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NASCAR: Best substitute drivers of the 2010s

By Bryce Turner

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: David Ragan, driver of the #38 Shriners Hospital for Children Ford, climbs into his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: David Ragan, driver of the #38 Shriners Hospital for Children Ford, climbs into his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Bubba Wallace, Richard Petty Motorsports, Kentucky Speedway, NASCAR (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

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While there were several more substitute drivers in the last decade, a few others stood out.

The then two-time and defending Truck Series champion Matt Crafton got called in at the last minute for an injured Kyle Busch at Daytona International Speedway in 2015, and he finished in 18th place in his first Cup Series race, which also happened to be the prestigious Daytona 500.

His only other Cup Series start came in place of Matt Tifft (medical reasons) at Martinsville Speedway in 2019, where he finished in 25th place behind the wheel of the #36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports. He had just come in for relief for Paul Menard at Wood Brothers Racing during the race at Talladega Superspeedway behind the wheel of the #21 Ford two weeks prior.

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Brian Vickers ran a combined eight races as the substitute for an injured Denny Hamlin in 2013 and and injured Tony Stewart in 2016, grabbing a pair of top 10 finishes.

He recorded an eighth place finish behind the wheel of the #11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing at Texas Motor Speedway in 2013 and a seventh place finish behind the wheel of the #14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing at Martinsville Speedway in 2016.

Eventual Xfinity Series champion Austin Dillon stepped in for Stewart in 2013, finishing in 14th place at Michigan International Speedway and 26th at Talladega Superspeedway.

Bubba Wallace made his Cup Series debut in relief of an injured Aric Almirola in 2017 and recorded an average finish of 17.8 in four races behind the wheel of the #43 Ford at Richard Petty Motorsports with a top finish of 11th place at Kentucky Speedway.

Finally, Kasey Kahne stepped in for Vickers behind the wheel of the #83 Toyota at Team Red Bull for the final five races of 2010. He took the pole position for the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and finished in sixth place. He joined Team Red Bull as a full-time driver the following season.

Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

While the full-time stars get most of the fame, it’s important to remember the substitute drivers, from series veterans who have already made their marks to the young drivers who are trying to gain valuable experience.

Through having to adjust to a new team, both with the equipment and the crew, and having to step in under tough circumstances for an injured or suspended driver, these substitute drivers have given their best efforts, sometimes surprising with impressive NASCAR Cup Series race results.

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