Back in NASCAR’s glory days, drivers like Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson weren’t just racers; they were larger-than-life icons. Their wins, rivalries, and personalities built legacies that hooked fans far beyond the racetrack. Merch flew off shelves, TV ratings soared, and even casual viewers knew their names. Today, that star power feels dimmer.

Denny Hamlin recently called it out: NASCAR’s missing those breakout icons, with old names still outshining new ones. Chase Elliott’s seven-year Most Popular Driver streak is slipping, Kyle Larson’s now topping merch sales, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. points the finger at the playoff format for stealing the sport’s ability to build enduring superstars.

Dale Jr.’s case for star power

On the latest Dale Jr. Download

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