowned the champion at the start of a season because he’s more than likely going to win the title anyway?
Or how many fans have said that they've lost interest in NASCAR during the years that Johnson dominated?
Alas, how many times have we seen fellow drivers give it 101 percent, only to still fall short of reaching Johnson on the race track?
However, there’s one thing to consider that may make some of those who dislike Johnson rethink their hatred: While he’s won six of the last nine championships, let’s look at the glass half empty, instead of half-full—he’s lost three of the last four championships.
3. Joey Logano
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Joey Logano has definitely come into his own as a race car driver the past two seasons.
But at the same time, he’s also had a number of run-ins with other drivers over those same last two seasons that have ratcheted up disdain and polarization of Logano.
The ever-growing list includes former teammate Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Morgan Shepherd (at 73, he’s old enough to be Logano’s grandfather, not the way to treat a respected elder) and others.
Frankly, if Logano wasn’t Penske Racing teammates with Brad Keselowski, we wouldn’t be surprised if he would have already had a run-in or two with Bad Brad somewhere along the way.
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2. Kyle Busch
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Kyle Busch has had either on-track run-ins or at least cross words with several of his fellow drivers on the Sprint Cup circuit, as well as his forays in the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series (remember how he pile-drove Ron Hornaday Jr. into a wall at Texas in 2011?).
However, Busch does seem to have mellowed somewhat the last two seasons.
The operative word there is “somewhat”—not “completely.”
Still, with NASCAR drivers known for their elephant-like memories, many of Busch’s past deeds or words against his fellow racers have likely not been forgotten by many of his peers.
For some, it’s not a matter of if they’ll ever get revenge, but rather when they’ll do it—even if it takes them several years.
1. Brad Keselowski
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While it may seem hard to believe for some, in 2014, Brad Keselowski took over from Kyle Busch as the most polarizing driver in NASCAR among his peers and fans.
To do something like that is an accomplishment of sorts.
But Keselowski’s old-school, hard-charging style of racing is not always looked upon with favor by his fellow drivers.
He had issues with several drivers this past season and others dating back to 2009. Among those: Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and more.
Gordon made it very clear what he thought of Keselowski after the two slugged it out after the fall 2014 Chase race at Texas:
“He’s just a dips—. The way he races, I don’t know how he’s ever won a championship. And I’m just sick and tired of him. That’s why everybody’s fighting him and running him down.”
On the one hand, you have to admire Keselowski’s talent, which includes winning a Sprint Cup championship in 2012.
But on the other hand, Keselowski can oftentimes be his own worst enemy, saying things about fellow drivers and/or teams at inappropriate times or in inappropriate situations.
While Keselowski has bravado, more often than not his bark is much worse than his bite. If he continues that trend in 2015, don’t be surprised if Kevin Harvick is once again there to “encourage” Bad Brad like he did with Jeff Gordon at Texas in November.
Follow me on Twitter @JerryBonkowski
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