Be sure to tune into Eric Estepp’s channel on Wednesday at 8 PM ET. Ross Chastain will join us live. Be there and see about getting your questions answered by Ross.
@@GoDawgs18 Yes, one can argue that every race was won by a rookie, but that still only comes out to eight wins. Dick Hutcherson won nine races in his rookie year in 1965.
The early 2000’s was such an amazing time. So glad I was there and watched every lap. I actually watched every race from the 1994 Daytona 500 until around mid 2009. College got in the way but now I’m back to watching every lap
My god I remember it so clearly, every single race. It was amazing. Actually no. I was 1, I don't remember shiet. And I didn't start watching NASCAR until 2017 lmao
5:38 - traumatic flashbacks to _NASCAR Thunder 2003,_ where winning Rookie of the Year in Career Mode was all but impossible because of how strong Johnson & Newman were made to be right from the get-go, lol
When one class sprouts cool nicknames such as "Handsome Harry", "Bandit", "The Iceman", and "The Intimidator", has 9 Championships, and very likely will have 3 drivers in the HOF, I agree with your assessment.
1979 by far is the best look at the drivers that were in that class they are some of the best of all time. What made this class great is the championships and look at Earnhardt’s in his 2nd season a feat that will never be duplicated.
Kasey Kahne had many more underwhelming seasons in his career than Vickers did. Vickers was bad with Hendrick but what he did with Red Bull is a pretty massive accomplishment, and he was great at MWR as well
Good call. With 9 championships, and over 100 wins, the class of 79 is the best rookie class in my opinion. Time will tell how some of the others shape up.
You think about this, if Dale Earnhardt lives, that 2001 class would have been off this list as Kurt Busch would have likely been rookie of the year as expected. Then throw Kevin in that 2002 Rookie class and that 2002 class would have been much higher. Harvick only was part of that 2001 class because Dale passed, they really weren't going to put Harvick in Cup until about 2002 or so. Which meant Dale would have been Harvick's teammate, and Harvick would have driven the #30 AOL Chevy.
Richard Petty, one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to have triple-digit wins in the Cup Series alone; the other guy has 105, and Jeff Gordon is third all-time with 93. The only other driver in NASCAR history with triple-digit career wins overall is Kyle Busch, though he has them spread out across all of NASCAR's top 3 series
Since I’ve been watching NASCAR, I’m going to go with Jimmie’s rookie year. idk if many people would remember, but Jimmie actually was a serious contender for the Championship in his rookie year. he was leading the points after Kansas and what i think ultimately hurt his chances at the championship was the incident with Mark Martin at Talladega. Jimmie made himself known as a future champion that year.
You forgot something very important about the 1959 rookie class... Ned Jarrett! Adding his 50 wins and two titles certainly could tip the scales in their favor. Also there's G.C. Spencer, arguably the best driver to never win a race. If this were my list, I'd have included 1956 as well, just for the sheer number of future race winners. Rex White, Jack Smith, Marvin Panch, Paul Goldsmith, Ralph Moody, Tiny Lund, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting a couple. That was one *stacked* class.
I agree 79 I knew it was going to be that one. Actually there was four great rookies and 79 Joe Milliken just didn't come around and do things like everybody thought he was going to do and really it was really four guys that everybody thought was just going to really do great that year
I thought I said this in the other text he actually finished in points ahead of all of them and he was really a good driver think that was Benny Parsons old ride that he was racing that year
I.E. Best rookie seasons with people I like in random order. 2000 might be 10th at best, but probably shouldn't even make the list, let alone before 2009 (with 2 champions)...but you gotta somehow crowbar Jr in there. 2004 has no business being there, especially over 1987. Just go by how many championship drivers that each class has. If it's a tie, go by total championships that were won by driver from that year, then by wins. It's something that should be easily fIgured out by stats...not "feels".
Jeff Gordon is my GOAT personally, but everyone is entitled to their opinions. I wasn’t alive to see Richard petty dominate so I’m sure plenty would say he is by far and away the GOAT. But I watched Jeff do everything. That’s my goat.
