Famous American Race Car Drivers

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 1 
Jimmie Johnson
(One of the Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time)
Jimmie Johnson
7
Birthdate: September 17, 1975
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: El Cajon, California, United States

Race-car driver Jimmie Johnson is associated with IndyCar Series. He is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and is the first and only NASCAR driver with five consecutive championship wins. In 2009, he became the first race-car driver to earn the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year honor.

 2 
Jessi Combs
(American Professional Racer, Television Personality, and Metal Fabricator)
Jessi Combs
5
Birthdate: July 27, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rockerville, South Dakota, United States
Died: August 27, 2019

Professional racer, TV personality and metal fabricator, Jessi Combs, is remembered for setting a women's land speed class record (four wheels) in 2013. She was known as "the fastest woman on four wheels.” As a TV presenter, she co-hosted over 90 episodes of the Spike TV show, Xtreme 4x4. She died in a car crash while racing in 2019. 

 3 
Travis Pastrana
(Professional Motorsports Competitor Known for His Racing Series 'Nitro Rallycross')
Travis Pastrana
4
Birthdate: October 8, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Annapolis, Maryland, United States

Motorsports competitor and stunt artist Travis Pastrana has won several X Games gold medals, in categories such as motocross, supercross, and freestyle motocross. He launched a reality show called Nitro Circus, which later became a media company. He also hosts and extreme sports event and has been part of NASCAR.

 4 
Arie Luyendyk Jr.
(Dutch-American Auto Racing Driver)
Arie Luyendyk Jr.
4
Birthdate: September 18, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

Born in the Netherlands, to 2-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk, Arie Luyendyk Jr. moved to the US with his family at age 3. He followed in his father’s footsteps to enter the arena of auto racing. He later gained fame with his appearance on The Bachelorette and his romance with Lauren Burnham.

 5 
Kyle Larson
(American Professional Auto Racing Driver)
Kyle Larson
4
Birthdate: July 31, 1992
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Elk Grove, California, United States

Kyle Larson had started racing at the tender age of 7. The NASCAR Cup Series driver, also known in the circuit as Yung Money, was in the news for using a racial slur during a live iRacing telecast, which eventually got him suspended by NASCAR and lose all his sponsorships.

 6 
A. J. Foyt
(American Retired Auto Racing Driver)
A. J. Foyt
4
Birthdate: January 16, 1935
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States

The first racing driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, A.J Foytm appeared in the event for 35 consecutive years, winning the race in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977. Inheriting his love for racing from his auto mechanic father, he dropped out of  school to become professional racing driver, eventually founding a successful racing team, A. J. Foyt Enterprises.

 7 
Kurt Busch
(American Professional Auto Racing Driver)
Kurt Busch
4
Birthdate: August 4, 1978
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 8 
Dan Gurney
(American Racing Driver)
Dan Gurney
4
Birthdate: April 13, 1931
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Port Jefferson, New York, United States
Died: January 14, 2018

An amateur drag racer in his youth, American racing driver Dan Gurney began his professional career in 1959, quickly becoming one of the most popular international racing stars of his era. Also a prominent race car constructor and the founder of All American Racers, he is known as much for his engineering acumen as for his quest for innovative solutions.

 9 
John Force
(American NHRA Drag Racer and One of the Most Dominant Racers in the Sport With 155 Career Victories)
John Force
4
Birthdate: May 4, 1949
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bell Gardens, California, United States

Apart from being a 16-time Funny Car Champion, drag racer John Force has also scripted more NHRA all-time records. Known as Brute Force in the racing circuit, for his 10 back-to-back NHRA championships, he belongs to The First Family of Drag Racing, with his daughters and son-in-law.

 10 
Eddie Rickenbacker
(American Fighter Pilot Who Played an Important Role in World War I)
Eddie Rickenbacker
4
Birthdate: October 8, 1890
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States
Died: July 23, 1973

Eddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter pilot who played an important role in World War I. With 26 aerial victories under his belt, Rickenbacker was the most decorated and most successful US flying ace of the First World War. A multi-talented personality, Eddie Rickenbacker was also an automotive designer and race car driver.

 11 
Denny Hamlin
(American Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Denny Hamlin
4
Birthdate: November 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida, United States

Part of the Joe Gibbs Racing team of the NASCAR Cup Series, Denny Hamlin boasts of 17 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and two in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. While he began racing go-karts at age 7, he began racing mini stocks by age 16.

