NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers

NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers.

These are the men who define the competition of our sport. Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.

Bill France Jr.

In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select the "50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time."[1][2][3] It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th anniversary in 1996. An independent group of 51 individuals representing various NASCAR roles were asked to give their objective and educated opinions on who the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history were.

The living members of this group were honored on February 15, 1998 during pre-race festivities for the 1998 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.[4][5]

In 2023, as part of its 75th anniversary celebration, NASCAR announced it would add 25 names to the list, bringing the total to 75.[6][7][8]

NASCAR's Greatest Drivers

Source for lists:[9]

1998 list of 50 drivers
Bobby Allison
Davey Allison*
Buck Baker**
Buddy Baker**
Geoff Bodine
Neil Bonnett*
Red Byron*
Jerry Cook
Dale Earnhardt**
Ralph Earnhardt*
Bill Elliott
Richie Evans*
Red Farmer
Tim Flock**
A. J. Foyt
Harry Gant
Jeff Gordon
Ray Hendrick*
Jack Ingram**
Ernie Irvan
Bobby Isaac*
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson**
Alan Kulwicki*
Terry Labonte
Fred Lorenzen
Tiny Lund*
Mark Martin
Hershel McGriff
Cotton Owens**
Marvin Panch**
Benny Parsons**
David Pearson**
Lee Petty**
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond*
Fireball Roberts*
Ricky Rudd
Marshall Teague*
Herb Thomas**
Curtis Turner*
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Joe Weatherly*
Bob Welborn*
Rex White
Glen Wood**
Cale Yarborough
LeeRoy Yarbrough*

2023 expansion to 75 drivers
Sam Ard*
Greg Biffle
Jeff Burton
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
Chase Elliott
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Ron Hornaday Jr.
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Bobby Labonte
Randy LaJoie
Kyle Larson
Joey Logano
Sterling Marlin
Ryan Newman
Larry Phillips*
Mike Stefanik*
Tony Stewart
Martin Truex Jr.
Deceased & Hall of Fame as of 2023.
* = Deceased at the time of the announcement
** = Deceased after the announcement
Italics and gold background = NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee (opened 2010)

See also

References
  1. Center, Bill; Moore, Bob (September 23, 1998). NASCAR 50 Greatest Drivers. Harper Collins. p. 8. ISBN 9780061073304.
  2. "What to Expect When NASCAR Adds 25 Drivers to '50 Greatest' List". autoweek.com. April 10, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. "THE 50 GREATEST DRIVERS AS SELECTED BY NASCAR". The South Florida Sun Sentinel. June 28, 1998. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  4. "NASCAR SELECTS 50 GREATEST DRIVERS". Orlando Sentinel. February 14, 1998. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  5. Litsky, Frank (April 5, 1998). "Tim Flock, 73, a Successful And Colorful Nascar Pioneer". New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. "NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers: Dale Jr., Tony Stewart, Chase Elliott among additions". foxsports.com. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  7. Hembree, Mike (April 6, 2023). "NASCAR to announce top 75 driver list beginning next week". nbcsports.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  8. Miller-Still, Ray (April 17, 2023). "Kasey Kahne makes top 75 greatest NASCAR drivers list". The Courier-Herald. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  9. "NASCAR 75: Honoring NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers … then revealing 25 more". NASCAR.com. April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
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