The 18 Greatest American Racing Drivers of All Time

Ovals, road courses, dirt tracks and stock cars each produced their own kind of great. Pick the record you would defend in an argument.

1

A.J. Foyt

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner who also took Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring.

1000pts

2

Mario Andretti

The only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula 1 world championship.

855pts

3

Richard Petty

The King of NASCAR, with a record 200 Cup wins and seven championships.

610pts

4

Dale Earnhardt

Seven-time NASCAR champion whose black No. 3 defined stock-car racing in the 1980s and 90s.

553pts

5

Mark Donohue

Won the 1972 Indianapolis 500 and dominated Trans-Am and Can-Am for Penske.

553pts

6

Rick Mears

Four Indianapolis 500 wins and six poles for Penske.

488pts

7

Jeff Gordon

Four NASCAR titles and 93 Cup wins, the driver who took stock cars mainstream.

488pts

8

Dan Gurney

Won grands prix, Indy cars, NASCAR and Le Mans, and built his own Eagle F1 car.

488pts

9

Jimmie Johnson

Won five straight NASCAR championships and seven in total.

413pts

10

Bobby Allison

Alabama Gang leader with 84 NASCAR wins and the 1983 title.

413pts

11

Bobby Unser

Three-time Indy 500 winner and a master of Pikes Peak.

413pts

12

Tony Stewart

Won titles in IndyCar and NASCAR, then built a sprint-car empire.

413pts

13

David Pearson

The Silver Fox, with 105 NASCAR wins from barely half a career of full seasons.

325pts

14

Al Unser Sr.

One of only four men with four Indianapolis 500 victories.

325pts

15

Phil Hill

The first American to win the Formula 1 world championship, with Ferrari in 1961.

222pts

16

Parnelli Jones

First man to qualify at Indianapolis above 150 mph, and the 1963 winner.

222pts

17

Al Unser Jr.

Two-time Indy 500 winner and CART champion, the third Unser to conquer the Brickyard.

222pts

18

Cale Yarborough

The only driver to win three consecutive NASCAR championships.

98pts