List of NASCAR Cup Series champions

Soon after the advent of the modern era in 1972, the championship was decided by a more basic cumulative point total based solely upon a driver's finishing position in each race.

In order to reduce the possibility of a driver clinching before the final event, NASCAR implemented the "Chase for the Cup" in 2004 which, with minor modification from 2004 to 2013[3] and more radical changes in 2014,[4] stands as the current format.

[5] Overall, thirty-six different drivers have won the Championship,[2] with Richard Petty,[6] Dale Earnhardt,[7] and Jimmie Johnson holding the record for most titles at seven.

[9] Bill Rexford is the youngest Cup Series champion; he was 23 years, 7 months, and 15 days old when he won the title in 1950.

[10] Bobby Allison is the oldest Cup Series champion; he was 45 years, 11 months, and 17 days old when he won the championship in 1983.

The current NASCAR Cup Series trophy, the Bill France Cup
Richard Petty (1983 car shown) was the first to reach seven Drivers' Championships.
Dale Earnhardt (1994 car shown) was the second driver to reach seven Drivers' Championships.
Jimmie Johnson (2017 car shown) was the third driver to reach seven Drivers' Championships.
Jimmie Johnson (2008 car shown) won the Drivers' Championship a record five consecutive times from 2006 to 2010.