Special Awards and Honors

• NASCAR Most Popular Driver: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Fan poll conducted by National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA).
  
• ESPN Speedweek's Fan Poll Driver of the Decade: 1980s.
  
• American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) All-America Team: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992.
  
• Jerry Titus Memorial Award: 1985. Annual Award to the All-American team member receiving the most votes from the AARWBA membership.
  
• American Driver of the Year: 1985, 1988.
  
• National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year: 1985.
  
• Auto Racing Digest Driver of the Year: 1985.
  
• Georgia Professional Athlete of the Year: 1985, 1988.
  
• Grand Marshal Peach Bowl Parade: 1986.
  
• North Carolina Chapter of United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian of the Year: 1987.
  
• Air Force Reserve Honorary Recruiter of the Year: 1987.
  
• McDonald's All-Star Race Team: 1991, 1992, 1993.
  
• Member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame: 1998.
  
• True Value Man of the Year - second quarter: 1997, fourth quarter: 1998 and fourth quarter: 2001.
  
• Spirit of Ford Award: 2000
  
• Motorsports Hall of Fame: August 2007