It was no easy task coming up with the 100 greatest drivers in the history of NASCAR but it had to be done and the crew here at BTF got it done. Be sure to check back after each NASCAR season for an updated ranking.
UPDATED: December 2017
Over the years there have been some great drivers in the world of NASCAR. Whenever it comes to measuring greatness the end game is always trying to figure out who is the greatest. The staff at Beyond The Flag have spent the last couple of weeks compiling a list of the greatest drivers to ever race in NASCAR. That list was then whittled down to 100 drivers and then those 100 drivers were ranked from No. 100 all the way to No. 1.
When trying to determine greatness there are various factors that need to be considered. Below is a quick look at the criteria that was examined in deciding which drivers made the list and where they were ranked.
- Championships – Often times in sports success is most often measure in championships. As a result of this any NASCAR driver with a Cup Series championship is somewhere on this list. We also took into consideration drivers who have won titles in NASCAR’s lower tiers (Xfinity Series, Truck Series and Modified Series)
- Wins – Some will say the titles are the most important while others will say it’s the wins. We won’t say which we felt was the most important but wins did play a big part in the decision-making process.
- Hall of Fame – If a driver is worthy of being in the NASCAR Hall of Fame then they are worthy of being on our list.
- Lasting Impact – Sometimes a drivers greatest contribution to the sport was the impact that they made while they raced. Some drivers changed the landscape of the sport while others made smaller but still important impacts. All of these impacts were considered while putting together the list.
Without further ado let’s jump into the list be revealing the two drivers that just missed making the list of NASCAR’s top-100 drivers.
Next: Just Missed The Top 100
Honorable Mention:
Janet Guthrie
Guthrie set the bar for women in the world of Motorsports. Guthrie was the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. Guthrie raced to a top-10 finish in the 1978 Indy 500, she also has five career top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series. Guthrie’s highest Cup Series finish was a 6th-place finish at Bristol in 1977.
Guthrie is interviewed here in the car she drove in the 1977 Indy 500.
Doug Coby
Coby is a two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion having won titles in 2012 and 2014. Coby is not only a multiple-time champion on the Whelen Modified Tour but he won his titles on two different teams which further proves his driving prowess.
Coby will be looking for his third title when the 2015 season begins in April. Coby’s success in the Whelen Modified Tour had him up for consideration to make the list.
Next: Getting To It - 96-100
Kyle Larson burst onto the NASCAR in 2014. Despite his near-wins, he was not able to win his first NASCAR Cup Series race until 2016. Larson is currently a big part of NASCAR’s bright future.
Lia is a two-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion. The Jerico, N.Y. native won the title in 2007 and 2009 and was the Rookie of the Year in 2003. He also ran 39 truck races between 2007 and 2010 with a win in the Ohio 250 in Mansfield, Ohio. Lia also won the Race of Champions four consecutive times from 2004-2007.
Donny Lia wins in Ohio in 2008 (video above).
In 2014 Shepherd made headlines for being the oldest driver to start a Cup race at the age of 72. At 73, Shepherd still runs Xfinity races. He has four wins in the Cup series and 168 top-10s to go along with 15 Xfinity wins and 67 top-10’s over the course of his 29 year career. Shepherd has been running in this sport for nearly 30 years and that alone is quite the accomplishment.
Cope makes this list with two wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 1990, Dale Earnhardt ran over debris and cut a tire and Cope passed him in turn 3 to win the Daytona 500. Cope also won later in 1990 at Dover. Although Cope has only won twice in NASCAR one of those wins was the Daytona 500 and that is something that will forever keep him in a special place in the NASCAR history books.
Hendrick was known as Mr. Modified in his career despite never winning a title. He does have more than 700 modified victories which is somewhat of a mind-boggling number if you think about it. Hendrick’s Modified runs earned him a cup of coffee at the two higher levels in NASCAR. He ran 17 Cup races and seven Xfinity races with 10 top-10 finishes combined between the two.
Enjoy these career highlights for Ray Hendrick.
Next: No. 95 to No. 91
The Rocky Hill, CT. native was a monster in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series. Ruggiero had 44 wins in 419 starts over his 24 year career. He was one of the best Modified drivers to never win a championship. Despite not winning a title Ruggiero makes the list based on his fame and success in the NASCAR Modified Series. Ruggiero was also one of the most popular guys in the series.
DeSarro was the 1970 NASCAR National Modified Champion and died from injuries suffered in a practice crash at Thompson International Speedway in 1978. His death brought about safety advances in the Modified Series much the same way the Dale Earnhardt’s passing evoked change in NASCAR some 23 years later . DeSarro was inducted in 1999 to the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame.
The youngest of the three racing Bodine brothers won the Camping World Truck Series Championship in 2006 and 2010. Bodine has 22 wins in the Truck series and 15 wins in the Xfinity Series. He has captured five poles and scored 21 top-10’s in the Sprint Cup series over his 22-year career. Bodine’s success across three of NASCAR’s four major series is impressive.
Rexford was one of the early NASCAR champions. He won the 1950 Grand National Championship and only had one career win. He was the only non-southerner to win the title until 1989 when Rusty Wallace captured the championship. Rexford was the only series champion not included in NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998, as you can see we were sure to make sure that he made our list.
Check out these highlights of the MARC 1955 Dayton, won by Rexford.
The Australian native came to America and started with JTD Daugherty racing before moving to Richard Petty Motorsports. Ambrose has two Cup wins and five Xfinity wins all coming on road courses during his NASCAR career. Following the 2014 NASCAR season Ambrose made the decision to leave the sport and return to racing in Australia. Although he didn’t achieve the success he was hoping on the ovals in NASCAR, Ambrose certainly proved that he was a talented driver.
Next: No. 90 to No. 86
Bodine’s current claim to fame is he is the pace car driver for the Sprint Cup series. The middle Bodine brother earned his only Sprint Cup win in 1990 at North Wilkesboro but he did score 61 top-10s in the Sprint Cup series during his racing career. He also had five Xfinity wins to go along with 52 career top-10 finishes in the Xfinity Series.
Brett Bodine setting the pace at the Brickyard 400 in 2012
Hirschman Jr. is a five-time NASCAR Whelan Modified Champion capturing titles in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2005. He also was named the Modified Tour Most Popular Driver in 2005 and 2006. Hirschman’s five championships make him one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of the Whelan Modified Tour.
