"Worst" Driver to win a Cup Championship in the past 30 years (1987-)

downnice

downnice

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First of all any Nascar driver to win a cup title is a elite driver and I am not trying to throw shade at anyone's career.

So from 1987 to today who in your opinion is the weakest driver to win a championship? This is not who had the weakest season and won a championship but is looking at a drivers career in whole

For me sadly I have to pick Bobby Labonte, Very good driver in his prime but his career average finsih is 19.6 and after 2003 he really fell off.
 
I'd have to second the Bobby Labonte pick. He really only had two great seasons (1999 and 2000), but wasn't really a championship caliber driver in any other season.
 
http://racing-reference.info/wc.htm


2017 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2016 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Chase Elliott Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Toyota
2015 36 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Adam Stevens Brett Moffitt Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2014 36 Kevin Harvick Stewart Haas Racing Rodney Childers Kyle Larson Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2013 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2012 36 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe Stephen Leicht Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2011 36 Tony Stewart Stewart Haas Racing Darian Grubb Andy Lally Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2010 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Kevin Conway Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2009 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Joey Logano Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2008 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Regan Smith Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2007 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Juan Pablo Montoya Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2006 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Denny Hamlin Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2005 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Kyle Busch Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2004 36 Kurt Busch Jack Roush Jimmy Fennig Kasey Kahne Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2003 36 Matt Kenseth Jack Roush Robbie Reiser Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2002 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Ryan Newman Bill Elliott Ford
2001 36 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Robbie Loomis Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
2000 34 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Jimmy Makar Matt Kenseth Bill Elliott Ford
1999 34 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Todd Parrott Tony Stewart Bill Elliott Ford
1998 33 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Kenny Irwin, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1997 32 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Mike Skinner Bill Elliott Ford
1996 31 Terry Labonte Rick Hendrick Gary DeHart Johnny Benson, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1995 31 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Ricky Craven Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1994 31 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Burton Bill Elliott Ford
1993 30 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Gordon Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1992 29 Alan Kulwicki Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Jimmy Hensley Bill Elliott Ford
1991 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Bobby Hamilton Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1990 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Rob Moroso Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1989 29 Rusty Wallace Raymond Beadle Barry Dodson Dick Trickle Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1988 29 Bill Elliott Harry Melling Ernie Elliott Ken Bouchard Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1987 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine


There are no "worst" people on this list.
 
aunty dive said:
http://racing-reference.info/wc.htm


2017 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2016 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Chase Elliott Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Toyota
2015 36 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Adam Stevens Brett Moffitt Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2014 36 Kevin Harvick Stewart Haas Racing Rodney Childers Kyle Larson Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2013 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2012 36 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe Stephen Leicht Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2011 36 Tony Stewart Stewart Haas Racing Darian Grubb Andy Lally Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2010 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Kevin Conway Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2009 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Joey Logano Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2008 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Regan Smith Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2007 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Juan Pablo Montoya Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2006 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Denny Hamlin Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2005 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Kyle Busch Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2004 36 Kurt Busch Jack Roush Jimmy Fennig Kasey Kahne Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2003 36 Matt Kenseth Jack Roush Robbie Reiser Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2002 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Ryan Newman Bill Elliott Ford
2001 36 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Robbie Loomis Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
2000 34 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Jimmy Makar Matt Kenseth Bill Elliott Ford
1999 34 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Todd Parrott Tony Stewart Bill Elliott Ford
1998 33 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Kenny Irwin, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1997 32 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Mike Skinner Bill Elliott Ford
1996 31 Terry Labonte Rick Hendrick Gary DeHart Johnny Benson, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1995 31 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Ricky Craven Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1994 31 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Burton Bill Elliott Ford
1993 30 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Gordon Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1992 29 Alan Kulwicki Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Jimmy Hensley Bill Elliott Ford
1991 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Bobby Hamilton Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1990 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Rob Moroso Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1989 29 Rusty Wallace Raymond Beadle Barry Dodson Dick Trickle Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1988 29 Bill Elliott Harry Melling Ernie Elliott Ken Bouchard Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1987 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine


