5 NASCAR teams that dominated during their peak seasons

NASCAR has seen its share of dominant teams throughout its history. While Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing have recently enjoyed prolonged periods of success, the sport has always been home to powerhouse teams. Since the early days of NASCAR, certain teams have consistently pushed the boundaries of performance and left an enduring mark on the sport.

Here are five teams that enjoyed extraordinary seasons in NASCAR:

Carl Kiekhaefer Racing (1955)

In the 1950s, Carl Kiekhaefer Racing emerged as a dominant force in NASCAR. Unlike most teams of the era where drivers owned their cars, Kiekhaefer ran multiple cars and used powerful Chrysler 300s.

Carl Kiekhaefer Racing's 1955 season with Tim Flock was extremely impressive. Flock won 18 out of 39 races that year, with 33 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 4.6. In comparison, other notable drivers of the era, such as Buck Baker and Lee Petty, managed only a handful of wins that year.

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Richard Childress Racing (1980s and 1990s)

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) was mighty impressive during the 1980s and 1990s. A modest team in the early 1980s, RCR achieved its first NASCAR victory thanks to Ricky Rudd in 1983.

However, the team's trajectory changed with the arrival of Dale Earnhardt. He piloted the RCR No. 3 Chevrolet to 67 victories and an impressive six championships (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994). The 1987 season stands out as a pinnacle, with Earnhardt capturing 11 wins, including the legendary "Pass in the Grass" maneuver. That year, Earnhardt became known as "The Intimidator."

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Roush Racing (2005)

Roush Racing made history in 2005 by qualifying all five of its teams for the Nextel Cup, an unprecedented feat.

The team’s lineup included Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Kurt Busch. Biffle and Edwards led the charge with six and four victories, respectively. Roush Racing's ability to field five competitive teams solidified its status as a NASCAR powerhouse during this era.

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Hendrick Motorsports (2007)

Hendrick Motorsports dominated the 2007 NASCAR season, winning 18 out of the 36 races. Their success extended across both the older car models and the newer designs, demonstrating exceptional adaptability and overall performance.

The team included Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey Mears. Johnson led the charge with 10 wins, also winning his second consecutive championship in the process. Gordon also had a strong season, as he finished second in the standings.

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Joe Gibbs Racing (2019)

Joe Gibbs Racing has emerged as a dominant force in recent NASCAR history. The team's incredible 2019 season, highlighted by a record-breaking 19 wins out of 36 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, solidified its status as a top-tier organization.

They broke the previous record of 18 wins in a single season set by Hendrick Motorsports in 2007. Martin Truex Jr. led the team with seven victories, while Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch contributed with six and five wins, respectively. Erik Jones added one win to the team's tally. The season culminated in a championship win for Busch.