Carl Bergman started his racing career while still serving in the military. Bergamn decided to use the name Bugs Stevens to race. He won the NASCAR Modified Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1969. During a 10 year period between 1966 and 1975, Stevens never finished lower than sixth in the Modified points standings. The name and the titles make him one of the most known drivers in the history of the Modified Series.
JPM came to NASCAR after driving Indy Car for Chip Ganassi and Formula 1 for Williams, McLaren. He had two wins in Sprint Cup, one at Sonoma and one at Watkins Glen; both being road courses. JPM came his closest to an oval victory when he dominated at the Brickyard 400 only to have a speeding penalty on pit road ruin his chance at victory. Aside from his accomplishments he is also known for colliding with a jet dryer while under caution during a race at Daytona.
Currently Craven is an analyst for ESPN. Craven was the 1992 Busch Series Rookie of the Year and the 1995 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. He won at Martinsville in 2001 and defeating Kurt Busch by .002 seconds at Darlington was voted the finish of the 2000’s in the Sprint Cup series. The finish with Busch at Darlington is a moment that is relived every time the Sprint Cup Series visits the track.
These final laps at Darlington are some of the most exciting in racing history.
Next: No. 85 to No. 81
The grandson of Richard Childress, Dillon was the 2011 Camping World Truck series and the 2013 Xfinity series Champion. Dillon has six truck series wins and three Xfinity series wins. He also was the Truck series Rookie of the Year in 2010 and Xfinity series Rookie of the Year in 2012. Dillon hasn’t lit the world on fire in the Sprint Cup Series but the potential remains there and his past success says he could still make an impact. 2016 was somewhat of a breakout year for him as he was able to find consistency and make the Chase for the first time. He won his first career Cup race in 2017 at Charlotte.
Not sure he is more famous for winning the 2011 and 2012 Xfinity Series championship or being Danica Patrick’s boyfriend. Stenhouse actually got his big break driving midget cars for Tony Stewart racing in USAC and then joined Roush Fenway Racing. Winning consecutive Nationwide titles was an impressive feat. The only think holding him back currently is the team-wide struggle that is RFR. Luckily, RFR is trending in the right direction after 2016 and going from three teams to two should help Stenhouse. In fact, he took his first career Cup win at Talladega in 2017 and added another win at Daytona.
Bowyer’s 12-year career in the Cup Series has been productive. Bowyer has eight Sprint Cup wins. He also has eight Xfinity series wins and 145 top-10’s. Bowyer hasn’t recovered from the controversy from the 2013 Richmond race and has gone winless in 2014, 2015, 2016 and so far in 2017. Bowyer is also known for being a good interview, which is all he had in 2016 during the worst season of his NASCAR career.
Hamilton has wins in all three major NASCAR series, something that only 25 other drivers in the history of the sport have accomplished. He got his big break driving one of the “Movie Cars” for the movie Days of Thunder. He has four Cup wins, one Xfinity win and 10 Truck series wins. Hamilton passed away in 2007 after suffering from head and neck cancer.
Watch Hamilton take the checkered flag at Talladega in 2001.
“Front Row Joe” actually isn’t as front row as people think. In 23 years of Sprint Cup racing, he only has 10 career poles. Nemechek has four Cup wins and 62 top-10’s. He was the 1992 Xfinity series champion. In his Xfinity career, Nemechek has 16 wins and 126 top-10’s. Nemechek is regarded as one of the nicest guys in the history of the sport.
Next: No. 80 to No. 76
Crafton’s career is closer to the end than it is the beginning as he is pushing 40. Crafton is a two-time Truck Series champion winning titles in 2013 and 2014. Crafton has only one Sprint Cup Series start and that came in 2015. Despite not having much success in Xfinity or Sprint Cup, Crafton has made his mark in the Truck Series for sure.
Sprague won three titles in the Truck Series between 1997-2001. He finished his Truck Series career with 28 wins and 192 top-10 finishes. Sprague also has an Xfinity Series win to his credit. However, in 24 Sprint Cup starts he was never able to find much success.
Waltrip currently owns Michael Waltrip Racing which fields two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As a driver Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500 and a two-time Budweiser Duel winner. Waltrip is one of 26 drivers to win in all three series. He currently has four wins in the Sprint Cup Series, 11 in the Xfinity Series and one in the Truck Series.
Burton is a former winner of the Daytona 500 along with the Southern 500. Burton finished his NASCAR career with five wins in the Cup Series to go along with four wins in the Xfinity Series. Burton only ran one race in the Truck Series and he was able to earn a top-10 finish.
Enjoy Burton’s career highlights.
Rathmann began his career in the IndyCar Series before making the jump over to NASCAR. When Rathmann moved to NASCAR he found success right away in the form of wins. In 128 races Rathmann managed 13 wins. In those races he also had 79 top-10 finishes which means that he finished in the top-10 in more than half of his Sprint Cup Series races.
Here is a great video from Daytona Beach in 1953, including some action from Dick Rathman.
Next: No. 75 to No. 71
Pearson won consecutive Xfinity Series titles in 1986 and 1987. He was also named the Most Popular Driver in the Xfinity Series in 1986. Pearson won 15 races in the Xfinity Series and finished his career with 129 top-10 finishes. He also ran 57 races in the Sprint Cup Series but was never able to win on that level.
Hutcherson came close to winning a Sprint Cup Series title in 1967 when he finished second in the final standings. Hutcherson only raced in the Sprint Cup Series for four years. In that time he ran 103 races of which he won 14 of them. Of those 103 races Hutcherson finished inside of the top-10 in 73 of them which is a crazy stat.
Cook is a six-time Whelen Modified Tour champion, winning all six of his titles between 1971 and 1977. In 1998 Cook was named to NASCAR’s list of the sports 50 Greatest Drivers. Cook is currently part of three different Halls of Fame however the NASCAR Hall of Fame is currently not one of them.
Here is a nice rundown of Cook’s career.
Logano is currently in the prime of his NASCAR career. Despite 2015 being his eighth season in the Cup Series, Logano is only 27 years old. Logano has won 18 races in his nine Sprint Cup Series seasons including the 2015 Daytona 500. He is also the youngest driver to win in both the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series. Logano won the 2009 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Award. 2014 and 2015 have proven that Logano is capable of winning a title, and in 2016, he made it to the final four of the Chase.
