NASCAR Drivers Commute To Work In Some Seriously Interesting Automobiles
To a professional NASCAR driver, there is probably nothing more thrilling than going 200 miles per hour on the track during a race. Because of that, you would think drivers like Joey Logano and Tony Stewart would feel the need for speed off the track, too. Be honest, what car do you think Logano drives in his spare time? Would you ever guess it's a Ford Econoline Van? Here are all the unexpected and most interesting cars the best racers in the world come home to.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes It Easy In His Chevy Laguna
To be fair, the Chevy Laguna isn't the only car Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes home to after a race. Outside of NASCAR, he is known for his massively expensive collection of cars. The Laguna just might be his favorite.
The reason Earnhardt Jr. is such a die-hard Laguna man is because they were the same cars used in racing decades ago. Today, they can be found quite cheap on the used market, although we're pretty sure Earnhardt Jr. souped his up just a bit, increasing its value.
Kyle Petty Is Fuel Efficient In His Prius
While the Toyota Prius is a perfectly good car for the everyday driver, it lacks the power and elegance you would think a NASCAR legend would prefer.
Not Kyle Petty. Known as perhaps the greatest NASCAR driver of all-time, he spends his retirement saving money on gas in his Prius. It's clear that this legend's days of racing are done with. The only thing he's racing to now is his bank account statement, to smile at his savings!
A Replica Is Good Enough For Ryan Newman
We guess Ryan Newman is a big fan of Sanford and Sons. Just look at his car! It's an exact replica of the Ford F-150 that was used in the show, rust and everything.
Thanks to his dedication, Newman owns the cheapest car on this list. Because it's only a replica, it is currently valued at less than $2,000. That doesn't stop the compliments from flowing in when fans see him riding this beauty around town, though!
Carl Edwards Is Practical In His Ford Fusion Hybrid
Like Kyle Petty, Carl Edwards must feel like he goes through enough fuel during a race. To help keep balance in the universe, he drives a very efficient Ford Fusion Hybrid on his everyday commute.
Surprisingly, Edwards actually drove with a Fusion for a brief period of time on the track. His most impressive feat with his favorite car didn't come during a race, though. He made front page news in 2010 when he took his hybrid 1445.7 miles on one gas tank!
Joey Logano Loves His "Rat Rod"
The second appearance by Joey Logano on this list is well earned. A deeper dive into his love of old cars reveals this 1939 GMC pickup. He lovingly called this beater his "Rat Rod."
While we're sure he's done work under the hood to make sure this true value vintage vehicle stays running, he's done nothing to it aesthetically. All the rust and dents that it has accumulated over the years are still there, adding character to this beast of burden.
Jimmie Johnson's Chevy Stepside Is Beautiful On The Inside
When asked about his washed out Chevy Stepisde, Jimmie Johnson said, "It looks old, but it's very comfortable to drive around." He loves driving the rusted bucket so much he even revealed it's his go-to commuter car.
On the outside, the truck looks like it's falling apart. A lot of the paint is peeling away and rusted over. Challenge Johnson to a race, though, and you'll learn a hard lesson. Under the hood, he's equipped his favorite car with the engine of a Corvette.
Tony Stewart Drives A Hearse... Seriously
Tony Stewart was one of the most controversial NASCAR drivers during his career. Since retiring, he has continued leading a controversial life, choosing to drive a Cadillac Hearse around town to run his errands.
Don't feel sad, though. Stewart might drive a hearse, but he's turned it into quite the celebration ready vehicle. After buying it, he upgraded it with a television and fully-stocked liquor cabinet. How do we get invited to this party?
For Clint Bowyer, Old Never Goes Out Of Style
His 1934 Chevy Sedan isn't Clint Bowyer's commuter car, but it is one of his favorites. "I drive it every chance I get. It's a very fun car to drive," he said. When it comes to Bowyer, what's old is truly new again.
Unlike other cars on this list, we have no idea what work Bowyer has done under the hood of his sedan. If he's a true vintage fan, then there's a good chance this vehicle still has its original parts!
Danica Patrick Didn't Own A Car When She Was Racing
During Danica Patrick's career two things were certain. First, she would race with more passion than her male competitors. And second, she didn't own a car. For her, it was always easiest to drive whatever Ford gave her.
The most notable car she drove was a Ford Expedition. The unremarkable SUV was the perfect vehicle to get her to the race tack. Once there, she never failed to put on a show and was known as one of the NASCAR's most competitive drivers.
