NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers


NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is an alphabetical 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 51 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:
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.

NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (as of February 1998)

DriverDriver
Bobby AllisonTerry Labonte
Davey Allison*Fred Lorenzen
Buck Baker**Tiny Lund*
Buddy Baker**Mark Martin
Geoff BodineHershel McGriff
Neil Bonnett*Cotton Owens**
Red Byron*Marvin Panch**
Jerry CookBenny Parsons**
Dale Earnhardt**David Pearson**
Ralph Earnhardt*Richard Petty
Bill ElliottLee Petty**
Richie Evans*Tim Richmond*
Red FarmerFireball Roberts*
Tim Flock**Ricky Rudd
A. J. FoytMarshall Teague*
Harry GantHerb Thomas**
Jeff GordonCurtis Turner*
Ray Hendrick*Rusty Wallace
Jack IngramDarrell Waltrip
Ernie IrvanJoe Weatherly*
Bobby Isaac*Bob Welborn*
Dale JarrettRex White
Ned JarrettGlen Wood**
Junior Johnson**Cale Yarborough
Alan Kulwicki*LeeRoy Yarbrough*