Famous Current Sprint Cup Drivers

Whenever I think of drivers and their numbers, I specifically remember a NASCAR commercial that I once saw in my childhood that paid tribute to the fans. I can't remember exactly what it said, but what I do remember was the phrase along the lines of Want to get into NASCAR? Pick a number. As I look back on it now, those words couldn't be truer in this sport.

Below I've listed ten current day Sprint Cup drivers and their numbers, along with a brief history of their careers. Please keep in mind that there are many talented drivers in NASCAR and I obviously don't have enough room for all of them, so please don't accuse me of being biased. This is simply a small list of whom I consider to be some of the best well-known drivers in the Sprint Cup circuit today, in no particular order.

1. Jeff Gordon (24)

My personal favorite and a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Jeff Gordon hails from Pittsboro, Indiana and is the driver of the number 24 Dupont Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He has often been compared to NASCAR legends such as Richard The King Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. and holds 82 career Sprint Cup wins, 342 top tens and 67 poles since his start as a full time Sprint Cup driver in 1993.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88)

Probably the most well-known and popular driver in the circuit next to Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Kannapolis, North Carolina drives the number 88 National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He is the son of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. and holds 22 victories, 68 top tens, and nine poles since he began his full time career in 2000.

3. Jimmie Johnson (48)

Holder of the championship title for the last three years, Jimmie Johnson from El Cajon, California is the driver of the number 48 Lowe's Home Improvement Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He is only the second driver to win three championships in a row next to driver Cale Yarborough (1976-78) and holds 41 career victories, 162 top tens, and 23 poles since he began a full time competitior in 2002.

4. Tony Stewart (14)

Two-time champion Tony Stewart (a.k.a. Smoke) hails from Columbus, Indiana and is currently the driver of the number 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet and the owner of his own team, Stewart Haas Racing. In his previous years he was the driver of the number 20 Home Depot Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing, but moved on in 2008 to start his own team. Currently he possesses 33 wins, 209 top tens, and ten poles since the start of his Sprint Cup career in 1999.

5. Kyle Busch (18)

Kyle Busch from Las Vegas, Nevada is the driver of the number 18 M&Ms Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing along with his brother, Kurt. Currently he holds the record for most wins between the three main NASCAR series with 21 wins in 2008. He currently holds 15 wins, 76 top tens, and five poles to his name since his start in the Sprint Cup series in 2005.

6. Carl Edwards (99)

Hailing from Columbia, Missouri, Carl Edwards is the driver of the number 99 Aflec Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. In 2008 he came close to beating Jimmie Johnson for the championship, but unfortunately ended up short. So far since he started his Sprint Cup career back in 2005 he holds 20 wins, 87 top tens, and 11 poles.

7. Denny Hamlin (11)

Denny Hamlin from Chesterfield, Virginia, is the driver of the number 11 Fedex Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Although still fairly new to Sprint Cup, Hamlin has managed to finish third in 2006 in points standings and currently holds four wins, 62 top tens, and six poles.

8. Ryan Newman (39)

Also sometimes known as Rocket Man for his impressive number of poles, Ryan Newman of South Bend, Indiana drives the number 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet for Stewart Haas Racing. He's currently the only active driver in the Sprint Cup circuit with a college degree, having earned a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering from Purdue University in 2001. So far he has 13 wins with 110 top tens and a whopping 43 poles in his career.

9. Jeff Burton (31)

Jeff Burton, hailing from South Boston, Virginia, drives the number 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Even though he has yet to win a championship, Burton still remains a solid favorite amongst the fans and managed to finish sixth in points last season. To date in his Sprint Cup career since his start back in 1993, he has 21 wins, 205 top tens, and six poles to his name.

10. Mark Martin (5)

Often considered the best driver to never win a championship, 50 year old Mark Martin from Batesville, Arkansas is the driver of the number 5 Kelloggs Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Despite the fact that he has yet to win a championship, Martin is a consistent competitor who holds the record for most Nationwide Series wins (48) and has made the Chase for the Sprint Cup in all of the three recent years that he has raced full time. To date Martin has 36 wins, 401 top tens, and 44 poles to his name in the Sprint Cup Series