Richard Petty Driver of the Year

National Motorsports Press Association

Richard Petty Driver of the Year

Determined by vote of the membership, the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award has been presented annually since 1969 to recognize the season’s most outstanding driver. It is named in honor of Richard Petty, NASCAR’s all-time leader in Cup victories.

wdt_ID Year Recipient
1 2021 Kyle Larson
2 2020 Kevin Harvick
3 2019 Martin Truex, Jr.
4 2018 Kevin Harvick
5 2017 Martin Truex, Jr.
6 2016 Jimmie Johnson
7 2015 Kyle Busch
8 2014 Kevin Harvick
9 2013 Jimmie Johnson
10 2012 Brad Keselowski
11 2011 Tony Stewart
12 2010 Jimmie Johnson
13 2009 Jimmie Johnson
14 2008 Carl Edwards
15 2007 Jimmie Johnson
16 2006 Jimmie Johnson
17 2005 Tony Stewart
18 2004 Jimmie Johnson
19 2003 Ryan Newman
20 2002 Tony Stewart
21 2001 Kevin Harvick
22 2000 Bobby Labonte
23 1999 Dale Jarrett
24 1998 Jeff Gordon
25 1997 Dale Jarrett
26 1996 Terry Labonte
27 1995 Jeff Gordon
28 1994 Dale Earnhardt
29 1993 Rusty Wallace
30 1992 Davey Allison
31 1991 Harry Gant
32 1990 Dale Earnhardt
33 1989 Mark Martin
34 1988 Rusty Wallace
35 1987 Dale Earnhardt
36 1986 Tim Richmond & Dale Earnhardt
37 1985 Bill Elliott
38 1984 Terry Labonte
39 1983 Bobby Allison
40 1982 Darrell Waltrip
41 1981 Darrell Waltrip
42 1980 Dale Earnhardt
43 1979 Cale Yarborough
44 1978 Cale Yarborough
45 1977 Cale Yarborough
46 1976 Darrell Waltrip
47 1975 Richard Petty
48 1974 Richard Petty
49 1973 David Pearson
50 1972 Bobby Allison
51 1971 Bobby Allison
52 1970 Bobby Issac
53 1969 LeeRoy Yarbrough
54 2022 Ross Chastain