10 most shocking NASCAR Championship wins in history

10. Chase Elliott – 2020

When Elliott entered the Phoenix finale, few expected him to dominate. He started from the rear after a failed inspection — yet stormed through the field to win his first championship at just 24 years old. The performance felt like destiny, cementing him as NASCAR’s new star.

9. Alan Kulwicki – 1992

A true underdog story. Kulwicki ran his own team, fought against powerhouse Hendrick and Junior Johnson cars, and still managed to win the title by just 10 points over Bill Elliott. His “Polish Victory Lap” became an instant legend.

8. Joey Logano – 2018

No one pegged Logano as the favorite heading into the final four against Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Truex Jr. But he stunned everyone at Homestead, outdueling Truex in a clean but aggressive fight to grab his first Cup title.

7. Bobby Labonte – 2000

In an era dominated by Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte’s quiet consistency caught everyone off guard. He wasn’t flashy, but he was relentless — finishing every race that season and capturing the crown with smart, mistake-free driving.

6. Tony Stewart – 2011

After a winless regular season, Stewart flipped a switch in the playoffs — winning five of ten postseason races. He tied Carl Edwards in points, winning the championship on a tiebreaker. A comeback for the ages.

5. Kurt Busch – 2004

The very first playoff (Chase) champion — and it almost never happened. In the final race, his wheel literally fell off on pit road, but he somehow recovered to finish fifth and beat Jimmie Johnson by just 8 points. Pure chaos.

4. Matt Kenseth – 2003

He only won one race all season, but his consistency was unmatched. Kenseth clinched the title a week early, sparking outrage among fans — and directly leading NASCAR to create the playoff system the next year.

3. Brad Keselowski – 2012

Keselowski’s first championship came against the juggernaut of Jimmie Johnson’s dynasty. With just two full seasons under his belt at Penske, Brad’s strategy and fuel management outsmarted the masters. A massive upset that ended Hendrick’s streak.

2. Kyle Larson – 2021

Nobody saw this coming at the start of the season. Larson had just been reinstated after a suspension that nearly ended his career — then went on to have one of the greatest single seasons ever: 10 wins, 2,500+ laps led, and a dominant run to the title in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports. From being out of NASCAR entirely to hoisting the championship trophy — it was redemption, perfection, and shock all rolled into one.

1. Bill Rexford – 1950

The most shocking title in NASCAR history. Rexford won the championship at just 19 years old, despite having only one career win and missing multiple races. He beat legends like Fireball Roberts and Lee Petty — and then faded into obscurity, never winning again.