Ryan Newman's Perfect Family Van
Ryan Newman wasn't expecting to get a 1960 Chevy Parkwood Wagon when he showed up to auction one day with his kids. The little rascals started playing around in the car, and he knew it was destined to be.
The car turned out to be the perfect family vehicle for Newman and his kids. He regularly takes them to get ice cream in it. It has proven to be way more reliable than it looks, even if it's not as pretty as his race day Camaro.
Daniel Suarez Loves His Beetle
This isn't the only car that Daniel Suarez owns that you're going to see on this list, but is the oldest. It's also the car that means the most to him. When Suarez made the journey from Mexico to the United States, he was behind the wheel of his Volkswagon Beetle.
As Suarez tells it, the car came close to breaking down several times, but it never quit on him. Since becoming a star in NASCAR, he has fixed up his miracle Beetle, treating it with the same love it showed him all those years ago.
Daniel Suarez Gets Around Town In A Camry
When he needs to run errands or head to the track on race day, Daniel Suarez doesn't hop into his Beetle. He gets behind the wheel of his Toyota Camry and takes off for the "office."
The Camry is one of the most reliable cars on the road and nothing like the car Suarez drives on race day. On that day, he gets into his Ford Mustang and stars revving the engine getting ready to win it all for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Loves His Camaro
A third-generation race car driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is known for his car collection. However, there's a special place in his heart for the 1960s-era Camaros.
His affection for the model can be traced back to his father, who built one of these cars with his own father when growing up. Dale has continued to honor the tradition of having Camaros in the family and likes to speed around in his own 1967 model. Good luck catching him!
Kyle Busch Is A Toyota Loyalist
If you ever see Kyle Busch driving a car not made by Toyota, there is a 100 percent chance it's not actually him. Busch is a loyalist to the company and especially loves the Camry.
Playing for Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch powers a Camry to victory every weekend. And when he leaves the track to go home at night, he gets into another Camry, his commuter Camry. When he really needs to step up his car game, Busch also owns a Lexus LFA, which is made by Toyota.
Joey Logano Isn't Winning Fans Over With His Thunderbird
At the start of the century, retro looking cars were all the rage. Ford jumped on the bandwagon and re-introduced the Thunderbird to the world. Joey Logano became a huge fan of the 'old is new again' look. Other consumers didn't.
Another reason Logano loves his Thunderbird is because he proposed to his wife in it, so it must be good luck. This would definitely be the right choice for him to show up at the Daytona 500 in!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has Owned His Chevy S10 Since 1988
Another car that isn't pretty to look at but holds a ton of sentimental value is Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Chevy S10. He bought the truck in 1988 because it was the same truck his family had when he was young.
Since buying the beater, Earnhardt Jr. has had it fully restored to be as close to his childhood truck as possible. We imagine he has upgraded a few parts, though, like the engine and other performance important things.
Jimmie Johnson Saves On Gas In His Chevy Volt
Don't talk bad about the Chevy Volt in front of Jimmie Johnson. He owns one of these electric cars and loves them, "It's a great car to drive and uses a better alternative of power source."
Johnson's love for Chevy goes beyond the Volt. He drives a Chevy during races and has become one of the sports winningest drivers. The car company has treated Johnson incredibly well, so why wouldn't return the favor with amazing brand loyalty?
Joey Logano Made His Econoline Van A Work Of Art
Joey Logano put his heart and soul into turning his simple Ford Econoline Van into a work of art. He painted it all, modified it so a camper could be included, and even painted the wheels bright neon green.
At this vehicle's heart, however, it's still a Ford Econoline Van. Logano's is from 1961, making it a first generation Econoline. Today, the van is still going strong in its fifth generation, although it has gone through some major engine and performance upgrades!
Bubba Wallace Goes Everywhere With His Ford F-150
It makes sense that Bubba Wallace would drive a truck when he's not zipping around the track in his team sponsored Chevy. Before joining the elite ranks of NASCAR, he drove in the Xfinity Truck Series.
In his spare time, he still drives a Ford F-150, and he can take it anywhere. It might not be as fast as the one he raced in, but it's just as reliable and durable. Since getting behind the wheel of a Chevy, though, we can't help but wonder if a Silverado might be in his future.
Ryan Newman Has A Farm Truck
When Ryan Newman needs to get away from everyday life he hops in his Chevy C10 and hits the gas. The car isn't pretty, but it's great for Newman's needs: "It's a farm truck. It’s not perfect. It’s got rust and a gun rack in the back. I call it a beater even though it’s not. I like it just the way it is."
