Top 15 International NASCAR Drivers Who Took America by Storm!

15. Jenson Button (UK)

The 2009 F1 World Champion entered NASCAR in 2023, competing in the Chicago Street Race. Although he finished mid-pack, his involvement showed how NASCAR’s global reach is growing among elite international drivers.

14. Alon Day (Israel)

Alon Day is Israel’s most successful stock car driver and a multi-time NASCAR Euro Series champion. He’s made a few appearances in the Cup and Xfinity Series, representing a breakthrough for Middle Eastern drivers.

13. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada)

A former F1 world champion and Indy 500 winner, Villeneuve dabbled in NASCAR with occasional starts in Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks. Though he never won, his presence brought international prestige and media attention to the sport.

12. Miguel Paludo (Brazil)

Paludo was the first Brazilian to compete full-time in NASCAR’s Truck and Xfinity series. While he didn’t score a national series win, he helped break barriers and inspired other Brazilian drivers to pursue NASCAR.

11. Mario Andretti (Italy/USA)

Though known more for his IndyCar and F1 success, Mario Andretti did win the 1967 Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race. That single win speaks volumes about his versatility and greatness.

10. Raphaël Lessard (Canada)

Lessard became a Truck Series winner at a young age, showing promise as one of Canada’s future racing stars. Though his Cup hopes haven’t materialized yet, his win put him on the map.

9. Larry Pollard (Canada)

Pollard is notable for becoming the first Canadian to win in NASCAR’s then-Busch (now Xfinity) Series. He also raced in the Truck Series, representing a key era of Canadian involvement in NASCAR.

8. Earl Ross (Canada)

Earl Ross made history back in 1974 by becoming the first (and still only) Canadian to win a Cup Series race. Though his NASCAR career was short, that win cemented his place in the history books.

7. Ron Fellows (Canada)

Ron Fellows was one of the original road-course ringers, often called in for races at tracks like Watkins Glen and Montreal. He scored wins in both the Xfinity and Truck Series and is widely respected for his racing intellect.

6. Stewart Friesen (Canada)

Friesen is one of the top Canadian drivers in NASCAR history, with multiple wins in the Truck Series. He’s a dirt-track specialist with a loyal fanbase and consistent top-10 finishes.

5. Nelson Piquet Jr. (Brazil)

The former F1 driver found new life in NASCAR, especially in the Truck Series, where he scored two wins. He added an Xfinity victory to his name in 2012, helping establish Brazil as a growing motorsport force within NASCAR.

4. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia)

Montoya brought serious open-wheel pedigree into NASCAR and proved his worth with two Cup wins on road courses. Though he never became a full-time title contender, his unique background and flair made him a standout personality in the garage.

3. Marcos Ambrose (Australia)

Known for his road-course mastery, Ambrose earned two Cup wins at Watkins Glen and five more in Xfinity. His aggressive yet calculated driving style made him a fan favorite, and he paved the way for other Aussie drivers to give NASCAR a shot.

2. Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand)

Shane shocked the world by winning his Cup Series debut at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, becoming the first to do so in over 60 years. He followed that up with multiple Xfinity wins in 2024 and a dominant Cup win in Mexico City in 2025. A Supercars legend turned NASCAR star, SVG is now a full-time Cup driver and one of the most exciting international talents in the sport.

1. Daniel Suárez (Mexico)

Daniel Suárez made history as the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series championship, claiming the 2016 Xfinity title. Since then, he’s won races in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, including a landmark win in his home country of Mexico in 2025. His success has made him a hero to Latin American fans and a symbol of NASCAR’s growing global appeal.