Which NASCAR Drivers Have the Most Cup Series Championships?

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Three drivers share the record for the most NASCAR Cup Series championships: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson, with seven each. Jeff Gordon is next with four.

With his 2026 title, Kyle Larson became the 11th driver to win at least three Cup championships, and the seventh with exactly three.

Seven Titles: The Record

• Richard Petty (7): 1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979
• Dale Earnhardt (7): 1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
• Jimmie Johnson (7): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016

Johnson’s five straight titles from 2006 to 2010 are the longest championship streak in Cup history.

Four Titles

• Jeff Gordon (4): 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001

Three Titles

• Lee Petty: 1954, 1958, 1959
• David Pearson: 1966, 1968, 1969
• Cale Yarborough: 1976, 1977, 1978
• Darrell Waltrip: 1981, 1982, 1985
• Tony Stewart: 2002, 2005, 2011
• Joey Logano: 2018, 2022, 2024
• Kyle Larson: 2021, 2025, 2026

Two Titles

Herb Thomas, Tim Flock, Buck Baker, Ned Jarrett, Joe Weatherly, Terry Labonte and Kyle Busch each won two Cup championships.

‘More People Have Walked on the Moon’

Before the 2026 finale, Jeff Burton put three titles in perspective: “More people have walked on the moon than won three Cup championships.” Twelve people have walked on the moon. Even with Larson, 11 drivers have three or more Cup titles.

Active Drivers With the Most Titles

Larson and Logano lead active drivers with three championships each. Ryan Blaney (2023), Chase Elliott (2020) and Brad Keselowski (2012) each have one.

Larson, 34, is signed with Hendrick Motorsports through 2031. Gordon has said he’s “pretty confident” Larson will pass his four titles, and Denny Hamlin called seven “feasible” if Larson reaches five or six by 40.

See the full list of NASCAR Cup champions by year.