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Drivers under 30 to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship
By Staff Report | Monday, November 9, 2020
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Chase Elliott's win at Phoenix Raceway to claim the NASCAR Cup Series title puts him on a prestigious list as a driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship before turning 30 years old. There are just 14 such instances among 12 drivers in NASCAR history. Read on to see them all.
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Bill Rexford, 1950: 23 years, 7 months, 15 days
The championship race in 1950 was thrilling. Rexford suffered engine issues early in the race, which opened the door for Fireball Roberts. If Roberts finished fifth or better, the title was his. While leading the race, Roberts' engine failed on Lap 126. The race, which was scheduled to go 200 laps, was called at Lap 175 for darkness. Rexford's 26th-place finish was enough to help him become the youngest driver to win the championship.
The championship race in 1950 was thrilling. Rexford suffered engine issues early in the race, which opened the door for Fireball Roberts. If Roberts finished fifth or better, the title was his. While leading the race, Roberts' engine failed on Lap 126. The race, which was scheduled to go 200 laps, was called at Lap 175 for darkness. Rexford's 26th-place finish was enough to help him become the youngest driver to win the championship.
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Jeff Gordon, 1995: 24 years, 3 months, 8 days
In just his third full-time season, Gordon earned seven victories and eight pole positions en route to his first of four career titles.
In just his third full-time season, Gordon earned seven victories and eight pole positions en route to his first of four career titles.
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Chase Elliott, 2020: 24 years, 11 months, 11 days
Elliott made this list and another prestigious one with his championship win in Phoenix -- he and father Bill Elliott became just the third father-son duo to win a NASCAR Cup Series title.
Elliott made this list and another prestigious one with his championship win in Phoenix -- he and father Bill Elliott became just the third father-son duo to win a NASCAR Cup Series title.
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Jeff Gordon, 1997: 26 years, 3 months, 12 days
Gordon began the 1997 season with a Daytona 500 victory and bookended it with his second championship. The now retired driver is one of only five drivers to win both the 500 and the title in the same season.
Gordon began the 1997 season with a Daytona 500 victory and bookended it with his second championship. The now retired driver is one of only five drivers to win both the 500 and the title in the same season.
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Kurt Busch, 2004: 26 years, 3 months, 17 days
The championship finale in 2004 was one for the ages. It was a tight, three-way battle for the title between Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon in the inaugural year of what is now the NASCAR Playoffs. Busch's right-front tire fell off his car and he nearly hit the pit-road entrance wall head on as a result. Despite the incident, Busch battled back, finished fifth and earned his first title.
The championship finale in 2004 was one for the ages. It was a tight, three-way battle for the title between Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon in the inaugural year of what is now the NASCAR Playoffs. Busch's right-front tire fell off his car and he nearly hit the pit-road entrance wall head on as a result. Despite the incident, Busch battled back, finished fifth and earned his first title.
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Jeff Gordon, 1998: 27 years, 3 months, 4 days
Gordon's 1998 season was nothing short of jaw-dropping. The stats speak for themselves: 13 wins, 26 top fives, 28 top 10s and an average finish of 5.7.
Gordon's 1998 season was nothing short of jaw-dropping. The stats speak for themselves: 13 wins, 26 top fives, 28 top 10s and an average finish of 5.7.
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Richard Petty, 1964: 27 years, 4 months, 6 days
Petty recorded nine victories on his way to his first of seven championships, a record he shares with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson.
Petty recorded nine victories on his way to his first of seven championships, a record he shares with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson.
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Terry Labonte, 1984: 28 years, 0 months, 2 days
Labonte only scored two victories during his 1984 championship season, winning at Riverside Speedway after starting from the pole and at Bristol. Labonte would go on to win a second and final title with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
Labonte only scored two victories during his 1984 championship season, winning at Riverside Speedway after starting from the pole and at Bristol. Labonte would go on to win a second and final title with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
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Joey Logano, 2018: 28 years, 5 months, 25 days
An "old" 28 years of age, Logano sped to his first championship in his 10th full-time season in NASCAR's big leagues. He won two of the final four races, including the finale, peaking when it mattered most.
An "old" 28 years of age, Logano sped to his first championship in his 10th full-time season in NASCAR's big leagues. He won two of the final four races, including the finale, peaking when it mattered most.
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Tim Flock, 1952: 28 years, 6 months, 19 days
Tim Flock and defending champion Herb Thomas battled all season for the championship, each driver winning eight races. Flock's measured consistency allowed him to hold off Thomas for his first title.
Tim Flock and defending champion Herb Thomas battled all season for the championship, each driver winning eight races. Flock's measured consistency allowed him to hold off Thomas for his first title.
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Herb Thomas, 1951: 28 years, 7 months, 19 days
A breakout year for Herb Thomas (right in the photo) was the first of five consecutive seasons in which the driver finished in the top five in the points standings.
A breakout year for Herb Thomas (right in the photo) was the first of five consecutive seasons in which the driver finished in the top five in the points standings.
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Brad Keselowski, 2012: 28 years, 9 months, 6 days
Keselowski's maturation as a driver was evident in his compelling 2012 season. An average finish of 10.1 (still the best of his career) catapulted him to the front of the standings, and he won five times. Second in points with two races to go, Keselowski outpaced Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer to set off a celebration for the ages.
Keselowski's maturation as a driver was evident in his compelling 2012 season. An average finish of 10.1 (still the best of his career) catapulted him to the front of the standings, and he won five times. Second in points with two races to go, Keselowski outpaced Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer to set off a celebration for the ages.
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Ned Jarrett, 1961: 29 years, 0 months, 17 days
The first of two career titles, Jarrett won just once in 1961, but he banked enough points over the 52-race schedule to top Rex White.
The first of two career titles, Jarrett won just once in 1961, but he banked enough points over the 52-race schedule to top Rex White.
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Dale Earnhardt, 1980: 29 years, 6 months, 17 days
Five wins were enough to land Earnhardt an out-of-nowhere title, one which set the stage for six more to come. Consecutive wins at Martinsville and Charlotte late in the season buoyed Earnhardt in the points race. He finished 19 points ahead of Cale Yarborough (under the old points system).
Five wins were enough to land Earnhardt an out-of-nowhere title, one which set the stage for six more to come. Consecutive wins at Martinsville and Charlotte late in the season buoyed Earnhardt in the points race. He finished 19 points ahead of Cale Yarborough (under the old points system).
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