NASCAR expanding its original "50 Greatest" list from 1998.
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.
Sterling Marlin poses with his 1994 Daytona 500-winning Chevy Lumina.
Brian ClearyGetty Images
Today’s Addition: Sterling Marlin
He didn’t win all that often, but it was always a big deal when Tennessee driver Sterling Marlin did win. That’s why the slow-talking, fast-driving, second-generation star has been named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
The son of Clifton “Coo Coo” Marlin, himself a long-time Cup Series regular, Sterling made 748 Cup starts between 1976 and his final season of 2009. He also made 77 Xfinity Series starts, winning twice in that series. His career resume shows a combined 12 victories in NASCAR-sanctioned events spread among seven series.
Among his 10 Cup victories were the 1994 and 1995 Daytona 500s in the familiar No. 4 Kodak Chevrolet of Morgan-McClure Racing. He also won a mid-summer race at Daytona Beach, plus twice at Talladega, twice more at Darlington, and once each at Michigan, Charlotte, and Las Vegas. Six of the 10 Cup victories came with Morgan-McClure, the other four with team owner Chip Ganassi.
He enjoyed five top-10 points seasons, his best in 1995 when he finished behind champion Jeff Gordon and runner-up Dale Earnhardt. Marlin won three times that season and backed it with nine top-5 finishes and 22 top-10s. He is fighting some well-publicized health issues and still lives in his hometown of Columbia, Tenn.
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, Coming Wednesday, April 19
Al Pearce Contributing Editor Unemployed after three years as an Army officer and Vietnam vet, Al Pearce shamelessly lied his way onto a small newspaper’s sports staff in Virginia in 1969.
Keyword: Sterling Marlin Named to NASCAR's "75 Greatest" List