Top 10 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR History
Three Part Series from Different NASCAR Era's
Part Three: Chase Era
By Richard Tix
The last of the three part series ranking the greats in NASCAR history. Part on looked at the All-Time greats, which included everyone except current drivers. Part two took a look at drivers during the "Modern Era" which included everyone from 1972 until Present day. Part three will take a look at the Chase Era before the "New Chase." So, from 2004-2013 or 10 season's. A fourth ranking will come once we get into the newest Era in the Chase a bit further and this will be a four part series (Stats are only during the 2004-2013 seasons and that is also how the rankings were decided. Season's 2014 and 2015 have been left out as it is a new era).
10. Greg Biffle
Top 5: 82
Top 10: 151
Chase Appearances: 6
Championships: 0
The past 10 seasons Greg Biffle has been a top tier driver in NASCAR. He has had 18 wins during the Chase Era which is the 9th most during that span. He shows up at the last spot however because he has not been consistently great. Biffle has been to the Chase 6 of the 10 years but has yet to win. He has however placed in the top 3 two times which earns him a spot on this list.
9. Kevin Harvick
Top 5: 78
Top 10: 167
Chase Appearances: 7
Championships: 0
Kevin Harvick just came off a pretty good season in 2013 and is now moving on with SHR, but he has yet to find the holy grail, a Championship. However, Harvick has finished in the top 3 three different times in his 7 Chase appearances. Maybe a change in scenery will help him finally get over the hump and compete for a Championship?
8. Denny Hamlin
Top 5: 84
Top 10: 136
Chase Appearances: 7
Championships: 0
Denny Hamlin has made the Chase in 7 of his 8 full time seasons. Actually, if it wasn't for an injury holding him back he probably would have made it 8 of 8 this season. One would have a very valid argument to have DH higher, but it is tough competition. He has 23 wins (6th), 84 top 5's (7th), and 136 top 10's (12th) during this time frame but has yet to win a title. Denny has finished in the top 3 in standings twice in his career. In a few years he could sky rocket up this list, but right now it is just too early in his career.
7. Kurt Busch
Top 5: 76
Top 10: 150
Chase Appearances: 7
Championships: 1
Should someone hold the fact that Kurt had two season's almost wasted at smaller teams which hurts some of his overall stats? Well, at NASCAR Behind the Wall I did weigh some of my decision on that. I came to this decision because for the most part Kurt put himself in that situation. But at the same time he is trying to dig himself out of it and has just landed at SHR and another chance. Just like Denny, he could move up this list fast in the next few years. He is our first Champion on the list, but has four non Champions ahead of him (during the Chase Era, Kenseth's was in 2003 one season before and Gordon's all before that). Like I said, this can change, and because he has a Championship it can change very fast. He drove the heck out of the Furniture Row Car last year which gives him even more credibility as a wheel man.
6. Kyle Busch
Top 5: 109
Top 10: 163
Chase Appearances: 6
Championships: 0
Kyle Busch's career has been either hot or cold. Much of it has been on the "hot" side but unfortunately when it comes to the Chase itself he has been on the cold side. But these rankings aren't just based on Chase results, lucky him. During this Chase Era he has won 28 times, had 109 top 5's, and 163 top 10's all in 9 full time seasons which is why he found himself right outside the top 10. He has some of the best up side of anyone on this list, but the fact that in his 6 Chase appearances he has yet to finish in the top 3 has held him back.
5. Matt Kenseth
Top 5: 107
Top 10: 162
Chase Appearances: 9
Championships: 0
Yes, Kenseth has a Championship, No it wasn't during the Chase Era. Sorry Matt, this hurts you a bit, but you still just made the top 10. Kenseth may not have won a Championship during this Era but he has made 9 of 10 Chase's. He also has finished runner up twice in those 9 times and looks to be a year to year contender at Joe Gibbs Racing.
4. Carl Edwards
Top 5: 101
Top 10: 173
Chase Appearances: 7
Championships: 0
Carl has been running full time for 9 of the 10 Chase seasons and has made it to 7 of them. The fact is, a few of those years he should have won a Championship (2011 he technically tied Tony Stewart, and if the Chase had not existed he would have won the title). Looking at the 10 year Chase Era he is definitely a contender, but since the Gen-6 came along last year Ford hasn't been as dominate and has hurt. Right now he would be considered to be slipping on this list, but has a chance to turn it around (as long as he has the tie breaker this time around).
3. Jeff Gordon
Top 5: 131
Top 10: 201
Chase Appearances: 9
Championships: 0
Should anyone be more bitter about the Chase Era then Jeff Gordon? If the Chase would never have been brought in Gordon would have won another Championship or two and he would be the Hendrick driver with 6 Titles trying to join Petty and Earnhardt. Instead he has 4 total and none during the Chase Era. However, he still has made it to the Chase 9 out of 10 years, 24 wins, 131 top 5's, 201 top 10's, and finished in the top 3 three times. He might be on the back stretch of his career, but he still might have one last shot in him.
2. Tony Stewart
Top 5: 113
Top 10: 185
Chase Appearances: 8
Championships: 2
Smoke has been one of the best drivers of the Chase Era even if he misses half a season because of a broken leg. He has made it to the Chase 8 of the 10 seasons (hurt in 2013 and missed it) and won the Sprint Cup twice. He has the second most wins, the second most top 5's, and second most top 10's during this time only behind Jimmie Johnson. Well, I guess that only means that he can be second on this list to....Jimmie Johnson.
1. Jimmie Johnson
Top 5: 162
Top 10: 231
Chase Appearances: 10
Championships: 6
Really, if you are only counting the Chase Era, there is no way you can put anyone else in this spot. He has 29 more wins than anyone during this time, 31 more top 5's, and 30 more to 10's. Not to mention this little thing called a Championship, yeah he has 6 of them. Only two other guys on this list even have a Championship during that time (Smoke and Kurt) and only four of the drivers have one period (anytime in there career. Gordon, Smoke, Kurt, and Kenseth). It is safe to say that Jimmie Johnson has a spot on this list for many years to come, even if the next era doesn't come for another 100 years, he has been that good.
Well that's the end of this three part series. Take a look back at the other two here:
EDIT: A fourth and possible fifth ranking will eventually come. NBTW will for sure touch on a "New Chase Era" rankings that started in 2014. I may also touch on a full Chase Era ranking (2004-Present) which would include the old Chase and New Chase.
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