Drivers Poised to Win All-Star Race and Cup Title in Same Year

Christopher Bell became a first-time All-Star Race winner at North Wilkesboro Speedway, making a dramatic late-race pass on Joey Logano. Logano was not only the defending All-Star winner but also the series champion from the prior season.

With this victory, Bell now finds himself with a shot at joining an elite group of NASCAR drivers who have captured both the All-Star Race win and the Cup Series championship in a single year. Achieving both wins in one season is rare and speaks to a driver’s consistency and dominance throughout the year.

Darrell Waltrip was the first to secure this double-win feat, taking both the All-Star Race and the Cup title in 1985. Dale Earnhardt stands out for accomplishing this achievement three different times, completing the double in 1987, 1990, and 1993. For more historical context on NASCAR’s greatest drivers, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Rusty Wallace joined the list in 1989, while Jeff Gordon matched Earnhardt with three of his own: 1995, 1997, and 2001. Jimmie Johnson also made his mark, winning the pair in 2006 and repeating it again in 2013.

Recent years have featured new names achieving this significant mark. Chase Elliott won both the All-Star Race and the Cup championship in 2020.

Kyle Larson earned both honors in 2021 after one of the most dominant seasons in modern NASCAR history. Joey Logano most recently completed the double in the 2024 season, following his All-Star Race win by clinching the Cup Series title.

Winning the All-Star Race is a unique challenge as the race features only the year’s best drivers and offers a $1 million payout. Many of the sport’s greatest champions have not managed to win both events in the same season, making the accomplishment a sign of peak performance and poise under pressure. For a deeper dive into the All-Star Race format and history, check out NASCAR’s official site.

Since the All-Star Race first began in 1985, only nine drivers have earned both prizes during the same campaign. Christopher Bell’s current form has fans and experts watching closely to see if he can add his name to this distinguished group.

His All-Star Race win against top-level competition hints at a strong run for the rest of the season. Bell now faces the challenging schedule ahead as he chases his first Cup Series championship, knowing just a short list of past champions have managed to do what he is now attempting.

As the 2025 NASCAR season continues, Bell’s quest will be a central story. The achievements of past champions like Waltrip, Earnhardt, Gordon, Johnson, Elliott, Larson, and Logano show the level of talent and determination needed for a driver to collect both wins.

Fans across the country will be watching to see if Bell becomes the next to join this legendary list. For more insight on the current season’s early stages and qualifying details, see the NASCAR All-Star qualifying updates. For additional statistics and race analysis, explore Racing-Reference.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.