NASCAR Top Drivers of All Time

Over the years there have been some great drivers in the world of NASCAR. When trying to determine greatness, the following criteria were considered: championships won, Hall of Fame awardee, and those who made a lasting impact on the NASCAR circuit.

Richard Petty - "The King"

Richard Petty is a champion NASCAR driver who was nicknamed "The King" for his record setting Daytona 500 and NASCAR championship wins.

• 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979 Sprint Cup Series Champion
• 200 Sprint Cup Series wins
• 7-time Daytona 500 winner
• Most wins ever in a NASCAR season (27)
• Most consecutive wins in NASCAR (10)
• Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010

Dale Earnhardt - "Intimidator"

Race car driver Dale Earnhardt won a record-tying seven NASCAR championships. He died after crashing during the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001.

• 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994 Sprint Cup Series Champion
• 76 Sprint Cup Series wins
• 1995 Brickyard 400 winner and 1998 Daytona 500 winner
• Voted Most Popular Driver in 2001 after his tragic death
• Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010

Jimmie Johnson - "Superman"

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American professional stock car racing driver and a six-time champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He currently drives the No. 48 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

• 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013 Sprint Cup Series Champion
• 76 Sprint Cup Series wins
• 2-time Daytona 500 winner and 4-time Brickyard 400 winner
• 4-time Sprint All-Star Race winner
• 2009 AP Male Athlete of the Year

Jeff Gordon - "Rainbow Warrior"

Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is an American former professional stock car racing driver and currently an announcer for Fox NASCAR. He drove the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 23 full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons.

• 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001 Sprint Cup Series Champion
• 93 Sprint Cup Series wins
• 3-time Daytona 500 winner, 5-time Brickyard 400 winner and 6-time Southern 500 winner
• Became NASCAR’s Iron Man (797 consecutive) in 2015 breaking Ricky Rudd’s streak for most consecutive races run.
• Most consecutive seasons win at least one pole in NASCAR (22)

David Pearson - "The Silver Fox"

David Pearson, a native of South Carolina, has been called the smoothest driver of all time. His 105 career wins have earned him a spot in numerous motorsports museums as well as recognition as one of NASCAR'S 50 greatest drivers. It also gained him the nickname of "The Silver Fox".

• 1966, 1968 and 1969 Sprint Cup Series Champion
• 105 Sprint Cup Series wins
• 1976 NASCAR Triple Crown winner
• 1976 Daytona 500 winner
• Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011