What’s Happening?

In NASCAR, the equipment the driver uses is just as important as the driver himself, and the one who supplies the equipment are the race teams. Many race teams have come and gone throughout the history of NASCAR, but, a select few have made the sport their own personal playground. These are the most successful race teams in NASCAR history.

• For this list, we will include all of the most important statistics that measure the success of a race team. This includes Wins, Championships, and top drivers.
• This list will span across all different eras of NASCAR history. Whether a modern race team or a team from years ago, all of them are eligible for this list.
• Fans often follow specific race teams instead of following specific drivers. As a result, these teams get large fanbases aside from just fans of certain drivers.

Team Penske

While more known for his success in IndyCar, Roger Penske has established himself as one of the top team owners in NASCAR history. With 139 wins and 4 Championships, Penske is every bit as good in NASCAR as he has in other motorsports. They don’t call him “The Captain” for nothing, and he has enjoyed immense success as a Cup Series team owner.

Richard Childress Racing

While RCR is not quite the beast it once was, RCR was the undisputed top team in the sport throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel. Even after Earnhardt tragically passed away, Kevin Harvick began etching a Hall of Fame career. Those 6 Championships cannot be disputed, and it shows just how great RCR has been historically.

Junior Johnson & Associates

The top team owner in the sport throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s was the late Junior Johnson. With Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough driving, Junior Johnson & Associates won 6 Championships in 10 seasons between 1976 and 1985, including 5 in 7 seasons from 1976 to 1982. While Johnson never brought home the Cup as a driver, he more than made up for it as a team owner.

Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs is a 3-time Super Bowl-winning NFL Head Coach, and he’s turned around and become just as successful as a NASCAR team owner. His story is an absolutely incredible feat and a pretty wild life lived. JGR has become the Toyota flagship team since they partnered up in 2008, and that’s only added to the legacy.

Petty Enterprises

While many motorsports pioneers participated for fun, the Petty Family built a genuine family business out of motorsports. They were great at it too by winning 268 races and 10 Championships between Lee Petty and his son Richard. While the Petty Enterprises of old is no longer in the sport, the iconic No. 43 car still graces the track every week.

Hendrick Motorsports

Rick Hendrick has taken his race team to heights that no one ever thought a team could reach. With over 300 victories, multiple Hall of Fame-caliber drivers, and a record 14 Championships, HMS is the undisputed best team in NASCAR history. The best part is, that their story is still being written.

These race teams have etched their own legacy into NASCAR, and they have fielded cars for some of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. These team owners are in an elite group.