Field of dreams: we create our fantasy grid by selecting the greatest drivers in NASCAR history - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing

Auto Racing Digest, August-Sept, 2003 by Barry Wilner

20. BOBBY ISAAC

One of the sport's top figures throughout the 1960s, Isaac grew up racing on dirt tracks in North Carolina despite having little formal education. He was a wizard behind the wheel, however, and he eventually married a schoolteacher who taught him to read and write.

That education allowed Isaac to become a popular force on the Winston Cup circuit. He was practically untouchable in 1970, winning the Cup with 11 victories, 32 top 10s in 47 races, and 13 poles.

Isaac retired in 1976 and died of a heart attack in 1977 while at Hickory Speedway. He is buried at the cemetery next to that track.

21. DALE JARRETT

The 1999 Winston Cup champion has won three Daytona 500s and is a factor on nearly every type of track. The son of Ned Jarrett, Dale is an incredible athlete: He was a multisport star as a youngster and probably is the best golfer among current Cup drivers.

Jarrett has been a consistent threat to win for a decade and has done particularly well in NASCAR's biggest races, namely the Brickyard 400. He has driven for some of the sport's top owners, including current boss Robert Yates.

Now if he only would drive the big, brown truck.

22. FRED LORENZEN

Dubbed "Ford's Golden Boy," Lorenzen was a carpenter from Illinois who joined NASCAR in 1960 after dominating USAC races. He won three times in 1961, then began beating the biggest names at the biggest tracks. Lorenzen even won three in a row at Bristol to become the first driver to achieve that feat.

Lorenzen's consistency was most evident in 1964, when he ran in only 16 races and won eight of them. But perhaps Lorenzen's chief claim to fame is being the first driver to win more than $100,000 in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1963.

23. TERRY LABONTE

A two-time Winston Cup champ, Labonte's recent struggles shouldn't overshadow his nearly two decades of strong showings. Terry, the older brother of 2000 Cup winner Bobby Labonte, had the longest-ever gap between titles: 12 years. His first Cup crown was in 1984; his second was in 1996.

Oddly, he won only two times in each of those seasons, but he always ran near the top. Labonte hasn't always had the fastest cars, but he has been one of NASCAR's smartest and most resourceful drivers.

24. DAVEY ALLISON

One of the sport's saddest stories was the untimely demise of Allison in a helicopter crash at Talladega in 1993. Allison was just entering his prime and perhaps could have challenged the career marks of his illustrious father, Bobby.

Allison was the first driver to win The Winston, an all-star race, in successive years, and he won a remarkable 19 times in 191 starts in his career. In 1987, he won twice on the Cup circuit--the first freshman to do so--and earned rookie of the year honors.

25. TONY STEWART

Yes, he makes the list this quickly. Stewart has already displayed the traits of a great driver, and he won a Winston Cup crown in only his fourth year. Once he becomes more familiar with the Chews he now drives, Stewart should be the dominant character in the series.