NASCAR has always had its rivalries, which have made the races even more interesting and meaningful for the fans. Here are some of the greatest race rivalries in NASCAR history and what fueled them.
Dale Earnhardt vs. Jeff Gordon
Of all the rivalries in NASCAR, the one pitting Dale Earnhardt vs Jeff Gordon is arguably one of the greatest. The rivalry started in the late 1990s when a newcomer, Jeff Gordon, tried to thwart Earnhardt’s supremacy. Their rivalry was at its best in the 1999 season. It climaxed with a violent on-track incident at the Bristol Motor Speedway.
The two drivers had polar opposite driving styles, with Earnhardt being more aggressive and Gordon being more refined. Thus, it gave fans a rivalry of racing minds. The clash of two personalities, two different types of drivers, and big stakes made the rivalry intense.
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Richard Petty vs. David Pearson
Richard Petty and David Pearson are two of the most famous NASCAR drivers, and their rivalry was the highlight of the 1970s. This intense rivalry was characterized by a lot of on-track fighting and very close finishes. Perhaps the most famous clash happened in 1976 at the Daytona 500 when Pearson and Petty collided on the last lap giving Pearson the victory.
Their rivalry was born out of their many title fights and the different approaches they took on the race track. Petty was more aggressive, while Pearson was more of a tactician. Many of their on-track battles are some of the greatest races in NASCAR history.
Rusty Wallace vs. Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace were great NASCAR rivals from the 1980s to the mid-1990s. Their rivalry started in the 1989 season when they collided on the racetrack, with Wallace spinning out Waltrip on the final lap to claim victory. The hostility between the two drivers was quite evident, as one was always ready to throw jabs at the other in interviews and on the track.
Their rivalry was fueled by jealousy and different racing approaches. Wallace was the aggressive, young hotshot, while Waltrip, known as “Jaws,” was an outspoken veteran. These two provided great racing and drama, something the fans loved, which enhanced the growth of NASCAR.
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Kyle Busch vs. Brad Keselowski
It was a new-era NASCAR race rivalry between Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski. It started around the beginning of the 2010s with on-track confrontations and verbal altercations. The most memorable incident happened in the 2010 Nationwide Series race at Bristol, where their rivalry took a nasty turn.
This tension has been built up by the two drivers’ passion and their will to win. Also, Busch’s ego constantly clashes with Keselowski’s determination. Their rivalry has continued to spice up the current era of NASCAR racing.
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Tony Stewart vs. Kurt Busch
The feud between Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch was one of the most memorable storylines of the first part of the 2000s in NASCAR. The rivalry between Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch was one of the most memorable storylines of the first part of the 2000s in NASCAR. Their on-track relationship was rather hostile and they pushed each other to the limit, reaching its peak during the 2004 Daytona 500. It got to another level during the 2010 Richmond race, and the two of them had a physical altercation after the race.
The conflict was born with their two very different personalities and their need to outdo one another. Stewart had a short fuse, while Busch was rather blunt. Their rivalry was a good one, and their fights really gave the fans a lot of entertainment and drama to watch.
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