Top 5 drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series championships of all time
The NASCAR Cup Series represents the highest echelon of stock car racing in the US. Since the beginning of the sport, NASCAR has been crowning a champion every year, using a scoring system that awards points to drivers based on their finish in each race throughout the season.
In 76 years of history, only a few drivers have managed to clinch more than three NASCAR championships, setting records that stand as milestones in the sport. Ahead of the 2024 season, 37 different drivers have managed to win Cup championships, and 17 of them have won more than once.
On that note, let’s take a look at the top five drivers with the most NASCAR Cup championships.
Top 5 drivers with most NASCAR Cup Series championships
#5 Lee Petty (3 Championships)
Lee Petty, one of the early pioneers of NASCAR, was the first three-time Cup Series champion and played a crucial role in establishing NASCAR as a motorsport. He won the championship in the sport’s early years in 1954, 1958, and 1959.
Before Richard Petty set numerous records, his father, Lee, helped lay the foundation. He won 54 races in his career.
#4 Jeff Gordon (4 Championships)
Jeff Gordon, who currently serves as the vice chairman of his former team, Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), has helped bring NASCAR to a broader audience. His four championships came during the 1990s, and his success during that period earned him a spot among the sport’s elite list of drivers. He won the championship in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001.
The 53-year-old California driver has won 93 career races in his two-decade-long career. He ranked third in the all-time Cup Series winners.
#3 Jimmie Johnson (7 Championships)
Jimmie Johnson does not need an introduction. He brought a modern twist to Cup Series with his fitness regimen, smooth driving style, and adaptability.
Johnson dominated the 2000s and early 2010s, becoming the only driver to win five consecutive championships from 2006 to 2010. This record seems untouchable.
However, the Legacy Motor Club owner has won seven Cup championships, tying with legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He won the titles in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2016. His success and stats set a benchmark for modern drivers.
#2 Dale Earnhardt (7 Championships)
Dale Earnhardt was known for his fearless approach on the racetrack. He earned nicknames like “the Intimidator”, “the Man in Black” and “Ironhead” due to his aggressive driving style.
Known as “The Intimidator,” Earnhardt tied Petty’s record with seven Cup titles and became a legend in his own right, dominating the sport in the 1980s and early 1990s. He became champion in 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994. At the age of 49, he lost his life in the 2001 Daytona 500 crash.
#1 Richard Petty (7 Championships)
Richard Petty is regarded as the most successful NASCAR driver of all time, with 200 career Cup Series wins, the most by any driver in the sport. He was the son of NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty and known for his signature cowboy hat and aviator sunglasses.
Known as “The King,” Petty set numerous records in his remarkable career, but one that made him great was becoming the first driver to earn seven Cup Series championships.
Petty won championships in 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1979. He was the most consistent driver of his time and dominated the sport from 1958 to 1992.