BACK TO GALLERIES
No. 17: Drivers through the years
By Pat DeCola | Published: June 3, 2022 12
NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Zane Smith will make his first career NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday, subbing for Chris Buescher in the No. 17 Ford. The No. 17 has a rich history in NASCAR and also with Jack Roush in particular. Read on to see some of the most famous names to pilot it throughout NASCAR history.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Though more famous for his exploits behind the wheel of the No. 11, NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett started one race in the No. 17. The 50-time winner piloted a Studebaker entry in 1954 at Hickory Speedway, taking home an 18th-place finish.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Jarrett wasn't the only Hall of Famer to pilot the ride that year, however. Junior Johnson made
two starts in 1954, landing the pole at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway but only notching a best finish of 33rd.
two starts in 1954, landing the pole at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway but only notching a best finish of 33rd.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Though his racing career was not as prolific as those of his son and grandson, Ralph Earnhardt still had big moments. One of them was piloting a No. 17 entry in the 1963 Southern 500, one of NASCAR's crown jewel events. It was his only start behind the wheel of that car.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
A theme on this list, another NASCAR Hall of Famer took a turn behind the wheel with the best success to date at that point. David Pearson piloted the ride from 1967-71, amassing 140 starts and 30 wins.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Following just nine starts total for the car number from 1972-74 after Pearson hopped out, one of its longest-tenured driver soon hopped in. Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip drove the car in 1975 and then again from 1987-1998, taking a trip to the Nashville Speedway Victory Lane from the pole in '75 before piling up 14 wins in his second stint.
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Dozier Mobley | Getty Images
Bill Elliott in the No. 17? Awesome! Yep, this Hall of Famer took a turn in the Ol' 1-7 as well, making five starts in 1979 -- even finishing runner-up in that year's Southern 500 to Pearson.
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Jon Ferrey | Allsport
Though more of a fan favorite than Hall of Famer, Sterling Marlin's first full-time campaign at the Cup level came in the No. 17. He notched one top 10 at Dover in his rookie year of 1983.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Though he never won, David Ragan's father, Ken, made 50 starts at the Cup level -- six of which were in the No. 17. Ragan ran the 1985 Daytona 500 in the ride and had a best finish of 17th at Michigan.
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Jerry Markland | Getty Images
With one driver and just one start (Ron Hornaday Jr. in 1998) separating them, Waltrip essentially handed off his Hall of Fame career to another future one in Matt Kenseth. The recently elected driver made a handful of starts in 1999 before coming on full time in 2000. Kenseth picked up his first win that year (in the Coca-Cola 600), won the title in 2003 and racked up 24 of his 39 career victories driving Jack Roush's No. 17.
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Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Following Kenseth's departure to Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2012 season, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -- coming off two straight Xfinity Series titles -- jumped into the No. 17. Stenhouse picked up a pair of wins in 2017 and established himself as one of the sport's most aggressive, all-on-the-line drivers, particularly on superspeedways.
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Chris Buescher is the current full-time driver of the No. 17 Ford, and has been since the start of the 2020 season. In two-plus full-time seasons, Buescher has three top-five finishes and 19 top 10s.