Yarbrough won the 1969 Daytona 500. He also won the Southern 500 and the World 600 in 1969 which made him the first driver to win NASCAR’s “Triple Crown.” Over his 12-year Sprint Cup Series career Yarbrough won 14 races and finished his career with 92 top-10 finishes. Yarbrough died at the age of 46 from injuries that he suffered from a fall.
Enjoy Yarbrough’s 1969 Daytona 500 win.
Next: No. 70 to No. 66
Spencer won National Modified titles with NASCAR in 1986 and 1987. Recently he was named No. 9 on NASCAR’s list of the Greatest Modified Drivers. Spencer is one of 26 drivers to win in all three of NASCAR’s major series. He finished his NASCAR career with two wins in the Sprint Cup Series, 12 in the Xfinity Series and one in the Truck Series.
Here are the highlights of Jimmy Spencer’s exciting career.
McMurray has won in all three of NASCAR’s major series. Those wins include one in the Truck Series, seven in the Sprint Cup Series and eight in the Xfinity Series. McMurray won the Daytona 500 in 2010; he has also won the Brickyard 400, Sprint Showdown, Sprint All-Star Race and the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona (he was on the winning team). He was named Rookie of the Year in 2003. 2016 saw Jamie McMurray return to the Chase once again.
Foyt is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 (four times), the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While a lot of his success came outside of NASCAR , Foyt certainly wasn’t a slouch in NASCAR. In 128 NASCAR events he won seven times and had nine pole awards. Foyt was included in NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998. Foyt is a member of six different Halls of Fame.
Check out this cool interview and and clips of AJ Foyt.
Turner is the only NASCAR driver to win two Grand National races in a row from the pole by leading every lap. He is also a former Southern 500 winner and he won the inaugural race at Rockingham. Turner finished his NASCAR career with 17 Sprint Cup Series wins in 184 starts. During that time he also amassed 16 poles and 73 top-10 finishes.
Here is some great vintage footage of the race in Dayton, Ohio in 1951, won by Turner.
Panch won the 1961 Daytona 500. In 216 Sprint Cup Series starts Panch had 126 top-10 finishes which isn’t too shabby. Panch won 17 of those 216 races. In 1998 Panch was part of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers list. Turner also had 21 career pole awards.
Marvin Panch discusses his start in racing.
Next: No. 65 to No. 61
Benson won Rookie of the Year honors in both the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series. He also won the Most Popular Driver Award in the Truck Series in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Benson is one of 26 drivers to win a race in all three of NASCAR’s major series. Benson’s greatest success came in the Truck Series where he won 14 times. He also has three Xfinity Series win and one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory.
Truex Jr. won back-to-back Xfinity Series championships (it was the Busch Series then) in 2004 and 2005. He was also named the Most Popular Driver in the Xfinity Series those years. Truex Jr. finished his Xfinity Series career with 13 wins. In the Cup Series, he has managed 15 wins so far in his career. 2015 was a break out season for Truex Jr., as he won a race and made it to the final four in the NASCAR Chase. Truex returned to the Chase in 2016 after winning four races, but could not get back to the final four. He won his first career Cup Series championship in the 2017 season.
Newman is a former Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 winner. Newman was the Rookie of the Year in the Sprint Cup Series in 2002. In 2003 Newman was named Driver of the Year in the Sprint Cup Series. Newman hasn’t won a race since 2013 but he did finish second in the championship standings in 2014. He currently has 18 wins in the Cup Series. He also has seven Xfinity wins and one Truck Series win.
Kahne has won the Coca-Cola 600 three different times in his career, the most recent being in 2012. Kahne has also won a Sprint All-Star Race and a Budweiser Duel. He currently has 18 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kahne has also won eight times in the Xfinity Series and four times in the Truck Series. He was the 2004 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year. However, the last few seasons have been a struggle for Kahne.
Stefanik is a seven-time NASCAR Modified Tour champion. His seven titles ties him with Jerry Cook for the second most Modified Tour titles all time. Stefanik won the Rookie of the Year Award in the Truck Series in 1999. Stefanik has never ran a race in the Sprint Cup Series. In 52 races combined between the Xfinity and Truck Series, he has never won.
Next: No. 60 to No. 56
LaJoie won consecutive titles in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 1996 and 1997. He is also a three-time NAPA Auto Parts 300 winner in the Modified Series. The majority of LaJoie’s success was in Modified and the Xfinity Series. He won 15 races in the Xfinity Series while not winning any races in the Truck or Sprint Cup Series.
Marlin might be remembered by younger fans as “the guy who tried to repair his car on the track under a red flag” but he deserves more than that. Marlin was the Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 1983. He is also a two-time Daytona 500 winner, winning the event in 1994 and then again in 1995. Marlin finished his Sprint Cup Series career with 10 wins to go along with a pair of wins in the Xfinity Series.
Marlin wins at Darlington in 2002.
Byron was the “first” one to do a lot in NASCAR. He was the first one to win at the Daytona Beach Road Course. Byron was also the first NASCAR Modified champion in 1948 and then he was the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion in 1949. He also won the 1951 Southern 500. Byron finished his NASCAR career with only three Sprint Cup Series wins but he still accomplished a great deal in the sport.
Check out this replica of the Red Bryon’s first winning car.
Flock won 17 races in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career. Along with those wins he was also a NASCAR Modified Series champion and a NASCAR National Champion in 1949 and 1947 respectively. Flock also won 33 poles in his 154 Sprint Cup Series starts.
How about this incredible footage from the 1952 Southern 500 in Darlington, won by Flock?
Ingram was nicknamed “Iron Man” because of the fact that he won the majority of his races between the ages of 45 and 50. Ingram is a two-time Xfinity Series champion where he won 31 races in eight season. All 31 wins and both titles came after he was 45 years old. Ingram is also a multiple-time late-model champion.
Next: No. 55 to No. 51
Allison is possibly most remembered for his involvement in a final-lap crash and subsequent fight with Cale Yarborough at the 1979 Daytona 500. Allison is a former World 600 winner who was also named Rookie of the year in the Sprint Cup Series in 1967. Allison finished his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with 10 wins and 115 top-10 finishes.
