Unsung NASCAR Heroes: 5 of the Best Nascar Drivers to Never Win a Cup Race

Does anyone remember all the players from a sport? I am afraid that there are very few who do. Very few people remember those who participated or were runner-ups. It is quite unfair, for sure, but it is what it is. In a nutshell, we always consider the first position the highlight of the situation and, hence, always remember the main highlights of our favorite sport. With a history spanning over 70 years, NASCAR has seen the faces of many legendary drivers appear and reappear in the victory lanes, to their own credit.

Although not everybody wins 200 Cup Series races as Richard Petty did, there are drivers like David Pearson and Jeff Gordon who have scored 105 and 93 wins, respectively. However, there are drivers who, despite their talent, fell short of bagging a Cup title. Here are the unsung NASCAR Heroes who have never won a Cup Series race.

Here are 5 best NASCAR drivers, that could not win a cup race in their racing career

No. 5 Ted Musgrave

The Roush Racing driver has made 20 top-5 and 55 top-10 finishes in his 16-year-long journey as a Cup Series driver. But he did not secure the ‘V’ ever. The #16 Ford Thunderbird driver battled Bobby Hamilton for ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 1991 but in vain. In fact, Musgrave could have become the next big name in the mid-90s when he was offered to be a replacement for Richard Petty, driving the famous #43. Unfortunately, his five pole wins were the only highlights of his run in the Cup series.

However, the Wisconsin native had a successful career in the Truck Series with 17 wins, along with the 2004 series title.

No. 4 Kenny Wallace

The former FOX Sports broadcaster has earned victories in the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, Summit Racing Equipment America Modified Series, and the Gateway Dirt Nationals throughout his 25-year career at NASCAR. But when it came to the Cup Series, he did not have his shot.

Nevertheless, he does flaunt six top 5s, one of which pushed Dale Earnhardt to his victory at the Talladega Super speedway in 2000.

No.3 Richard Childress

Richard Childress ‘racing’ is more popular than Richard Childress ‘racer’ in the pages of NASCAR history. The six-time Sprint Cup Series champion’s first cup start was as a replacement driver in the 1969 Talladega 500.

Aug 28, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; Team owner Richard Childress celebrates with NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) in victory lane after winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Childress impressed the NASCAR enthusiasts of his time with 76 top-10 finishes throughout the 285 starts that he appeared in. His best career insight is that of a third-place finish at Nashville in 1978.

No. 2 Hut Stricklin

The 1987 NASCAR Dash Series champion does not quite ring a bell in the arena of NASCAR Cup Series superstardom. However, in 1995, he was hired as a driving consultant for Drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein’s King Racing team to train their rookie, Steve Kinser, who was extremely inexperienced in the NASCAR driving style.

The last of the famous “Alabama Gang”, Hut Stricklin managed to make eight top-5 and twenty-nine top-10 finishes throughout his 16 years of racing in the Cup Series. Besides that, he also earned the position of runner-up in 1991 and 1996.

One interesting fact about Stricklin: He coached Tom Cruise for the 1990 action thriller “Days of Thunder”.

No. 1 Rick Mast

Richard Kenneth Mast, better known as Rick Mast, made quite an impact in the NASCAR world despite having his time behind the wheel cut short by carbon monoxide poisoning. The Virginia native spent 15 years driving in NASCAR for several teams, attaining most of his success in Cup racing for Richard Jackson.

Rick became the pole-sitter for the Hooters 500 season finale at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992, which was the last race of Richard ‘The King’ Petty and the first race for rookie Jeff Gordon. Mast also won the inaugural Brickyard Pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994.

Do you agree with our list? Is there someone else on your mind that we have missed out on? Let us know in the comments.

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