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NASCAR

What makes a NASCAR legend? These drivers defined generations of speed

Portrait of Sean Dougherty Sean Dougherty
Nov. 5, 2026, 6:45 a.m. ET
Speed, swagger and unforgettable victories turned these drivers into NASCAR legends. See the icons who have defined generations of racing. Above, legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty stands next to the #43 Oldsmobile he drove to victory in the Daytona 500 in 1979 in a 2008 portrait. Richard Petty, known as “The King,” is one of NASCAR’s most iconic drivers. Petty won a record-tying seven Cup Series championships and 200 races during his legendary career, including seven victories in the Daytona 500.
Speed, swagger and unforgettable victories turned these drivers into NASCAR legends. See the icons who have defined generations of racing.

Above, legendary NASCAR driver Richard Petty stands next to the #43 Oldsmobile he drove to victory in the Daytona 500 in 1979 in a 2008 portrait. Richard Petty, known as “The King,” is one of NASCAR’s most iconic drivers. Petty won a record-tying seven Cup Series championships and 200 races during his legendary career, including seven victories in the Daytona 500.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
Dale Earnhardt in his garage area during practice for the 1999 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Sr., known as “The Intimidator,” was one of NASCAR’s most legendary drivers. Earnhardt won seven Cup Series championships and 76 races, including the 1998 Daytona 500, before his death in a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt in his garage area during practice for the 1999 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Sr., known as “The Intimidator,” was one of NASCAR’s most legendary drivers. Earnhardt won seven Cup Series championships and 76 races, including the 1998 Daytona 500, before his death in a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Kelly Jordan, News-Journal Via USA TODAY Network
Jeff Gordon poses for a portrait on the Daytona International Speedway in 2006. Jeff Gordon is one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, winning four Cup Series championships and 93 races during his career. Known for driving the No. 24 Chevrolet, Gordon also captured three Daytona 500 victories and five Brickyard 400 wins.
Jeff Gordon poses for a portrait on the Daytona International Speedway in 2006. Jeff Gordon is one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, winning four Cup Series championships and 93 races during his career. Known for driving the No. 24 Chevrolet, Gordon also captured three Daytona 500 victories and five Brickyard 400 wins.
Todd Plitt, USA TODAY
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson portrait at Daytona International Speedway in 2007. Jimmie Johnson is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning seven Cup Series championships and 83 races. Johnson captured five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010 and won the Daytona 500 twice during his Hall of Fame career.
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson portrait at Daytona International Speedway in 2007. Jimmie Johnson is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning seven Cup Series championships and 83 races. Johnson captured five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010 and won the Daytona 500 twice during his Hall of Fame career.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
David Pearson checks out his car as he prepares for the NASCAR Nashville 400 race at the Fairgrounds Speedway on July 27, 1968. Pearson went on to win the rain-shortened race before 15,221 fans. David Pearson, known as the “Silver Fox,” was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers. He won three Cup Series championships and 105 races, second only to Richard Petty on NASCAR’s all-time wins list.
David Pearson checks out his car as he prepares for the NASCAR Nashville 400 race at the Fairgrounds Speedway on July 27, 1968. Pearson went on to win the rain-shortened race before 15,221 fans. David Pearson, known as the “Silver Fox,” was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers. He won three Cup Series championships and 105 races, second only to Richard Petty on NASCAR’s all-time wins list.
Frank Empson, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Driver Darrell Waltrip gets ready for the qualifying trials for the Nashville Pepsi 420 NASCAR Grand National race at Nashville International Raceway on July 13, 1984. Darrell Waltrip is a NASCAR legend who won three Cup Series championships and 84 races during his Hall of Fame career. Known for his colorful personality, Waltrip also won the 1989 Daytona 500 and later became a longtime NASCAR television broadcaster.
Driver Darrell Waltrip gets ready for the qualifying trials for the Nashville Pepsi 420 NASCAR Grand National race at Nashville International Raceway on July 13, 1984. Darrell Waltrip is a NASCAR legend who won three Cup Series championships and 84 races during his Hall of Fame career. Known for his colorful personality, Waltrip also won the 1989 Daytona 500 and later became a longtime NASCAR television broadcaster.
Greg Lovett, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
NASCAR Winston Cup driver Cale Yarborough celebrates in victory lane after winning the 1984 Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Cale Yarborough was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, winning three consecutive Cup Series championships from 1976 to 1978 and 83 races during his Hall of Fame career. He also won the Daytona 500 four times.
NASCAR Winston Cup driver Cale Yarborough celebrates in victory lane after winning the 1984 Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Cale Yarborough was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, winning three consecutive Cup Series championships from 1976 to 1978 and 83 races during his Hall of Fame career. He also won the Daytona 500 four times.
Manny Rubio, Imagn Images
