Top 10 Greatest NASCAR Drivers Of All Time

NASCAR, an abbreviation that brings fans together around the world. The pioneer of stock car races, known as the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, has now become an iconic part of American motorsports. Its journey revolving around seven decades has produced many legendary drivers whose names are entitled into the history books. An epitome of racing enthusiasts to modern-day superstars, the best drivers have re-shaped the legacy of sport with their skill, passion, and determination. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 greatest NASCAR drivers of all time who have made big in the motorsport realm.

Top 10 Greatest NASCAR Drivers

NASCAR drivers are some of the best athletes in the world. They are the real competitors in the world of motorsport racing. But few of them climb up the ladder and create history. Some drivers are notable for their drive, and some are recognizable for winning the championship titles. Few of them may be astonishing team principals, and for some, they may be the best mentors. Let us discover some brilliant drives behind the wheels.

10. Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart was known for his aggressive attitude and versatility persona. Tony won in the early years of his life when he first won the championship title in go-karts in 1980. He also won the NSACAR Cup series 4 times, winning two as a driver, one as an owner, and the last as a team principal. Throughout his racing career, Tony has won championships in every motorsport league, such as Indycar, Midget, Sprint, and USAC Silver Crown.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1999-2006

2. Total Wins: Over 500 in more than 600 race starts

3. Championship Wins: 3 NASCAR Cup Series Titles

• Achievements:

1. 2-time Brickyard 400 winner.

2. 1-time Daytona 500 winner.

3. Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020

9. Bobby Allison

Bobby Allison was an American stock car racing driver and the owner of the Alabama Gang. The Alabama Gang was a group of skilled drivers based in Hueytown. Allison was one of the few drivers in NASCAR history who coveted their names in history books. His career spanning over 30 years with 84 wins, he was one of the greatest drivers of all time. He also raced in IndyCar, Can-Am, and Trans-Am.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1961-1988

2. Total Wins: 84 Wins in 700 starts

3. Championship: 3 NASCAR Cup Championship Series Titles

• Achievements:

1.  84 career wins.

2. 3-times Daytona 500 winner (1978, 1982, 1988)

3. 1,000+ career top-10 finishes.

4. Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011

5. Inducted into the International Motorsport Hall Of Fame in 1993

8. Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough is one of the few drivers who pivoted to NASCAR globally. With his pure driving style and skills, Cale made NASCAR famous outside the United States. He was the first driver to win three consecutive championships (1976–1978) in NASCAR history. His determination and physical fitness set new standards for NASCAR drivers. His aura and glimpse were so famous that a model of the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler car was named after him.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1957-1988

2. Total Wins: 83 in over 550 starts

3. Championships: 3 NASCAR Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. First Driver To Win Championship 3-Times Consecutive

2. 1,100+ career top-10 finishes.

3. 4-Times Daytona 500 winner.

4. Holds records for most poles in a season

7. Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is one of the few drivers currently racing in the NASCAR series. He drives the No. 8 Chevrolet ZL1 for Richard Childress Racing. He is the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship and two-time Cup Title Champion winner. He currently ranks 9th on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series list and is regarded as one of the most successful drivers in every NASCAR racing format. Busch is also the owner of Kyle Busch Motorsport, which races in the Xfinity Series.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 2004-Present

2. Total Wins: Over 226 across all major series (Cup, Xfinity, Truck)

3. Championships: 2 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. 1st driver to win NASCAR race on every track

2. 1st driver to compete in triple race in one weekend

3. 2-time winner of the NASCAR Rookie of the Year award

6. David Pearson

David Pearson is among the few who crafted his name as the early star of NASCAR. He raced for three seasons but never missed a single race during his tenure. He was cited as one of the best racers on the grid from the 1960s until the 1970s. Pearson raced in the No. 21 Mercury for the Woods Brother Racing team. He was given the nickname The Silver Fox because of his calculated approach to racing.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1960-1986

2. Total Wins: 105 in 574 starts

3. Championships: 3 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. Holds the highest win percentage (18.29%) among drivers with over 500 starts.

