5 racing imports who conquered NASCAR featuring Danica Patrick

Over the years, NASCAR has had numerous drivers coming in from different racing categories and trying their luck out. While some succeeded in it, others failed to make a dent in America's top-tier motorsport.

However, some excelled in their junior racing series, different categories such as Formula 1 and Endurance Racing, and then arrived in NASCAR to shine bright. Below are some racing imports who raised multiple eyebrows with their NASCAR stints:

#5 Danica Patrick

Born in 1982, in Beloit, Wisconsin, Danica Patrick is one of the pioneers for women in motorsport in the United States. The former NASCAR driver has represented women in motorsport for years and has multiple first records as a woman in American auto racing.

From being the first woman to win an IndyCar Series to being the first woman to claim a pole position in the Cup Series, the 42-year-old led by example. No wonder why she made it to the top five in our list.

#4 Connor Zilisch

In number four, we have the wonder kid Connor Zilisch. The prodigy has been making waves in American motorsport with his talent and diverse racing talent. He is the development driver for Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing, JR Motorsport driver in Xfinity Series, and Spire Motorsports driver in the Truck Series.

Besides the above-mentioned races, Zilisch also appeared in multiple junior racing series such as the Karting, and ARCA Menards Series. Notably, the 18-year-old was the first American to win the CIK-FIA Karting.

#3 Juan Pablo Montoya

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Juan Pablo Montoya made it to the top three on our list. The Colombian racing veteran has been a star in Formula 1, IndyCar, Champ Car, and, of course, NASCAR.

In his elusive motorsport career, Montoya won the 1998 International Formula 3000 championship, 1999 CART FedEx Championship, 2017 Race of Champions, and 2019 IMSA Sportscar Championship. In NASCAR, he has two race wins in 255 Cup Series appearances.

#4 AJ Foyt

Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr. Or AJ Foyt is one of the most decorated motorsport drivers in the United States. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1935, Foyt has been a racing veteran in Champ Car, Formula 1, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and of course, NASCAR.

In his illustrious motorsport career, Foyt has multiple Indianapolis 500 wins, a 24 Hours of Le Mans win, a Daytona 500 win, and two 24 Hours of Daytona 500 wins. In NASCAR, he has seven Cup Series race wins in 128 races.

#1 Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti is arguably the greatest motorsport driver in the history of the United States. The Italian-American driver was born in Montona in 1940 and reigned supreme in multiple racing series such as Formula 1, and Champ Car, and had a short stint in NASCAR.

Andretti is a Formula 1 champion, 1969 Motor Trend 500 Cup Series winner, four-time Champ Car champion, and 24 Hours of Daytona winner. His contribution to motorsport led to American popular culture, making him synonymous with speed.