History of the #42 Car in NASCAR
1,722
Starts
75
Wins
56
Poles
401
Top-5s
715
Top-10s
There may not be a more revered number in the history of stock car racing than the #42. With 75 trips to victory lane across 1,722 starts, this number carries a legacy that echoes through every grandstand in America. Kyle Petty made it immortal with 8 wins, but the lineage runs deep. 3 championships were won behind the wheel of the #42. Today, John Hunter Nemechek carries that weight, and every time that car rolls off pit road, the ghosts of champions ride along.
2026 Driver: John Hunter Nemechek Legacy Motor Club · Toyota
All-Time Driver History
Cup Series stats from 1949-2026. Sorted by starts.
| Driver | Starts | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Petty | 414 | 2 |
| Kyle Petty | 286 | 8 |
| Kyle Larson | 219 | 0 |
| Joe Nemechek | 94 | 0 |
| Ty Dillon | 36 | 0 |
| Matt Kenseth | 32 | 0 |
| Richard Petty | 31 | 2 |
| Marty Robbins | 25 | 0 |
| Jim Paschal | 18 | 4 |
| Maurice Petty | 11 | 0 |
| Carson Hocevar | 8 | 0 |
| Bobby Hillin Jr | 8 | 0 |
| Tiny Lund | 5 | 0 |
| Mike Rockenfeller | 3 | 0 |
| Josh Berry | 2 | 0 |
| Bob Welborn | 2 | 0 |
| Jim Hurtubise | 2 | 0 |
| Lennie Pond | 2 | 0 |
| Jim Sauter | 2 | 0 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | 1 | 0 |
| Tommy Kendall | 1 | 0 |
| Buck Baker | 1 | 0 |
| Phil Parsons | 1 | 0 |
| Elmo Langley | 1 | 0 |
| Marvin Panch | 0 | 1 |
Team Chart (1998-2026)
| Year | Driver | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | John Hunter Nemechek | Toyota |
| 2025 | John Hunter Nemechek | Toyota |
| 2024 | John Hunter Nemechek | Toyota |
| 2023 | Noah Gragson | Chevy |
| 2022 | Ty Dillon | Chevy |
| 2021 | Ross Chastain | Chevy |
| 2020 | Matt Kenseth | Chevy |
| 2019 | Kyle Larson | Chevy |
| 2018 | Kyle Larson (2018+) | Chevy |
| 2017 | Kyle Larson (2017+) | Chevy |
| 2016 | Kyle Larson (2017) | Chevy |
| 2015 | Kyle Larson (2017) | Chevy |
| 2014 | Kyle Larson (ROTY) 2017 | Chevy |
| 2013 | Juan Pablo Montoya 2013 | Chevy |
| 2012 | Juan Pablo Montoya 2012+ | Chevy |
| 2011 | Juan Pablo Montoya 2011 | Chevy |
| 2010 | Juan Pablo Montoya 2011+ | Chevy |
| 2009 | Juan Pablo Montoya 2011+ | Chevy |
| 2008 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Dodge |
| 2007 | Juan Pablo Montoya ROTY | Dodge |
| 2006 | Casey Mears 2006 | Dodge |
| 2005 | Jamie McMurray 2006 | Dodge |
| 2004 | Jamie McMurray | Dodge |
| 2003 | Jamie McMurray ROTY | Dodge |
| 1999 | Joe Nemechek | Chevy |
| 1998 | Joe Nemechek | Chevy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who drove the #42 car in NASCAR?
The #42 has been driven by 21 different drivers in our database (1998-2026). John Hunter Nemechek held the number the longest with 3 seasons. All-time, 25 drivers made at least one start in the #42.
Who was the most successful driver of the #42 car?
Kyle Petty is the most successful driver of the #42 with 8 wins and 286 starts.
Who drives the #42 car in 2026?
Yes, John Hunter Nemechek drives the #42 for Legacy Motor Club in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, driving a Toyota.
How many wins does the #42 car have in NASCAR history?
The #42 car has 75 wins, 56 poles, 401 top-5 finishes, and 715 top-10 finishes across 1,722 starts in NASCAR Cup Series history (1949-2026).
What is the complete history of the #42 car?
This page shows the complete history of the #42 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.