Nascar Drivers

NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is a list of NASCAR drivers.

In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select "The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th anniversary in 1996. An independent group of 50 individuals representing various NASCAR roles were asked to give their objective and educated opinions on who the 50 greatest drivers in NASCAR history were. To quote Bill France, president of NASCAR:

"These are the men who define the competition of our sport. Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history."

The living members of this group were honored on February 15, 1998 during pre-race festivities for the 1998 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

List of The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time (as of 1998)

* - Deceased at time of announcement.

Bobby Allison

Davey Allison*

Buddy Baker

Buck Baker

Geoff Bodine

Neil Bonnett*

Red Byron*

Jerry Cook

Dale Earnhardt

Ralph Earnhardt*

Bill Elliott

Richie Evans*

Red Farmer

Tim Flock

A.J. Foyt

Harry Gant

Jeff Gordon

Ray Hendrick*

Jack Ingram

Bobby Isaac*

Ernie Irvan

Dale Jarrett

Ned Jarrett

Junior Johnson

Alan Kulwicki*

Terry Labonte

Fred Lorenzen

Tiny Lund*

Mark Martin

Hershel McGriff

Cotton Owens

Marvin Panch

Benny Parsons

David Pearson

Richard Petty

Lee Petty

Tim Richmond*

Fireball Roberts*

Ricky Rudd

Marshall Teague*

Herb Thomas

Curtis Turner*

Rusty Wallace

Darrell Waltrip

Joe Weatherly*

Bob Welborn*

Rex White

Glen Wood

Cale Yarborough

LeeRoy Yarbrough*