After the incredible final lap at the 1979 Daytona, Donnie Allison and Cale Yarbrough decide to duke out their differences.
Thompson never won a Sprint Cup title but it sure wasn’t for his lack of trying. Thompson finished third in the final series standings on four different occasions between 1951 and 1959. He won 20 races during his Sprint Cup Series career. Thompson actually died while racing. During a late-model race in 1972 Thompson’s car stopped on the track when he stopped breathing during the event. He was revived on the scene but dies en route to the hospital. Thompson is a member of the National Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Here is some great old footage of the Daytona Sportsman Race in 1955, won by Thompson.
Hornaday Jr. is a four-time Truck Series champion having won his titles in 1996, 1998, 2007 and 2009. The 13-year span between is his first and most recent title is an impressive feat. Hornaday Jr. is also the current all-time wins leader when it comes to the Trick Series with his 51 victories. He won the Most Popular Driver Award in the Truck Series in 1997 and 2005. Although he doesn’t have any Sprint Cup wins he does have four Xfinity Series wins on his resume.
Smith was part of the very first NASCAR race ever held which took place in 1949. Smith won 21 Sprint Cup Series races over his 15-year career. In those 15 years Smith competed in 264 Sprint Cup Series events of which he finishes 142 of them inside of the top-10. When Smith took to the track there was more than a 50 percent chance of him running in the top-10.
Ard is a two-time Xfinity Series champion having won his titles in 1983 and 1984. Ard made his Xfinity Series debut in 1982 finishing second in the standings and won the title in the series the following two seasons. In October of 1984 Ard was seriously injured in a wreck at North Carolina Speedway and as a result he had to retire from NASCAR. Ard only ran one Sprint Cup Series race in his career and lasted only a lap before suffering a mechanical failure. If not for Ard’s injuries who knows what he could have accomplished in the sport. In the only complete Xfinity Series seasons that he ran, he never finished worse than second in the standings.
Next: Halfway there, Top-50 is coming!
Also named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998, Irvan is the 1991 Daytona 500 champion, and the winner of the 1983 Winston 500. Irvan courageously recovered from a near-fatal crash at Michigan in 1994, returning to Sprint Cup racing in October 1995. Irvan claimed his 15th and final Sprint Cup series win in June 1997 at the track that almost claimed his life.
Irvin’s career was filled with terrific highlights, and here is a rundown of them all.
One of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers (1998) and 2002 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Tim Richmond began his career as an open-wheel racer. He was the 1980 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, having qualified 19th and leading for a short time before ultimately running out of fuel and finishing 9th. Race winner Johnny Rutherford gave Richmond a ride back to the pits on the side pod of his car. Richmond’s first and last Sprint Cup series wins came at Riverside in 1982 and 1987 respectively. He finished his Sprint Cup Series career with 14 wins to go along with four wins in the Xfinity Series.
Driver turned TV analyst turned driver again, Neil Bonnett was named one of NACAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998. Bonnett is also a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (1997) and International Motorsports Halls of Fame (2001). Notable victories came in the 1979 Firecracker 400 and the Coca-Cola 600 in 1982 and 1983. Bonnett also won the first NASCAR race held outside of North America, winning the Goodyear 500 in Australia in 1988. Bonnett won 18 times in his Sprint Cup Series career.
In this post race interview, Bonnett discusses his 1983 Daytona 125 Second Race win, in a photo finish.
“Handsome” Harry Gant is a two-time winner of the marquee Southern 500 (1984 and 1991) and the winner of the 1991 Winston 500. Gant was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998 and is also a member of both the International Motorsports and the National Motorsports Press Association Halls of Fame. Gant won 18 races over his 474-race Sprint Cup series career.
Enjoy Gant’s 1991 Winston 500 win, as he stretches his fuel, and barely makes the checkered flag.
Two-time Modified Tour champion Cotton Owens was named as one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998. Additionally, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013. Winning twice on the Daytona road course in 1950 and 1957, Owens gave Pontiac its first NASCAR win with second of those two victories. Owens won nine times in his Sprint Cup Series career.
Next: No. 45 to No. 41
Named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998, Bodine was the 1982 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, and winner of the 1986 Daytona 500. The 1987 IROC series champion has driven for some of the sport’s legendary owners such as Junior Johnson, Bud Moore and Rick Hendrick. Bodine won the Sprint Unlimited in 1992 and the Winston 500 in 1994 and can also be termed an innovator, as he is credited with bringing both power steering and full-faced helmets to NASCAR. Bodine won 18 races in his Sprint Cup Series career to go along with six Xfinity Series wins.
Don’t miss this great duel at the Winston Western 500 in 1987 between Bodine and Dale Earnhardt.
A Camping World Truck Series champion in 2000 and Xfinity Series champion in 2002, Biffle is eligible for the “hat trick” if he ever wins a Sprint Cup Series championship. Biffle was also Rookie of the Year in both the truck (1998) and Xfinity (2001) series, and is also a two-time winner of the prestigious Southern 500 in 2005 and 2006. Biffle currently has 19 Sprint Cup Series wins and will run for a team not named Roush in 2017 after parting ways after 2016.
Baker’s win in the 1980 Daytona 500 remains to this day the fastest 500 ever run, when he averaged 177.602 mph. Baker is also a winner of 1970 Southern 500 and a three-time winner of both the Coca-Cola 600 (1968, 1972 and 1973) and the Winston 500 (1975, 1976 and 1980). Baker was the inaugural winner of what was then called the Busch Clash (now Sprint Unlimited) in 1979 and named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998. Baker is also a 1995-inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Baker was the first driver to break the 200 mph barrier. Enjoy this historic account.
“The Mayor” was the 1994 Sprint Cup Series rookie of the year and has notable wins in the 1999 Southern 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte in 1999 and 2001. Widely regarded as a thoughtful, level-headed racer, Burton enjoyed 21 wins in his 695-race, 22-year Sprint Cup career.
Hamlin burst onto the Cup scene in 2006, winning the Sprint Unlimited and Rookie of the Year while he was (and still is) the only rookie to qualify for the Chase that year. He also won the Sprint Unlimited in 2014. Hamlin has proven victorious in all three NASCAR touring series and on both short-track and super speedway configurations. Hamlin has 31 Cup Series wins, including the 2016 Daytona 500.