 12 
Bill Elliott
(American Former Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Bill Elliott
4
Birthdate: October 8, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dawsonville, Georgia, United States
 13 
Michael Andretti
(American Semi-retired Auto Racing Driver)
Michael Andretti
4
Birthdate: October 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

One of the most sought-after names in the open-wheel car racing circuit, Michael Andretti is the son of former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti. He owns Andretti Green Racing and the Indianapolis-based team Andretti Autosport, which has been represented in series such as IndyCar and Australian V8 Supercars.

 14 
Phil Hill
(One of Two American Drivers to Win the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship)
Phil Hill
3
Birthdate: April 20, 1927
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States
Died: August 28, 2008

The first USA-born race car driver to win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, Phil Hill began racing as a mechanic before becoming a professional racer. A disciplined perfectionist in car preparation, he achieved several career victories including two Italian Grand Prix (1960 and 1961) and one Belgium Grand Prix (1961)

 15 
Richard Petty
(The Most Accomplished Driver in the History of Stock Car Racing)
Richard Petty
1
Birthdate: July 2, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Level Cross, North Carolina, United States
 16 
Roger Penske
(American Businessman and Retired Professional Auto Racing Driver)
Roger Penske
4
Birthdate: February 20, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States

The founder-chairman of the transportation company Penske Corporation, Roger Penske, apart from being an entrepreneur, is also a former race-car driver. The self-made auto magnate was also named to the Forbes Billionaires 2021 list and owns auto-racing companies such as Team Penske, IndyCar, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 17 
Brad Keselowski
(American Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Brad Keselowski
4
Birthdate: February 12, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States

NASCAR Cup Series racing driver Brad Keselowski, the son of former race driver Bob Keselowski, once also owned Brad Keselowski Racing. His non-profit Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation, which he runs with his wife, funds organization to help with the treatments of war veterans and first responders.

 18 
Michael Waltrip
(American Former Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Michael Waltrip
4
Birthdate: April 30, 1963
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Owensboro, Kentucky, United States

Born to NASCAR champion and commentator Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip was destined to be part of the racing world. The NASCAR Cup Series driver is a two-time DAYTONA 500 champion and has also been a broadcaster with Speedvision and FOX Sports. He also penned the bestseller In the Blink of an Eye.

 19 
Mario Andretti
(Former Racing Driver and Winner of 1978 Formula One World Championship)
Mario Andretti
0
Birthdate: February 28, 1940
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Motovun, Croatia

 Italian-born American former racing driver, Mario Andrett,i is the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship. He is considered one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport.  Over the course of his long career, he has is the only person to be named United States Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978, and 1984). 

 20 
Burt Jenner
(American Businessman and Professional Off-Road Racing Driver Who Owns ‘West la Dogs')
Burt Jenner
4
Birthdate: September 6, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 21 
Tim Richmond
(American Race Car Driver)
Tim Richmond
4
Birthdate: June 7, 1955
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ashland, Ohio, United States
Died: August 13, 1989
 22 
Dick Trickle
(American Race Car Driver)
Dick Trickle
4
Birthdate: October 27, 1941
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States
Died: May 16, 2013

Billed as the winningest short track driver in history of American car racing, Dick Trickle is believed to have won 1,200 events out of an estimated appearance of 2,200 featured races.  Considered a legend in short track racing community and nicknamed the White Knight, he competed in most major races including ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.

 23 
Leah Pruett
(American Drag Racer)
Leah Pruett
4
Birthdate: May 26, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Redlands, California
 24 
Mickey Thompson
(American Auto Racing Driver, Builder and Promoter)
Mickey Thompson
4
Birthdate: December 7, 1928
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Alhambra, California, United States
Died: March 16, 1988

The first American racing driver to exceed 400 mph, Mickey Thompson was also an important auto racing builder and promoter, known for forming sanctioning bodies like SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group. A hot rodder from the very beginning, he won many track and dragster championships, later establishing Mickey Thompson Equipment Co. to manufacture high performance equipment for racers.

 25 
Lance Reventlow
(American Entrepreneur, Racing Driver and Heir to the Woolworth Fortune)
Lance Reventlow
4
Birthdate: February 24, 1936
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London, England
Died: July 24, 1972
 26 
Rick Hendrick
(American Businessman and Racecar Driver Best Known as the Owner of the Nascar Team Hendrick Motorsports)
Rick Hendrick
4
Birthdate: July 12, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Warrenton, North Carolina, United States
 27 
Kerry Earnhardt
(Former Nascar Driver and the Eldest Son of Seven-Time Nascar Cup Series Champion 'Dale Earnhardt')
Kerry Earnhardt
4
Birthdate: December 8, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States

The eldest son of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, race car driver Kerry Earnhardt had begun his career driving street stocks against his half-brother, Dale Jr. A high-school drop-out, he initially also took up multiple odd jobs to tend to his family, including that of a Pizza Hut worker.

