“Underrated AF Too” – Fans Lose Their Heads Over NASCAR’s Latest Addition to the Prestigious Racing Honor After Tony Stewart

This year marks NASCAR’s 75th anniversary, and that is massive for the entire community. During the 50th anniversary season, NASCAR had unveiled its fifty greatest drivers in 1998. And at the beginning of this month, the sanctioning body decided to add 25 names to its ‘all-time greats’ list as part of its 75th celebration.

Along with recently added names Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, another legendary driver’s name has been added to the prestigious racing honor. 

This list includes a lot of the racing stars from NASCAR’s earliest years. A committee involving former race drivers, team owners, media individuals, and a few others decide who gets added to the list of the sport’s greatest drivers. All of these seventy-five names that make the history of NASCAR will be recognized during the Goodyear 400 pre-race ceremony this year. Many in the list have also found their way to the Hall of Fame honor.

Who is the newly added legend to NASCAR’s prestigious list?

The newly added name to the new list of twenty-five is the late Mike Stefanik. NASCAR recently put up a post on their Instagram, with the caption, “A resume with nine NASCAR championships makes this legendary driver one of the all-time greats. Today, we add Mike Stefanik to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers List. #NASCAR75”

Fans from the newer generation might not be aware, but Stefanik is one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of NASCAR. He won seventy-four races and seven Whelen Modified championships between 1985 and 2014. The late-race driver also won twelve races and Busch North Series titles. In 1999 he earned NASCAR Craftsman Series Rookie of the Year. Later in 2003, he was named the second-greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all time. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2021 after his tragic death in 2019 in a plane crash. 

Read More: “Did He Ever Win a Race”—Latest Addition Alongside Tony Stewart for Prestigious Honor Leaves the NASCAR World Baffled

NASCAR fans express their love for Mike Stefanik

NASCAR fans who deeply know about veteran drivers and the history of the sport were ecstatic with the inclusion of Stefanik’s name in the honorable list. A few fans think his name deserved to be a part of the list, and it was long due. After all, he already has his name shining in the Hall of Fame. 

“Amazing driver and one of the best post-race interviews of all time”

“7-time Whelen Mod champion, 2-time Busch North Champion, 74 wins in Whelen Mods. Amazing driver, great addition. Well done NASCAR”

“Nothing short of a W, Rest In Peace Mike”

“Well deserved”

“Nice to see it’s not just Cup guys, Mike is a legend”

“Underrated AF too his name needs to be brought up more”

“Dude is definitely deserving, but I thought the original 50 was based on Cup accomplishments?”

“Couldn’t agree more”

“Absolutely the Greatest ever.”

“There’s a reason he’s in the hall of fame too – if you don’t know who he was, check wiki”

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