The Fast And The Texan: The Most Successful NASCAR Stars From The Lone Star State

With football season winding down, many folks in Texas turn their attention to one of the greatest spectacles in sports, the Daytona 500. Since its inception in 1959, there have only been a handful of drivers from the Lone Star State that have been successful with one even winning the Daytona 500.

Texas Drivers Who Have Competed In NASCAR

Before we unveil the only driver to win the Daytona 500, let's take a look at the drivers from Texas who have competed in NASCAR's highest tier.

Terry Labonte

Known as the "Iceman", Terry Labonte hailed from Corpus Christi, Texas. The NASCAR Hall of Famer is a two-time champion with 22 wins under his belt. Labonte retired after the 2003 season but sadly never won the Daytona 500.

Bobby Labonte

As the brother of NASCAR legend Terry Labonte, Bobby had an impressive career behind the wheel winning 23 times. Bobby won the Winston Cup Championship in 2002 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020. 

Bobby Hillin Jr.

Hailing from Midland, Texas, Bobby Hillin Jr. was only 22 years old when he won his only race at Talladega in 1986. At that time he was the youngest to win a NASCAR race. Later Kyle Busch and Joey Logano would break that record.

Johnny Rutherford

Although he was born in Kansas, Rutherford made his way to the Lone Star State at a young age and sported the Texas flag on his helmet. Known as "Lonestar Jr", Johnny was mainly an open-wheel racer but did win one NASCAR race back in 1963 when he won a qualifying race at Daytona.

Chris Buescher

Chris Buescher is from Prosper Texas. Yes, the same town that saw Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott destroy his massive mansion. Buescher has won five NASCAR races.

A.J. Foyt

The most prestigious driver on this list is none other than open-wheel legend A.J. Foyt, from Houston Texas. Foyt adds 7 NASCAR wins to his already impressive racing resume including the 1972 Daytona 500. He is the only Texas driver on this list to accomplish that.

Shorty Rollins

Shorty was the first official rookie of the year in NASCAR in 1958. The racecar driver, who started in Corpus Christi Texas would go on to win 43 times.

Billy Wade

One of NASCAR's most promising drivers hailed from Houston Texas. He would set a record of winning 4 races in a row after his first win and win Rookie of the Year in 1963. Sadly Billy Wade passed away after crashing at Daytona in 1965.

While there have been many drivers to represent Texas in NASCAR over the years, these 8 have forever notched their name as the best of the best in the Lone Star State.