Grudges Built In The Fast Lane
In NASCAR, rivalries are just as important as the races themselves. You’ve got drivers who won’t lift, crews who hold grudges, and fans who remember every bump. Some feuds start with a bad pass, others with a press conference jab. Either way, things escalate fast. And many of these rivalries have turned regular races into headlines. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when horsepower meets ego, here are 20 of the fiercest rivalries that have ever hit the track.
1. Dale Earnhardt Vs. Jeff Gordon
It began with “Wonder Boy.” Dale Earnhardt’s jab at Jeff Gordon sparked a rivalry that defined a NASCAR era. Their 1995 Southern 500 showdown was raw aggression versus precision driving. Beyond the track, it was old-school grit clashing with new-school polish.
2. Richard Petty Vs. David Pearson
No rivalry defines NASCAR’s golden era like Petty vs. Pearson. They finished 1-2 an unmatched 63 times. Pearson edged Petty in the unforgettable 1976 Daytona 500 crash finish. Respect ran deep—but on the track, neither gave an inch across a fierce decade.
3. Kyle Busch Vs. Brad Keselowski
Tensions exploded at Gateway in 2010 after a hard Xfinity Series crash, with Busch calling Keselowski “a bad driver” and “a punk.” Their rivalry escalated across NASCAR’s top divisions, nearly turning physical at Bristol in 2017. Both drivers’ aggressive, unapologetic styles made every encounter intense.
4. Cale Yarborough Vs. Bobby Allison
After a final-lap crash handed the win to Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison turned the infield into a boxing ring. Each blamed the other for the wreck. The chaos, caught on camera, became a PR goldmine for NASCAR.
5. Darrell Waltrip Vs. Dale Earnhardt
When Dale Earnhardt bumped Darrell Waltrip out of the way at Richmond in 1986 to snatch the win, it was two larger-than-life personas. Waltrip, never one to bite his tongue, fired back with, “He races like he owns the place.” That tension was pure TV gold.
6. Tony Stewart Vs. Joey Logano
At Fontana in 2013, Tony Stewart wasted no time confronting Joey Logano after a late-race block that pushed Stewart out of contention. Furious, Stewart went straight to pit road and physically went after Logano, later saying he “ran out of talent” mid-pass.
7. Jeff Gordon Vs. Matt Kenseth
Bristol 2006 turned ugly when Matt Kenseth spun Jeff Gordon late in the race, earning himself a shove and some sharp words. Unlike others who fought back loudly, Kenseth kept his cool, choosing to retaliate with clean, aggressive racing.
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8. Kurt Busch Vs. Jimmy Spencer
In 2003 at Michigan, Jimmy Spencer punched Kurt Busch after the race, responding to contact Busch had made the previous week at Indy. NASCAR suspended Spencer for one race without pay. The moment was dubbed “Helmetgate” since Busch had removed his helmet before the punch.
9. Chase Elliott Vs. Denny Hamlin
Martinsville 2017 lit the fuse when Denny Hamlin wrecked Chase Elliott while battling for the win. Elliott bumped Hamlin into the wall at Phoenix, letting his driver do the talking. Fans rallied behind Elliott, NASCAR’s rising star, seeing his retaliation as proof of grit.
10. Kevin Harvick Vs. Kyle Busch
The rivalry between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch escalated quickly in 2011 after a run-in at Darlington led to Harvick physically confronting Busch on pit road. Earlier tensions were already simmering, with Harvick openly criticizing Busch’s attitude.
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11. Ricky Rudd Vs. Rusty Wallace
This rivalry built itself on short tracks and road courses, where tempers often ran as hot as the engines. At Martinsville, Rusty Wallace spun Ricky Rudd for the win—only for Rudd to return the favor later. Lastly, their on-track clashes became routine.
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12. Joey Logano Vs. Kevin Harvick
In 2010, Harvick started a pit road fight involving Logano and Hamlin. Logano fired back with his infamous “fire-suit-wearing wife” remark. Harvick later blocked Logano in multiple races. Post-race arguments became common, and even crew chiefs exchanged threats over team radios.
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13. Carl Edwards Vs. Brad Keselowski
Keselowski wrecked Edwards at Talladega, starting a heated feud. At Atlanta in 2010, Edwards retaliated by spinning Keselowski, flipping his car over the finish line. NASCAR gave Edwards a three-week probation. Worse, he didn’t even apologize.
14. Denny Hamlin Vs. Ross Chastain
Chastain made a habit of wrecking Hamlin in 2022, and Hamlin finally had enough. At Pocono, he sent Chastain into the wall and casually confirmed it later on his podcast. NASCAR shrugged it off as “racing circumstances.” From then on, every restart between them felt like a grudge match with fenders.
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15. Bobby Allison Vs. Richard Petty
In 1983, Bobby Allison edged out Richard Petty for the championship, fueling one of NASCAR’s most respected rivalries. Petty suspected Allison of hiding horsepower at superspeedways, adding tension. Fans took sides, and their families carried the competition forward.
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16. Kyle Larson Vs. Christopher Bell
Larson spun Bell during the 2023 playoffs, straining a relationship rooted in dirt track respect. Once considered friends, Bell made it clear—“not anymore.” Both rising stars, their tension marked a shift in how young drivers compete at the top level.
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17. Martin Truex Jr. Vs. Kyle Busch
Watkins Glen 2018 brought their tension to the surface with a near-wreck that almost ended both races. Though teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing, Truex and Busch often raced each other harder than the field. Busch’s aggression clashed with Truex’s calm precision.
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18. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Vs. Kyle Busch
Richmond 2008 lit the fuse when Kyle sent Dale Jr. spinning while battling for a second. The crowd roared with boos so loud they drowned out interviews. Busch had to leave tracks under security watch. Junior stayed composed, calling it “just racing,” but fans picked sides.
19. Danica Patrick Vs. Landon Cassill
At Kansas in 2012, Danica Patrick retaliated after Landon Cassill bumped her off the groove by turning into him on purpose. She later said she was standing up for herself, and Cassill responded by mocking her driving skills.
20. Jimmie Johnson Vs. Clint Bowyer
It started with a crash but ended with a sprint. After Clint Bowyer got taken out at Phoenix, he bolted through the garage hunting Jeff Gordon. Johnson, caught in the fallout, saw his title chances slip. Crews brawled, and Gordon admitted revenge.
