List of 100 Greatest NASCAR Drivers

Last Modified Feb 20, 2024 02:36 GMT
List of 100 Greatest NASCAR Drivers
NASCAR Driver Profile. Source: Getty Images


NASCAR is at the pinnacle of American motorsport and is only able to get this status thanks to its drivers who make it entertaining for all across. Drivers have to use their tact and driving skills on track to show how competitive the sport can be. Their talent and charisma have been able to make the sport much more than on-track racing. Winning championships with tight competition to have rivalry amongst team owners is what makes NASCAR unique and lovable to many.


NASCAR drivers throughout history have been able to bring their best to these races. Seven-time champions, Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt have shaped much of the trajectory of the sport. Championships aren't just what makes someone a great driver, Jeff Gordon, the youngster on track during the 90s made a spectacle when he became a title contender against the veteran Dale Earnhardt.


Wendell Scott does not have wins or titles like some on the list but he paved the way for many underrepresented races in the series. He was the first African-American race driver as well as team owner. Not only that, he was also the first African-American that win NASCAR in all of its divisions.


Following is a list of drivers throughout history who have made their mark on the sport. The list is in alphabetical order.

Sr. No.Driver NameNotable achievements
1AJ FoytDaytona 500 winner
2Alan KulwickiSprint Cup Series champion
3Auston DillionXfinity and Truck Series champion
4Benny ParsonsSprint Cup Series champion
5Bill ElliottSprint Cup Series Champion
6Bill RadfordSprint Cup Series champion
7Bobby Allison84 Sprint Cup Series Wins
8Bobby HamiltonWins all three NASCAR series
9Bobby IsaacSprint Cup Series champion
10Bobby LabonteSprint Cup Series champion
11Brad KeselowskiSprint Cup Series champion
12Brett Bodine1 Sprint Cup series win
13Buck Baker2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
14Buddy BakersDaytona 500 winner
15Bugs Stevens3 time modified series champion
16Cale Yarborough3-time Sprint Cup Series champion
17Carl Edward28 Sprint Cup series win
18Clint Bowyer8 cup series win
19Cotton Owens9 Cup Sprint Cup series win
20Curtis Turner2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
21Dale Earnhardt7-time Sprint Cup Series champion
22Dale Earnhardt Jr.2 time Daytona 500 winner
23Dale JarrettSprint Cup Series champion
24Darrell Waltrip3-time Sprint Cup Series champion
25Davey AllisonDaytona 500 winner
26David Pearson105 Sprint Cup Series Wins
27Denny Hamlin31 Sprint Cup series win
28Derrike Cope2 cup wins
29Dick Hutcherson14 Sprint Cup series wins
30Dick Rathmann13 Sprint Cup wins
31Donnie Allison10 sprint Cup series win
32Donny Lia2 time modified series Champion
33Ernie IrvanDaytona 500 winner
34Fireball Roberts33 Sprint Cup series wins
35Fonty FlockSprint Cup Series champion
36Fred DesarroModified Series champion
37Fred Lorenzen26 Sprint Cup series wins
38Geoff BodineDaytona 500 winner
39Greg BiffleXfinity and Truck Series champion
40Harry Gant18 Sprint Cup Series Wins
41Herb Thomas2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
42Jack Ingram2 time Xfinity series champion
43Jack Smith21 Sprint Cup series win
44Jack Sprague3 time truck series champion
45Jamie McMurrayWin in all three NASCAR series
46Jeff Burton21 Sprint Cup series win
47Jeff Gordon4-time Sprint Cup Series champion
48Jerry CookSix-time Whelen Modified Series champion
49Jim Paschal25 Sprint Cup series win
50Jimmie Johnson7-time Sprint Cup Series champion
51Jimmy Spencer2 time modified series champion
52Joe NemechekXfinity Series champion
53Joe Weatherly2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
54Joey Logano2015 Daytona 500
55Johnny BensonWin in all three NASCAR series
56Juan Pablo Montoya2-time Sprint Cup wins
57Junior Johnson50 Sprint Cup Series win
58Kasey Kahne18 cup series win
59Kevin HarvickSprint Cup Series champion
60Kurt BuschSprint Cup Series champion
61Kyle BuschSecond most wins in NASCAR history
62Kyle Larson5 cup series wins
63Larry Pearson2 time Xfinity series champion
64Lee Petty3-time Sprint Cup Series champion
65Leeroy YarbroughFirst NASCAR Triple Crown winner
66Marcos Ambrose2-time Sprint Cup champion
67Mark Martin40 Sprint Cup series wins
68Martin Truex Jr.Cup Series Champion and 2-time Xfinity Series Champion
69Marvin PanchDaytona 500 winner
70Matt Crafton2 time truck series champion
71Matt KensethSprint Cup Series champion
72Michael Waltrip2 time Daytona winner
73Mike Stefanik7 time modified series champion
74Morgan Shepherd4 cup series wins
75Ned Jarrett2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
76Neil Bonnett18 Sprint Cup Series Wins
77Randy LaJoie2 time Xfinity series champion
78Ray Hendrick700+ modified wins
79Red ByronFirst Modified and Sprint Cup champion
80Reggie Ruggiero44 modified wins
81Rex WhiteSprint Cup Series champion
82Richard Petty7-time Sprint Cup Series champion
83Richie Evans9 time modified series champion
84Ricky CravenWin all three NASCAR Series
85Ricky RuddMost Consecutive Sprint Cup Starts
86Ricky Stenhouse Jr.2 time Xfinity series champion
87Ron Hornaday Jr.4-time Truck Series Champion
88Rusty WallaceSprint Cup Series Champion
89Ryan NewmanDaytona 500 winner
90Sam ARD2 time Xfinity series champion
91Speedy Thompson20 Sprint Cup series win
92Sterling Marlin2- time Daytona 500 winner
93Terry Labonte2-time Sprint Cup Series champion
94Tim FlockHighest Winning Percentage In NASCAR History
95Tim Richmond14 Sprint Cup Series Wins
96Todd Bodine2-time Truck Champion
97Tony Hirschman Jr.5 time modified Series Champion
98Tony Stewart3-time Sprint Cup Series champion
99Ward BurtonDaytona 500 winner
100Wendell ScottFirst African-American Driver and Team Owner


FAQs

A. With 16 Most Popular Driver Awards in the NASCAR Cup Series, Bill Elliot takes the title.

A. Richard Petty has the most race wins (200).

A. Richard Petty is called the “King” of NASCAR.

A. Talladega 500 race in 1984 is considered one of the best, if not the best. There were lead changes between 16 different drivers.

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