On the 75th anniversary of NASCAR this year, 2023, they enrolled a panel to enable voting for 25 drivers to add to the list of its 75 greatest drivers of all time. They did the same thing on its 50th anniversary back in 1998 when they authorized a body to enroll a panel to vote for the 50 greatest drivers in the history of NASCAR.
The drivers, who have been honoured to vote on the list will be recognized during the annual Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway. To their list of the 50 greatest drivers, 25 new have been added this year on NASCAR’s 75th anniversary.
These newly added 25 greatest drivers of NASCAR have been selected by a blue-ribbon committee of former drivers, Industry personnel, team owners, NASCAR executives, and former and current media members. They completed the list within several weeks of rollout and added an element of surprise by revealing five names each of the five weeks, to amuse the fans as well as the honoured drivers.
These 25 NASCAR drivers were honored before the NASCAR’s Cup Series Goodyear 400, earlier this year in May 2023. Darlington Race Weekend served as the capstone celebration for the 75 greatest NASCAR drivers.
Who are the 25 newly added NASCAR’s greatest drivers?
The new list containing the 25 Greatest drivers of NASCAR includes many NASCAR Cup series champions along with other champions of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Whelen Modified Tour, and many more. The list includes names like:
The #NASCAR75 Greatest Drivers list is complete! (THREAD) pic.twitter.com/pGr7J9Vu3o
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) May 11, 2023
Sam Ard :(1983-84) NASCAR Xfinity Series back-to-back champion.
Greg Biffle: Winner of 19 NASCAR Cup Series races, champion of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series 2000 and Xfinity Series 2002.
Carl Edwards: Winner of 28 NASCAR Cup Series races and champion of Xfinity Series 2007.
Jeff Burton: Winner of 21 NASCAR Cup Series races and 27 races of 27 Xfinity Series.
Kurt Busch: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2004 and won 34 Cup races.
Kyle Busch: Two-time champion of NASCAR Cup Series champion, in 2015 and 2019, and winner of the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2009.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Winner of the NASCAR Cup Series 26 times, including two Daytona 500s. Also, back-to-back champion of Xfinity Series in 1998-99.
Chase Elliott: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2020 and Xfinity Series 2014.
Denny Hamlin: Winner of 49 NASCAR Cup Series races including three Daytona 500s, held in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
Kevin Harvick: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2014 and has 60 Cup wins. Two-time champion of Xfinity Series champion, in 2001 and 2006.
Ron Hornaday Jr.: Four-time champion of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion, in 1996, 1998, 2007 and 2009.
Jimmie Johnson – Remarkable Champion of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series, from 2006 to 2010, 2013 and 2016.
Kevin Harvick: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2014 and has 60 Cup wins. Two-time champion of Xfinity Series champion, in 2001 and 2006.
Sterling Marlin: Winner of 10 NASCAR Cup Series races including back-to-back Daytona 500s, in 1994 and 1995.
Ryan Newman: Winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 2008 Daytona 500, and 51 poles.
Bobby Labonte: Champion of NASCAR Cup Series 2000 and NASCAR Xfinity Series 1991.
Kasey Kahne: Winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races.
Randy LaJoie: Winner of NASCAR Xfinity Series championships, consecutively from 1996 to 1997.
Kyle Larson: Champion of NASCAR Cup Series 2021.
Joey Logano: Two-time champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, in 2018 and 2022 and won 32 Cup Series including the 2015 Daytona 500.
Kasey Kahne: Winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races.
Matt Kenseth: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2003, and won 39 Cup races including two Daytona 500s.
Brad Keselowski: Champion of NASCAR Cup Series 2012 and Xfinity Series 2010.
Sterling Marlin: Winner of 10 NASCAR Cup Series races including back-to-back Daytona 500s, in 1994 and 1995.
Mike Stefanik: Remarkable champion of nine NASCAR – seven Whelen Modified Tour, 1989, 1991, 1997-1998, 2001-2002 and 2006, and two East Series in 1997-1998.
Ryan Newman: Winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 2008 Daytona 500, and 51 poles.
Larry Phillips: Five-time champion of NASCAR Weekly Series champion, in 1989, 1991-1992, and 1995-1996.
Martin Truex Jr.: Champion of the NASCAR Cup Series 2017 and back-to-back of Xfinity Series, in 2004 and 2005.
Tony Stewart: Three-time champion of the NASCAR Cup Series, in 2002, 2005 and 2011.