Next: No. 40 to No. 36
Short track ace Jim Paschal won 25 Sprint Cup races in a 421-race career, winning what is now known as the Coca-Cola 600 twice, in 1964 and 1967. He was elected to the “Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame” in 1977 and was a participant in the first 18 Southern 500s. Paschal finished his Sprint Cup Series career with 25 victories.
Wendell Scott was NASCAR’s first African-American driver at the Sprint Cup level, and a 2015 inductee into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame. Scott is also a 1999 inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Scott’s only win in his 495 race career came in the 1963 Jacksonville 200. Despite not winning a lot he had a great impact on the sport.
Enjoy Scott’s story with this short video:
Versatility can be a fitting description for 2007 Xfinity Series champion Carl Edwards. He is a Truck Series Rookie of the Year (2003,) Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year (2005) and 2007 Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver. Cousin Carl also won the 2011 Sprint All-Star race and the 2007 “Prelude” to The Dream late-model dirt charity race at Eldora Speedway. Edwards currently has 28 wins in the Sprint Cup Series. Edwards has never won a title, but he came close in both 2011 and 2016.
1977 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Ricky Rudd is commonly known as “The Rooster,” or “Ironman.” Rudd had 906 career starts, a record 788 of them consecutive (although that record could be broken in 2015 by Jeff Gordon). Rudd was a popular winner of the 1997 Brickyard 400 and an IROC series champion in 1992.
Enjoy this nice look at Rudd’s distinguished career.
Two-time Xfinity Series champion (1998-1999) Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also won the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014. Other big wins include the Winston in 2000 and the Budweiser shootout in 2003 and 2008. Earnhardt Jr. is a 14-time consecutive Most Popular Driver in the Sprint Cup Series, where he has 26 career victories. Earnhardt returned to the track in 2017 after missing the second half of the 2016 season due to concussion-related issues, but he has now retired.
Next: No. 35 to No. 31
Evans won his first Modified Series championship in 1973. In 1978, the New York native won his second championship and continued to win modified championships for the next seven years. He won over 400 features during his career before perishing in a practice accident at Martinsville Speedway in 1985. Evans is credited for winning NASCAR’s inaugural Winston Modified Tour championship.
Don’t miss this tribute to Richie Evans.
Kulwicki won both the 1992 drivers and owners championship; a feat that only one active driver has since completed (Tony Stewart 2011). He has five wins, 24 pole positions and 75 top-10 finishes over his nine year career. He has been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, Bristol Motor Speedway’s Heroes of Bristol Hall of Fame, Talladega-Texaco Hall of Fame and Charlotte Motor Speeedway’s Court of Legends.
One of the most polarizing active drivers in NASCAR, Keselowski is the 2012 Sprint Cup champion and a 2010 Xfinity Series champion. The hard-charging driver has 24 wins currently in the Cup Series. Keselowski also won the Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver Award in three consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010).
Allison ran only 191 races in his career that was cut short by a helicopter crash at Talladega Super Speedway in 1993. Despite that he still had 19 wins, 14 poles and 92 top-10 finishes under his belt. Allison was a three-time winner of the Winston (1987, 1989, 1992), a Daytona 500 winner (1992), and a Coca-Cola 600 winner (1991). He was posthumously awarded the 1993 IROC Championship as well.
Las Vegas, Nevada native Kurt Busch has 29 Sprint Cup Series wins and 22 poles so far in his Cup career. He is the 2004 Sprint Cup Champion, the 2003 IROC Champion, and the 1999 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour Champion. In 2014 Busch attempted the Memorial Day Double, running both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, earning himself the 2014 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Busch won his first Daytona 500 in 2017.
Next: No. 30 to No. 26
2003 NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth has 39 wins that include many of NASCAR’s marquee races. He is a two-time Daytona 500 winner (2009, 2012) and he has also won the Coca-Cola 600 (2000) and the Southern 500 (2013). Kenseth is also the 2004 IROC Champion and won NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 2000.
Benny Parsons ran a total of 526 NASCAR Sprint Cup races over his 21-year career in the sport earning 21 wins, 20 poles and 283 top-10 finishes.The 1973 champion is also a two-time champion of the ARCA series (1968, 1969). The North Carolina native has won both the Daytona 500 (1975) and the World 600 (1980). Parsons has been inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005 as well as won an ESPN Emmy in 1996. Ever the ambassador of Motorsports, Parsons starred as himself in both HERBIE: Fully-Loaded as well as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and inspired the famed ice-cream scene in the movie Days of Thunder.
Here is a great on board view of the Southern 500 in 1985 from Parsons’ car.
Hailing from Elmhurst, Illinois Fred Lorenzen has 26 wins, 32 poles and 84 top-10 finishes in his career. He won the World 600 twice (1963, 1965) as well as the 1965 Daytona 500. Despite his lack of entries in 1964 (he entered only 16 races that season), Lorenzen proceeded to go on one of the most dominant runs in NASCAR history by winning eight of those races of which five were in consecutive starts.
2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte has won three of NASCAR’s most acclaimed races: the 1995 Coca-Cola 600, the 2000 Brickyard 400 and the 2000 Southern 500. In addition to his to his premiere series championship, Labonte won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in 1991 and the IROC championship in 2001. He has 21 wins, 26 pole positions, and 203 top-10 finishes in the Sprint Cup Series.
Considered the smallest NASCAR Champion, a five feet and four inches, White won the championship in 1960. He amassed 233 starts with 28 wins and 36 pole starting positions during his eight-year career in NASCAR. He finished in the top-five in nearly half of those starts and finished in the top-10 in 70 percent of his 233 starts.
Next: No. 25 to No. 21
North Carolina native Bobby Isaac has 37 wins, 170 top-10 finishes and 49 pole positions in his 14-year Sprint Cup career. He won the 1970 series championship and holds the current record for the most pole positions in one season for the 20 poles he earned in 1969. He has been inducted into the National Motorsports Press Hall of Fame as well as the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Harvick sports 37 career wins so far. He is a three-time Sprint Unlimited winner (2009, 2010, 2013), a two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner (2011, 2013). He has also won the Brickyard 400 (2003) and the Daytona 500 (2007). Besides his 2014 Sprint Cup championship, Harvick has two Xfinity Series championships (2001, 2006), a Winston West Series championship (1998) and an IROC championship (2002). Harvick dominated NASCAR in 2015 but finished second in the final standings to Kyle Busch. In 2016, Harvick continued his dominance at Phoenix by winning his 8th career race at the track. Harvick also returned to the final four in 2017.