That doesn't mean Newman hasn't upgraded certain parts of the truck. One major upgrade he has admitted to was installing a Turbo 350 transmission.
Jenson Button Enjoyed His Time With His Ferrari 512BB
Formula One driver Jenson Button could have any car that he wanted after winning the Formula World Championship in 2009 while driving for Brawn GP. However, he prefers old cars that are just as fast as some of the new vehicles on the market.
Because of this, he is the proud owner of a 1978 Ferrari 512BB. Only 2,000 units made, the car was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti, as was the first mid-engine road-car made by Ferrari.
Chase Elliot Is A Silverado Man
After making history by becoming the first rookie to win a National Series Championship, Chase Elliot didn't splurge on a luxury vehicle. Instead, he bought a 2015 Chevy Silverado and hasn't looked back.
Elliot's Silverado might not be fancy, but is reliable. It's also perfect for any adventure Elliot decides might want to get into. Maybe one day, Bubba Wallace will ask Elliot what he thinks about his Silverado when he starts thinking about buying one of his own.
Jeff Gordon Has Room For The Whole Family
The former driver turned announcer for NASCAR of Fox, Jeff Gordon is still remembered as one of the greatest race car drivers to ever get behind the wheel. During his career, he was a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion as well as a three-time Daytona 500 winner.
Of course, Gordon has many vehicles in his garage, yet the one he drives the most is his Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV. Not only is it a good car to get around, but he also has a partnership with Chevrolet which helps.
Danica Patrick Decided To Treat Herself
The first female racer to in the history of driving to ever win an Indy car race, Danica Patrick has solidified herself as a pioneer in the racing. When she's not speeding through laps on the track, you can catch her zipping around Scottsdale, Arizona in her Lamborghini Gallardo.
However, it turns out that Danica Patrick may have gotten ahead of herself and was caught doing 57 MPH in a 40 zone, resulting in her having to attend traffic school.
Kyle Busch Doesn't Just Drive Typical Toyotas
Although Kyle Busch may best be known for driving a Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, he does indeed drive other models of cars in his free time. Nicknamed Rowdy, Busch is the youngest pole winner in a Cup Series, which he wone back in 2005.
One of thee cars is the Lexus LFA which takes him around town in style. The car isn't any regular car either, with 552 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transition.
Ken Block Loves His Truck
A co-founder of DC shoes, driver Ken Block is a professional rally driver for Hoonigan Racing Division. Aside from driving, Block has also participated in a number of other action sports, including snowboarding, skateboarding, and motocross.
So, in order to keep up with his incredibly active lifestyle, Block relies on his Ford F-150 Raptor to get him where he needs to be, no matter the weather or condition of the roads. It's a perfect fit for his lifestyle!
Felipe Massa Likes To Go Fast No Matter What
Felipe Massa is a Brazilian race car driver who started competitive racing when he was just eight years old driving go-karts. In 2003, he started his professional career as a test driver for Scuderia Ferrari although he has since left Formula 1 and started to race for Formula E.
While Massa may no longer drive for Ferrari, he definitely kept a Ferarri 599 in his garage for personal use. The car has an impressive 6-liter engine, allowing him to reach 60 MPH in just 3.3 seconds.
Michael Schumacher Owns One Of 38 Ferraris
Driving for Ferrari, Michael Schumacher has earned the car manufacturer several Formula One World Championships. Because of this, it's only appropriate that Schumacher would own a Ferrari 38 FXX himself. The model was built by Ferrari as a track-only prototype and took some of the technology used on the Ferrari Enzo.
Including Schumacher, there are only 38 people who own a Ferrari FXX, with everyone except Schumacher paying $2.6 million for one of them. The vehicle can travel 217 MPH and reaches 60 MPH in just 2.8 seconds.
Lewis Hamilton Has A Unique Vehicle
Driver Lewis Hamilton is set to receive an incredibly special car in 2019. He will be the first person to own a Mercedes-AMG Project One, with Mercedes only planning on making 275 units.
The car is estimated to be worth $2.7 million, although Hamilton will most likely be receiving his for free. According to Sunday Times Driving, the vehicle has a hybrid engine that is 1,020 horsepower, which should be more than enough for anybody on the open road.
Eddie Irvine Represents Ferrari Well
Eddie Irvine is a driver from North Ireland who competed as a Formula One driver from 1993 until 2003. He had a successful career, finding himself on the podium for the first time in 1995 and was the runner-up at the 1999 World Drivers' Championship.