 28 
Wendell Scott
(One of the First African-American Drivers in Nascar & First African-American Winner in the Grand National Series)
Wendell Scott
4
Birthdate: August 29, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Danville, Virginia, United States
Died: December 23, 1990

One of the pioneering Black drivers of NASCAR, Wendell Scott rose to be a NASCAR Cup Series winner. He has been named to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, too. Initially an auto mechanic, he also owned his own auto repair shop. He had also been a cab driver.

 29 
Kyle Petty
(American Racing Commentator and Former Stock Car Racing Driver)
Kyle Petty
4
Birthdate: June 2, 1960
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Randleman, North Carolina, United States

Apart from being the son of NASCAR racer Richard Petty, third-generation Petty family member racer Kyle Petty made his major league debut at age 18. He has also had a brief stint as a country musician. He lost his son, racer Adam Petty, in a race car practice accident.

 30 
Marco Andretti
(American Auto Racing Driver)
Marco Andretti
4
Birthdate: March 13, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States

The son of IndyCar champion Michael Andretti, Marco Andretti too followed in his father’s footsteps and stepped into the racing arena. He has been winning races even before passing high school and scored his first SRX Series victory in 2021. He has also raced in Formula One and the American Le Mans series.

 31 
Kasey Kahne
(American Former Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Kasey Kahne
4
Birthdate: April 10, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Enumclaw, Washington, United States

Apart from winning 18 NASCAR Cup Series titles, Kasey Kahne also owns a racing team and is associated with significant charity work, too. He once granted a wish to a 12-year-old fan with Noonan syndrome. A health enthusiast, too, he has often been featured on health magazines.

 32 
Juan Manuel Correa
(American-Ecuadorian Racing Driver)
Juan Manuel Correa
3
Birthdate: August 9, 1999
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Quito, Ecuador
 33 
Cale Yarborough
(One of Only Two Drivers in Nascar History to Win Three Consecutive Championships)
Cale Yarborough
3
Birthdate: March 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Timmonsville, South Carolina, United States
 34 
Carroll Shelby
(Automotive Designer & Racing Driver)
Carroll Shelby
0
Birthdate: January 11, 1923
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Leesburg, Texas, United States
Died: May 10, 2012

An automobile designer known for his involvement with the AC Shelby Cobra and Ford Mustang, Carroll Shelby was also a well-known racing driver, and a successful entrepreneur, who established Shelby American after a heart ailment put an end to his racing career.  Meanwhile, he also ran a a high-performance driving school and published a memoir entitled The Carroll Shelby Story.

 35 
Alexander Rossi
(American Professional Racing Driver)
Alexander Rossi
4
Birthdate: September 25, 1991
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Nevada City, California, United States

Alexander Rossi is an American racing driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2016 as a rookie. The following year, he registered another win at Watkins Glen International. Alexander Rossi currently competes in the IndyCar Series, representing the popular racing team Andretti Autosport.

 36 
Jeff Gordon
(American Former Professional Car Racing Driver)
Jeff Gordon
2
Birthdate: August 4, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Vallejo, California, United States
 37 
Ken Schrader
(American Professional Racing Driver)
Ken Schrader
3
Birthdate: May 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Fenton, Missouri, United States
 38 
Danica Patrick
(The Most Successful Woman in the History of American Open-Wheel Car Racing)
Danica Patrick
6
Birthdate: March 25, 1982
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beloit, Wisconsin, United States
Danica Patrick, the first female driver to clinch an IndyCar series win, became the Rookie of the Year at the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series and later joined stock-car racing with the NASCAR Nationwide Series. She owns a wine brand and an athleisure line, and supports DRIVE4COPD.
 39 
Ashley Force Hood
(American Racing Driver)
Ashley Force Hood
3
Birthdate: November 29, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Yorba Linda, California, United States

Ashley Force Hood is a former Top Fuel Funny Car (TF/FC) drag racer associated with John Force Racing. She is the daughter of  John Force, who is a 16-time NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car national champion. She and her father raced together in April 2007. She became the president of John Force Entertainment in 2012. 

