50 states, 50 best: NASCAR's greatest, from Alabama to Wyoming; starting with Bobby Allison
Editor's note: This is the first in a 10-part series discussing the best driver from each state.
It might not sound like much of a chore, but have you ever tried finding stock-car talent from Alaska or South Dakota?
Good luck.
Well, we did and we found some, which allowed us to trot out this 10-part feature: The best NASCAR racers from each state in the United States of America.
We played a little loose with the rules here and there, and yes, we had to widen the NASCAR net beyond the Sunday Cup Series offerings. NASCAR, after all, not only spreads its umbrella over the Xfinity and Truck Series, but also ARCA and its sports-car arm, IMSA.
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That wide umbrella brings a lot of giants into play, such as sports-car god Dan Gurney and "the Richard Petty of ARCA": Frank Kimmel. But it also allows us to find a "best NASCAR racer" in some states where the roll-call is quite short. Hawaii? Yep, we found a guy.
So today we produce the first installment of the best-ever NASCAR racers, state by state. We'll do it over the coming weeks, alphabetically, five at a time, beginning today with Alabama through California.
And at the very start, with Alabama, we manipulate the "native" angle. But frankly, when you think "Bobby Allison and the Alabama Gang," do you dare think South Beach?
No? Of course not. Let's get at it ...
Alabama: Bobby Allison (Hueytown)
Why Bobby: The most accomplished of the famed “Alabama Gang” had 84 career wins, including three Daytona 500s, as well as the 1983 Cup Series title. His final win was the 1988 Daytona 500, at age 50.
Others from Alabama: Davey Allison, Donnie Allison, Neil Bonnett, Red Farmer, Steve Grissom, Hut Stricklin.
Fun fact: Bobby and brother Donnie were actually born and raised in Miami, but moved to Alabama as young men to find more fertile racing ground. The Allisons are so synonymous with Alabama, you can’t help but include them here as this state's standard bearers. And by the way, Red Farmer was born in Nashville.
Alaska: Keith McGee (Eagle Pass)
Why Keith: Pickin’s are slim in the country’s 49th state. McGee raced in lower NASCAR divisions — K&N, Whelan, ARCA West — and so far has topped out with 11 Truck Series starts between 2021-23, with one top-10 (Talladega).
Others from Alaska: Todd Snyder ... and that's about it.
Fun fact: McGee’s home track is Alaska Raceway Park, where the racing season runs from the second weekend of May until the first weekend of September.
Arizona: Alex Bowman (Tucson)
Why Alex: Has seven Cup Series wins since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2016.
Others from Arizona: Michael McDowell, JJ Yeley
Fun fact: Some of the more recognizable Arizona-born racers competed outside of NASCAR — Eddie Cheever, George Follmer and Buddy Rice among them.
Arkansas: Mark Martin (Batesville)
Why Mark: This Hall of Famer is on the very short list of best NASCAR racers without a championship, with five runner-up finishes. Had 40 Cup Series wins and another 49 in Busch/Xfinity. Won five races and was second in points in 2009, at age 50.
Others from Arkansas: Parnelli Jones, Jimmy Means.
Fun fact: While he never won a Cup title, Martin was rather dominant on the old four-race IROC Series, winning five titles and 13 races in 12 appearances against all-world competition.
California: Jimmie Johnson (El Cajon)
Why Jimmie: Not a hard call. Seven Cup championships, 83 career wins. Any questions?
Others from California: Jeff Gordon, Dan Gurney, Ernie Irvan, Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday, Robby Gordon, Dick Rathman, Kyle Larson, AJ Allmendinger.
Fun fact: Jimmie Johnson’s first championship came on a 60cc motorcycle, at age 7.
Next up: Colorado through Georgia ...
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR: Who's best racer from each state? Let's start with Alabama...
