History of the #17 Car in NASCAR

1,878

Starts

Wins

Poles

355

Top-5s

639

Top-10s

There may not be a more revered number in the history of stock car racing than the #17. With 75 trips to victory lane across 1,878 starts, this number carries a legacy that echoes through every grandstand in America. David Pearson made it immortal with 30 wins, but the lineage runs deep. 2 championships were won behind the wheel of the #17. Today, Chris Buescher carries that weight, and every time that car rolls off pit road, the ghosts of champions ride along.

2026 Driver: Chris Buescher RFK Racing · Ford

Championship pedigree: David Pearson (1969), Matt Kenseth (2003) — See all champions

All-Time Driver History

Cup Series stats from 1949-2026. Sorted by starts.

Driver	Starts	Wins	Years
Matt Kenseth	471	24	1999-2012
Darrell Waltrip	344	15	1987-1998
David Pearson	140	30	1967-1971
Lake Speed	32	0
Sterling Marlin	30	0
Phil Parsons	16	0
Tommy Houston	7	0
Morgan Shepherd	6	0
Bill Elliott	5	0
Glenn Jarrett	4	0
Greg Sacks	3	0
Chris Buescher	0	4
Ricky Stenhouse	0	2

Team Chart (1998-2026)

Year	Driver	Team	Manufacturer	Sponsor
2026	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Ford	Fastenal/Body Guard, Fifth Third Bank, Castrol Edge, BuildSubmarines.com, Esperion Therapeutics, Travel Centers of America, Kroger
2025	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Ford	Fastenal /Body Guard (11 races), Fifth Third Bank, Castrol Edge, BuildSubmarines.com, Esperion Therapeutics, Travel Centers of America, Kroger, Trimble
2024	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Ford	Fastenal (2024), Fifth Third Bank (5 races), Castrol Edge (3 races), BuildSubmarines.com (10 races), Esperion Therapeutics (2 races), Travel Centers of America, Nexletol
2023	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Ford	Fastenal (17 races + Clash & All-Star in 2022) (2024), Fifth Third Bank (5 races in 2022), Castrol (3 races), Violet Defense (2023), Socios.com, Pala Casino, Esperion Therapeutics/Nexletol, BlueForge Alliance / BuildSubmarines.com, Wyndham Rewards, TravelCenters of America
2022	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Ford	Fastenal (17 races + Clash & All-Star) (2024), Fifth Third Bank (5 races), Castrol, Violet Defense (2023), Wyndham Rewards, ITsaavy (2 races), Socios.com, Acronis, LeBron James Family Foundation
2021	Chris Buescher	Roush Fenway Racing	Ford	Fastenal (17 races + Clash & All-Star) (2024), Fifth Third Bank, Castrol, Roush Performance, AutoTempest, Acronis, Socios, Violet Defense (2023)
2020	Chris Buescher	Roush Fenway Racing	Ford	Fastenal, Fifth Third Bank, SunnyD, Roush Performance Stage 3
2019	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Roush Fenway Racing	Ford	Fastenal (~15 races), Fifth Third Bank (5 races?), SunnyD (4 races), Little Hug Fruit Barrels, NOS Energy Drink, Roush Performance, Acronis, Dog’s Most Wanted
2018	Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2019+)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Fastenal (~15 races)(2021)Fifth Third Bank (5 races)(2021) SunnyD (4 races)(2021) Little Hug Fruit Barrels
2017	Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2017+)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Fastenal (~15 races)(2018+)Fifth Third Bank (5 races)(2017) SunnyD (4 races) Ford EcoBoost
2016	Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2017+)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Fastenal (15 races)(2017+)Zest (6 races) Fifth Third Bank (5 races)(2017) SunnyD (4 races)
2015	Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2016)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Fastenal Zest Fifth Third Bank EcoPower NOS Cargill Beef Ford EcoBoost Juicy Juice Safety Kleeen
2014	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Zest (6 races) Fifth Third Bank (2 races) Nationwide Insurance (5+2 races) NOS (1 race) Fastenal (1 race) EcoPower (5 races) Cargill (5 races)
2013	Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (ROTY)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Best Buy (12 races) Zest (6 races) Fifth Third Bank (4 races) Valvoline NextGen (1 race) Ford Ecoboost (1 race)
2012	Matt Kenseth 2012 (2003 Champion)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Valvoline NextGen (? races) Best Buy (9 races) Zest (5 races) Fifth Third Bank (4 races) Ford EcoBoost (? races)
2011	Matt Kenseth 2012? (2003 Champion)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Crown Royal (35 races) Valvoline (3 races) Afflication Clothing (4 races) Ollie’s Bargin Outlet (1 race) FluidMaster (1 race)
2010	Matt Kenseth 2011+ (2003 Champion)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	Crown Royal (35 races) Valvoline (3 races)
2009	Matt Kenseth 2010+ (2003 Champion)	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	DeWalt Tools R&L Carriers (4 races) Carhartt (4 races) USG (3 races)
2008	Matt Kenseth 2009	Roush Fenway Racing Jack Roush John Henry	Ford	DeWalt Tools R&L Carriers (4 races) Carhartt (4 races) USG (3 races) Dish Network (1 race) Lexan, Valvoline
2007	Matt Kenseth 2007+	Roush Fenway Racing John Henry	Ford	DeWalt Tools R&L Carriers (4 races) Carhartt (4 races) USG (3 races) Arby’s (1 race) Lexan, Valvoline
2006	Matt Kenseth 2007+	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools Carhartt, Lexan, Trex, USG
2005	Matt Kenseth 2006	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools Carhartt, Lexan, Trex, USG
2004	Matt Kenseth	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools Lexan, Smirnoff Triple Ice
2003	Matt Kenseth	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools Lexan, Smirnoff Ice
2002	Matt Kenseth	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools AT&T
2001	Matt Kenseth	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools AT&T, Emglo
2000	Matt Kenseth ROTY	Mark Martin Jack Roush	Ford	DeWalt Tools Emazing.com
1998	Darrell Waltrip	Tim Beverley	Pontiac	?Tabasco

Frequently Asked Questions

Who drove the #17 car in NASCAR?

The #17 has been driven by 16 different drivers in our database (1998-2026). Chris Buescher held the number the longest with 7 seasons. All-time, 13 drivers made at least one start in the #17.

Who was the most successful driver of the #17 car?

David Pearson is the most successful driver of the #17 with 30 wins and 140 starts.

Who drives the #17 car in 2026?

Yes, Chris Buescher drives the #17 for RFK Racing in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, driving a Ford.

How many wins does the #17 car have in NASCAR history?

The #17 car has 75 wins, 49 poles, 355 top-5 finishes, and 639 top-10 finishes across 1,878 starts in NASCAR Cup Series history (1949-2026).

What is the complete history of the #17 car?

This page shows the complete history of the #17 in two sections: the all-time driver history (1949-2026) with aggregate stats from the full Cup Series era, and a detailed team chart (1998-2026) showing team, manufacturer, and sponsor information for each season.