NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers

NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical list of NASCAR drivers. It started as NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers as of 1998, the 50th anniversary of NASCAR, and was expanded with an additional 25 drivers in 2023, the 75 anniversary of NASCAR.

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.

History

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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.[citation needed] 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

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Source for lists:[9]

1998 list of 50 drivers

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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

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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 and/ or Hall of Fame as of 2024.
† = Deceased at the time of the announcement
* = Driver currently active in NASCAR on full or part-time basis as of the 2024 NASCAR season
Italics and gold background = NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee (opened 2010)

See also

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References

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  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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