Bobby Allison sits in the first car he raced at Daytona International Speedway in 1961. The Chevrolet was owned by his father-in-law, Ralph Stark, and Allison finished 31st in the Daytona 500, still running at the finish. Bobby Allison was one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning the 1983 Cup Series championship and 84 races during his Hall of Fame career. A founding member of the “Alabama Gang,” Allison also won the Daytona 500 three times.
Bobby Allison sits in the first car he raced at Daytona International Speedway in 1961. The Chevrolet was owned by his father-in-law, Ralph Stark, and Allison finished 31st in the Daytona 500, still running at the finish. Bobby Allison was one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning the 1983 Cup Series championship and 84 races during his Hall of Fame career. A founding member of the “Alabama Gang,” Allison also won the Daytona 500 three times.
RacingOne, ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group Via Getty Images
Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on Nov. 3, 2013. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, winning 26 Cup Series races during his career. The son of legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., he won the Daytona 500 twice and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2021.
Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on Nov. 3, 2013. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, winning 26 Cup Series races during his career. The son of legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., he won the Daytona 500 twice and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
Tony Stewart photographed at the California Motor Speedway in Fontana, Calif. on Sept. 3, 2005. Tony Stewart, nicknamed “Smoke,” is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning three Cup Series championships and 49 races. Known for his aggressive driving style and versatility, Stewart later became a NASCAR team owner after retiring from full-time Cup competition.
Tony Stewart photographed at the California Motor Speedway in Fontana, Calif. on Sept. 3, 2005. Tony Stewart, nicknamed “Smoke,” is one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, winning three Cup Series championships and 49 races. Known for his aggressive driving style and versatility, Stewart later became a NASCAR team owner after retiring from full-time Cup competition.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Kyle Busch greets the crowd after doing a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Kyle Busch was one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, winning Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019. Known as “Rowdy,” Busch has won races across all three of NASCAR’s national series and became especially dominant in the Xfinity and Truck Series.
Kyle Busch greets the crowd after doing a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Kyle Busch was one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, winning Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019. Known as “Rowdy,” Busch has won races across all three of NASCAR’s national series and became especially dominant in the Xfinity and Truck Series.
Andrew Nelles, Tennessean.com Via USA TODAY Network
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick at Speedweek at Daytona International Speedway in 2011. Kevin Harvick was one of NASCAR’s top drivers, winning the 2014 Cup Series championship and 60 Cup races during his career. Known as “The Closer,” Harvick also won the 2007 Daytona 500 before retiring from full-time competition in 2023.
NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick at Speedweek at Daytona International Speedway in 2011. Kevin Harvick was one of NASCAR’s top drivers, winning the 2014 Cup Series championship and 60 Cup races during his career. Known as “The Closer,” Harvick also won the 2007 Daytona 500 before retiring from full-time competition in 2023.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
Denny Hamlin driving the #11 FedEx Express Chevrolet during qualifying for the 2007 Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin is one of NASCAR’s most successful active drivers, with 64 Cup Series victories through the 2026 season. The longtime Joe Gibbs Racing driver has won the Daytona 500 three times, in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
Denny Hamlin driving the #11 FedEx Express Chevrolet during qualifying for the 2007 Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin is one of NASCAR’s most successful active drivers, with 64 Cup Series victories through the 2026 season. The longtime Joe Gibbs Racing driver has won the Daytona 500 three times, in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano celebrates winning the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024. Joey Logano is one of NASCAR’s top drivers, winning three Cup Series championships in 2018, 2022 and 2024. The Team Penske star also won the 2015 Daytona 500 and has been a perennial contender throughout his Cup career.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano celebrates winning the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024. Joey Logano is one of NASCAR’s top drivers, winning three Cup Series championships in 2018, 2022 and 2024. The Team Penske star also won the 2015 Daytona 500 and has been a perennial contender throughout his Cup career.
Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson celebrates after clinching the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship following the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Kyle Larson is one of NASCAR’s most versatile stars, winning Cup Series championships in 2021 and 2025. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has 35 Cup victories, including wins in the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and Brickyard 400.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson celebrates after clinching the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship following the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Kyle Larson is one of NASCAR’s most versatile stars, winning Cup Series championships in 2021 and 2025. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has 35 Cup victories, including wins in the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and Brickyard 400.
Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
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