- NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
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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 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:
- "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
Bolded names are NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees.- Bobby Allison
- Davey Allison*
- Buck Baker*
- Buddy 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
- Ernie Irvan
- Bobby Isaac*
- 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*
External links
Categories:- NASCAR related lists
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