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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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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Ned Jarrett

Starts prior: 113
Year of first championship: 1961

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Jeff Gordon

Starts prior: 93
Year of first championship: 1995

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Tim Flock

Starts prior: 80
Year of first championship: 1952

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Dale Earnhardt

Starts prior: 67
Year of first championship: 1980

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Herb Thomas

Starts prior: 52
Year of first championship: 1951

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Bill Rexford

Starts prior: 20
Year of first championship: 1950

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Red Byron

Starts prior: 6
Year of first championship: 1949