Who Is the #1 NASCAR Driver?
Ross Chastain is the #1 NASCAR driver in the sense that he drives the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. That said, fans sometimes use “#1” to mean the current points leader or the greatest of all time, which are different answers explained below.
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What “#1 NASCAR driver” can mean
People ask this question in a few ways. To clarify the possibilities, here are the most common meanings fans have in mind and how each applies today.
- Car number: The driver who competes in the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Standings leader: The driver currently atop the Cup Series points (which changes week to week during the season).
- All-time “number one”: The driver most often considered the greatest in NASCAR history.
Understanding which version you mean helps pinpoint a definitive answer—Ross Chastain for the car number, the weekly leader for current form, or a historically decorated champion for the GOAT debate.
Who drives the No. 1 car right now?
Ross Chastain drives the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Known for his aggressive, opportunistic style, Chastain broke through with two Cup wins in 2022 and finished runner-up in the championship. He added multiple victories in 2023, including the season finale at Phoenix, and became a household name after his bold 2022 “Hail Melon” wall-ride pass at Martinsville that vaulted him into the Championship 4.
Notable history of the No. 1 car
The No. 1 car has a rich lineage across DEI/Earnhardt Ganassi/Chip Ganassi Racing and now Trackhouse. Here are some of its most prominent recent drivers.
- Martin Truex Jr. (2006–2009) — Earned his first Cup win and made the playoffs with DEI/EGR.
- Jamie McMurray (2010–2018) — Won the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in 2010 in the No. 1.
- Kurt Busch (2019–2021) — Added wins and veteran leadership at Ganassi.
- Ross Chastain (2022–present) — Brought the No. 1 into the title fight with Trackhouse Racing.
Together, these drivers cemented the No. 1’s reputation as a competitive seat capable of winning big races and contending deep into the season.
If you meant the top-ranked driver right now
During the NASCAR season, the “number one” driver in points changes throughout the year and especially through the playoffs. Because standings are updated after every race, the best way to know who’s currently on top is to check the official leaderboard.
- Go to NASCAR’s official site (nascar.com) and open the Cup Series standings.
- Confirm you’re viewing the current season and Cup Series (not Xfinity or Truck).
- Look at the driver listed P1 in points; that’s the current “#1” in the standings.
These updates reflect stage points, playoff points, and race results, so the leader can shift frequently as the season progresses.
If you meant the greatest of all time
When fans ask who’s “number one” historically, the conversation centers on championships, wins, and dominance across eras. Three names consistently lead the debate.
- Richard Petty — 7 Cup titles, 200 wins; the benchmark of the sport’s early supremacy.
- Dale Earnhardt — 7 Cup titles, 76 wins; the Intimidator’s legacy blends trophies and cultural impact.
- Jimmie Johnson — 7 Cup titles, 83 wins; unprecedented five straight championships (2006–2010) in the modern playoff era.
While each has a case, many modern analysts give a slight edge to Jimmie Johnson for achieving seven championships under playoff-style formats against deep, parity-driven fields.
Bottom line
If you’re asking about the car number, Ross Chastain is the #1 NASCAR driver, steering Trackhouse Racing’s No. 1 Chevrolet in the Cup Series. If you mean the current top of the standings, check the latest leaderboard, as it changes weekly. And if you’re talking all-time greatness, the debate centers on Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson—seven-time champions who define NASCAR’s pantheon.
Summary
Ross Chastain drives the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing. The “#1 driver” can also mean the current points leader (which varies and is best verified on the official standings) or the greatest of all time, typically debated among Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson.
Who is the number one NASCAR driver right now?
NASCAR Cup Series Standings & Stats NASCAR Cup Series Standings & Stats
| POS | DRIVER | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +4 | RyanBlaney |
| BEHIND STARTS WINS TOP 5’S LEADER 30 3 13 DNF LAPS LED PLAYOFF POINTS TOP 10’S 7 646 33 17 | ||
| 2 | WilliamByron | |
| BEHIND STARTS WINS TOP 5’S -2 30 2 10 DNF LAPS LED PLAYOFF POINTS TOP 10’S 3 915 32 14 |
Has Ryan Blaney won a race in 2025?
Yes, Ryan Blaney has won races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, including the recent Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which marked his third victory of the season and secured his spot in the Round of 8. He also won a race at Daytona in August and another at Nashville.
Key wins in the 2025 season:
- Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Blaney’s most recent win, coming on September 21, 2025, during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
- Daytona in August: He won the regular-season finale at Daytona.
- Nashville: Blaney also won a race at Nashville earlier in the season.
Is Denny Hamlin still in NASCAR?
He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. He also co-owns and operates 23XI Racing with basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Tampa, Florida, U.S. Statistics up to date as of September 13, 2025.
Who drives car #1 in NASCAR?
Ross Chastain drives the No. 1 car in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing. Chastain took over the No. 1 Chevrolet for the Trackhouse Racing team in 2022, following the team’s evolution from Chip Ganassi Racing.
Key details:
- Driver: Ross Chastain
- Car Number: No. 1
- Team: Trackhouse Racing
- Manufacturer: Chevrolet
