NASCAR is a sport where drivers are often measured by their number of wins, top-five finishes, pole positions, and other key statistics. One significant metric that also stands out is the number of starts a driver has made in the Cup Series. This figure highlights a driver’s experience and longevity in the sport.
To date, only 22 drivers have reached the milestone of 700 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. With the 2025 season 17 races in and just nine more to go before the Round of 16 begins at Darlington Raceway in August, let’s look at five drivers who have achieved 700 or more starts in the Cup Series.
1. Denny Hamlin
Currently piloting the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin reached his 700th Cup start at the Cracker Barrel 400, held at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1, 2025. The race, broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, saw Hamlin win Stage 1 and lead 79 of the 300 laps before finishing third — his seventh top-five of the season.
This marked his entry into the elite club as the 22nd driver to make 700 Cup starts. Just a week later, Hamlin claimed his third win of the season at Michigan International Speedway, becoming the 10th driver to win in their 701st start.
2. Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch reached the 700-start milestone on July 21, 2024, during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — also the home of the iconic Indianapolis 500. That year marked his second season with Richard Childress Racing, a team historically associated with legendary names like Ricky Rudd, Bill Elliott, and Dale Earnhardt.
Busch remains the winningest active Cup driver, with 63 victories. He also boasts records in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series (102 wins) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (67 wins).
However, the Las Vegas native has not visited Victory Lane since June 4, 2023, when he won the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
3. Jimmie Johnson
Although Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time Cup racing in 2020 before the introduction of the Next-Gen car, he never stepped away from the sport entirely. Johnson occasionally returns for select starts in the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club, the team he co-owns (previously Petty GMS Racing).
In 2025, Johnson made his 700th Cup Series start during the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He became the 21st driver to reach this milestone — fittingly at the same track where he made his Cup debut back in 2001.
4. Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon achieved his 700th Cup Series start on May 12, 2013, at Darlington Raceway during the Bojangles’ Southern 500. He finished third, also marking his 300th top-five finish in NASCAR’s premier division.
Though Gordon has since retired from racing, he remains heavily involved in the sport. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and is a member of both NASCAR’s team owner council and its diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.
5. Richard Petty
No list of NASCAR legends is complete without Richard Petty. Known as “The King,” Petty recorded his 700th career start at the 1976 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, finishing 17th.
He holds the record for the most wins (22) after his 700th start and owns the all-time record with 1,184 career Cup Series starts — a benchmark unlikely to be surpassed.
These drivers represent the pinnacle of longevity, skill, and dedication in NASCAR’s top series. Their 700-start achievements place them in a league of their own, showcasing just how demanding and rewarding a long career in stock car racing can be.