Earning his nickname Fireball in the American Legion baseball team he played in because of his fastball, Edward Roberts Jr. has 33 wins in the Sprint Cup Series with 32 pole positions. He has won the acclaimed Southern 500 twice (1958 and 1963) as well as the 1962 Daytona 500. Hailing from Florida he was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the National Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Roberts lost his life on the track in a tragic accident. Below is a video of NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett talking about that day.
Martin may not have a championship in the NASCAR premier series but he has won many of the sports marquee events. Those events include being a two-time winner of The Southern 500 (1993, 2009), The Winston (1995, 1997) and the All-Star Challenge (1998, 2005) as well as NASCAR’s longest race The Coca-Cola 600 (2002). He has won four NATIONAL ASA championships (1978, 1979. 1980. 1986) and is a five-time IROC Championships (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005). He is known as one of the best NASCAR drivers without a championship in the Sprint Cup Series where he finished his career with 40 wins.
Labonte is a two-time champion of what was at the time called the The Winston Cup. He also happens to hold the record for the most time having passed between championship-winning seasons. Labonte won his first title in 1984 and his second in 1996. He has won both the famed Southern 500 (1980, 2003) and The Winston (1988, 1999) twice. Labonte is also a two-time IROC champion (1989, 1993) and was inducted into the National Quarter Midget Hall Of Fame in 1989.
Next: It's time for the top-20
The son of Ned Jarrett won the 1999 Sprint Cup Series championship. He is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500, two time-winner of the Brickyard 400 and a three-time winner of the Budweiser Shootout. Jarrett scored 32 Cup series wins and 260 top-10 finishes. He was named to the NASCAR 50 greatest drivers list and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Below is his emotional Hall of Fame introduction.
A two-time Grand National series champion was killed in a racing crash at Riverside International Raceway. Weatherly lived life to the fullest. He drove in practice wearing a Peter Pan suit. He also was a two-time National Modified champion and a three-time American Motorcycle Association champion. Weatherly was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He won 25 times in his Sprint Cup Series career.
He was a star in the early days of NASCAR. Thomas won the 1951 and 1953 Grand National Championship and led the series in wins in 52, 53 and 54. Thomas was the inspiration for the character Doc Hudson in the movie Cars. He was named to the NASCAR 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998 and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Thomas finished his career with 48 wins in the Sprint Cup Series. Three of those wins are discussed below.
Only Richard Petty has won more races in NASCAR than Kyle Busch. The Schrub even jokes that he is the King of the Minor Leagues with 91 Xfinity Series wins and 49 Truck Series wins. Busch also has 43 wins in the Cup Series. He won the first race in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow at Bristol. Currently, Busch drives for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup and Xfinity Series and owns Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series. Busch moved up one spot in the rankings after winning his first Sprint Cup Series title in 2015 and returning to the final four in 2016 and 2017.
Other than Petty Enterprises and Hendrick Motorsports, nobody is associated more with victory lane than Junior Johnson. As a driver, Johnson won 50 races, scored 148 top-10 finishes and was credited for figuring out drafting on super speedways. Johnson as a car owner earned six Cup championships… three each for Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Next: Only 15 more drivers to go!
One of the three racing Flock brothers, Tim Flock won the first NASCAR race in 1949. He had 39 wins over his 13-year career. Flock is a two-time Daytona Beach road course winner. He has the highest career winning percentage, winning 21 percent of the races he started. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Flock is also a two-time Sprint Cup Series Champion.
The fastest driver in the history of NASCAR. Elliott has the track record at Talladega (212.809) and Daytona (210.364) before NASCAR instituted the restrictor plate. Elliott captured the 1988 Sprint Cup Series championship and was the first winner of the Winston Million in 1985. Elliott has 44 Cup wins, 320 top-10’s and 55 poles. He was voted NASCAR’s most popular driver 16 times. Elliott was named to the top-50 NASCAR drivers of all time list in 1998 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Watch Elliot win $1 million.
He won everything big in NASCAR but the Daytona 500. Wallace won the 1989 Sprint Cup Series title, and scored 55 wins and 349 top-10’s. His 1989 victory in the Winston when he spun out Darrell Waltrip coming to the finish line turned Waltrip into a good guy and put the black hat on Wallace. Wallace, the 1991 International Race of Champions winner is a member of the NASCAR 50 Greatest Drivers list (1998) and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Don’t miss this incredible finish at Talladega 1993 when Wallace flips over the finish line.
He won 46 races, 45 poles and scored 372 top-10 finishes. Baker was a two-time Grand National Series Champion. After retirement, Baker formed the Buck Baker racing school which graduated Bobby Allison, Jeff and Ward Burton, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman to name a few. He was named one of NASCAR’s top-50 drivers in 1998 and is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Gentleman Ned Jarrett helped transform NASCAR. He was a two-time Cup champion, two-time Xfinity champion, won 50 races and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998. After retiring from racing, Jarrett went on to be a commentator for Motor Racing Network, CBS Sports and ESPN. He is also the father of our 20th greatest NASCAR driver (Dale Jarrett) and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Ned Jarrett makes it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Next: Here comes the top-10
The Numbers
- 1983 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 84 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 3-time Daytona 500 winner and 4-time Southern 500 winner
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011
The History
Allison is a former Sprint Cup Series champion having won his title in 1983. To go along with his Sprint Cup Series title, Allison is also an IROC champion (1980).
Allison won 84 times during his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career which is a pretty remarkable number of wins and good enough for 4th on the all-time list tied with Darrell Waltrip. While winning 84 races Allison won the Daytona 500 three times (1978, 1982 and 1988), the Southern 500 four times (1971, 1972, 1975 and 1983), the World 600 twice (1981 and 1984) and the Winston 500 three times (1979, 1981 and 1986). Allison was also named the Most Popular Driver in the Sprint Cup Series on seven different occasions during his career.
