The racing world is an exhibition sport, surviving on the viewership of race fans. While pure talent is appreciated on the racetrack, there is a lot of emphasis on the racers’ popularity. This is important, especially in this age of social media, where we have access to the most celebrities. And NASCAR’s most popular drivers are the very much under the lens of a global audience. However, the most followed racers may not be the most awarded ones.

The ruling power of social media dictates which driver gets sponsorship deals. Standing at the cusp of the 2024 racing season, it might be good to take a look at some of the most popular drivers to date. The one topping the list may come as a surprise: model-turned-racer Toni Bredinger.

Toni Breidinger tops the social charts

Motorsport has been a male-dominated field since time immemorial, or at least since automobiles were invented. But the scales are balancing, with the spectacular rise of women drivers like Toni Breidinger and Hailie Deegan. These superwomen are reaching for the stars on social media as well, dimming the sparkle of many male drivers in NASCAR.

Journalist Adam Stern recently posted a photo on X that highlights the top 10 most followed drivers. He tweeted: “@NASCAR’s most followed drivers on @Instagram heading into the 2024 season, per @Zoomph.”

Carrying a fanbase of over 2 million followers on Instagram, Toni Breidinger is the popularity queen of NASCAR. She currently competes in the ARCA Menards Series under Venturini Motorsports. She is yet to make her debut as a full-time racer in NASCAR. However, racing is not the only reason Toni has so many fans. She is a Victoria’s Secret model as well, upholding a unique blend of career choices.

Meanwhile, with 1,499,538 followers, the 22-year-old Hailie Deegan has appeared in four Truck Series campaigns. She is slated to make her Xfinity debut in 2024. She also won the Most Popular Driver award in the Truck Series in 2023, the third time in a row.

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These women seem to have stolen the limelight from Chase Elliott. Elliott was voted as NASCAR Cup’s most popular driver in 2022 and yet failed to garner enough followers to topple the ladies. Elliott currently carries 479,474 followers, over a million less than the powerhouse women drivers.

Although Breidinger and Deegan may have stolen the top two spots, the next two contenders are fan favorites for a reason.

Elliott and Wallace ace the popularity game

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Chase Elliott faced some woes on the racetrack last year, as he got an early-season injury in a snowboarding accident. He was also suspended in one race after wrecking Denny Hamlin’s car at the Coca-Cola 600. Yet he managed to snag the popularity award for a consecutive sixth year due to his strong presence on social media. His down-to-earth nature charms people, and he posts racing content while interacting with fans.

Bubba Wallace stands third among the most followed drivers, with no mean reason. He became the second black driver in racing history to win a Cup Series race at Talladega in 2021. His victory was also an inaugural triumph for his team, 23XI Racing. Wallace is the only black driver to race full-time in NASCAR. This is a source of inspiration and a push for more diversity and inclusion in a predominantly Caucasian sport.

While it’s great to see that Breidinger and Deegan are the most popular superwomen in NASCAR, it’s also a sign of the continued growth of NASCAR with more of its drivers getting more recognition.

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