The 16 Greatest Short-Track Racers in NASCAR History

Half a mile, no room, and a bumper as a tool. Superspeedway reputations do not survive contact with this list.

1. 1
   Richard Petty

   Won 15 times at Martinsville and 43 more on half-mile tracks.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Junior Johnson

   Made his name on dirt bullrings before paving gave way to superspeedways.
   892pts
3. 3
   Darrell Waltrip

   Twelve Bristol wins, including seven in a row.
   821pts
4. 4
   Cale Yarborough

   Won on the bullrings through three straight championship seasons.
   719pts
5. 5
   Denny Hamlin

   Five Martinsville grandfather clocks and counting.
   513pts
6. 6
   Jimmie Johnson

   Won nine times at Martinsville during his championship run.
   434pts
7. 7
   Bobby Allison

   Won at Martinsville, North Wilkesboro and Richmond across two decades.
   434pts
8. 8
   Kyle Busch

   Won at Bristol eight times and swept a weekend there more than once.
   434pts
9. 9
   Ricky Rudd

   Won at Martinsville, Richmond and North Wilkesboro over a 32-year career.
   434pts
10. 10
    Christopher Bell

    A modern short-track specialist who came up through dirt midgets.
    342pts
11. 11
    Martin Truex Jr.

    Won four straight at Richmond in the late 2010s.
    342pts
12. 12
    Harry Gant

    Won at Martinsville and Richmond in his forties and fifties.
    342pts
13. 13
    Jeff Gordon

    Won nine times at Martinsville, more than anyone in the modern era.
    233pts
14. 14
    Dale Earnhardt

    Nine Bristol wins and a bumper used as a steering aid.
    0pts
15. 15
    Rusty Wallace

    Nine Bristol wins and a short-track style built on the bumper.
    0pts
16. 16
    Tony Stewart

    Won at Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond, and started on dirt.
    0pts

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