NASCAR Cup champions through the years, from Red Byron to Kyle Larson

NASCAR crowned a new Cup Series champion Sunday, Nov. 2, though he had won one title already. Kyle Larson became 18th multi-time champion in circuit history and the third to accomplish the feat while driving for Hendrick Motorsports. He joined Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Larson finished third in the finale, but he placed ahead of fellow championship four contenders Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and William Byron. His hardware ended a three-year run of Team Penske champions. Larson is the first Hendrick driver to claim the title since 2021 — when he secured his first.

The Xfinity Series and Truck Series also determined their 2025 champs last week. Corey Heim kicked off the weekend by winning the Truck race and, thus, the trophy Friday. Jesse Love followed with an Xfinity victory Saturday.

ARCA winner Brenden Queen captured his title last month.

Let’s take a look at the Cup champs through the years.

NASCAR Cup Series champions through the years

• 1949: Red Byron
• 1950: Bill Rexford
• 1951: Herb Thomas
• 1952: Tim Flock
• 1953: Herb Thomas (2)
• 1954: Lee Petty
• 1955: Tim Flock (2)
• 1956: Buck Baker
• 1957: Buck Baker (2)
• 1958: Lee Petty (2)
• 1959: Lee Petty (3)
• 1960: Rex White
• 1961: Ned Jarrett
• 1962: Joe Weatherly
• 1963: Joe Weatherly (2)
• 1964: Richard Petty
• 1965: Ned Jarrett (2)
• 1966: David Pearson
• 1967: Richard Petty (2)
• 1968: David Pearson (2)
• 1969: David Pearson (3)
• 1970: Bobby Isaac
• 1971: Richard Petty (3)
• 1972: Richard Petty (4)
• 1973: Benny Parsons
• 1974: Richard Petty (5)
• 1975: Richard Petty (6)
• 1976: Cale Yarborough
• 1977: Cale Yarborough (2)
• 1978: Cale Yarborough (3)
• 1979: Richard Petty (7)
• 1980: Dale Earnhardt
• 1981: Darrell Waltrip
• 1982: Darrell Waltrip (2)
• 1983: Bobby Allison
• 1984: Terry Labonte
• 1985: Darrell Waltrip (3)
• 1986: Dale Earnhardt (2)
• 1987: Dale Earnhardt (3)
• 1988: Bill Elliott
• 1989: Rusty Wallace
• 1990: Dale Earnhardt (4)
• 1991: Dale Earnhardt (5)
• 1992: Alan Kulwicki
• 1993: Dale Earnhardt (6)
• 1994: Dale Earnhardt (7)
• 1995: Jeff Gordon
• 1996: Terry Labonte (2)
• 1997: Jeff Gordon (2)
• 1998: Jeff Gordon (3)
• 1999: Dale Jarrett
• 2000: Bobby Labonte
• 2001: Jeff Gordon (4)
• 2002: Tony Stewart
• 2003: Matt Kenseth
• 2004: Kurt Busch
• 2005: Tony Stewart (2)
• 2006: Jimmie Johnson
• 2007: Jimmie Johnson (2)
• 2008: Jimmie Johnson (3)
• 2009: Jimmie Johnson (4)
• 2010: Jimmie Johnson (5)
• 2011: Tony Stewart (3)
• 2012: Brad Keselowski
• 2013: Jimmie Johnson (6)
• 2014: Kevin Harvick
• 2015: Kyle Busch
• 2016: Jimmie Johnson (7)
• 2017: Martin Truex Jr.
• 2018: Joey Logano
• 2019: Kyle Busch (2)
• 2020: Chase Elliott
• 2021: Kyle Larson
• 2022: Joey Logano (2)
• 2023: Ryan Blaney
• 2024: Joey Logano (3)
• 2025: Kyle Larson (2)