They’ve been in more restarts than a caution-heavy short-track race, but retirement? Not in their vocabulary. These grizzled veterans of NASCAR are still strapping in, hammering down, and showing the young guns how it’s done.  With decades of racing wisdom, countless miles under their belts, and reflexes sharper than a fresh set of Goodyears, these drivers prove that age ain't nothing but a number in the fast lane. Let’s dive into the oldest speed demons still burning rubber!

10 - Oldest NASCAR Drivers Who Are Still Racing!

Before Jeff Green was wrangling stock cars, he was leaving the competition in the dust at Nashville Speedway USA in 1990, winning a jaw-dropping 15 out of 22 races. That hot streak punched his ticket into the NASCAR Busch Series, and from there, he carved out a career with 16 wins, 129 top-tens, and 23 poles in Xfinity.   Though his racing days slowed after 2020, Green didn’t hit the brakes completely—he’s now turning wrenches as a crew chief for RSS Racing’s ARCA Menards Series program.

12. Jeff Green – 265 Laps Led

10. Jeff Green (Born September 6, 1962)

Bobby Gerhart was a journeyman in NASCAR, logging miles in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, but his true playground was the ARCA circuit. With nine wins—including an insane eight victories in the ARCA Daytona 200—Gerhart was the undisputed king of superspeedway survival. While he never parked it on Victory Lane in a NASCAR national series, his talent behind the wheel kept him in the game for decades.

9. Bobby Gerhart (Born July 21, 1958)

Derrike Cope will forever be remembered for his shock-the-world win at the 1990 Daytona 500, snatching victory after Dale Earnhardt cut a tire. That win turned Cope into a motorsports celebrity overnight—complete with a Late Night with David Letterman appearance!   Though his racing days slowed over the years, Cope made a surprise return for the 2021 Daytona 500 but was knocked out early in a wreck.

8. Derrike Cope (Born November 3, 1958)

Bryan Dauzat didn’t take the green flag in NASCAR until he was 48, proving it’s never too late to chase the dream. While he’s not a household name, he’s been grinding it out in the Truck Series and Whelen Modified ranks, picking up solid top-ten finishes. His crew chief? None other than legendary engine builder Bob Rahilly!

7. Bryan Dauzat (Born November 30, 1959)

Mike Harmon didn’t just start late in NASCAR—he built an entire underdog story. After making his debut at nearly 40 years old, he became a full-time grinder, logging laps in Xfinity and Trucks. He may not have found Victory Lane, but his perseverance (and one of the wildest crashes in Bristol history) made him a fan favorite.

6. Mike Harmon (Born January 24, 1958)

Mark Thompson wasn’t just a part-time NASCAR driver—he was a record-setter in ARCA. He became the oldest polesitter at age 63 and the oldest Daytona 500 starter at 66. After a career of flying under the radar, he finally hung up his helmet in 2018.

5. Mark Thompson (Born July 9, 1951)

Norm Benning is the ultimate underdog—the guy who keeps showing up, no matter what. He’s been his own driver, owner, and mechanic, hustling to keep his Truck Series team alive. His gritty, last-lap fight to qualify for the 2013 Eldora Dirt Derby is still one of the greatest moments in Truck Series history.

4. Norm Benning (Born January 16, 1952)

James Hylton wasn’t just a driver—he was a grizzled warrior of stock car racing. Though he only won two Cup races, he outlasted generations of competitors, still running at 76 years old! His old-school grit made him a legend before his passing in 2018.

3. James Hylton (August 26, 1934 – April 28, 2018)

Morgan Shepherd wasn’t just racing into his late 70s—he was still leading laps! In 2012, at age 70, he became the oldest driver to lead a Nationwide race. Now battling Parkinson’s, Shepherd remains a beloved figure in the NASCAR garage.

2. Morgan Shepherd (Born October 12, 1941)

The godfather of longevity, Hershel McGriff’s NASCAR career spanned 70 years! His 2018 K&N Pro Series race at age 90 made him the oldest competitor in history.