15 Forgotten NASCAR Rivalries That Got Seriously Personal
These 15 lesser-known NASCAR rivalries weren’t just about racing—they were straight-up personal feuds that left lasting scars on the track.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
NASCAR’s history is packed with fierce rivalries, but some of the most heated showdowns have faded from memory. These forgotten beefs went beyond aggressive driving—they turned into grudge matches that played out under the lights and in the pits. From fistfights to wrecking revenge, these rivalries defined careers and kept fans glued to every lap.
1. Curtis Turner vs. Bill France Sr.
Muhammet Emir Şeker on Pexels
This clash wasn’t driver vs. driver—it was a racer against NASCAR’s founder himself. Turner tried to unionize the drivers, and France blacklisted him for years.
2. Geoff Bodine vs. Dale Earnhardt
United States Navy, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristen Allen on Wikimedia Commons
Bodine and Earnhardt had zero love lost in the ’80s, trading barbs and bumpers with regularity. Their clash peaked at North Wilkesboro when Earnhardt spun Bodine out late in the race.
3. Cale Yarborough vs. Donnie Allison
Ted Van Pelt on Wikimedia Commons
This one ended with fists flying at Daytona in 1979—on live TV. Their crash in the final lap sparked NASCAR’s first true national moment.
4. Ricky Rudd vs. Rusty Wallace
Wikimedia Commons
Rudd and Wallace had multiple run-ins, but it got nasty at Martinsville in the late ’90s. Wallace accused Rudd of dirty driving, while Rudd shrugged it off with attitude.
5. Tony Stewart vs. Jeff Gordon
Wikimedia Commons
Two titans of their time clashed hard in the early 2000s. Stewart’s temper and Gordon’s cool confidence didn’t mix well, leading to several on-track bumps and post-race jawing.
6. Davey Allison vs. Ernie Irvan
us44mt on Wikimedia Commons
In the early ’90s, these two were constantly at odds, especially after a controversial wreck at Michigan. Irvan developed a reputation for being reckless, and Davey didn’t hold back in interviews.
7. Kyle Petty vs. Michael Waltrip
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen on Wikimedia Commons
What started as harmless bumping turned into a full-on war during the mid-1990s. After several wrecks blamed on Waltrip, Petty publicly called him out, calling him a “moving hazard.”
8. Jimmy Spencer vs. Kurt Busch
William M. Plate Jr., USAF CIV. on Wikimedia Commons
This was the definition of grudge racing. Spencer, known for his no-nonsense attitude, didn’t like Busch’s aggressive style. Things exploded in 2003 when Spencer punched Busch in the face after a run-in at Michigan.
9. Darrell Waltrip vs. Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Darrel Waltrip Looking at a Race Car
They were rivals in every sense, fighting for wins, attention, and legacy throughout the ’80s. Waltrip was flashy and outspoken, while Earnhardt was gritty and ruthless.
10. Bobby Allison vs. Richard Petty
Ted Van Pelt on Wikimedia Commons
Before the Earnhardt era, Allison and Petty ruled the roost—and resented each other for it. Their battles in the ’70s were brutal, often decided by who could outmuscle the other on short tracks.
11. Kevin Harvick vs. Greg Biffle
User:Rockfan1 on Wikimedia Commons
What started with door-banging at Bristol in the mid-2000s escalated into threats and flying helmets. Harvick, never one to back down, labeled Biffle “clueless” after a heated post-race argument.
12. Robby Gordon vs. Michael Waltrip
Jenkaiser on Wikimedia Commons
Robby Gordon always raced with a chip on his shoulder, and his feud with Waltrip was a firecracker. After being wrecked multiple times by Waltrip, Gordon finally snapped and called him a “talentless hack” on live TV.
13. Denny Hamlin vs. Brad Keselowski
Spc. Elijah Campbell on Wikimedia Commons
These two have never seen eye-to-eye, especially when it comes to aggressive driving. Their 2014 Martinsville run-in left Hamlin furious and Keselowski unapologetic.
14. Clint Bowyer vs. Jeff Gordon
Julie M. Lucas on Wikimedia Commons
One of the most explosive confrontations of the 2010s happened after Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer at Phoenix. Bowyer’s team sprinted through the garage to fight, and chaos erupted. The altercation had everything: wrecked cars, flying fists, and red-faced fury.
15. Joey Logano vs. Matt Kenseth
Jim Bove on Wikimedia Commons
This rivalry reached a boiling point in 2015 when Kenseth, tired of being raced dirty, wrecked Logano on purpose at Martinsville. The payback was obvious, and NASCAR hit Kenseth with a suspension.