2. Renowned for his fierce rivalries with other top drivers, including Richard Petty

3. 1960 NASCAR Rookie Of The Year Award

5. Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon was one of the most ruthless drivers in NASCAR racing. He is currently designated as the vice chairman of Hendricks Motorsport. During his racing career, he raced for Hendrick Motorsport, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet. Jeff is a 4-time Cup series race winner in 1995, 1997-98, and 2001. In 2009, he was awarded the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame for his contribution to shaping NASCAR for younger fans.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1992-2016

2. Total Wins: 93 in 805 starts

3. Championships: 4 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. 3-Times Daytona 500 Winner

2. Completed 3 Career Grand Slam

3. Winner Of 16 Crown Jewel Races

4. Most Wins in modern NASCAR history

5. Led nearly 25,000 laps during his career, ranking fifth all-time.

4. Darrell Lee Waltrip

Darrell Waltrip is known as much for his personality as his driving ability. He is now an author as well as a former national television broadcaster. He drives the No. 11 Chevrolet for the Junior Johnson racing team. His rivalry with Dale Earnhardt in the 1980s produced some of NASCAR's most exciting moments Waltrip's most notable achievement came in 1989, when he won the Daytona 500 after 17 attempts, demonstrating his perseverance and determination.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1973-2006

2. Total Wins: 84 wins over 809 starts

3. Championships: 3-Times NASCAR Cup Series Champion

• Achievements:

1. Winning the Daytona 500 in 1989.

2. Setting a record with 22 top-five finishes in a single season (1983).

3. Achieving 12 victories at Bristol Motor Speedway, a record that still stands.

4. Notably won five times in the Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) during his career.

3. Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Known as “The Intimidator," The Man in Black, and Iron Head. Dale Earnhardt's aggressive driving style and undefeated car under black reign with No. 3 Chevrolet helped him become one of NASCAR's most iconic figures. He won 76 races with over 26 years of his long racing span.  On February 18, 2001, he left this world as a result of a basilar skull fracture sustained in a tragic accident in the 2001 Daytona 500. His death was regarded as the biggest loss in NASCAR safety standards.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1975-2001

2. Total Wins: 76 in 676 starts

3. Championships: 7 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. Tied With Most NASCAR Championship Titles after Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson

2. Winner of the first-ever Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series in 1982

3. The only driver to score a win in four different decades

2. Jimmie Johnson

The most successful driver of NASCAR's modern era, Jimmie Johnson's unprecedented 5-times consecutive championship win demonstrated remarkable consistency in an increasingly competitive field. His total of 7 championships ties him with Petty and Earnhardt for the most all-time. Johnson also competed in the Indycar Series for Chip Ganassi Racing.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 2001-2020

2. Total Wins: 83 in 686 starts

3. Championships: 7 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. Five consecutive championships, a record in NASCAR history.

2. Two-time Daytona 500 winner (2006, 2013).

3. Most Pole Position (35)

1. Richard Petty

Every sport has been ruled by its legend, and Richard Petty is the only one in the history of NASCAR. He is undoubtedly considered with a nickname “The King” in the NASCAR realm and the best NASCAR drivers of all time. With the most race wins in the history of NASCAR. Petty is a member of the Petty family, which has been one of the best-known families in the motorsport arena. His records are unmatchable, showing his determination for the sport. His most wins in a single season with 27 is still unbreakable in the world of NASCAR racing.

• Career Overview:

1. Active Years: 1958-1992

2. Total Wins: 200 in 1,184 starts

3. Championships: 7 Cup Series titles

• Achievements:

1. Holds the record for the most wins in NASCAR history.

2. Most Daytona 500 victories (7) and most wins in a single season (27)

3. Most Careers Start with 1185

4. Most Career Poles (123)

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