The Legend
In 1998 Allison was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. In 2011 he was then inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Allison is one of 26 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR’s top series. He finished his career with 84 Cup wins, two Xfinity Series wins and six Truck Series wins. Although Allison has 84 official wins in the Sprint Cup Series; some maintain he should really have 85 or 86. Controversies in a pair of races have him stuck at 84.
Next: Smoke will rise at No. 9
The Numbers
- 2002, 2005 and 2011 Sprint Cup Series champion
- 48 Sprint Cup Series Wins
- 2-time Brickyard 400 winner
- 2009 All-Star Race winner
The History
Stewart is a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Stewart won his titles in 2002, 2005 and 2011. Each title for Stewart came when the series had a different name (Winston Cup, Nextel Cup and Sprint Cup).
Stewart has won 49 races in his Sprint Cup career to go along with his three championships. Stewart is also a 1994 USAC National Midget Series Champion, 1995 USAC Triple Crown Champion, 1997 Indy Racing League Champion and a 2006 IROC champion. Stewart has won the Brickyard 400 twice (2005 and 2007), Budweiser Shootout three times (2001, 2002 and 2007), Prelude to the Dream three times (2006, 2008 and 2009), Gatorade Duels three times (2005, 2007 and 2012), Chili Bowl twice (2002 and 2007) and the Sprint All-Star Race (2009).
The Legend
Despite all of his accomplishments Stewart has never won the Daytona 500. He placed second in the biggest race of the year and he has won multiple time at Daytona in the summer. However, the Daytona 500 continues to elude Stewart. Stewart is also one of 26 drivers who have won in all three series. He has 11 wins in the Xfinity Series and two in the Truck Series to go along with his 49 Sprint Cup wins. A fourth title could make Stewart one of the five greatest drivers in the history of the sport.
In 2015, Stewart announced that 2016 would be his last season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In 2016 he won a race and made the Chase.
Next: No. 8 is the home of the second Petty on this list
The Numbers
- 1954, 1958 and 1959 Sprint Cup Series champion
- 54 Sprint Cup Series wins
- Won the inaugural Daytona 500
- Finished inside of the top-10 in more than 75 percent of his 427 starts.
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011
The History
Petty is a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Petty won his titles in 1954, 1958 and 1959. Petty also happens to be the winner of the inaugural Daytona 500 race.
During his 16-year NASCAR career Petty won 54 times in the Sprint Cup Series. He finished his career with 18 poles and 332 top-10 finishes in 427 races. Petty finished inside of the top-10 in more than 75 percent of the races he ran. That statistic is amazing to think about when you consider the fact that he ran in more than 400 races.
The Legend
Petty was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in May 2011. Aside from being a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Petty is also a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1990), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1996) and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Petty also just so happens to be the father of Richard Petty who will be making his appearance on our list shortly.
Next: All hail Cale at No. 7
The Numbers
- 1976, 1977 and 1978 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 83 Sprint Cup Series Wins
- 4-time Daytona 500 winner
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012
The History
Yarborough is a three-time champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Yarborough won his titles in 1976, 1977 and 1978. He was also an IROC champion in 1984.
Yarborough won 83 races over his Sprint Cup Series career which spanned more than 30 years. Those 83 wins puts him one behind Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip who are tied for fourth on the all-time win list. Yarborough has won the Daytona 500 four times (1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984). Winning the biggest race in NASCAR in three different decades is not something to scoff at. Yarborough has also won the Southern 500 five times (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1982) and the Winston 500 twice (1978 and 1984).
The Legend
In 1993 Yarborough was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He is also a part of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (1978), National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame (1994), Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1994), Court of Legends at Charlotte Motor Speedway (1996), Talladega Walk of Fame (1996) and NASCAR Hall of Fame (2012). Yarborough was named a three-time National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year (1977, 1978, 1979) and the 1977 American Driver of the Year.
Next: Boogity, Boogity, Boogity let's go to No. 6
The Numbers
- 1981, 1982 and 1985 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 84 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 1989 Daytona 500 winner and 5-time Coca-Cola 600 winner
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012
The History
In almost 30 years in NASCAR Waltrip won 84 races which was good enough to tie him with Bobby Allison for fourth on the all-time wins list. During those almost 30 years Waltrip also managed to win himself three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles. Those titles were won in 1981, 1982 and 1985. When Waltrip finished his NASCAR career he left with 59 poles and 390 top-10 finishes to go along with his 84 victories. Waltrip also won 13 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Some of Waltrip’s other accomplishments include winning the Daytona 500 (1989), Southern 500 (1992), Coca-Cola 600 (1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989), Winston 500 (1977 and 1982) and the inaugural Winston in 1985. Waltrip has also won the 1976 Snowball Derby and the 1981 Busch Clash.
The Legend
In 1998 Waltrip was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers. He is also a part of several Halls of Fame: Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame (2001), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2005), Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2003) and the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2012). Waltrip currently works as a NASCAR broadcaster where in some respects he has become the voice of NASCAR. In recent years Waltrip has also done commentary work with NASCAR video games where he uses his catchphrase ‘Boogity Boogity Boogity.’
Next: 105 wins only gets you to No. 5 on this list
The Numbers
- 1966, 1968 and 1969 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 105 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 1976 NASCAR Triple Crown winner
- 1976 Daytona 500 winner
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011
The History
Pearson is a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Pearson won his titles back in the Grand National days in 1966, 1968 and 1969. Pearson finished his NASCAR career with 105 wins which puts him second on the all-time wins list behind only Richard Petty. At one time it was believed that Jeff Gordon (92 wins) might pass Pearson but that is no longer the thought. To go along with his 105 wins Pearson also has 113 poles and 336 top-10 finishes.
The Legend
Pearson compiled all of his stats in only 574 races. With 105 wins in 574 races, Pearson was winning almost 20 percent of the races that he ran in. His 336 top-10 finishes also had him finishing in the top-10 in nearly 60 percent of the events that he drove in.
Some of the highlights in his career include winning the Daytona 500 (1976), Southern 500 (1976, 1977 and 1979), World 600 (1961, 1974 and 1976), Winston 500 (1972, 1973 and 1974) and the NASCAR Triple Crown in 1976. Pearson led the Sprint Cup Series in wins in 1966, 1968, 1973, and 1976. He also led the Sprint Cup Series in poles in 1964, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976. Pearson is a part of three Halls of Fame including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and he was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR in 1998.
