Winning is what it’s all about. Drivers might be friendly during the week, but when the green flag drops, it’s all about being number one. Every weekend, these good-ole boys tighten up their chin straps and gave it their all. These are the best.

1. Richard Petty
For over 3 decades, Petty compiled 200 wins, 7 NASCAR championships, as well as 7 Daytona 500 wins – they don’t call him “The King” for nothing. These 200 wins might have given him a record that will never be broken. As retirement loomed, Petty Enterprises was formed, he just couldn’t leave this sport he loved.

2. David Pearson
Known as a “very smooth” driver, he tended to hang back until the end of the race and then charge ahead to the front. Also known as “The Silver Fox” – he won 105 races, as well as 3 championships (they were called the Grand Nationals back then). What’s interesting about his championship seasons is that they came in the only years which he ran a full schedule.

3. Bobby Allison
This member of “The Alabama Gang” compiled 84 wins, along with one championship in 1983. Although he won 3 Daytona 500’s, none was more special than the one in 1988, where he finished 1-2 with his son Davey. His life as a champion was hard though. Not only did major head injury force him to end his racing career, but his sons Clifford and Davey both died within a year of each other.

4.Darrell Waltrip
One of the best short-track drivers of all-time, his outspoken way earned him the nickname “Jaws”. He wasn’t a very popular driver early in his career, but he has plenty of fans now. After a career including 84 wins and 3 championships, you can now see him on TV as a commentator. He and his brother Michael hold the distinction as the only siblings to both win the Daytona 500.

5. Cale Yarborough
Cale found his way to 83 NASCAR wins and three straight championships (from 76 to ’78) racing for legend Junior Johnson. After leaving the Johnson team, he ran a limited schedule; but still managed to win a few more Daytona 500’s (giving him four for his career). He also still holds the record for most pole positions is a single year with 14.

6. Jeff Gordon
After starting his career in 1995, he promptly became the youngest driver in history to win 50 races. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 4 championships, as well as 82 victories (at last count). In fact, he repeated as champion twice in his career; only time will tell how far he will go.

7. Dale Earnhardt
The man known as “The Intimidator” revolutionized our sport – it was exciting before, but he made it more so. As he bumped, sideswiped and forced himself to the lead (using opponents anger against them) he earned 76 wins and 7 championships. In all of his wins however, none was more satisfying than his ’98 win at Daytona. But although the track brought him that one elusive victory he had been longing for, three years later it would take his life.

8. Rusty Wallace
With his 55 wins (and the championship in 1989) he ranks seventh on the all-time list. Always a winner growing up, his chance came in 1984 from car owner Cliff Stewart; this produced the Rookie of the Year Award. Rusty is an accomplished pilot, and had it not been for his love of racing, would have flown for a living. Recently retired, he now owns his own racing team.

9. Lee Petty
The father of “The King” didn’t start his racing career until the age of 35; even so he became the first 3-peater in NASCAR history (1954, 1958, and 1959). Not only did he drive his way to these championships, but he was the crew chief as well. As he won his 54 races (placing him eighth), he helped pave the way of the sport we now love.

10. Ned Jarrett
This 2-time champion (called the Grand Nationals back then) once drove under an assumed name, standing in for a sick friend he came in second. His first championship came in 1961, but his career really didn’t take-off until ’65 as he won 13 races. Jarrett is also credited with the largest margin of victory (by miles) in the history of NASCAR with a 14 lap win at Darlington.

Source: HELIUM