Can you imagine a NASCAR driver starring in a Hollywood movie? Well, this wasn’t considered out of bounds during the golden period. In fact, the TV network and Hollywood were keen to work with NASCAR stars in movies and other projects. The Days of Thunder, Talladega Nights, and the CARS by Disney Pixar certainly act as reference points on how intertwined NASCAR was with popular culture back then. The free-flowing sponsorship of Fortune 500 companies and US Presidents visiting NASCAR races were indeed the highlights of the golden period. But it was the NASCAR superstar drivers who, time and again, pushed the boundaries of the sport and took them to new heights. It started with the likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and perhaps that line ended with Jeff Gordon.

Fans certainly felt that nostalgia as Jeff Gordon’s clip from Saturday Night Live started doing rounds on social media.

Jeff Gordon reigned supreme on and off the racetrack

Back in the day, every driver brought something unique to the table. While the likes of Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace were the top dogs in the 80s and 90s, a young Jeff Gordon quickly started to make his name and challenged the status quo. By 1995, Gordon started the transition phase and overtook the role of the superstar driver of his generation.

Very few drivers enjoyed the love and support that Gordon did, and his debut appearance on the Saturday Night Live show solidified his position. He’s the only driver in NASCAR’s history to be featured on one of America’s most notable television programs, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” One of his hilarious features was where he acted as an Air Force pilot is now doing rounds on social media.

But Gordon’s off-track crossover with the entertainment world wasn’t restricted to one show. He featured on multiple TV shows and played a major role in Hollywood movies. “Looney Tunes: Back in Action,” “Herbie Fully Loaded,” “Top Gear,” and “Cars 2.” are some of the noteworthy mentions. It wasn’t just Gordon appearing on these shows. He even inspired a childhood actor to switch career paths! During a cameo appearance on the show ‘Spin City’, Gordon worked alongside Frankie Muniz. Later, Muniz explained, “I became a big Jeff Gordon fan just because he was always nice to me.” By 2004, Muniz was already on the NASCAR path.

Although the likes of Tony Stewart and Joey Logano have established themselves as the greats of the sport with multiple championship wins, they aren’t necessarily seen as superstar drivers. And this is one of the major roadblocks NASCAR is facing right now in trying to rekindle that lost spark and popular appeal. Mark Martin also shared his take on how one-dimensional the sport has become and is in dire need of polarizing and star personalities.

“We need Ross Chastain ruffling feathers. Not to say I approve of every time he does it. I’m saying we need it. When we lose Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, we’ve got to have some polarizing figures and some guys that get people’s blood pumping. We need Noah Gragson’s personality and Chastain ruffling feathers.” The veteran driver said this while speaking to Chase Holden.

NASCAR has embarked on a mission to get their stars in the limelight again. And one of the ways they are trying to achieve that is through the Netflix documentary series, “Full Speed.”

Full-speed Netflix series is what NASCAR drivers need right now

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Netflix is the modern-day Saturday Night Live of the entertainment world. With a global reach, motorsports fans from all parts of the world can engage and understand a sport better. Formula 1 was the one to set the blueprint where they witnessed rapid growth and viewership from a global audience. A sport that had its roots in Europe had a storyline, an inclusive one that showed the drivers and the team members in a different light.

And the very first season, when NASCAR rolled out its docuseries with Netflix, it was received well by all the fans. In fact, it left many angry about how short it was, with just five episodes that highlighted the playoffs and the journey to the championship. This was the most inclusive and up-close fans had seen their favorite stars, without the poker face and unfiltered. And essentially this is what the fans enjoy about NASCAR drivers regardless of their preference and allegiance.

The NASCAR community is waiting in anticipation of how the second season will turn out to be. Going by the updates and leaks, the second edition will roll out just ahead of the start of the playoffs in 2025.