NASCAR has crowned a Cup Series champion every year since 1949. The title is decided by a scoring system that awards drivers points based on race results throughout the season. Although several drivers have won multiple championships, there's only one who earned the nickname "The King."
Richard Petty is considered the most successful driver in NASCAR history, winning 200 career Cup Series races from 1958 to 1992. Petty hoisted seven Cup Series championships in his career.
Kyle Larson took home his third title in 2026, after previously winning the championship in 2021 and 2025. Take a look at the drivers who have won the most NASCAR Cup Series championships below:
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▪︎ Jimmie Johnson: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016
▪︎ Dale Earnhardt: 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
▪︎ Richard Petty: 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979
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▪︎ Jeff Gordon: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001
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▪︎ Kyle Larson: 2026, 2025, 2021
▪︎ Joey Logano: 2018, 2022, 2024
▪︎ Tony Stewart: 2002, 2005, 2011
▪︎ Darrell Waltrip: 1981, 1982, 1985
▪︎ Cale Yarborough: 1976, 1977, 1978
▪︎ David Pearson: 1966, 1968, 1969
▪︎ Lee Petty: 1954, 1958, 1959
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▪︎ Kyle Busch: 2015, 2019
▪︎ Terry Labonte: 1984, 1996
▪︎ Ned Jarrett: 1961, 1965
▪︎ Joe Weatherly: 1962, 1963
▪︎ Buck Baker: 1956, 1957
▪︎ Tim Flock: 1952, 1955
▪︎ Herb Thomas: 1951, 1953
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