@@negativealex8853 I want to say that one had Ryan Truex and Bowman in BK cars but I could be wrong. The early 2010's were horrible for rookies all aroynd
@@Vault13CanteenFNV i think those 2 were 2014 Bowman was moved over to drive the god awful 7 car and Truex kinda dissapeared, but yeah early 2010s rookie class was not a good time
@@Vault13CanteenFNV and also,2014 rookie class was only remembered for Austin Dillon bringing back the 3 And how damn awesome Kyle larson was that year,without a playoff system,he would of finished in the top 10 in the points
Umm 1999? 2005? Iceberg, do Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch not mean shit to you? But I would understand either way. As in 99 and 05, Tony and Kyle had absolutely no real competition. They were the only drivers in their classes who actually won anything. I'm just saying that you could've atleast given them an honorable mention.
If Carl Edwards had made his first start in 2005 instead of 2004 (like he was supposed to do), it would definitely have been in this video and would probably have replaced 2004.
He most likely would have. He was having a career renaissance in 1999 and 2000. Had he not died, he probably would've been hard to beat in 2001. Especially at the plate races and Atlanta. 2003 would've probably been his retirement season
I think he would part time then retire from driving in 2013, taking one shot at the CoT, then would return to drive for the 88 in '16 filling in for Jr, winning a thriller at Dega against Logano, then retired for good.
2004 really does get overlooked honestly. I thought it sucked other than Kahne, but I didn't know it also had Edwards. Still don't think Vickers is that good to be honest (other than 2009).
Actually Joe Milliken was sixth in points one ahead of Earnhardt and quite a few ahead of labani and Harry again actually he just didn't have any big backing finished second pretty sure that that was one of Benny Parson's old cars
Joe only beat him because of Earnhart's injury. The #2 beat the #72 in owner points. And rookie points are awarded based on your 15 best races, and Dale had more top fives. (Same reason why Newman beat Johnson in 2002).
#1 Rookie Class 1979: Dale Earnhardt vs Terry Labonny Dale Earnhardt would have one at least 100 races and #8 championships in 2001 if he was alive today
Sr wouldn’t have won another championship. Everyone refuses to acknowledge that between late 98 and 01, everyone wanted him to hang up the wheel given he had fallen off compared to the version of him between the early 80s and mid 90s. But people refuse to acknowledge that these days
Because their rookie competition was Elliott Sadler and Travis Kvapil respectively. He's ranking the class as a whole, not so much the individual rookie season.
@@bennyparsons1435 Both Edwards and Keselowski ran too many races in prior years to be eligible for ROTY. By NASCAR rule you could run no more than 7 races in a single season to maintain ROTY eligibility for a future season.
2001 one of the better but also one of the worst. Not counting Harvick and only judging how the rookies did that year, all of them were awful. Fortunately, Kurt would recover big time the following year. Everyone else, bust material.
Be sure to tune into Eric Estepp’s channel on Wednesday at 8 PM ET. Ross Chastain will join us live. Be there and see about getting your questions answered by Ross.
Its monday Jaret
mandude03 Videos no shit
HYPOTHETICAL
Rookie Class of 1949: *Bruh*
There were so many rookie winners that year
Lmfao
@@GoDawgs18 Yes, one can argue that every race was won by a rookie, but that still only comes out to eight wins. Dick Hutcherson won nine races in his rookie year in 1965.
@Chase Calhoun, depending on what you call debut your comment aged like milk
I mean it was one of the first seasons
2001 rookie class: Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch.
Ron Hornaday Jr: Am I a joke to you?
Lol, yes
Sad to say in cup he was. But, driving for Kevin in trucks he's a legend, just my opinion tho.
