Top 25 Worst Rookie Seasons in NASCAR History
25. Casey Mears (2003)
Despite solid equipment at Chip Ganassi Racing, Mears managed only one top-10 in 36 starts and finished 35th in points.
24. Daniel Hemric (2019)
Backed by Richard Childress Racing, Hemric had just two top-10s, 15 DNFs, and finished 25th in points — then lost his ride after one season.
23. Todd Bodine (1994)
In a quality Cup ride, Bodine had just one top-10 and finished 20th in points, failing to live up to expectations.
22. Ricky Craven (1995)
The future two-time Cup winner’s rookie year was brutal, with 10 DNFs and a 24th-place points finish.
21. Brendan Gaughan (2004)
He was hyped coming from Trucks but failed in Cup, with only one top-10 all season and a 28th-place finish in points.
20. Reed Sorenson (2006)
In a Chip Ganassi ride, Sorenson logged just three top-10s and wrecked often, finishing 24th in points.
19. Danica Patrick (2013)
Her Daytona 500 pole raised expectations, but she only had one top-10 all season and finished 27th in points.
18. Steve Park (1998)
Driving for Dale Earnhardt, Park’s rookie year was plagued by wrecks and injuries, ending with just two top-10s.
17. Andy Lally (2011)
Jumping from sports cars to Cup, Lally had zero top-20 finishes and was way off the pace in every race.
16. J.J. Yeley (2006)
In a Joe Gibbs car, Yeley was completely outclassed, finishing 29th in points with 11 DNFs.
15. Stephen Leicht (2012)
Ran 15 races for Circle Sport but averaged a 41st-place finish — statistically one of the worst rookies ever.
14. Michael Annett (2014)
In Cup with Tommy Baldwin Racing, Annett failed to finish inside the top-10 all year, limping to 32nd in points.
13. Shane Hmiel (2003)
Brought in with hype, Hmiel’s rookie year was a disaster: constant wrecks, poor results, and suspension issues.
12. Brett Moffitt (2015)
Given chances in multiple cars, Moffitt managed just one top-10 and a 34th-place points finish.
11. Hut Stricklin (1989)
Backed by big sponsors, Stricklin had more DNFs than top-15s and finished 30th in points.
10. Kyle Petty (1980)
Riding the Petty name, Kyle had no top-10s in his rookie season and failed to meet massive expectations.
9. Robert Pressley (1995)
He wrecked often, managed just two top-10s, and was outside the top-25 in points.
8. Casey Atwood (2001)
The “next Jeff Gordon” fizzled quickly, with one top-5 in 34 starts and a 26th-place points finish.
7. Scott Speed (2009)
The former F1 driver was a flop in Cup, managing one top-5 but finishing 35th in points with 11 DNFs.
6. David Gilliland (2007)
After a shocking Xfinity win, Gilliland’s Cup rookie season with Yates was a mess: only one top-10 and 28th in points.
5. Robby Gordon (1997)
In a high-profile ride, Gordon was plagued by DNFs and crashes, finishing outside the top-30 in points.
4. Sam Hornish Jr. (2008)
A three-time IndyCar champ, Hornish’s Cup rookie year was a disaster: two top-15s, 7 DNFs, and a 35th-place points finish.
3. John Wes Townley (2015)
Notorious for crashes, Townley’s rookie Cup season averaged finishes of 36th place and was marred by wrecks.
2. Dario Franchitti (2008)
The Indy 500 winner crashed repeatedly, broke his ankle at Talladega, and was out of NASCAR after just 10 starts.
1. Patrick Carpentier (2008)
The Canadian open-wheel driver had hype but only managed one top-15, failed to qualify for five races, and was out of Cup by year’s end.
