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April 11, 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.(88) Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch(18) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) M&M s Toyota Camry talk during practice for the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR Motorsport USA – Sprint Cup Series – Bojangles Southern 500 – Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon140411001500 April 11 2014 Dale Earnhardt JR 88 Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing jgr M s Toyota Talk during Practice for The Bojangles Southern 500 AT Darlington Raceway in Darlington SC Car APR 11 Nascar motor aviation USA Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500 Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
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April 11, 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.(88) Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch(18) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) M&M s Toyota Camry talk during practice for the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR Motorsport USA – Sprint Cup Series – Bojangles Southern 500 – Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon140411001500 April 11 2014 Dale Earnhardt JR 88 Hendrick Motorsports National Guard Chevrolet SS and Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing jgr M s Toyota Talk during Practice for The Bojangles Southern 500 AT Darlington Raceway in Darlington SC Car APR 11 Nascar motor aviation USA Sprint Cup Series Bojangles Southern 500 Practice PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
With the latest additions to NASCAR’s special anniversary list, here are some interesting facts that make the sport’s 75 Greatest Drivers list all the more historic. For starters, the list consists of one grandfather-father-son trio with Ralph Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Moreover, with the latest addition of Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch, the list now boasts the most winningest brother duo. But despite it all, it seems like NASCAR fans aren’t exactly happy about it.
On the sport’s 50th anniversary in 1998, a list consisting of the 50 greatest drivers was released. And now, 25 years later, the governing body will be adding 25 more drivers to extend the list to the 75 Greatest Drivers of all time. With the names of 71 drivers already announced, the list is left with only four spots that will be filled in the upcoming weeks.
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Fans surprised by Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr addition
On April 27, 2023, NASCAR announced that former Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr would be joining his father in NASCAR’s honorary list. Known as the ‘Pied Piper’ of Daytona, Earnhardt Jr has registered 26 NASCAR Cup race victories throughout his career. Moreover, the Hall of Famer and two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion has won the sport’s Most Popular Driver Award fifteen consecutive times from 2003-2017. Hence, making a strong case for being inducted as one of the greatest drivers of NASCAR.
Furthermore, on Friday, the governing body announced the addition of the Busch brothers to the Greatest Drivers list. Famous as ‘Rowdy,’ Kyle Busch is a two-time Cup Series champion who is the first Cup Series driver to win on every track competed. With more than 60 Cup wins throughout his career, Kyle is one of the best drivers currently competing on the tracks.
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Bildnummer: 15007132 Datum: 10.11.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI
November 10, 2013: Kyle Busch, driver of the 18 M&MÕs Toyota (L) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the 88 National Guard Chevrolet take a lap around the track before the 26th Annual AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ. AUTO: NOV 10 NASCAR Motorsport USA – Sprint Cup Series – AdvoCare 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon466131110618500; Motorsport USA Nascar xcb x0x 2013 quer
Image number 15007132 date 10 11 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi November 10 2013 Kyle Busch Driver of The 18 Toyota l and Dale Earnhardt JR Driver of The 88 National Guard Chevrolet Take A Lap around The Track Before The 26th Annual Advocare 500 AT Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale AZ Car Nov 10 Nascar motor aviation USA Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY motor aviation USA Nascar x0x 2013 horizontal
However, even though the additions to the list boast a glorious career and even racing statistics, fans are upset about why their favorite Hendrick Motorsport legend has not made it to the list yet.
NASCAR fans rally as their favorite HMS legend is not included
As soon as NASCAR reporter Seth Eggert reminded fans that there are only four more spots left in NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, fans started panicking. Primarily because most of them were worried about why their favorite Hendrick Motorsport legend and seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has not been inducted yet.
While some were positive that NASCAR was saving the best for the last, a few others called it all to be ‘fraudulent,’ and ‘absurd.’
No way it's not Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick. This list would be fraudulent without them.
— Justin Melillo (@justinmelillo) May 5, 2023
Anything outside of Johnson, Harvick, Kenseth, Logano would be absurd. The championships alone are enough qualification:
— Geek World Order (@GeekWorldOrder) May 6, 2023
Obviously Jimmie Johnson has to be put on there.
He may be the last guy to be on that list. Best for last, they say.— Joshua (The Bowtie) Boston (@JoshuapBoston1) May 5, 2023
I hope Jimmie is next!
— Michael (@MichaelJLicano) May 5, 2023
They're obviously saving Jimmie for last. A fitting way to end the 75 greats with a 7 time champion
— Timothy kern (@KernDog04) May 5, 2023
How @JimmieJohnson isn’t already on here is shocking.
— Salty Golfer 🇺🇸🏴☠️ (@blazeratc1992) May 6, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: From Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 5 NASCAR Drivers Who Have Built Multi-Million-Dollar Empires
