5 drivers with the most NASCAR Xfinity Series championships of all time
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s second-tier series to the sports’ top-level Cup Series. The series has long been a providing ground for young drivers looking to leave their mark in stock car racing.
Since its inception in 1982, several drivers have emerge as multi-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champions, showcasing their skills and consistency. Ahead of the 2024 season, 33 different drivers have won tge Xfinity Series championships, but only nine of them have won more than once.
On that note, let’s take a look at the five drivers who have captured the most NASCAR Xfinity Series championships.
Five drivers with most NASCAR Xfinity Series championships
#5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2 championships)
Dale Earnhardt Jr., the third-generation driver and son of the late seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, is a well-known figure in the sport.
He became a fan favorite very early in his career, winning Xfinity championships in 1998 and 1999 before moving to Cup level, where he became NASCAR’s most popular driver for 15 years, from 2003 to 2017.
The 50-year-old North Carolina native serves as a driver, team owner and broadcaster. He also competes part-time in the Xfinity Series, behind the wheel of a #88 Chevrolet for his own team, JR Motorsports.
#4 Randy LaJoie (2 championships)
Randy LaJoie, the father of Casey and Corey LaJoie, was one of the most successful Xfinity drivers of all time. He won the consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series championships in 1996 and 1997.
Known for his aggressive driving style, the Norwalk, Connecticut-native driver secured 15 wins and 118 top-10 finishes. His last appearance in the series came at Memphis International Raceway in 2001.
#3 Larry Pearson (2 Xfinity championships)
Larry Pearson, the son of three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion David Pearson, had a remarkable NASCAR career, winning back-to-back championships in 1986 and 1987.
In his 16-year-long Xfinity career, Pearson racked up 15 wins, 78 top-five finishes, and 129 top-10 finishes. His accomplishments made him one of the standout drivers during his time, and his legacy as a two-time champion stands tall in the Xfinity Series record books.
#2 Jack Ingram (2 Xfinity championships)
Jack Ingram was one of the first Xfinity Series superstars. “The Iron Man"'s driving style was marked by consistency and grit that earned him two titles in the series. He was the champion in 1982 and 1985.
The North Carolina native amassed 31 wins and 164 top-10 finishes in a decade-long career. Unlike others, Ingram’s success came at the end of his career, as all of his 31 wins came between the ages of 45 and 50. Due to his commendable performance in the sport, he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
#1 Sam Ard (2 Xfinity championships)
Sam Ard was another first NASCAR Xfinity Series superstar, which was then known as the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. He won back-to-back Xfinity titles in the series in 1983 and 1984. He was a trailblazer for drivers and set a high bar of dominance.
Ard, one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers, won 22 races over a span of three Xfinity seasons before injury forced an early retirement before breathing his last at the age of 78.