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:
- "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.
Upon Jeff Gordon's retirement in 2015, none of the drivers on the list are active racers today in NASCAR
NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (as of February 1998)
| * = Deceased before February 1998 ceremony |
| ** = Deceased after February 1998 ceremony |
| NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee |
| Deceased & Hall of Fame as of December 2015. HOF opened 2010. |
See also
- 1998 in NASCAR
- List of all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners
- List of members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame
- List of NASCAR champions