10 most disrespected NASACR champions ever

10. Kurt Busch – 2004

The first-ever “Chase” champion — and the backlash was brutal. Many fans thought he didn’t “earn” it under the new playoff system, even though he beat Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon in straight-up points racing. His wheel literally came off in the finale, yet he still won the title — and still got hate for it.

9. Bobby Labonte – 2000

Labonte was calm, consistent, and clean — but that also made him forgettable to some fans. In an era of big personalities like Earnhardt and Gordon, Bobby’s quiet dominance flew under the radar despite being one of the most efficient champions of his time.

8. Martin Truex Jr. – 2017

He dominated the playoffs, led over 2,000 laps, and crushed everyone at Homestead. Yet critics said he “only” won because of the new playoff format. Even now, fans tend to credit his team or the system more than his driving.

7. Alan Kulwicki – 1992

Kulwicki’s underdog story is legendary, but back then, fans and rivals doubted him every step of the way. Running his own team, with less funding and fewer resources, he wasn’t expected to even compete — and many dismissed his technical approach until it made him champion.

6. Chase Elliott – 2020

Despite being NASCAR’s most popular driver, Chase still faces critics who say his title came too soon — or that he only won because of team strength at Hendrick Motorsports. Few give him full credit for driving from the rear of the field to win the championship race outright.

5. Brad Keselowski – 2012

Beating Jimmie Johnson’s dynasty should’ve made him a hero, but many saw him as arrogant and lucky. His bold personality rubbed people the wrong way — and fans often forget just how dominant his 2012 run was, especially in crunch-time strategy.

4. Matt Kenseth – 2003

Kenseth was so consistent that NASCAR literally changed the entire championship system after his title. But because he only won one race that year, fans labeled him “boring” — ignoring that he basically redefined how to win a season-long title.

3. Kyle Busch – 2015

Critics still argue that missing 11 races should’ve disqualified him. Instead, he returned from a broken leg, won five races, and took the championship. But instead of praise, he got a flood of “the system’s broken” talk — and that’s stuck with him ever since.

2. Terry Labonte – 1996

Two-time champion, but somehow one of the most underrated ever. His quiet consistency was overshadowed by the flashier Gordon, Earnhardt, and Wallace. Terry just showed up, performed, and left — and fans rarely mention him among NASCAR’s greats, even though he belongs there.

1. Joey Logano – 2018

Even after two championships, many fans still call him “lucky.” His 2018 title — beating the Big 3 of Harvick, Busch, and Truex — was one of the most clutch drives ever. But because of his aggressive style and polarizing personality, respect hasn’t always followed.