The 5 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time

NASCAR has been a cherished pastime of the American people. Ever wonder who are considered the top drivers throughout the history of the sport? While thousands of drivers tried to be the fastest on the track, only a select few deserve the title of greatest driver of all time.

We discussed the top 5 best NASCAR drivers of all time, including when their careers began, how long they lasted and how many victories they achieved.

#5 – David Pearson

Of all NASCAR drivers to brace the wheel, David Pearson comes out on top in win percentage. He won 18.29% of his 500 starts in Daytona and achieved 105 wins after 574 races. In addition to an extremely high winning percentage, David Pearson took home 3 Daytona 500 championships, the first in 1966, then back-to-back in 1968 and 1969.

While you may not consider this era a part of modern Daytona, the racing legend would go on to win 45 more times in what’s considered the most modern form of the sport.

Statistic	Value
Races	574
Wins	105
Top-5 Finishes	301
Top-10 Finishes	366
Poles	113
Championships	3
First Race	1960 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway
First Win	1961 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Last Win	1980 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 at Darlington Raceway
Last Race	1986 Oakwood Homes 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

#4 – Richard Petty

Up next is Richard Petty, one of the most successful Cup Series drivers ever. While most consider the modern era of NASCAR to have started after 1972, Petty is compared to players like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain of the NBA due to their success before the modern version of the sport was recognized.

In 1,184 starts, Petty would come out victorious in 200 of those races, giving him a longtime-held record of the most victories in NASCAR history before being broken by Kyle Busch. Still, Petty earned the most wins in one season (27), putting him up as the #4 best NASCAR driver to ever get behind the wheel.

Statistic	Value
Races	1,184
Wins	200
Top-5 Finishes	555
Top-10 Finishes	712
Poles	123
Championships	7
First Race	1958 Jim Mideon 500 at Canadian National Exposition Speedway
First Win	1960 untitled race at Southern States Fairgrounds
Last Win	1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway
Last Race	1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

#3 – Jeff Gordon

In modern-era NASCAR, you’ve heard the name Jeff Gordon before. With four Cup Series Championships in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001, Jeff Gordon would boast 805 starts with 93 wins. 

If you’re not already convinced he belongs at the #3 best driver spot, just know he had three separate seasons with 10+ victories, something most pro drivers could never think of achieving.

The famed rainbow color #24 car driver managed an incredible 24,936 laps throughout his Cup Series career, making him the fifth highest of all time to do so.

Statistic	Value
Races	676
Wins	76
Top-5 Finishes	281
Top-10 Finishes	428
Poles	22
Championships	7
First Race	1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
First Win	1979 Southeastern 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
Last Win	2000 Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Last Race	2001 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

#2 – Dale Earnhardt Sr.

If you know Dale Earnhardt Jr., you certainly have heard of his legendary father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. Currently, only one racer is considered better than Earnhardt, which puts him in the #2 spot with 76 career wins over 676 starts. He achieved 7 Cup Series championships before unfortunately meeting his demise on the track in a horrific accident, causing his death in the 2001 Daytona 500.

With stats like these, it’s no surprise Earnhardt Sr. is the second-best driver NASCAR has seen to this day, and since his death, the sport hasn’t seen a single driver die in an on-track accident.

Statistic	Value
Races	676
Wins	76
Top-5 Finishes	281
Top-10 Finishes	428
Poles	22
Championships	7
First Race	1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
First Win	1979 Southeastern 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
Last Win	2000 Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Last Race	2001 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

#1 – Jimmie Johnson

Currently referred to as the best NASCAR driver to ever get behind the wheel, Jimmie Johnson trumps all other drivers on the track, and for good reason. One major factor that separates Johnson from the rest of the competition is his 7 championships, 5 of which were in a row, which no one has even come close to breaking.

Johnson won the Daytona 500 twice, ending his legendary career with 83 wins in 686 starts (12.1 win percentage). Many fans and drivers agree there will never be another Jimmie Johnson, which is partly why he was one of the first NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees in 2023.

Statistic	Value
Races	698
Wins	83
Top-5 Finishes	232
Top-10 Finishes	374
Poles	36
Championships	7
First Race	2001 UAW-GM Quality 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
First Win	2002 NAPA Auto Parts 500 at Auto Club Speedway
Last Win	2017 AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway
Last Race	2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway