The 17 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time

From dirt-track pioneers to modern superstar champions, this lineup spans stock car racing's earliest legends to today's title contenders. Who's your pick for the best ever?

1

Richard Petty

'The King' won a record 200 Cup Series races and seven championships, the benchmark for NASCAR greatness.

1000pts

2

Dale Earnhardt

'The Intimidator' won seven Cup championships and became one of the sport's most iconic and aggressive competitors.

714pts

3

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A two-time Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR's most popular driver for 15 consecutive years.

551pts

4

Bill Elliott

The 1988 champion nicknamed 'Awesome Bill' for his blistering superspeedway speed.

550pts

5

Kevin Harvick

The 2014 champion who won at least one Cup race for 19 consecutive seasons.

494pts

6

Kyle Larson

The 2021 champion known for his versatility across dirt track and Cup Series racing.

428pts

7

Jimmie Johnson

Won a record-tying seven championships, including five straight from 2006 to 2010.

350pts

8

Bobby Allison

A Hall of Famer with 84 career wins and the 1983 Cup Series championship.

350pts

9

Kyle Busch

Owns more combined national series wins than any driver in NASCAR history.

350pts

10

David Pearson

Won 105 career races and three championships, long considered Richard Petty's fiercest rival.

257pts

11

Cale Yarborough

Won three consecutive championships from 1976 to 1978, a feat unmatched for decades.

257pts

12

Tony Stewart

A three-time Cup champion known for his versatility and success across multiple racing disciplines.

257pts

13

Darrell Waltrip

A three-time champion with 84 wins who later became one of NASCAR's most recognizable broadcasters.

257pts

14

Jeff Gordon

A four-time champion with 93 career wins who modernized NASCAR's popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.

143pts

15

Denny Hamlin

A three-time Daytona 500 winner and one of the most consistent modern-era Cup Series drivers.

143pts

16

Rusty Wallace

The 1989 champion who racked up 55 career wins across two decades of Cup Series competition.

143pts

17

Junior Johnson

A Hall of Fame driver and later legendary team owner, credited as one of the founding figures of stock car racing.

143pts