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NASCAR Cup Series: Who is the greatest driver of all-time?

By Asher Fair

11 Feb 1999: A general view of the Gatorade 125''s race two start during the NASCAR Daytona 500 Speedweek at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport
11 Feb 1999: A general view of the Gatorade 125''s race two start during the NASCAR Daytona 500 Speedweek at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida. Mandatory Credit: David Taylor /Allsport /
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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 21: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 21: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson is often overlooked as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history simply because he is still driving and some fans cannot possibly consider a modern-day driver as the sport’s best. However, there is more than enough out there to suggest why the 18-year veteran can be considered for this title.

Heading in the 2006 season, only one driver had ever won more than two championships in a row. This driver was Cale Yarborough, who won three championships in a row from the 1976 season through the 1976 season.

From the 2006 season through the 2010 season, Johnson went on a historic run that resulted in him winning the championship in each of those five seasons. He became the third driver to win five championships in the 2010 season, and he became the third driver to win six championships three years later in the 2013 season as well as the third driver to win seven championships three years later in the 2016 season.

Among the three drivers who are seven-time Cup Series championships, Johnson earned his in the shortest span — by far. He won his seven championships in an 11-year span, and he won these championships in arguably the most the most competitive era that the sport had experienced at that time.

While Johnson would not have won four of these championships if not for the playoffs, which began in the 2004 season, the fact that he was able to do so using a format that made things relatively even among the playoff drivers shows that he is arguably the most clutch driver of all-time.

Johnson’s win total of 83 is tied for sixth place on the all-time wins list, but it is just one victory away from being tied for fourth. A potential eighth championship would likely drive up this win total, and it would put the two-time Daytona 500 winner in a class of his own not only in NASCAR but across the three major motorsports series (NASCAR Cup Series, IndyCar and Formula 1), as no drivers have ever earned eight championships in those three series.

In fact, the five NASCAR Cup Series, IndyCar and Formula 1 drivers with seven championships are 0 for 29 when going for their eighth career championships. Johnson is 0 for 3.

Who else can be considered the greatest NASCAR Cup Series driver of all-time?

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