@@joshiles Undoubtedly the G.O.A.T. of Trucks, that's why he's in the Hall of Fame
Kyle Busch: yes
1949, a rookie won the championship
Lmao
1950, a rookie won the Formula One championship
@@corbinselanne7990 smart
The early 2000’s was such an amazing time. So glad I was there and watched every lap. I actually watched every race from the 1994 Daytona 500 until around mid 2009. College got in the way but now I’m back to watching every lap
Same here kind of grew out of it during the cot years but got back into hard the last few years
The class of 2016 is looking pretty good right now, with Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney leading that class, oh yeah Chris Buescher exist too.
Well this comment aged well.
@@pinetreenation7769 it'll age horribly if Buescher becomes a cup champion one day
I wish I was alive for Jimmie Johnson’s rookie season lol
Same
My god I remember it so clearly, every single race. It was amazing.
Actually no. I was 1, I don't remember shiet. And I didn't start watching NASCAR until 2017 lmao
I watched and hated every single moment of it and have hated every single season of his dominance
I was 1 in 2002, my only memories of his rookie year are from playing nascar thunder 2003 and I don’t think that counts...
I saw Jimmies rookie year I was 14 no big deal my favorite driver all time Dale sr was better than Jimmie ever was
People who say a rookie has never won a championship
Cries in Red Byron
Byron was second in points in 1947's NCSCC title hunt, and had won NASCAR'S Modified title in 1948. He wasn't exactly a rookie. Lee Petty was, though.
@@seannolan9857 BUT did he ever run the nascar strictly stock division before 1949? exactly!
Best Rookie Class: *1949...*
*Duh... All rookies won! 😂*
That’s a no brianer right there
DennyDelivers yeah, this is big brain time
I see what you did there
'94 also had Front Row Joe and John Andretti (RIP). No champions in that class, but the depth of race winners in that class was astonishing.
You forgot Lightning McQueen in the 2006 rookie class! Unreal
Frfr, 3rd in the Piston Cup but he could have easily won it.
2005
Cars 3: *Best rookie class is right now*
NASCAR: 😐 *Reality is a disappointment* lol
Cars 3 was horrible imo
@@GoDawgs18 it was good tho
Video- best rookie classes ever
1949 rookie Class- Am I a joke to you?
5:38 - traumatic flashbacks to _NASCAR Thunder 2003,_ where winning Rookie of the Year in Career Mode was all but impossible because of how strong Johnson & Newman were made to be right from the get-go, lol
When one class sprouts cool nicknames such as "Handsome Harry", "Bandit", "The Iceman", and "The Intimidator", has 9 Championships, and very likely will have 3 drivers in the HOF, I agree with your assessment.
1979 by far is the best look at the drivers that were in that class they are some of the best of all time. What made this class great is the championships and look at Earnhardt’s in his 2nd season a feat that will never be duplicated.
Honorable mention to 1973. Lennie Pond and DW. Also looks like 2016 will go down as a great one with Elliot, Blaney and Buescher.
2014 will certainly go as one of the greatest. Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman and Austin Dillon. Even better than 2016.
I believe Jeff Gordon said in 2001 they might as well hand him 8,9and10.
Kasey Kahne had many more underwhelming seasons in his career than Vickers did. Vickers was bad with Hendrick but what he did with Red Bull is a pretty massive accomplishment, and he was great at MWR as well
Now do the Top 10 Worst Rookie Classes.
2015
1998
Rookie class of 2010
2010-2012
2010 or 2011. When Kevin Conway and Andy Lally are getting ROTYs, then something's wrong.
Best Rookie Class 1949: Ok somewhat debatable but sure
Number 6 2002: *BRUH WHAT YOU MEAN YOU HAVE JIMMIE JOHNSON BROOOOOOOOOOO*
lol
Let’s not forget Ryan Newman’s like 20 poles
Good call. With 9 championships, and over 100 wins, the class of 79 is the best rookie class in my opinion. Time will tell how some of the others shape up.
great video liked 👍🏁🏆
You think about this, if Dale Earnhardt lives, that 2001 class would have been off this list as Kurt Busch would have likely been rookie of the year as expected. Then throw Kevin in that 2002 Rookie class and that 2002 class would have been much higher. Harvick only was part of that 2001 class because Dale passed, they really weren't going to put Harvick in Cup until about 2002 or so. Which meant Dale would have been Harvick's teammate, and Harvick would have driven the #30 AOL Chevy.
