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Daytona experts count down NASCAR's all-time Top 75 drivers: 61 through 75 list

ken willis and ryan pritt, the daytona beach news-journal
·4 min read
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This year, NASCAR is celebrating the 75th season for its top racing series — originally known as the “Strictly Stock” division and now known as the Cup Series.

Keeping with the theme, the News-Journal’s motorsports writers — Ryan Pritt and Ken Willis — have compiled their list of the top 75 Cup Series drivers in NASCAR history. The rankings are based on many factors, of course, with weight given to career wins and championships, but also big numbers gathered in a short period of time or steady success over longer periods.

We will release a group of 15 over five days, beginning with today’s list of No. 61 through No. 75. Remember, Cup Series only, which will explain the omission of notables such as Richie Evans, Red Farmer and Jack Ingram.

75. Red Byron

Cannonball Baker (left) congratulates Red Byron after Byron won the 1948 race at Daytona.
Cannonball Baker (left) congratulates Red Byron after Byron won the 1948 race at Daytona.

Years active: 1949-51

Wins: 2

Also: Was NASCAR’s original “strictly stock” champ in 1949, when he got both career wins in six starts. In NASCAR’s debut season of 1948, featuring modifieds, Byron also won that championship. A WWII leg injury hampered his longevity and he quit at 35, turning to sports-car racing as an owner and team manager.

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74. Ryan Blaney

More scenes like this are expected from Ryan Blaney.
More scenes like this are expected from Ryan Blaney.

Years active: 2014-present

Wins: 7

Also: A winless 2022 followed a three-win 2021. When someone does a top-100 list in 25 years, he might be anywhere from near the top to near the bottom. Remains a star-in-waiting.

73. Marshall Teague

Years active: 1949-52

Wins: 7

Also: Daytona Beach's homegrown racer had seven wins in 19 starts in 1951-52, driving the Fabulous Hudson Hornet prepared by Smokey Yunick in his garage along the Halifax River. Racing in rival leagues (USAC, AAA) got him banned from NASCAR after ’52. He had 19 wins in 70 starts between USAC and AAA during that time.

72. Cotton Owens

Years active: 1950-64

Wins: 9

Also: Closest he came to a full-time season was 1959, and he finished second to Lee Petty for the championship. Had 38 wins as a team owner, including 27 with David Pearson driving.

71. Jim Reed

Jim Reed
Jim Reed

Years active: 1951-63

Wins: 7

Also: His 17 starts in 1958 were a career high, and he won four of them. Won three of 14 starts in ’59, including the Southern 500 at Darlington.

70. Bob Welborn

Years active: 1952-64

Wins: 9

Also: His nine wins came in 51 starts between 1957-59. Had 102 top-10s in 183 career starts.

69. Paul Goldsmith

Paul Goldsmith next to his racing machine in 1957.
Paul Goldsmith next to his racing machine in 1957.

Years active: 1956-69

Wins: 9

Also: Always running a partial schedule, "Goldy" had nine wins and 59 top-10s in just 127 starts. Won the last race on Daytona’s beach-and-road course (1958), and also had a pair of top-five Indy 500 finishes.

68. Kyle Petty

Kyle Petty
Kyle Petty

Years active: 1979-2008

Wins: 8

Also: Finished fifth in the standings in both 1992-93. From 1990-93, had 50 top-10s in 107 starts.

67. Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2012.
Clint Bowyer celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2012.

Years active: 2005-20

Wins: 10

Also: Finished fifth or better three times in championship chases. Best year was 2012, when he had three wins and 23 top-10s.

66.  Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray (right) celebrates with team owner Chip Ganassi after winning the Daytona 500 in 2010.
Jamie McMurray (right) celebrates with team owner Chip Ganassi after winning the Daytona 500 in 2010.

Years active: 2002-21

Wins: 7

Also: When he won, he made it count: Daytona 500, Coke 600 (twice), Brickyard 400, and the three other wins were split between Daytona and Talladega.

65. Darel Dieringer

Years active: 1957-76

Wins: 7

Also: Most of his career was run in the mid-’60s. Finished third in 1965 championship, won three times the following year, and won the Southern 500 the next year.

64. Alan Kulwicki

Alan Kulwicki celebrates after winning the 1992 Winston Cup Championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Alan Kulwicki celebrates after winning the 1992 Winston Cup Championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Years active: 1985-93

Wins: 5

Championship: 1992

Also: His 1992 “Underbird” championship was one of the biggest longshot stories in NASCAR history. Died the following spring in a plane crash.

63. Sterling Marlin

Sterling Marlin, right, with dad Coo Coo at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 1976.
Sterling Marlin, right, with dad Coo Coo at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 1976.

Years active: 1976-2009

Wins: 10

Also: Won back-to-back Daytona 500s in 1994-95 for first two career wins, and was the man to beat at plate races for several years. Was finally chasing a title in 2002 when a broken neck ended his season.

62. Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman racked up 18 career victories including the 2008 Daytona 500.
Ryan Newman racked up 18 career victories including the 2008 Daytona 500.

Years active: 2000-21

Wins: 18

Also: Had 12 wins and 34 poles in his first four full-time seasons (2002-05). Won the 2008 Daytona 500.

61. Greg Biffle

Two of Greg Biffle's 19 victories came at Texas Motor Speedway.
Two of Greg Biffle's 19 victories came at Texas Motor Speedway.

Years active: 2002-22

Wins: 19

Also: Best year was 2005 win he won six races and finished second in the championship. Won the 2002 Busch Series title.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR drivers best all time: List of 61-75 includes Clint Bowyer