Ultimate guide to picking your favorite NASCAR driver

So maybe you don’t watch that much NASCAR — yet. But your friends or family will have the Daytona 500 on the television on Sunday afternoon.

And let's say you want someone to root for but just don’t know who to root for, as there are so many drivers to choose from.

We are here to help you. 

But who you cheer for all depends on what makes you want to root for a driver.

So we’ve divided drivers into different categories and have given you the best bet but also some alternatives. Note: We are only using drivers who are running the full season.

THE POPULAR

Root For: Chase Elliott

If you want to root for the most popular driver, there’s really only one to root for and it’s Elliott. The 29-year-old Hendrick driver is the 2020 Cup champion and has been named Most Popular Driver the last seven years. His father, Bill, won the award 16 times.

Other options: Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney were second and third in the Most Popular Driver voting in 2024.

THE RACER

Root For: Kyle Larson

Larson, who has won three major sprint-car and midget races since the 2024 season ended, will compete in the Indianapolis 500 for his second consecutive year. If you want to root for the driver who can just go fast — a guy who won’t be able to work on the car but will be able to explain what it needs for speed — Larson is your guy.

Other options: Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch. Bell is the closest thing to Larson when it comes to sprint cars, while Busch is known to race late models and other stock-car events.

THE KID

Root For: Ty Gibbs

While Gibbs doesn’t have a win yet, he’s just 22 years old. The grandson of team owner and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion will likely be racing for decades. 

Other