Throughout its storied history, NASCAR has always had a driver or two that fans loved to hate.  It didn’t matter if it was on or off the track or if there was extra media attention outside of the race. Controversy of any kind will find these boisterous stars were right in the middle of it.

Dale Earnhardt Sr didn’t earn the nickname ‘The Intimidator’ for no reason and Darrel Waltrip in his prime carried the nickname ‘Jaws’ just for his mouth alone. Fans have watched Kevin Harvick sprint and leap on a car then into a crowd to ‘discuss’ a situation with a fellow competitor and Tony Stewart kick a reporter’s recorder under a bus.  ‘Bad Brad’ Keselowski has turned a few heads (and race cars) with his aggressive and outspoken personality. Joey Logano and Kyle Busch have each made the highlight reel more than once. Most recently together at Las Vegas which resulted in a mêlée on pit road.

So with the next generation of stars coming up to take over and carry on the sport, who is the one that is going to step out of the corporate model as the villain?