The 21-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series also won 27 times in Xfinity.
In 1998, during its 50th anniversary season, NASCAR unveiled what it considered its 50 greatest drivers. The list included most of the stars from the organization’s earliest years, many of whom eventually would find their way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame when it opened in 2010.
Beginning April 9, the sanctioning body will add 25 names to its “all-time” list as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. It is expected to name five drivers per week—most likely one per weekday—in the five weeks ending with the May 14th Goodyear 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
The newest group among the sport’s greatest drivers is being selected by a committee comprised of former drivers, team owners, industry personnel, NASCAR executives, and current and former media members. All 75—the original 50 class named 25 years ago and the new 25—will be recognized during Goodyear 400 pre-race ceremonies.
As NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998, company president Bill France called that group “the men who define the competition of our sport.” He added, “Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.”
The original “50 Greatest Drivers” were from the Modified, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series. The Craftsman Truck Series was too young to have had any “greatest drivers,” but that’s expected to change with this new group.
Today’s Addition: Jeff Burton
In 2013, Jeff Burton reached his 1,oo0th NASCAR start across all three series. When he was asked that day in Phoenix about which of the previous 999 he’ll remember the most, the affable Burton paused.
Jeff Burton celebrates his 1999 Southern 500 win at Darlington.
George TiedemannGetty Images
“I’ve done a terrible job of taking time to enjoy (my career),” he said. “My personality is that I’m always on to the next thing. Winning my first races in Nationwide and Cup were big races. Racing Kyle Busch at Las Vegas in a Nationwide car, a last-lap battle where I got by on the outside and he spun coming off turn four. It was fun… two guys racing hard. If I’d finished second or spun, it still would have been fun. Those experiences are really neat. Winning (twice) at Darlington in adverse conditions, rain delays. Winning (three) Winston ‘No Bull’ races (so) three fans also won a million bucks. It was cool being in Victory Lane with those fans winning that money.”
Burton went on to race part of one more season before retiring as a driver in 2014.
On Wednesday, Burton added one more career win to his list of accomplishments when was named to NASCAR’s “75 Greatest Drivers” list.
Burton’s career included no championships, but he did win 21 times in the Cup Series and 27 times in the Xfinity Series. His best finish in the championship was third in the Cup Series in 2000. He notched six of his Cup wins in 1999 for team owner Jack Roush and followed that season up with four wins in 2000.
Burton is one of 15 drivers to win the Coca-Cola 600 more than once (1999, 2001). He also had a big win in the Southern 500 at Darlington 1999 to end Jeff Gordon’s run of four straight Southern 500 triumphs.
NASCAR’S 50 Greatest Drivers
Selected in 1998
Bobby Allison
Davey Allison
Buck Baker
Buddy Baker
Geoff Bodine
Neil Bonnett
Red Byron
Jerry Cook
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Earnhardt
Bill Elliott
Richie Evans
Red Farmer
Tim Flock
A.J. Foyt
Harry Gant
Jeff Gordon
Ray Hendrick
Jack Ingram
Ernie Irvan
Bobby Isaac
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson
Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Fred Lorenzen
Tiny Lund
Mark Martin
Hershel McGriff
Cotton Owens
Marvin Panch
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Lee Petty
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond
Fireball Roberts
Ricky Rudd
Marshall Teague
Herb Thomas
Curtis Turner
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Joe Weatherly
Bob Welborn
Rex White
Glen Wood
Cale Yarborough
LeeRoy Yarbrough
The Next 25
Selected in 2023
(To be released one per weekday by NASCAR, in no particular order.)
51, Tony Stewart
52, Kasey Kahne
53, Mike Stefanik
54, Randy Lajoie
55, Kyle Larson
56, Greg Biffle
57, Sterling Marlin
58, Ryan Newman
59, Chase Elliott
60, Ron Hornaday
61, Jeff Burton
62, Coming April 27
Mike Pryson Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011.
Keyword: NASCAR Names Jeff Burton to '75 Greatest Drivers' List