Best Drivers Over the Age of 40

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 21, 2007

Best Drivers Over the Age of 40

Mike Wallace

Wallace will race in the Daytona 500 for another decade based on his success at the track. This year, Wallace finished fourth. Wallace will spend most of 2007 racing on the Busch circuit.

Bill Elliott

Elliott's resume includes the 1988 Cup championship and two wins in the Daytona 500, but his greatness has dulled with time. And since he's running a part-time schedule with an average team, he's not likely to be visiting Victory Lane any time soon.

Jeff Green

Green has never won a Cup race, though he did win a Busch title. He's raced for some of the sport's biggest names, racing for Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Petty Enterprises -- all during the 2003 season.

Kyle Petty

Petty has eight victories on his résumé, but he hasn't been a title threat in years. He won't win a title this year either as he plans to take a five-race break to work as a TNT broadcaster. Petty will make a great television analyst, so his days behind the wheel might soon be over.

Ward Burton

Back racing full-time after a two-year absence, Burton probably won't be able to show off his skills much because he is racing for an under-funded, one-car team.

Tony Raines

The two owners of Hall of Fame Racing (Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman) are more famous than their driver. Raines isn't spectacular and he's still looking for that first win, but he's easy on the equipment, a solid qualifier and steady on the track.

Ken Schrader

Schrader still has the passion and energy to compete at a high level, plus he will race anything with wheels at a moment's notice. He's still a solid driver, though he'll be racing a part-time schedule in 2007 with a middle-of-the-pack team.

Ricky Rudd

The veteran driver made a decision to sit out the 2006 season, but he's rejuvenated and ready to go in '07. Perhaps one of the most consistent drivers in the history of NASCAR, he could zoom up the ladder if Yates Racing get things in order.

Michael Waltrip

Waltrip shines at restrictor-plate tracks, so don't be surprised if he challenges for wins at those tracks for another decade. Waltrip's main focus now is building a strong program for Toyota as a team owner, so don't expect him to compete for a title.

Dale Jarrett

Jarrett was the last driver over the age of 40 to win the Nextel Cup championship when he captured the title in 1999. Jarrett is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500. While Jarrett is still capable of winning races, he's with a first-year team that is fielding the new Toyotas. He faces an uphill battle.

Joe Nemechek

Not the most exciting driver in the sport, Nemechek qualifies well and runs consistently. He finished 16th in points in 2006 and has four career victories. If the new and improved Ginn Racing becomes a major force, look for Nemechek to benefit.

Sterling Marlin

On the right tracks, Marlin stays in the lead pack. A two-time Daytona 500 winner and a cool customer, Marling is still capable of winning races. He's got several good years in front of him if he wants to continue to race.

Dave Blaney

Blaney has always been a solid NASCAR driver, but don't be surprised if his best performances lie in front of him. Blaney is poised to become Toyota's best driver, even though he spent his prime driving years racing sprint cars.

Bobby Labonte

A former Cup champion, Labonte still is a great talent. He is smooth and consistent. If Petty Enterprises ever gets back on track, expect Labonte to challenge for another title.

Mark Martin

The greatest NASCAR driver never to win Cup title, Martin is the winningest Busch driver in history and has finished runner-up in the final Cup standings four times. Martin's skill level is still high and his emotions level. He's got a good chance to win every time he starts a race.

Best Drivers Over the Age of 40