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NASCAR: Top 10 active drivers from an all-time perspective

By Asher Fair

MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 02: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, leads Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Tide Pods Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 02: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, leads Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Tide Pods Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 11: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 11, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 11: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 11, 2017 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

#9 – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports, No. 88 Chevrolet

Many may argue the idea that Dale Earnhardt Jr., 42, only has a ride in the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet because of the fact that his father, seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt, was able to accomplish what he accomplished before being killed in a tragic accident at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500.

While Earnhardt Jr. has definitely not lived up to what his father was able to accomplish, it’s not like he’s been a terrible driver, and he deserves at least some recognition for what he has, in fact, been able to accomplish in his 18-year full-time Cup Series career.

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"“I put a lot into this sport, and I know that I might not have met everyone’s expectations. But I certainly exceeded my own, and I’m super proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. I brought something to the table and left a good impact.”"

Earnhardt Jr.’s Cup Series victory total of 26 wins is lower than just six other active drivers. While he has never won a Cup Series championship in 17 career full-time seasons and likely will not do so in his 18th and final season since this season has been arguably the worst of his career, he is still a two-time Daytona 500 champion who has also finished in the top 5 in the championship standings on four separate occasions, finishing in a career-high 3rd place in the 2003 season.

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