 40 
Willy T. Ribbs
(First African-American Man to Have Tested a Formula One Car & Compete in the 'Indianapolis 500')
Willy T. Ribbs
3
Birthdate: January 3, 1955
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Jose, California, United States

Willy T. Ribbs is a retired race car driver and racing owner. He is known for being the first African-American man to have tested a Formula One car. Throughout his career, he competed in many forms of auto racing, including the Trans-Am Series, IMSA, IndyCar, Champ Car, and the NASCAR Cup Series. He has been featured in a Netflix documentary. 

 41 
Jamie McMurray
(American Former Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Jamie McMurray
3
Birthdate: June 3, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Joplin, Missouri, United States

Jamie McMurray is a former professional stock car racing driver. He is currently an analyst for Fox NASCAR. Beginning his career in the late 1990s, he raced in the NASCAR Cup Series on a full-time basis from 2003 to 2018. He won the 2010 Daytona 500 for Chip Ganassi Racing. He has an active interest in running and cycling. 

 42 
Frankie Muniz
(Actor and Stock Car Driver )
Frankie Muniz
5
Birthdate: December 5, 1985
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, United States
 43 
Bobby Rahal
(American Former Auto Racing Driver and Team Owner)
Bobby Rahal
3
Birthdate: January 10, 1953
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Medina, Ohio, United States

Bobby Rahal former auto racing driver. He won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500, during his driving career. Following his retirement, he held managerial positions with the Jaguar Formula 1 team. At present, he runs the Bobby Rahal Automotive Group. Racecar driver Graham Rahal is his son. 

 44 
Bobby Unser
(American Former Automobile Racer)
Bobby Unser
3
Birthdate: February 20, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Died: May 2, 2021

Born into the First Family of American auto racing, Bobby Unser had begun racing at age 15. He, his brother Al, and his nephew Al Jr., made racing history by winning a record nine Indianapolis 500 races together. He was trapped in a blizzard in New Mexico once and was almost killed.

 45 
Ricky Hendrick
(American Stock Car Racing Driver)
Ricky Hendrick
3
Birthdate: April 2, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Died: October 24, 2004

Born to Rick Hendrick, the founder of the NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports, Ricky Hendrick had begun racing at age 15. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner died in a horrific plane crash that killed all 10 people aboard the plane at the tender age of 24.

 46 
Scott Speed
(American Race Car Driver)
Scott Speed
3
Birthdate: January 24, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Manteca, California, United States

Scott Speed is a race car driver who made his debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso. He has competed in open-wheel, stock car, and rallycross racing. He has driven for Team Red Bull, Whitney Motorsports, and Leavine Family Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. He is currently associated with the Subaru Rally Team USA. 

 47 
Enzo Fittipaldi
(Brazilian-American Motorsports Racing Driver)
Enzo Fittipaldi
3
Birthdate: July 18, 2001
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States

Enzo Fittipaldi is a Brazilian-American racing driver. He is the grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. He currently drives for Charouz Racing System in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and was previously associated with FIA Formula 3 Championship. He was one of the five drivers invited to join the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. 

 48 
Paul Menard
(American Semi-Retired Professional Stock Car Racing Driver)
Paul Menard
3
Birthdate: August 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States

Paul Menard is a semi-retired professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and drives the No. 66 Toyota Tundra for ThorSport Racing. He was previously a full-time competitor in the  NASCAR Cup Series from 2007 to 2019. He was the winner of the 2011 Brickyard 400. 

 49 
Mark Donohue
(American Race Car Driver and Engineer Known for His Ability to Set Up His Own Race Car)
Mark Donohue
3
Birthdate: March 18, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Haddon Township, New Jersey, United States
Died: August 19, 1975

Also known by monikers such as Captain Nice, Mark Donohue was not just a skilled race-car driver but also a qualified engineer. A major force behind the Penske Racing team during he 1960s and the 1970s, he is remembered for his win at the Indianapolis 500 event.

 50 
Don Garlits
(American Race Car Driver and Automotive Engineer)
Don Garlits
3
Birthdate: January 14, 1932
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida, United States

Known as the Big Daddy of drag racing, Don Garlits was not just a race-car driver but also a qualified automotive engineer. After his right foot was severed in a major car explosion, he perfected the safety standards of racing, creating the first fire-resistant bodysuit and the Top Fuel dragster rear engine.