who drove the tide car in nascar

[VanJason]

The most notable driver of the iconic bright orange #32 Tide-sponsored car in NASCAR's premier Cup Series was Bubba Wallace. He piloted the car for the team Leavine Family Racing during the 2018 season. However, the Tide car has a much longer and more storied history, primarily associated with the legendary Ricky Rudd and the Ricky Rudd Motorsports team in the 1990s, and earlier with drivers like Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Craven.

The Tide "ride," referring to the sponsorship and car livery, became one of the most recognizable in all of motorsports. Its history can be broken down by team and era. The car's legacy is defined by its distinctive look and the drivers who competed up front with it.

The most successful period for the Tide car was with driver Ricky Rudd. From 1994 to 1999, Rudd drove the #10 Tide Ford for his own team, Ricky Rudd Motorsports. He was known for his incredible toughness and consistency, achieving multiple wins and consistently finishing in the top ten in points. His most famous victory in the Tide car was a dramatic, last-lap pass to win at Martinsville in 1998.

Driver	Team	Car Number	Seasons	Notable Achievements in the Tide Car
Darrell Waltrip	Hendrick Motorsports	#17	1987-1990	Multiple wins, helped establish the sponsorship's success
Ricky Rudd	Ricky Rudd Motorsports	#10	1994-1999	Several wins, including the 1998 Martinsville victory
Ricky Craven	Hendrick Motorsports	#25	1991-1993	Drove the car after Waltrip, secured a pole position
Bubba Wallace	Leavine Family Racing	#32	2018	Brought the livery back for a one-season stint

Before Rudd, the sponsorship was with Hendrick Motorsports. Darrell Waltrip drove the #17 Tide Chevrolet from 1987 to 1990, winning races and keeping the car in championship contention. The livery's most recent appearance was a return with Bubba Wallace in 2018, a nod to its history that introduced the iconic brand to a new generation of fans.

[AbigailLee]

For me, the Tide car will always be Ricky Rudd's #10 Ford. That bright orange scheme was just iconic in the mid-90s. I remember watching him fight for wins every week. He wasn't always the flashiest driver, but he was tough as nails and got everything out of that car. That last-lap win at Martinsville against Ernie Irvan was pure drama. Sure, other guys drove it, but Rudd made that car his own.

[MacEmma]

While Bubba Wallace drove a modern version of the Tide car in 2018, the sponsorship's deep roots are with Hendrick Motorsports in the late 80s and early 90s. Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip was the first major star to pilot the #17 Tide Chevrolet, winning races and competing for championships. The car's success with Hendrick cemented Tide as a household name in NASCAR before the sponsorship moved to Ricky Rudd's own team.

[VanAlana]

You have to look at it in two parts. The classic era belongs to Ricky Rudd in the #10. He owned that team and that ride, and they were contenders. But the sponsorship started with Darrell Waltrip at Hendrick, which was a huge deal back then. The livery made a cool comeback with Bubba Wallace not too long ago, which was great for the nostalgia factor. So, the main answers are Rudd and Waltrip, with a honorable mention to Wallace.

[PrestonLee]

From a marketing perspective, the Tide car is a fascinating case study. The sponsorship was so visually striking and consistent that the car itself became a brand icon. While multiple drivers like Waltrip, Rudd, and Wallace had the ride, the real star was the orange and yellow livery. It demonstrated the power of long-term sponsorship in sports. The decision to bring it back with Wallace showed an understanding of its historical value and its ability to generate immediate fan recognition.