List of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers' Championship is awarded by the chairman of NASCAR to the most successful Sprint 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 Kevin Harvick, who won his first championship in 2014.
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[2] and more radical changes in 2014,[3] 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.[3]
Overall, thirty different drivers have won the Championship, with Richard Petty[4] and Dale Earnhardt[5] holding the record for most titles at seven. Jimmie Johnson has the record for most consecutive Drivers' Championships, winning five from 2006 to 2010.[6] The last Drivers' Champion to clinch before the final race was Matt Kenseth in 2003.[7] 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).[136]
By drivers
Driver | Total | Seasons |
---|---|---|
Petty, RichardRichard Petty | 7 | 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979 |
Earnhardt, DaleDale Earnhardt | 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 | |
Johnson, JimmieJimmie Johnson | 6 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 |
Gordon, JeffJeff Gordon | 4 | 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 |
Petty, LeeLee Petty | 3 | 1954, 1958, 1959 |
Pearson, DavidDavid Pearson | 1966, 1968, 1969 | |
Yarborough, CaleCale Yarborough | 1976, 1977, 1978 | |
Waltrip, DarrellDarrell Waltrip | 1981, 1982, 1985 | |
Stewart, TonyTony Stewart | 2002, 2005, 2011 | |
Thomas, HerbHerb Thomas | 2 | 1951, 1953 |
Flock, TimTim Flock | 1952, 1955 | |
Baker, BuckBuck Baker | 1956, 1957 | |
Weatherly, JoeJoe Weatherly | 1962, 1963 | |
Jarrett, NedNed Jarrett | 1961, 1965 | |
Labonte, TerryTerry Labonte | 1984, 1996 | |
Byron, RedRed Byron | 1 | 1949 |
Rexford, BillBill Rexford | 1950 | |
White, RexRex White | 1960 | |
Isaac, BobbyBobby Isaac | 1970 | |
Parsons, BennyBenny Parsons | 1973 | |
Allison, BobbyBobby Allison | 1983 | |
Elliott, BillBill Elliott | 1988 | |
Wallace, RustyRusty Wallace | 1989 | |
Kulwicki, AlanAlan Kulwicki | 1992 | |
Jarrett, DaleDale Jarrett | 1999 | |
Labonte, BobbyBobby Labonte | 2000 | |
Kenseth, MattMatt Kenseth | 2003 | |
Busch, KurtKurt Busch | 2004 | |
Keselowski, BradBrad Keselowski | 2012 | |
Harvick, KevinKevin Harvick | 2014 |
Records
Consecutive Drivers' Championships
Ten drivers have achieved consecutive wins in the Sprint Cup Series Drivers' Championship.
Championships | Driver | Seasons |
---|---|---|
5 | Johnson, JimmieJimmie Johnson | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
3 | Yarborough, CaleCale Yarborough | 1976, 1977, 1978 |
2 | Baker, BuckBuck Baker | 1956, 1957 |
Petty, LeeLee Petty | 1958, 1959 | |
Weatherly, JoeJoe Weatherly | 1962, 1963 | |
Petty, RichardRichard Petty | 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 | |
Waltrip, DarrellDarrell Waltrip | 1981, 1982 | |
Pearson, DavidDavid Pearson | 1968, 1969 | |
Earnhardt, DaleDale Earnhardt | 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 | |
Gordon, JeffJeff 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.
- ↑ Graves, Gary (21 January 2004). "David Pearson endorses new point system". USA Today. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "NASCAR Announces Chase for the Sprint Cup Format Change" (Press release). NASCAR. January 30, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Richard Petty Information". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Matt Kenseth Claims NASCAR Winston Cup Championship". Motor Trend. 10 November 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Sprint Cup -- Tony Stewart captures 2011 Chase for the Championship". ESPN.com. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2012.