There are no "worst" people on this list.
Click to expand...
That should be a "25" next to Kyle Busch's name. ;)
 
aunty dive said:
http://racing-reference.info/wc.htm


2017 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2016 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Chase Elliott Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Toyota
2015 36 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Adam Stevens Brett Moffitt Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2014 36 Kevin Harvick Stewart Haas Racing Rodney Childers Kyle Larson Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2013 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2012 36 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe Stephen Leicht Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2011 36 Tony Stewart Stewart Haas Racing Darian Grubb Andy Lally Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2010 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Kevin Conway Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2009 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Joey Logano Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2008 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Regan Smith Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2007 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Juan Pablo Montoya Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2006 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Denny Hamlin Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2005 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Kyle Busch Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2004 36 Kurt Busch Jack Roush Jimmy Fennig Kasey Kahne Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2003 36 Matt Kenseth Jack Roush Robbie Reiser Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2002 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Ryan Newman Bill Elliott Ford
2001 36 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Robbie Loomis Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
2000 34 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Jimmy Makar Matt Kenseth Bill Elliott Ford
1999 34 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Todd Parrott Tony Stewart Bill Elliott Ford
1998 33 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Kenny Irwin, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1997 32 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Mike Skinner Bill Elliott Ford
1996 31 Terry Labonte Rick Hendrick Gary DeHart Johnny Benson, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1995 31 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Ricky Craven Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1994 31 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Burton Bill Elliott Ford
1993 30 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Gordon Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1992 29 Alan Kulwicki Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Jimmy Hensley Bill Elliott Ford
1991 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Bobby Hamilton Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1990 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Rob Moroso Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1989 29 Rusty Wallace Raymond Beadle Barry Dodson Dick Trickle Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1988 29 Bill Elliott Harry Melling Ernie Elliott Ken Bouchard Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1987 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine


There are no "worst" people on this list.
Click to expand...

Again I am not saying any of those drivers are bad drivers, all I am trying to say is who is the weakest driver on that exclusive list.....
 
downnice said:
Again I am not saying any of those drivers are bad drivers, all I am trying to say is who is the weakest driver on that exclusive list.....
Click to expand...
Again, there are no "worst" guy's on the list.

Weak? Really?
 
downnice said:
First of all any Nascar driver to win a cup title is a elite driver and I am not trying to throw shade at anyone's career.

So from 1987 to today who in your opinion is the weakest driver to win a championship? This is not who had the weakest season and won a championship but is looking at a drivers career in whole

For me sadly I have to pick Bobby Labonte, Very good driver in his prime but his career average finsih is 19.6 and after 2003 he really fell off.
Click to expand...
Statistically it's probably Alan Kulwicki, but he obviously gets a pass because of the unfortunate circumstances. Who knows what he might have gone on to do if he had the chance.
 
ToyYoda said:
Statistically it's probably Alan Kulwicki, but he obviously gets a pass because of the unfortunate circumstances. Who knows what he might have gone on to do if he had the chance.
Click to expand...

Allison and Kulwicki could have taken away some of Earnhardt's championships.

Makes me wonder just how the course of history would change if they did not pass away.
 
Kiante said:
Allison and Kulwicki could have taken away some of Earnhardt's championships.

Makes me wonder just how the course of history would change if they did not pass away.
Click to expand...

ToyYoda said:
Statistically it's probably Alan Kulwicki, but he obviously gets a pass because of the unfortunate circumstances. Who knows what he might have gone on to do if he had the chance.
Click to expand...

Average Finish was 16.4 and in his 5 full time seasons he never did worse than 15th in the points

Adding that and the fact he drove for himself makes it very difficult to say he was the "weakest" champion
 
Brad k apparently gets ribbed because other drivers think his championship was a fluke. It's what motivates him to get #2.
 
Kiante said:
Allison and Kulwicki could have taken away some of Earnhardt's championships.

Makes me wonder just how the course of history would change if they did not pass away.
Click to expand...

Richmond too. He may not have won championships, but he would have shuffled some points around to influence who did win.
 
If he was an actual champion it would be Mark Martin for the 1990 unearned one a few want to give him.

But then again that isn't the case. He isnt a cup champion, doesn't qualify.
 
Bobby Labonte is definitely not on the level of anyone on that list. The rest are legends or soon to be legends of the sport.
 
Hard to begrudge Bobby Labonte he isnt on any short list of the greats. But he beat out approximately 40 others to get the championship. Many of them with hall of fame credentials.
 
