Drivers to win five times in first 12 races

Since the modern era of NASCAR began in 1972, there have been just nine instances of a driver winning five times in the first 12 races of a season. That group is made up of just eight drivers. Ever. It's a group that now includes Kevin Harvick, who won Saturday at Kansas. Scroll through to see the list of legends he joins to have at least five wins in a season's first 12 races.

1973: David Pearson, 5 wins (Rockingham, Atlanta, Darlington, Martinsville, Talladega)

1974: Cale Yarborough, 5 wins (Riverside, Bristol, Atlanta, Martinsville, Dover)

1975: Richard Petty, 5 wins (Richmond, Bristol, Atlanta, North Wilkesboro, Martinsville)
*Went on to win title

1977: Cale Yarborough, 6 wins (Daytona, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, Bristol, Martinsville, Dover)
*Went on to win title

1982: Darrell Waltrip, 5 wins (Bristol, Atlanta, North Wilkesboro, Talladega, Nashville)
*Went on to win title

1985: Bill Elliott, 5 wins (Daytona, Atlanta, Darlington, Talladega, Dover)

1987: Dale Earnhardt, 6 wins (Rockingham, Richmond, Darlington, North Wilkesboro, Bristol, Martinsville)
*Went on to win title

1997: Jeff Gordon, 5 wins (Daytona, Rockingham, Bristol, Martinsville, Charlotte)
*Went on to win title

2018: Kevin Harvick, 5 wins (Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dover, Kansas)