UNKNOWN – 1981: After winning the 1980 NASCAR Cup title in just his second full season on the circuit, the following season would be one of turmoil for Dale Earnhardt. He and his sponsor, Wrangler, would see the Pontiacs Earnhardt drove have three different owners during the year. After racing for Rod Osterlund in the first 16 events, the team was sold to Jim Stacy. After just four races with Stacy, Earnhardt and his sponsor moved to the Richard Childress operation for the rest of the year. The ride-hopping took its toll, as Earnhardt was shut out of victory lane, but still managed to finish seventh in Cup points. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

BACK TO GALLERIES

Fewest starts before first NASCAR Cup Series championship

By Staff Report | Published: 2 Nov, 2022 8

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BACK TO GALLERIES

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 09, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell will make his 108th career NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday at Phoenix — and he's racing for a championship. A title would rank Bell high on the list of Cup Series champions with the fewest career starts. Here's a look at the top seven — Bell would fit in between the first two drivers on the list, should he claim the 2022 title.

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UNKNOWN: Ned Jarrett won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 1961 and 1965, and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Ned Jarrett

Starts prior: 113
Year of first championship: 1961

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HAMPTON, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Driver Jeff Gordon celebrates winning the 1995 Winston Cup Championship after the NAPA 500 race on November 12, 1995 at the Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Dozier Mobley/Getty Images)

Dozier Mobley | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon

Starts prior: 93
Year of first championship: 1995

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UNKNOWN: Tim Flock won the NASCAR Cup Series title in 1952 and 1955, when he won a record 18 times. Richard Petty outdid the record in 1967 with 27 wins. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Tim Flock

Starts prior: 80
Year of first championship: 1952

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UNKNOWN – 1981: After winning the 1980 NASCAR Cup title in just his second full season on the circuit, the following season would be one of turmoil for Dale Earnhardt. He and his sponsor, Wrangler, would see the Pontiacs Earnhardt drove have three different owners during the year. After racing for Rod Osterlund in the first 16 events, the team was sold to Jim Stacy. After just four races with Stacy, Earnhardt and his sponsor moved to the Richard Childress operation for the rest of the year. The ride-hopping took its toll, as Earnhardt was shut out of victory lane, but still managed to finish seventh in Cup points. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

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Dale Earnhardt

Starts prior: 67
Year of first championship: 1980

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UNKNOWN: Herb Thomas won the NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) championship in both 1951 and 1953 behind the wheel of the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, as teammate to Marshall Teague. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

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Herb Thomas

Starts prior: 52
Year of first championship: 1951

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UNKNOWN: Bill France, Sr. (L) and Bill Rexford at an early NASCAR race. Rexford went on to become the champion for NASCARÕs Grand National division in 1950. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

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Bill Rexford

Starts prior: 20
Year of first championship: 1950

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 25, 1949: Red Byron campaigned the 1949 Raymond Parks Oldsmobile to the top at the 1949 100-miler at Martinsville for Strictly Stock (Cup) cars. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Red Byron

Starts prior: 6
Year of first championship: 1949