Who Are the Top Four NASCAR Drivers?
The top four NASCAR drivers, by the premier metric of NASCAR Cup Series championships, are Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson (each with seven titles), followed by Jeff Gordon with four. While “top” can be defined in several ways—from championships to wins and era-adjusted dominance—these four headline the sport’s historical hierarchy in its highest series.
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Why Championships Are a Strong Benchmark
In NASCAR, the Cup Series is the highest level of competition, and championships in that series are widely regarded as the clearest measure of sustained excellence. While wins, average finishes, and era strength also matter, multiple titles indicate dominance across long seasons, varied tracks, and evolving competition—making championships a credible standard for identifying the sport’s elite.
Top Four by NASCAR Cup Series Championships
The following list uses total NASCAR Cup Series championships to identify the top four drivers. This focuses on the sport’s apex division and spans its full history, including the modern era and the playoff format introduced in 2004.
- Richard Petty — 7 championships (tied for the all-time lead; a foundational figure of the sport)
- Dale Earnhardt — 7 championships (tied all-time; emblematic of NASCAR’s rise in national popularity)
- Jimmie Johnson — 7 championships (tied all-time; includes a record five straight titles from 2006–2010)
- Jeff Gordon — 4 championships (the only four-time champion of the modern era; central to NASCAR’s 1990s–2000s boom)
These four define the championship pinnacle: three share the record at seven titles, with Gordon standing alone as the sport’s only four-time champion—cementing a historically accepted “top four” anchored in the Cup Series’ ultimate prize.
Alternative ‘Top Four’ by All-Time Cup Series Wins
Wins are another time-tested gauge of greatness, showing race-to-race supremacy. By this measure, the “top four” includes a tie for fourth, underscoring how crowded the summit is among NASCAR legends.
- Richard Petty — 200 wins
- David Pearson — 105 wins
- Jeff Gordon — 93 wins
- Tie: Bobby Allison — 84 wins; Darrell Waltrip — 84 wins
Measured by victories, Petty’s record is untouchable, Pearson’s efficiency is renowned, Gordon is the modern wins benchmark, and Allison and Waltrip share fourth—illustrating how different metrics can slightly redraw the “top four.”
Other Ways Fans and Analysts Define “Top”
Because NASCAR spans distinct eras, cars, and competition formats, analysts often blend metrics to judge all-time standing. The following factors commonly influence “top four” debates, beyond titles and wins.
- Era dominance and strength of field (e.g., modern parity vs. early-era scheduling)
- Average finish, poles, and season-long consistency
- Playoff-era performance (since 2004) versus pre-playoff dominance
- Versatility across track types (superspeedways, short tracks, road courses)
- Cultural impact and longevity (sustained relevance, sports-market growth)
Considering these dimensions can elevate contenders such as David Pearson for efficiency, Cale Yarborough for consecutive titles, or Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch for multi-series versatility—without displacing the championship-based “top four.”
Honorable Mentions and Era Context
Several legends frequently enter “greatest-ever” conversations depending on the lens—wins, titles, consistency, or transformative influence on the sport.
- David Pearson — 3 championships, 105 wins (exceptional win rate and racecraft)
- Cale Yarborough — 3 championships (first to win three straight titles, 1976–78)
- Darrell Waltrip — 3 championships, 84 wins (dominant in the early 1980s)
- Bobby Allison — 1 championship, 84 wins (broad track-type excellence)
- Tony Stewart — 3 championships (titles across pre- and post-playoff eras)
- Kyle Busch — 2 championships (major Cup wins plus record-setting success in Xfinity and Trucks)
- Lee Petty — 3 championships (pioneer of the sport’s formative years)
- Kevin Harvick — 1 championship, 60+ wins (model of longevity and consistency)
These names illustrate how arguments shift with criteria. Still, the consensus core—Petty, Earnhardt, Johnson, and Gordon—anchors most historically grounded rankings.
Summary and Takeaway
By the most widely accepted benchmark—NASCAR Cup Series championships—the top four drivers are Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson (seven titles each), and Jeff Gordon (four). Alternate measures like all-time wins reaffirm Petty and Gordon at the summit while elevating David Pearson, Bobby Allison, and Darrell Waltrip. Across eras and metrics, the championship quartet remains the sport’s clearest definition of “top four.”
Who made it to the round of 8 in NASCAR?
The NASCAR playoff field was just set, with Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott being among the drivers who advanced to the Round of 8 after the most recent elimination race, the Round of 12 finale at Bristol. The remaining spots will be filled based on points and potential race wins in the final races of the Round of 12.
Here’s a summary of the current situation:
- The Round of 8 is the next stage of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs .
- Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott have secured their spots: in the Round of 8.
- The full list of drivers advancing will be determined: by the final points standings and any remaining race winners.
- Drivers advance to the next round: either by winning a race in the current round or by having enough points to be among the drivers with the highest cumulative score after the elimination race.
Who is in the NASCAR playoffs?
The drivers currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 after the New Hampshire race on September 21, 2025, include Ryan Blaney (clinched), William Byron, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Tyler Reddick, and Bubba Wallace.
Drivers in the Round of 12 (by points, highest to lowest):
- Ryan Blaney: (Clinching his spot with a win at New Hampshire)
- William Byron
- Kyle Larson
- Christopher Bell
- Denny Hamlin
- Joey Logano
- Chase Elliott
- Chase Briscoe
- Ross Chastain
- Austin Cindric
- Tyler Reddick
- Bubba Wallace
How to follow the playoffs:
- Next Race: The Round of 12 continues with the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 28.
- Watch: You can watch the races on USA Network.
- Standings: For the most up-to-date standings and playoff picture, check sources like FOX Sports or Yahoo Sports.
Who are the final four in the NASCAR race?
And then there were four welcome to NASCAR Inside the Race Bracket Edition. Brought to you by our friends at DraftKings. The Inside the Race tournament. Started with 32.
Who are the current top NASCAR drivers?
NASCAR Cup Series Standings & Stats NASCAR Cup Series Standings & Stats
| POS | DRIVER | +/- |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Blaney | |
| 2 | William Byron | +47 |
| 3 | Kyle Larson | +41 |
| 4 | Christopher Bell | +29 |