Next: The Fifth Title Proved Allusive
The Numbers
- 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 93 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 3-time Daytona 500 winner, 5-time Brickyard 400 winner and 6-time Southern 500 winner
- Became NASCAR’s Iron Man (797 consecutive) in 2015 breaking Ricky Rudd’s streak for most consecutive races run.
- Most consecutive seasons win at least one pole in NASCAR (22)
The History
Gordon is a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion who will be ending his full-time Sprint Cup Series career after the 2015 season. Gordon won his four titles in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. If Gordon were to win his fifth title in 2015 he would set the mark for the longest span between championship seasons. Gordon is often known as a victim of NASCAR’s chase. Gordon would have entered the 2015 season with seven titles under his belt had NASCAR used the same point system under which his won his first four titles.
Gordon currently has 93 wins which is third on the all-time list. He has won the Daytona 500 three times (1997, 1999 and 2005), the Brickyard 400 five times (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2014), Southern 500 six times (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2007), the Coca-Cola 600 three times (1994, 1997 and 1998) and the Sprint All-Star Race three times (1995, 1997 and 2001). Gordon is also tied for the most wins in a single season in the modern era (13) and he has the most consecutive seasons with at least one pole award (22).
The Legend
To go along with his 93 wins, Gordon also has 81 poles and 475 top-10 finishes in 797 races. In 2015 Gordon passed Ricky Rudd and became NASCAR’s Iron Man having run more consecutive races (797) than any other driver in the history of the sport. Aside from his stats Gordon is also known for shaping NASCAR into what it is today. Gordon broke the mold of what a “prototypical” NASCAR driver was supposed to look like in the 90’s and he was there to help NASCAR reach its peak in popularity in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
2015 was the last ride for Gordon and the No. 24 machine which will be taken over by Chase Elliott in 2016. Although Gordon did not win a fifth title, he did make it to the final-four before stepping away. In a surprise, Gordon returned in 2016 to fill in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and he added a couple of top-10’s to his legacy.
Next: Good Ole' Seven-Time
The Numbers
- 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016 Cup Series Champion
- 83 Cup Series wins
- 2-time Daytona 500 winner and 4-time Brickyard 400 winner
- 4-time Sprint All-Star Race winner
- 2009 AP Male Athlete of the Year
The History
Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion having won five consecutive titles from 2006-2010 and then his sixth title in 2013, before winning No. 7 in 2016. Johnson dominated the sport at a time when one could argue the quality of competition was at its best.
Johnson has won the Daytona 500 twice (2006 and 2013). He has also won the Brickyard 400 four times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012), Coca-Cola 600 three times (2003, 2004 and 2005), the Southern 500 twice (2004 and 2014) and the Budweiser Shooutout (2005). Additionally, Johnson is a four-time winner of the Sprint All-Star Race (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013) and he won the 2010 Prelude to the Dream.
The Legend
In 2009 Johnson was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He also won Driver of the Year honors in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013. Johnson has 83 wins in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career which is currently good enough for a 6th place tie on the all-time list, onlyone win out of a 4th place tie. Johnson is also one championship short of breaking a tie with Earnhardt and Petty for the most in the history of the sport. Many believe that Johnson has a legitimate shot to reach eight championships if he races until he is 44 or 45.
If Johnson is to reach eight titles (or even if he stays at seven) he might end up finding himself on the top of this list when his career is over.
Next: Are you Intimidated By The Intimidator?
The Numbers
- 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 76 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 1995 Brickyard 400 winner and 1998 Daytona 500 winner
- Voted Most Popular Driver in 2001 after his tragic death
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010
The History
There is only one ‘Intimidator’ in NASCAR and that was Dale Earnhardt.
Earnhardt raced like no driver before him and nobody else after him has done it quite the way in which he did it. Earnhardt is in the No. 1 spot on this list for his impact on the sport just as much as he is for his stats. Earnhardt finishes his NASCAR career with 76 wins and seven championships and he is widely regarded as the greatest driver to ever race.
Earnhardt’s last title came in 1994. Coincidentally, it was in 1995 that Jeff Gordon really broke into the scene and Earnhardt Jr. did not win another title after that. Aside from the seven titles he also won all the major races that were out there for him to win. Earnhardt won the Daytona 500 in 1998, he also won the Brickyard 400 (1995), Southern 500 (1987, 1989 and 1990), Coca-Cola 600 (1986, 1992 and 1993), Winston 500 (1990, 1994 and 1999) and The Winston in 1987, 1989 and 1993.
The Legend
Additionally, Earnhardt was a multiple time IROC champion. He won IROC titles in 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2000. Despite his success and huge fan base, Earnhardt was only voted Most Popular Driver once and that was in 2001 following his tragic death during the closing laps of the Daytona 500. Earnhardt’s impact was also felt long after his death as NASCAR became much safer following his accident. Many believe that NASCAR might not be as safe as it is right now if it wasn’t for that fateful day in Daytona.
Along with his 76 wins Earnhardt also compiled 22 poles and 428 top-10 finishes in 676 races. He also ran 136 races in the Xfinity Series where he won 13 times. In 1998 Earnhardt was part of NASCAR’s list of the sports 50 Greatest Drivers, he was also inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010.
Next: All Hail The King
The Numbers
- 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979 Sprint Cup Series Champion
- 200 Sprint Cup Series wins
- 7-time Daytona 500 winner
- Most wins ever in a NASCAR season (27)
- Most consecutive wins in NASCAR (10)
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010
The History
Petty is a seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion which ties him with Dale Earnhardt for the most in the history of the sport. Petty won his titles in 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979.
Along with his seven NASCAR titles, Petty has also won the Daytona 500 seven times (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1981). Petty is also a two-time World 600 winner and a former Southern 500 winner. Petty holds the Sprint Cup Series record for the most wins (200), the most wins in a season (27) in 1967, most pole awards won (123) and most consecutive wins in a season (10) in 1967.
The Legend
Petty was named NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver on eight different occasions in his career (1962, 1964, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978).
Petty finished his NASCAR career with 200 wins, 712 top-10’s and 123 poles in 1,184 races over 35 years. Petty is currently in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as well as the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Next: Vote Now: 2015 BTF NASCAR Awards, The Readers Pick The Winners