Top 6 multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champions ft. Tony Stewart and Joey Logano
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) awards the championship trophy to the top-performing stock-car driver at the end of each season. Since its inception in 1949, 36 different drivers have won the Cup Series championship title and 17 of them have won multiple times.
Based on race results and points, 16 NASCAR drivers qualify for the playoff rounds of 10 races where they battle for the trophy. These final ten races are then divided into three rounds with three races until the final Championship 4 race where the driver with the best results takes home the prestigious trophy.
Over the years, not twice or thrice but a few drivers have even won the title a record seven times. Let's take a look at the drivers with three or more Championship titles under their belt.
Top 6 multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champions
#6 Joey Logano (3 Championships)
Team Penske driver Joey Logano became the latest addition to the list of winning Cup Series titles more than twice. He brought home Penske's fifth championship and third in a row at the end of the 2024 season.
He had previously won the championships in 2018 and 2022 and is the only active full-time driver to win three titles.
#5 Tony Stewart (3 Championships)
NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart was the last driver to achieve three Cup Series titles in 2002, 2005, and 2011. He won his first two Championship titles with Joe Gibbs Racing and his last as an owner/driver of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Although retired from stock car racing, Stewart is a dragster in the NHRA's Top fuel category.
It is worth mentioning that there are four more drivers in history to claim three Cup titles, including Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, and Darrell Waltrip.
#4 Jeff Gordon (4 Championships)
Jeff Gordon became a household name in the NASCAR community with his popularity and by securing four championships in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001. With over over 800 races and 93 wins, Gordon is ranked third on the all-time win list.
Former Hendrick Motorsports driver Gordon now serves as the vice chairman of the Rick Hendrick-owned organization.
#3 Jimmie Johnson (7 Championships)
Jimmie Johnson tied the record with two more NASCAR legends after clinching his seventh Cup Series title in 2016. Moreover, the Hendrick Motorsports legend is the only driver to win the trophy consecutively five times from 2006 to 2010.
The part-time driver and owner of Legacy Motor Club has set a benchmark for the modern era drivers with his impressive stats.
#2 Dale Earnhardt (7 Championships)
Dale Earnhardt, one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history, dominated the stock-car world in the 80s and 90s by winning seven championships. He won the titles in 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994.
Known for his aggressive driving style, the motorsports legend lost his life in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 race.
#1 Richard Petty (7 Championships)
Richard 'The King' Petty has been an icon of NASCAR for generations. Having won the Cup Series title seven times in 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1979, Petty has been the most dominant driver to grace the oval race track ever.
From 1958 until 1992, Petty had the most successful stock racing career, amassing 200 career wins in more than 1000 races.