Greg said:
If he was an actual champion it would be Mark Martin for the 1990 unearned one a few want to give him.

But then again that isn't the case. He isnt a cup champion, doesn't qualify.
Click to expand...

Greg, please not this can of worms. Its just going to piss Andy off.lol

Between 98-00 Labonte was almost untouchable. Dude had a short peak, but damn was he good.
 
Kiante said:
Greg, please not this can of worms. Its just going to piss Andy off.lol

Between 98-00 Labonte was almost untouchable. Dude had a short peak, but damn was he good.
Click to expand...

That can of worms gets dispersed by him indiscriminately, I just proactively addressed the nonsense this time.
 
aunty dive said:
http://racing-reference.info/wc.htm


2017 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2016 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Chase Elliott Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Toyota
2015 36 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Adam Stevens Brett Moffitt Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2014 36 Kevin Harvick Stewart Haas Racing Rodney Childers Kyle Larson Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2013 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2012 36 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe Stephen Leicht Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2011 36 Tony Stewart Stewart Haas Racing Darian Grubb Andy Lally Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2010 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Kevin Conway Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2009 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Joey Logano Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2008 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Regan Smith Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2007 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Juan Pablo Montoya Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2006 36 Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendrick Chad Knaus Denny Hamlin Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2005 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Kyle Busch Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2004 36 Kurt Busch Jack Roush Jimmy Fennig Kasey Kahne Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2003 36 Matt Kenseth Jack Roush Robbie Reiser Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Chevrolet
2002 36 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Greg Zipadelli Ryan Newman Bill Elliott Ford
2001 36 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Robbie Loomis Kevin Harvick Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
2000 34 Bobby Labonte Joe Gibbs Jimmy Makar Matt Kenseth Bill Elliott Ford
1999 34 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Todd Parrott Tony Stewart Bill Elliott Ford
1998 33 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Kenny Irwin, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1997 32 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Mike Skinner Bill Elliott Ford
1996 31 Terry Labonte Rick Hendrick Gary DeHart Johnny Benson, Jr. Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1995 31 Jeff Gordon Rick Hendrick Ray Evernham Ricky Craven Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1994 31 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Burton Bill Elliott Ford
1993 30 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Andy Petree Jeff Gordon Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1992 29 Alan Kulwicki Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Jimmy Hensley Bill Elliott Ford
1991 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Bobby Hamilton Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1990 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine Rob Moroso Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1989 29 Rusty Wallace Raymond Beadle Barry Dodson Dick Trickle Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet
1988 29 Bill Elliott Harry Melling Ernie Elliott Ken Bouchard Bill Elliott Chevrolet
1987 29 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine


There are no "worst" people on this list.
Click to expand...

There's a name missing from this list.
 
Kiante said:
Didn't know being a champion that was "bad".

That's like saying Phil Hill or Keke Rosberg were bad champions. Sometimes it's just circumstance for some, but it takes skill and some luck.
Click to expand...
Don't be silly. Champion only means that you outperformed everyone else for an entire season.
 
BobbyFord said:
Don't be silly. Champion only means that you outperformed everyone else for an entire season.
Click to expand...

Just wild examples.

Hill's teammate Von Trips died during the Italian GP in '61, he was leading the championship

Gilles Villeneuve was the favorite in '82 and died at Zolder, he was leading the championship.

Both outperformed everyone, but circumstances.
 
Love when people live to be negative, if you don't like it don't comment on the thread. And on top of it way to completely miss the point of the topic too. My vote goes to Bobby Labonte, Alan kulwicki is second everyone else has a substantial amount of wins or is still a prime contender.
 
This is a hard one. All the drivers on this list are/were damn good.

I have to go with Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte. When I think of the 1990s, I think of that ******* ****** 24 car and his ****** 13 wins in 1998, Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan and Jeff Burton. Bobby Labonte, and Terry Labonte only had a couple really stellar seasons.
 
Fordracing7 said:
Love when people live to be negative, if you don't like it don't comment on the thread. And on top of it way to completely miss the point of the topic too. My vote goes to Bobby Labonte, Alan kulwicki is second everyone else has a substantial amount of wins or is still a prime contender.
Click to expand...
When you become a moderator you can dictate content. Every comment is acceptable.
 
aunty dive said:
Negativity is the focus of the thread.
Click to expand...

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