Richard Petty, one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to have triple-digit wins in the Cup Series alone; the other guy has 105, and Jeff Gordon is third all-time with 93. The only other driver in NASCAR history with triple-digit career wins overall is Kyle Busch, though he has them spread out across all of NASCAR's top 3 series
Awesome video man
The 1993 Rookie of The Year is My Favorite Driver
6:07 that hammering you hear
Is the nail in the final coffin
On the chase contenders' hopes
Since I’ve been watching NASCAR, I’m going to go with Jimmie’s rookie year. idk if many people would remember, but Jimmie actually was a serious contender for the Championship in his rookie year. he was leading the points after Kansas and what i think ultimately hurt his chances at the championship was the incident with Mark Martin at Talladega. Jimmie made himself known as a future champion that year.
Kevin also managed to win the Busch title in 01 while running full time in cup.
Also the 1976 rookie of the year is my second cousin so thats cool!
Neat! How's Skip doing these days?
@@seannolan9857 doing well! Has a new shop to piddle around with and he likes his hot rods.
My top 3 favorite rookie classes:
3. Class of 1998
2. Class of 2000
1. Class of 2001
You forgot something very important about the 1959 rookie class... Ned Jarrett! Adding his 50 wins and two titles certainly could tip the scales in their favor. Also there's G.C. Spencer, arguably the best driver to never win a race.
If this were my list, I'd have included 1956 as well, just for the sheer number of future race winners. Rex White, Jack Smith, Marvin Panch, Paul Goldsmith, Ralph Moody, Tiny Lund, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting a couple. That was one *stacked* class.
You definitely missed the rookie class of 2010! The battle for rookie of the year was so intense! Kevin Conway will go down as one of the best!
That was the weakest class of the 2010s decade
I agree 79 I knew it was going to be that one. Actually there was four great rookies and 79 Joe Milliken just didn't come around and do things like everybody thought he was going to do and really it was really four guys that everybody thought was just going to really do great that year
I'm so glad someone besides me actually knows who Joe Millikan is
I thought I said this in the other text he actually finished in points ahead of all of them and he was really a good driver think that was Benny Parsons old ride that he was racing that year
I.E. Best rookie seasons with people I like in random order. 2000 might be 10th at best, but probably shouldn't even make the list, let alone before 2009 (with 2 champions)...but you gotta somehow crowbar Jr in there. 2004 has no business being there, especially over 1987.
Just go by how many championship drivers that each class has. If it's a tie, go by total championships that were won by driver from that year, then by wins. It's something that should be easily fIgured out by stats...not "feels".
Now I'll wait for you to make the worst rookie classes ever
Let's hope
2010-12 and 2018-19
1998
Also 2006... Reed Sorenson, JJ Yeley, David Stremme... talk about night and day from rookie classes
2007-2013. Only 3 drivers have won more than 2 races that started in this era. Brad.K,Logano,and Austin Dillon.
Isaac McKissick 2014 wasn’t even that bad it was a pretty decent battle between Dillon and Larson
You should do the top ten worst rookie classes.
Jeff Gordon is my GOAT personally, but everyone is entitled to their opinions. I wasn’t alive to see Richard petty dominate so I’m sure plenty would say he is by far and away the GOAT. But I watched Jeff do everything. That’s my goat.
The greatest ever is and always will be Dale
7 championships to Gordon's 4
And Dale has a better career average finish than jeff
The class of 06 cause my all time favorite driver of all time Denny Hamlin was racing in 2006 and the year I became a fan of Hamlin at the age of 2
I'd like to see a worst rookie class video too! 2010-2012 would moist definitely make a majority of it though lmao
2015 too
I don't even remember who was a rookie that year
@@negativealex8853 I want to say that one had Ryan Truex and Bowman in BK cars but I could be wrong. The early 2010's were horrible for rookies all aroynd
@@Vault13CanteenFNV i think those 2 were 2014
Bowman was moved over to drive the god awful 7 car and Truex kinda dissapeared, but yeah early 2010s rookie class was not a good time
@@Vault13CanteenFNV and also,2014 rookie class was only remembered for Austin Dillon bringing back the 3
And how damn awesome Kyle larson was that year,without a playoff system,he would of finished in the top 10 in the points
1999. Tony Stewart alone took home 3 wins and a 4th place finish in the points
yay my video request happened!
