NASCAR Cup "Champions" if the Chase Never Existed

Prior to 2004, Cup Series champions were determined by whichever driver accumulated the most points in a season. With the advent of the Chase, points are reset amongst the drivers who earned a spot after the 26-race regular season . Since then, fans have often wondered which driver accumulated the most points throughout each season without the Chase reset. Can you name the drivers that did accumulate the most points each season from 2004 - present?

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Last updated: January 13, 2026

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First submitted	November 11, 2020
Times taken	433
Average score	90.9%
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Year	Actual Champion	Driver Who Accumulated the Most Points Without the Playoff Reset
2004	Kurt Busch	Jeff Gordon
2005	Tony Stewart	Tony Stewart
2006	Jimmie Johnson	Jimmie Johnson
2007	Jimmie Johnson	Jeff Gordon
2008	Jimmie Johnson	Carl Edwards
2009	Jimmie Johnson	Jimmie Johnson
2010	Jimmie Johnson	Kevin Harvick
2011	Tony Stewart	Carl Edwards
2012	Brad Keselowski	Brad Keselowski
2013	Jimmie Johnson	Jimmie Johnson
2014	Kevin Harvick	Jeff Gordon

Year	Actual Champion	Driver Who Accumulated the Most Points Without the Playoff Reset
2015	Kyle Busch	Kevin Harvick
2016	Jimmie Johnson	Kevin Harvick
2017	Martin Truex, Jr.	Martin Truex, Jr.
2018	Joey Logano	Kyle Busch
2019	Kyle Busch	Kyle Busch
2020	Chase Elliott	Kevin Harvick
2021	Kyle Larson	Kyle Larson
2022	Joey Logano	Chase Elliott
2023	Ryan Blaney	William Byron
2024	Joey Logano	Kyle Larson
2025	Kyle Larson	Kyle Larson