List of NASCAR Cup Series champions
The NASCAR Cup Series Drivers' Championship is awarded by the chairman of NASCAR to the most successful Cup Series racing car driver over a season, as determined by a points system based on race results. The Drivers' Championship was first awarded in 1949 to Red Byron.[1] The first driver to win multiple Championships was Herb Thomas in 1951 and 1953. The current Drivers' Champion is Jimmie Johnson, along with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, have won 7 each.[2]
The NASCAR points system has undergone several incarnations since its initial implementation. Originally, races awarded points by a complicated system based upon final positioning and weighted by prize money purses, such that higher-paying events gave more points. Soon after the advent of the modern era in 1972, the championship was decided by a more basic cumulative point total based solely upon a driver's finishing position in each race. In order to reduce the possibility of a driver clinching before the final event, NASCAR implemented the "Chase for the Cup" in 2004 which, with minor modification from 2004 to 2013[3] and more radical changes in 2014,[4] stands as the current format. Before the final ten races, 16 drivers, chosen primarily on race wins, are reset to an equal amount of points, with bonus points awarded to a driver for each win prior to the reset.[4] With these changes, the last Drivers' Champion to clinch before the final race was Matt Kenseth in 2003.[5]
Overall, thirty-one different drivers have won the Championship, with Richard Petty,[6] Dale Earnhardt,[7] and Jimmie Johnson holding the record for most titles at seven. Johnson has the record for most consecutive Drivers' Championships, winning five from 2006 to 2010.[8] Thus far, every champion has originated from the United States.
By season
- Notes
- ^1 — Stewart and Carl Edwards tied in the final standings. The championship was awarded to Stewart based upon most wins (five to Edwards' one).[143]
- ^2 — Kyle Busch missed the first eleven races of the season because of an injury sustained at Daytona International Speedway during the Alert Today Florida 300.[2]
By drivers
Driver | Total | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Richard Petty | 7 | 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979 |
Dale Earnhardt | 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 | |
Jeff Gordon | 5 | 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2015 |
Lee Petty | 3 | 1954, 1958, 1959 |
David Pearson | 1966, 1968, 1969 | |
Cale Yarborough | 1976, 1977, 1978 | |
Darrell Waltrip | 1981, 1982, 1985 | |
Tony Stewart | 2002, 2005, 2011 | |
Herb Thomas | 2 | 1951, 1953 |
Tim Flock | 1952, 1955 | |
Buck Baker | 1956, 1957 | |
Joe Weatherly | 1962, 1963 | |
Ned Jarrett | 1961, 1965 | |
Terry Labonte | 1984, 1996 | |
Red Byron | 1 | 1949 |
Bill Rexford | 1950 | |
Rex White | 1960 | |
Bobby Isaac | 1970 | |
Benny Parsons | 1973 | |
Bobby Allison | 1983 | |
Bill Elliott | 1988 | |
Rusty Wallace | 1989 | |
Alan Kulwicki | 1992 | |
Dale Jarrett | 1999 | |
Bobby Labonte | 2000 | |
Matt Kenseth | 2003 | |
Kurt Busch | 2004 | |
Brad Keselowski | 2012 | |
Kevin Harvick | 2014 | |
Kyle Busch | 2015 |
Records
Consecutive Drivers' Championships
Ten drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the Sprint Cup Series Drivers' Championship.
Championships | Driver | Seasons |
---|---|---|
5 | Jimmie Johnson | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
3 | Cale Yarborough | 1976, 1977, 1978 |
2 | Buck Baker | 1956, 1957 |
Lee Petty | 1958, 1959 | |
Joe Weatherly | 1962, 1963 | |
Richard Petty | 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 | |
Darrell Waltrip | 1981, 1982 | |
David Pearson | 1968, 1969 | |
Dale Earnhardt | 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 | |
Jeff Gordon | 1997, 1998 |
See also
- NASCAR
- Sprint Cup Series
- List of NASCAR Manufacturers' champions
- List of NASCAR Xfinity Series champions
- List of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champions
- List of all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners
- List of NASCAR teams
- List of NASCAR drivers
- List of NASCAR race tracks
References
- General
- "Sprint Cup Series Driver's and Manufacturer Champions". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- "Manufacturer Championships 1949 - 2009". Jayski.com. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- "List of NASCAR All-Time Sprint Cup Series Winners". Jayski.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- Specific
- ^ "NHOF: New Class Unveiled Tonight". Speed. Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Kyle Busch wins first Sprint Cup Series championship". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ Graves, Gary (21 January 2004). "David Pearson endorses new point system". USA Today. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ a b "NASCAR Announces Chase for the Sprint Cup Format Change" (Press release). NASCAR. January 30, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ "Matt Kenseth Claims NASCAR Winston Cup Championship". Motor Trend. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty Information". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Earnhardt Information". Sports Illustrated. CNN Sports. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ Biebrich, Richard (21 November 2010). "Jimmie Johnson wins fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship". Homestead, Florida: New York Daily News. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
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(help) - ^ "NASCAR Strictly Stock standings for 1949". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ Campbell, Angela (June 3, 2013). "NASCAR Champions Featuring 'Red' Byron". Speedwaymedia.com. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1950". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Bill Rexford: 1950 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1951". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Herb Thomas: 1951 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1952". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Tim Flock: 1952 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1953". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Herb Thomas: 1953 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1954". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Lee Petty: 1954 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1955". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Tim Flock: 1955 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1956". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Buck Baker: 1956 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1957". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Buck Baker: 1957 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1958". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Lee Petty: 1958 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1959". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Lee Petty: 1959 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1960". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Rex White: 1960 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1961". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Ned Jarrett: 1961 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1962". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Joe Weatherly: 1962 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1963". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Joe Weatherly: 1963 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1964". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1964 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1965". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Ned Jarrett: 1965 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1966". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "David Pearson: 1966 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1967". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1967 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1968". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "David Pearson: 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1969". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "David Pearson: 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Grand National standings for 1970". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Bobby Isaac: 1970 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "1971 NASCAR Grand National Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 1972". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 1973". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Benny Parsons: 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 1974". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1975 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "1976 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Cale Yarborough: 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1977 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Cale Yarborough: 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1978 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Cale Yarborough: 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1979 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Richard Petty: 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1980 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1981 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Darrell Waltrip: 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1982 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Darrell Waltrip: 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Bobby Allison: 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1984 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Terry Labonte: 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1985 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Darrell Waltrip: 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1986 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1987 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1988 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Bill Elliott: 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Rusty Wallace: 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1990 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1991 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1992 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Alan Kulwicki: 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1993 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1994 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Earnhardt: 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1995 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Jeff Gordon: 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1996 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Terry Labonte: 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1997 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Jeff Gordon: 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1998 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Jeff Gordon: 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Dale Jarrett: 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 2000". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Bobby Labonte: 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 2001". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Jeff Gordon: 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "NASCAR Winston Cup standings for 2002". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Tony Stewart: 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Matt Kenseth: 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Kurt Busch: 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "Tony Stewart: 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ "2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Tony Stewart: 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Brad Keselowski: 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Jimmie Johnson: 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Kevin Harvick: 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Standings". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Kyle Busch: 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results". Racing-reference.info. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Sprint Cup -- Tony Stewart captures 2011 Chase for the Championship". ESPN.com. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.