Who is the top NASCAR driver?

There isn’t a single, definitive “top” NASCAR driver—historically, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson are widely regarded as the sport’s greatest, while among active competitors, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch are often cited at the front based on recent form and career résumés. The answer depends on whether you value total championships, career wins, era-adjusted dominance, or current performance.

How “top” is defined in NASCAR

“Top” can mean different things in motorsports, and NASCAR is no exception. Analysts, fans, and competitors weigh multiple factors when judging greatness, from raw speed and consistency to career achievements and era dominance. Here are the main criteria most often used to frame the debate.

• Championships: Total NASCAR Cup Series titles, and how they were won (season-long vs. playoff era).
• Victories: Career wins, major-event wins (especially the Daytona 500), and win rate.
• Era strength: Level of competition, field depth, and rule/package changes across generations.
• Versatility: Performance across track types (superspeedways, short tracks, intermediates, road courses).
• Longevity and consistency: Sustained performance over many seasons.
• Impact: Cultural influence, innovation, and the ability to elevate teams and the sport.

Taken together, these criteria explain why “best ever” and “best right now” can yield different answers—and why debates remain lively across generations.

The historic gold standard

When the conversation turns to all-time greatness, three names dominate: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. Each owns seven Cup Series championships, but they excelled in different eras and under different formats, shaping distinct cases for the top spot.

• Richard Petty — The “King” holds the most NASCAR Cup wins (200) and is tied for most titles (7). His 1967 season with 27 victories is unmatched, and he owns a record seven Daytona 500 wins.
• Dale Earnhardt — The “Intimidator” earned 76 wins and 7 championships, defining toughness and racecraft across the 1980s and 1990s. His 1998 Daytona 500 victory remains one of the sport’s iconic moments.
• Jimmie Johnson — With 83 wins and 7 titles, including an unprecedented five straight championships (2006–2010), Johnson set the modern standard in the playoff era against deep, well-funded fields.
• Honorable mentions — David Pearson (105 wins and one of the best win rates in history) and Jeff Gordon (93 wins, 4 titles, and a transformative impact on NASCAR’s modern era) are often next in the conversation.

Most historians place Petty, Earnhardt, and Johnson as the consensus top three, with the order depending on whether you prioritize total wins (Petty), generational dominance and edge (Earnhardt), or sustained excellence in the playoff era (Johnson).

Top active NASCAR Cup Series drivers

Among active drivers, the “top” label typically balances peak performance with career accomplishments. While form fluctuates year to year, these drivers consistently headline the discussion.

• Kyle Busch — A two-time Cup champion (2015, 2019) with over 60 Cup wins and more than 200 victories across NASCAR’s three national series, Busch pairs longevity with elite race-winning ability.
• Kyle Larson — The 2021 Cup champion is widely regarded for raw pace and versatility across disciplines (from dirt to stock cars, with high-profile open-wheel attempts), making him a frequent pick for current best on speed.
• Joey Logano — A two-time Cup champion (2018, 2022) known for playoff execution and big-race savvy, Logano consistently threatens in elimination formats.
• Denny Hamlin — With more than 50 Cup wins and multiple Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), Hamlin’s résumé is elite even without a championship to date.
• Martin Truex Jr. — The 2017 Cup champion and a perennial contender, particularly strong on intermediate tracks and in long-run race trims.
• Ryan Blaney — The 2023 Cup champion combines racecraft and consistency, anchoring Team Penske’s recent title success.

In today’s paddock, Larson often gets the nod for pure pace and versatility, Busch for career accomplishments, and Logano for playoff acumen—proof that the “top” label can shift with context.

Key stats that underpin the debate

A handful of headline numbers recur in any serious comparison of NASCAR greatness. These help anchor debates that span eras and rule changes.

1. Most Cup championships: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson (7 each).
2. Most Cup wins: Richard Petty (200); followed by David Pearson (105), Jeff Gordon (93), and Jimmie Johnson (83).
3. Most Daytona 500 wins: Richard Petty (7); Cale Yarborough (4); Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Jarrett (3 each).
4. Modern-era dominance: Jimmie Johnson’s five straight titles (2006–2010) in the playoff era remains unprecedented.
5. National series total wins: Kyle Busch leads with 200+ across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series combined.

