History of the #8 Car in NASCAR
1,402
Starts
38
Wins
26
Poles
183
Top-5s
358
Top-10s
The #8 has been carried proudly through NASCAR's garage area for decades. Dale Earnhardt Jr. made their mark with 17 wins behind this number, and across 1,402 career starts, the #8 has found victory lane 38 times. The number has 1 championship to its name, adding hardware to a legacy built on consistency. Kyle Busch keeps the tradition alive today, adding new chapters to this number's story. It's a number that commands respect in any rearview mirror.
2026 Driver: Kyle Busch Richard Childress Racing · Chevy
Championship pedigree: Joe Weatherly (1962) — See all champions
All-Time Driver History
Cup Series stats from 1949-2026. Sorted by starts.
| Driver | Starts | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 291 | 17 |
| Ed Negre | 282 | 0 |
| Bobby Hillin Jr. | 204 | 1 |
| Tyler Reddick | 108 | 3 |
| Rick Wilson | 30 | 0 |
| Sterling Marlin | 30 | 0 |
| Dick Trickle | 28 | 0 |
| Mark Martin | 24 | 0 |
| Gene Comstock | 22 | 0 |
| Billy Carden | 20 | 0 |
| Elmo Langley | 8 | 0 |
| Daniel Hemric | 2 | 0 |
| Bill Rexford | 2 | 0 |
| Morgan Shepherd | 2 | 0 |
| Marvin Panch | 1 | 0 |
| Buckshot Jones | 1 | 0 |
| Tiny Lund | 1 | 0 |
| James Hylton | 1 | 0 |
| Wendell Scott | 1 | 0 |
| Ron Keselowski | 1 | 0 |
Team Chart (1998-2026)
| Year | Driver | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Kyle Busch | Chevy |
| 2025 | Kyle Busch | Chevy |
| 2024 | Kyle Busch | Chevy |
| 2023 | Kyle Busch | Chevy |
| 2022 | Tyler Reddick | Chevy |
| 2021 | Tyler Reddick | Chevy |
| 2020 | Tyler Reddick | Chevy |
| 2019 | Daniel Hemric (ROTY) | Chevy |
| 2008 | Mark Martin (~24 races) Aric Almirola (~12 races) | Chevy |
| 2007 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr 2007 | Chevy |
| 2006 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr 2007 | Chevy |
| 2005 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr 2007 | Chevy |
| 2004 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr | Chevy |
| 2003 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr | Chevy |
| 2002 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr | Chevy |
| 2001 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr | Chevy |
| 2000 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr ROTY | Chevy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who drove the #8 car in NASCAR?
The #8 has been driven by 7 different drivers in our database (1998-2026). Kyle Busch held the number the longest with 4 seasons. All-time, 20 drivers made at least one start in the #8.
Who was the most successful driver of the #8 car?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the most successful driver of the #8 with 17 wins and 291 starts.
Who drives the #8 car in 2026?
Yes, Kyle Busch drives the #8 for Richard Childress Racing in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, driving a Chevy.
How many wins does the #8 car have in NASCAR history?
The #8 car has 38 wins, 26 poles, 183 top-5 finishes, and 358 top-10 finishes across 1,402 starts in NASCAR Cup Series history (1949-2026).
What is the complete history of the #8 car?
This page shows the complete history of the #8 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.