NASCAR Championships That Fans Still Call Fake or Rigged

25. Red Byron – 1949

First champion, but the season was only 8 races long. Some fans say it wasn’t a “real” full-season title.

24. Bill Rexford – 1950

Youngest Cup champion ever, but with just 1 win. Fireball Roberts or Curtis Turner were stronger that year.

23. Joe Weatherly – 1963

Won the championship without a superspeedway victory, raising doubts about dominance.

22. Benny Parsons – 1973

Took the title with only 1 win, and even had his car wrecked in the finale—still limped to the championship.

21. Richard Petty – 1979

Earned his 7th title, but many argue Darrell Waltrip was the season’s true best driver.

20. Darrell Waltrip – 1981

Won under NASCAR’s shortened schedule format, frustrating traditionalists.

19. Bobby Allison – 1983

Benefited from engine controversies and rulings that tilted in his favor.

18. Darrell Waltrip – 1985

Bill Elliott had 11 wins and the Winston Million, but Waltrip’s consistency gave him the crown.

17. Dale Earnhardt – 1990

Fans say Mark Martin was robbed after a major points penalty cost him dearly.

16. Terry Labonte – 1996

Clinched the championship with only 2 wins, while Jeff Gordon scored 10.

15. Matt Kenseth – 2003

Only 1 win all season, while Ryan Newman had 8. Sparked the creation of the Chase.

14. Kurt Busch – 2004

First Chase champ, but Jeff Gordon had better overall numbers and was denied.

13. Jimmie Johnson – 2007

Gordon set a record for top-10s, yet Johnson’s playoff surge made him champ.

12. Tony Stewart – 2011

Beat Carl Edwards on a tiebreaker despite Edwards’ superior consistency.

11. Kevin Harvick – 2014

Won the first Championship 4 finale, but Logano and Gordon arguably had better seasons.

10. Kyle Busch – 2015

Missed 11 races due to injury, got a waiver, and still won—fans still call it NASCAR’s most “rigged” title.

9. Jimmie Johnson – 2016

Secured his 7th championship by leading only 3 laps at Homestead.

8. Martin Truex Jr. – 2017

Playoff reset benefited him, while Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick were strong late.

7. Joey Logano – 2018

Won the title, but many fans felt Harvick or Busch had the stronger seasons.

6. Chase Elliott – 2020

Popular win, but Kevin Harvick’s 9-win season ended without a shot at the title.

5. Kyle Larson – 2021

Dominated with 10 wins, yet some argue the playoff finale still manufactured the drama.

4. Joey Logano – 2022

While Logano was strong, Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain carried storylines fans wanted rewarded.

3. Ryan Blaney – 2023

Fewer wins than Byron and Larson—many say the playoff format handed him the title.

2. Joey Logano – 2024

Won his 3rd championship, but the playoff system again sparked debates about “deserving” drivers.

1. Every Champion of the Playoff Era (2014–Present)

Many fans still dismiss these titles as “manufactured” compared to the old consistency-based system.