These metrics illustrate why no single measure settles the debate: championships, wins, and modern-era difficulty each tell a compelling—but different—story.

Why there’s no single definitive answer

NASCAR has evolved through distinct eras—car generations, aero packages, playoff formats, and competition depth have all changed. Petty’s marathon seasons, Earnhardt’s late-20th-century edge, and Johnson’s playoff-era mastery are products of their contexts. Today’s field depth and parity further blur the notion of a singular “best,” making criteria selection critical to any claim.

Bottom line

If you mean all-time, most experts center the debate on Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. If you mean right now, the conversation typically revolves around Kyle Larson for peak pace and Kyle Busch for career scope, with Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Ryan Blaney close behind depending on form and format.

Summary

There is no one “top” NASCAR driver across every metric. Historically, Petty (most wins), Earnhardt (seven titles and enduring influence), and Johnson (seven titles in the playoff era) define the pinnacle. Among active drivers, Larson is frequently rated highest on raw performance, while Busch leads on cumulative achievements—underscoring how the answer depends on what you value most.

Who is the #1 NASCAR driver?

Ross Lee Chastain (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No.

Who is considered the best NASCAR driver?

There isn’t a single definitively “best” NASCAR driver, but a consensus often points to Richard Petty for his unparalleled career wins and championships, and Jimmie Johnson for his dominance in the modern era with seven titles, including five consecutive ones. Other drivers frequently cited for greatness include Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, and David Pearson, due to their significant wins and championship achievements. 
Arguments for Richard Petty

• The King: Petty holds the NASCAR record with 200 career wins, a milestone unlikely to be surpassed. 
• Seven Championships: He won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, a feat matched by only a few other drivers. 
• Iconic Status: His iconic “petty blue” paint scheme and numerous other wins, including seven Daytona 500 victories, cement his legacy. 

Arguments for Jimmie Johnson

• Modern Dominance: Johnson is considered by many as the greatest modern driver, winning seven championships with an unmatched five consecutive titles. 
• Consistent Winner: He consistently won races and championships even as NASCAR’s playoff system changed multiple times. 
• High Winning Percentage: With 83 Cup Series wins, Johnson’s 12.1% win rate in the modern era highlights his incredible dominance. 

Other Top Contenders

• Dale Earnhardt Sr.: Opens in new tabA legendary figure with 76 wins and 7 championships, known for his aggressive style and clutch performances. 
• Jeff Gordon: Opens in new tabWith 93 wins, Gordon is third all-time in wins and a four-time champion, a significant force in the modern era. 
• David Pearson: Opens in new tabDespite fewer championships, Pearson holds the second-most career wins with 105 and boasts the best win percentage in NASCAR history. 

Who is the best NASCAR driver right now?

Kyle Larson is widely considered the best NASCAR driver right now, consistently performing at a high level, winning the 2021 Cup Series championship, and maintaining a strong record with multiple wins in recent seasons, including his third win of the 2025 season at Kansas Speedway in May. Other top drivers include Ryan Blaney and William Byron, who are also performing well and are currently at the top of the standings.
 
Why Kyle Larson is considered the best:

• Consistent Performance: Larson has a minimum of three wins in each of his three years with Hendrick Motorsports and has led the series in laps led twice. 
• 2021 Championship: He won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2021. 
• Crown Jewel Wins: He has secured victories in prestigious races like the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, the 2023 Southern 500, and the 2024 Brickyard 400. 
• Top Talent: Many sources and fans recognize him as one of the most talented drivers in his generation. 

Other Top Drivers:

• Ryan Blaney: Opens in new tabBlaney is consistently a top performer and is often ranked among the best in the series, currently holding a high position in the 2025 standings. 
• William Byron: Opens in new tabByron is another strong contender, frequently appearing in the top ranks and is also in contention for the championship. 

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.