1.Matt Kenseth:



Based on his on-track achievements, Matt Kenseth is one of the most accomplished drivers of this decade, trailing only Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon. Kenseth does not win a cornucopia of races, but he is one of the most consistent drivers in the sport's history. For some reason, however, Kenseth, the 2003 champion, is not mentioned in the same breath as the before mentioned trio of champions. He takes a back seat to other non-champions as well, such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and his own Roush Fenway Racing teammate, Carl Edwards.

Reason why he is underrated: Quiet and serene with a dry sense of humor that is an acquired taste (I think he's hilarious), allowing more outspoken and volatile drivers into the spotlight. Additionally, he graduated from the same rookie class as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2000, which means he has always raced in the shadows of his former rookie rival.

2.Greg Biffle:

Like Kenseth, Biffle is one of the most accomplished drivers of the decade. However, Biffle's titles were in the Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series. Still, Biffle has enjoyed success in the Sprint Cup series, as only Johnson, Stewart, and Gordon have won more races since Biffle's rookie season in 2003. Biffle has a history of inconsistency, but he is an exciting driver who races every lap as if it is his last. He tends to appeal more to the old school NASCAR fans.

Reason why he is underrated: Late bloomer'he did not hit his peak until his mid to late 30's. In today's NASCAR, a driver tends to peak in their 20's, attracting the younger demographic and solid fan base early in their career.

3.Jeff Burton:

Even though he is deemed as ?The Mayor?, Jeff Burton is often overlooked by fans and media members. While Burton has a respectable fan base, it does not match his personality and skill level. Burton is a clean driver, but he never allows other drivers to take advantage of his cleanness, just ask Kyle Busch (see Watkins Glen Nationwide race). He is articulate, fan friendly, and he has emerged as NASCAR's most vocal leader when it pertains to important issues, such as safety.

Reason why he is underrated: Burton peaked in the late 1990's, prior to NASCAR's rapid rise in National interest. He hit a decline in performance in the early 2000's and was in a career transition in the middle of NASCAR's peak in popularity. Despite his career resurgence, many fans consider Burton as their ?second? favorite driver.

4.David Ragan:

David Ragan is by far the most improved driver in Sprint Cup. After a mediocre rookie season, Ragan nearly qualified for the Chase for the Championship this season. While he is steadily receiving more attention from the broadcast booth, he has yet to capture the intrigue of fans and media members that other young drivers in the past have.

Reason why he is underrated: Ragan took some heat when he first entered the Sprint Cup ranks, drawing criticism from notable drivers. Some may resent him as he replaced Mark Martin long before he was ready for Sprint Cup racing. Additionally, while he seems like a nice guy, he has yet to display much personality, almost seeming uncomfortable in front of the camera.

5.Clint Bowyer:

Like Burton, Clint Bowyer is articulate and fan friendly. He is one of the more talented young drivers to enter the Sprint Cup Series in the last three years. However, he is still a driver that few talk about. It seems as if he has spent his entire career in the shadows of someone else. In the Nationwide Series, he was always second to Martin Truex, Jr. As a rookie, he was upstaged by Denny Hamlin, and in his own camp at Richard Childress Racing, he races in the shadows of his teammates Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.

Reason why he is underrated: Bowyer is fast, but does not win very often, and does not lead many laps. He tends to towards the bottom half of the top ten, which obviously receives less attention than the leaders. Furthermore, while he has an engaging personality, Bowyer does not stand out in a crowd, like say, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, or Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He is kind of like the dude next door.

Other underrated drivers include Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, David Reutimann, and A.J. Allmendinger