Only 8 drivers in NASCAR modern era have won 4 straight races

The feat that Kevin Harvick is trying to pull off is more difficult than you might imagine.

NASCAR has been around for a long time. Even if you consider only what is known as the modern era, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series as we know it dates back to 1972. Yet there are surprisingly few drivers who have won four or more races in a row, which highlights just how amazing it is for Kevin Harvick to even be trying to pull it off.

In fact, the list of NASCAR drivers with four consecutive wins goes just eight deep at the moment, and it’s studded with legends, champions and Hall of Famers. Thanks to NASCAR.com, here’s the list in chronological order with the tracks at which they won to accomplish the rare feat.

NASCAR Cup Series drivers with four consecutive wins in modern era

• Cale Yarborough – 1976 – Richmond, Dover, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro
• Darrell Waltrip – 1981 – Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Rockingham
• Dale Earnhardt – 1987 – Darlington, North Wilkesboro, Bristol, Martinsville
• Harry Gant – 1991 – Darlington, Richmond, Dover, Martinsville
• Bill Elliott – 1992 – Rockingham, Richmond, Atlanta, Darlington
• Mark Martin – 1993 – Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol, Darlington
• Jeff Gordon – 1998 – Pocono, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, Michigan
• Jimmie Johnson – 2007 – Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix

For whatever reason, the ’90s were the golden age of four-win streaks, with four of the eight occurrences coming during that decade. While the feat is impressive no matter how it happens, Martin deserves a special shoutout for his quad, considering it would be hard to imagine four more different tracks to conquer in succession.

That wouldn’t be the case if Harvick pulls it off, but adding his name to this list would obviously be a career highlight. There’s also some good news for his championship aspirations, as five of the eight drivers (Yarborough, Waltrip, Earnhardt, Gordon and Johnson) went on to claim the NASCAR Cup Series crown during the season in which they won four straight races.

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As for the all-time NASCAR record, that’s a little bit out of reach for anyone driving right now: 10 in a row by The King himself, Richard Petty, back in 1967. Even though Harvick seems unbeatable right now, there’s not much chance of him threatening that mark, but we’re pretty sure he’d be extremely satisfied joining the eight men on this list.