Fireball Roberts: Real name is Edwards Glenn Roberts Jr. Earned nickname for his prowess as a pitcher. One of NASCAR's early stars. Winner of 33 Cup races.

Herb Thomas: Winner of 48 Cup races and two championships (1951, '53) and finished second in points three times. Won 21 percent of his 228 races, which is the top winning percentage in the Cup series.

Curtis Turner: Colourful driver with 17 Cup wins. Won another 38 races in the four years of the Convertible Series. Instrumental in the building of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Darrell Waltrip: Three-time champion whose 84 victories match Bobby Allison for third on the career list. Fifth all time with 59 poles. Won all three titles driving for Junior Johnson.

Joe Weatherly: Winner of 25 Cup races and two championships (1962-63). Also won 12 Convertible Series races.

Glen Wood: Won four Cup races as a driver but made huge contribution to NASCAR as a car owner, winning 97 Cup races with a succession of the top drivers in NASCAR history. Revolutionized pit-stop methodology.

Cale Yarborough: One of two drivers to win three straight Cup championships (1976-1978). Fifth all time with 83 Cup victories; third with 69 poles. Won Daytona 500 four times.

by Bill Marx and Reid Spencer/Sporting News