For a while, he raced for Jordan before switching to Ferrari in 1996. Although Irvine doesn't drive for Ferrari anymore, he is the owner of a Ferrari 280 GTO. He is one of 271 other owners, as the car was only produced from 1984 until 1987.
Alain Prost Earned His Vehicle
Alain Prost is regarded as one of the most esteemed Formula One drivers of his time. Although he is retired, during his racing days, the French driver was a four-time Formula One Driver's Champion.
He also held the record between 1987 and 2001 for the most Grand Pix victories, with many considering him one of the best F1 drivers in the history of racing. Now, he likes to ride in style in his McLaren F1 XP5, which in its prototype phase set a Guinness World Record for the fastest production car.
Jarno Trulli Likes To Keep It Small
Hailing from Italy, it's no surprise that former Formula One driver Jarno Trulli drives a Fiat 500 around town. Trulli drove as a Formula One racer from 1997 until 2011. Over the course of his career, he was known for racing for Jordan, Renault, Toyota, Lotus Racing, among others.
Trulli was known for his talent driving, beating other racers with much faster cars than himself. However, these days, the perfect car for him is his Fiat 500, helping him navigate the side streets of Italy.
Sebastian Vettel Cruises In A Crossover
Sebastian Vettel is a German driver who has won the Formula One World Championship on four separate occasions. Currently, he races for Scuderia Ferrari and has a contract with the company until 2020.
His skills on the track earned him numerous "youngest" records as well as holding the third-most wins in Formula One. However, when he isn't speeding around the track, he prefers to drive his Infiniti FX50, a perfect blend of size and performance.
Sir Stirling Moss Has A Souped-Up Ogle Mini
Known in the world of racing driving as the best race car driver to never win a World Championship, Moss was the runner-up for the championship on four occasions and came in third three different years.
However, for his skills behind the wheel, he has been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Yet, he still likes to be able to go fast of the track with his Ogle Mini, having it turned into an SX1000 for $751 in 1961.
James Hunt Is A Mercedes Man
James Hunt began his career in touring car racing, although he eventually transitioned to Formula One, which he retired from in 1979 after winning the World Drivers' Championship in 1976.
Following his retirement from driving, Hunt took up a career as a media commentator and a businessman. One of the cars that he used after his retirement from Formula One was a Mercedes Benz 450 SEL. According to Auto Classics, he kept the car on bricks because he didn't have the money to maintain it.
David Coulthard Drives A Mercedes From The '70s
David Coulthard first began racing go-karts before eventually racing in the British Formula Ford Championships. In 2001, while driving for McLaren, he was the runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championships, and after retiring, he worked for Red Bull as a consultant and later an at BBC as a commentator for Formula One.
To get around after his driving days, Coulthard doesn't resort to anything too fancy. Instead, he cruises around in his 1971 Mercedes Benz 280.
Nico Rosberg Keeps It Classy In His Benz
Still a young man in his early 30s, Finnish driver Nico Rosberg won the Formula One World Championship in 2016. Then, to the surprise of many fans, he announced his retirement from the sport just days after winning the title.
Luckily for Rosberg, even though he retired, he still kept his relationship with Mercedes, even becoming an ambassador for the company. Because of this relationship, Rosberg can be seen driving around town in his C63 AMG. The car has a 4-liter engine with 469 horsepower.
Ayrton Senna Kept Things Simple
A legend in the racing community, the Brazilian driver won three Formula One World Championships while driving for McLaren. Everything was going smoothly until he, along with Roland Ratzenberger, died in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
While he was alive, one of the cars he liked to show off was his 1984 Mercedes Benz 190 E. Although the car did extremely well in Europe, sales weren't nearly as high in the United States.
Mark Webber Didn't Overdo It
A former professional driver, Australian Mark Webber began Formula One racing in 2002 and competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship as a Porsche works driver in LMP1. While Webber obviously owns a Porsche, something less predictable is the Infiniti M37 that he keeps in his garage.
It is the fourth generation of the vehicle with a 3.7-liter engine, capable of 330 horsepower. While it may not be as fast as a Porsche, it's the perfect car to get Webber from one place to another.
Michael Schumacher Sure Likes A Little Car To Get Around Town
According to the Formula One website, German driver Michael Schumacher is statistically the greatest driver in the history of the sport, and is respect and loved by both fans and other drivers. Having driven for Ferrari, it's no surprise that he's driven and owns some of the best cars around.
However, he also takes pride in his little Fiat Croma. A less ostentatious vehicle, he uses it to get around town when he doesn't feel like taking his Ferraris out. The car has a small 1.9-liter engine and is 150 horsepower.