LFG I’m on the thumbnail
Hi matt
my favorite rookie class is 2010. Man, Kevin Conway was so awesome that ye..... PFFFFTTTTTT, JUST KIDDING lol
Never forgot that DaleJrs career pales to Kenseths.
This. I wish Jr and Matt went into the HOF together 😔
@@larsongame4120 He's coming
You have that backwards crybaby
@@rcracer8872 you again. Lmao. You're funny. When is Kasey getting in the HOF? 😂 freakin troll
@@justinkrizenesky you just can't accept being wrong and stupid can you 😂😂😂
There would’ve been problems is any except 79 was number 1, with Earnhardt, Labonte and Gant. It’s hard to beat that
And Joe Millikan
Umm 1999? 2005? Iceberg, do Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch not mean shit to you? But I would understand either way. As in 99 and 05, Tony and Kyle had absolutely no real competition. They were the only drivers in their classes who actually won anything. I'm just saying that you could've atleast given them an honorable mention.
If Carl Edwards had made his first start in 2005 instead of 2004 (like he was supposed to do), it would definitely have been in this video and would probably have replaced 2004.
I was a rookie NASCAR watcher in 2009
OUR MASTER RETURNS
Also second
2014 is my personal favorite lol. Honorable mention to 2000.
Great list but the best? Its good, its in the ball park. But I agree the best rookie class was 79'!
*Awesome*
I think dale would of gave Gordon a title fight in 2001
😭😭😭😭
He most likely would have. He was having a career renaissance in 1999 and 2000. Had he not died, he probably would've been hard to beat in 2001. Especially at the plate races and Atlanta. 2003 would've probably been his retirement season
@@Maverick33 retire LOL never.
I think he would part time then retire from driving in 2013, taking one shot at the CoT, then would return to drive for the 88 in '16 filling in for Jr, winning a thriller at Dega against Logano, then retired for good.
No doubt in my mind Earnhardt was going to win his 8th in 2001, and would probably have 85+ wins by the time he was done
MY TOP 20 Best ROOKIES in NASCAR:
20. Rusty Wallace (1984)
19. Darrell Waltrip (1973)
18. Alan Kulwicki/Michael Waltrip (1986)
17. Jeff & Ward Burton/Jeremy Mayfield (1994)
16. Bill Elliott/Neil Bonnett (1976)
15. Mark Martin/Geoff Bodine (1982)
14. Greg Biffle/Jamie McMurray/Casey Mears (2003)
13. Davey Allison/Dale Jarrett (1987)
12. Kasey Kahne/Brian Vickers (2004)
11. Brad Keselowski (2010)
10. Joey Logano (2009)
9. Tony Stewart/Elliott Sadler (1999)
8. Kyle Busch/Carl Edwards (2005)
7. Dale Jr./Matt Kenseth (2000)
6. Jimmie Johnson/Ryan Newman (2002)
5. Denny Hamlin/Martin Truex Jr./Clint Bowyer (2006)
4. Kevin Harvick/Kurt Busch (2001)
3. Richard Petty/Buddy Baker (1959)
2. Jeff Gordon/Bobby Labonte (1993)
1. Dale Earnhardt/Terry Labonte (1979)
What's odd is that Terry Labonte wasn't even rookie runner up 1979. It was Joe Milikan, an apprentice of the King.
