NASCAR Cup Series 2023 41 2023-11-05 2023-11-05 https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/thumb/mxk6vx1667856217.jpg https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/poster/gk9n5m1667855424.jpg The NASCAR Cup Series Drivers' Championship is awarded by the chairman of NASCAR to the most successful NASCAR Cup Series racing car driver over a season, as determined by a points system based on race results. The Drivers' Championship was first awarded in 1949 to Red Byron. The first driver to win multiple Championships was Herb Thomas in 1951 and 1953. The current Drivers' Champion is Chase Elliott, who won his first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2020. Overall, thirty-four different drivers have won the Championship, with Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson holding the record for most titles at seven. Johnson has the record for most consecutive Drivers' Championships, winning five from 2006 to 2010. Thus far, every champion has originated from the United States. 1666682