Richard Petty vs. Dale Earnhardt Sr.: A statistical comparison of NASCAR legends' career

Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt are the two most revered names in the world of NASCAR. The two icons are among the most successful drivers in the highest echelon of stock car racing, each winning seven championships—a record they share with Jimmie Johnson.

Petty, affectionately known as "The King," dominated NASCAR from the early 1960s to the early '80s, setting records that have stood the test of time. Earnhardt, popularly known as "The Intimidator," burst onto the scene as a fierce competitor, leaving an everlasting legacy. Let us compare how these NASCAR greats stack up against each other in terms of stats.

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Championships

Richard Petty 7 - 7 Dale Earnhardt

Both Petty and Earnhardt are tied for a record seven championship wins in the Cup Series. The King won two titles under the Grand National Series banner in 1964, and '67. His five Winston Cup championships followed in 1971, '72, '74, '75, '79.

Following Petty final title triumph, Dale Earnhardt took over the mantle, winning his first title in 1980, for Rod Osterlund. The rest of his championships came with Richard Childress Racing, in 1986, '87, '90, '91, '93, and '94.

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Race Starts

Richard Petty 1185 - 676 Dale Earnhardt

The King made a staggering 1,185 race starts in his career, which spanned over three decades. Making his Grand National Series debut in 1958, he retired from the top level of competition in 1992.

Dale Earnhardt made 676 starts in his career, beginning with his debut in 1975 and entering the full-time competition in 1979. His storied career came to a tragic end when he was killed in a fatal crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.

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Wins

Richard Petty 200 - 76 Dale Earnhardt

Petty will most likely be unbeatable in this category, winning a record 200 Cup races—nearly double the total of second-highest winner David Pearson. "The King" claimed his first Grand National victory in 1960 and made his final trip to victory lane 24 years later in 1984. Notably, he secured a record 27 victories in the 1967 season alone.

With 76 victories, Earnhardt occupies eighth place on the list of all-time race winners. The Intimidator won his first race in 1979 at Bristol, with his final victory coming at Talladega in 2000.

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Win Percentage

Richard Petty 16.9% - 11.2% Dale Earnhardt

Having started 1,185 races in the NASCAR Cup Series, Richard Petty holds an impressive 16.9 percent win rate, accumulating 200 victories. Comparatively, Dale Earnhardt made 676 starts, winning 76 of those races, bringing his win percentage to 11.2 percent.

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Top-5 Results

Richard Petty 555 - 281 Dale Earnhardt

Both Petty and Earnhardt achieved top-five finishes in nearly half of their NASCAR Cup Series starts. The two legends are closely matched in terms of average finish position, with Earnhardt recording an average of 11.1 and Petty 11.3.

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Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt's NASCAR crown jewel stats

Daytona 500

Richard Petty 7 - 1 Dale Earnhardt

Petty holds the record for the most Daytona 500 victories, amassing seven victories in his career. In contrast, the Daytona 500 proved elusive for Earnhardt, winning the prestigious race on his 20th attempt in 1998.

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Coca-Cola 600

Richard Petty 2 - 3 Dale Earnhardt

Petty won the 600-mile crown jewel race twice, when it was called the World 600. Earnhardt, on the other hand, made three trips to victory lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway, for the Coca-Cola 600.

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Southern 500

Richard Petty 1 - 3 Dale Earnhardt

The King triumphed at the Darlington Raceway once in the Southern 500 while, Dale Earnhardt won on three occasions. Additionally, Earnhardt has a Brickyard 400 victory, with the inaugural race being held after Petty's retirement.