It used to easier for drivers to adjust to cup. Now drivers are lucky to win a race in their 3rd season
Best rookie year 1979 prediction before watching
2000-2002 was quite the run.
wow how'd i know Dale Sr. would be #1 how surprising
Class of 1993, 1999, 2000 and 2006 were the best rookie classes
2004 really does get overlooked honestly. I thought it sucked other than Kahne, but I didn't know it also had Edwards. Still don't think Vickers is that good to be honest (other than 2009).
@@isaacmckissick1068 Yep, Martinsville 2011. I don't know how a driver can be THAT inept, but he was.
Hey Kenseth also won the Daytona 500 twice.
Gateway is still supposed to be on the Cup schedule next year
Nononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononononotatall
Racer’s Abandoned Retail Yep. I know. It was pushed to 2022
2006
2000
2002
are the best I can think of
Can you do top 10 veterans class. 5 drivers all over 35 have 10 years experience
Why does everyone overlook the fact that Johnson is the only actual rookie to ever lead points standings?
Rookie Jimmie Johnson: wins three races, leads the standings, arguably to be THE G.O.A.T. of NASCAR
NASCAR officials: nah Newman was better
Dude kill the volume on the background music, good hell.
Brad k also won dodges so far final championship, in their final year
What do y ot use to dowload clios
Actually Joe Milliken was sixth in points one ahead of Earnhardt and quite a few ahead of labani and Harry again actually he just didn't have any big backing finished second pretty sure that that was one of Benny Parson's old cars
Joe only beat him because of Earnhart's injury. The #2 beat the #72 in owner points. And rookie points are awarded based on your 15 best races, and Dale had more top fives. (Same reason why Newman beat Johnson in 2002).
I hate how Edwards 2005 couldn't be considered his rookie year
#1 Rookie Class 1979: Dale Earnhardt vs Terry Labonny
Dale Earnhardt would have one at least 100 races and #8 championships in 2001 if he was alive today
NASCAR: Rise of The Rookies
2007-2013 was pretty bad. Alot of this could be because nationwide cars were NOTHING like cup cars.
How is Ryan Newman not in the thumbnail??
Sr wouldn’t have won another championship. Everyone refuses to acknowledge that between late 98 and 01, everyone wanted him to hang up the wheel given he had fallen off compared to the version of him between the early 80s and mid 90s. But people refuse to acknowledge that these days
I wish I was born in like the late 70s now
loganos "championship" is prime example of how stupid chase and playoff formats are
So is Kyle Busch's "championship"
@Owly123 2019 he was around 25th in points bud with the winston format
@Owly123 yeah and youre one of them 15 will never count get over it huge asterisk
Ok but like Jeff Gordon possibly could’ve broke or at least got close to breaking pettys 7 cup
Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick.
2014
2005 was a good class too
This video is better in 1.25 speed
I feel like Edwards Could have been better than he was if you wouldn’t have retired so early in his career
The day denny hamlin wins a champ will be the day tupac comes out of hiding
Please explain how Tony Stewart and Kyle Bush did not make the list?
Because their rookie competition was Elliott Sadler and Travis Kvapil respectively. He's ranking the class as a whole, not so much the individual rookie season.
Thank you for explaining that. 😎
Kyle Busch is overrated trash
What about the rookie class of 2005?
Lmaooo 1949! Haha
Current classes would be 2002, 2001 and 2006
Greatest rookie class is 2006 truex is the goat of nascar no one can change my mind
Chase Elliot class
79 by a mile
Worst rookies to become champion
1949 is the best rookie class guys
Um, Edwards and Kesolowksi were never ROTY contenders
05 and 10
@@bennyparsons1435 Both Edwards and Keselowski ran too many races in prior years to be eligible for ROTY. By NASCAR rule you could run no more than 7 races in a single season to maintain ROTY eligibility for a future season.
WhErEs ThE cLaSs Of 2016?
2001 one of the better but also one of the worst. Not counting Harvick and only judging how the rookies did that year, all of them were awful. Fortunately, Kurt would recover big time the following year. Everyone else, bust material.
I mean dale was in a bunch of shit rides for like 4 years idk if you would consider him a rookie then lol
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