Winless streaks in NASCAR
Here are a few drivers that are looking to unlock the gates of victory lane and celebrate once again.
Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Rough Fenway Racing Ford, has gone winless for 126 events dating back to Aug. 1, 2016 at Pocono International Raceway. The win came for Front Row Motorsports when a bizarre fog overtook the triangular 2.5-mile speedway, Buescher remained on the track while others pitted. NASCAR was forced to ended the delayed Monday race on lap 138 of the 160-lap race.
Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, has traveled the winless road 107 races dating back to March 19, 2017 at Phoenix Raceway. He led the final six laps in his RCR Enterprises Chevrolet after moving past Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing on the final restart. Since that day, Newman has finished second twice at Talladega but hasn’t gotten back to his winning ways.
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Hendrik Motorsports Chevrolet, has been away from victory lane for 98 races dating back to June 4, 2017 at Dover International Speedway. Johnson was in the lead during a second green-white-checkered start before a multi-car accident ended the race. Over the past two seasons, there have been many heartbreaks but hope prevails that he can win again during his final season in 2020.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet, has been locked out of victory lane for 94 races. His last win came at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2017. The win was taken after a last lap battle over David Ragan of Furniture Row Racing.
Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 RCR Enterprises Chevrolet, last won NASCAR’s biggest event, the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2018 which was 74 races ago. In typical Daytona fashion, Dillion had to do some aggressive driving to get around Darrell “Bubba” Wallace in turn three on the final lap to secure the win. Dillion is very good on the superspeedways and could pull off another victory there next month.
Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, has gone 60 races since last winning at Michigan Speedway on June 10, 2018. That day, he led the final eight laps after getting around teammate Kevin Harvick for the top spot. Since that day, he and crew chief Mike Bugarewicz have put together some strong and respectable finishes but haven’t been able to seal the deal with a win. New colors and a new season can sometimes make all the difference.
Another in the winless column from Stewart-Haas Racing is Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. The native of Tampa, FL. led only one lap that day-the last one-but chose the one that mattered most. In typical Talladega fashion, Almirola held off a tight pack of cars to collect his second-career Cup series win. His only other win came at Daytona for Richard Petty Motorsports in 2014. He would say 44 races without a win is way too many.
Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford, has gone winless in 24 races since last collecting a victory at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2019. That day, the Michigan native led lap 143 and laps and from laps 261 through 271 that also spanned through an overtime restart.
Joey Logano, another driver for Team Penske Racing, is sitting on a short but frustrating 21-race drought. The Connecticut native last went to victory lane at Michigan Speedway on June 10, 2019. Logano gained the lead on lap 186 of the 203-lap event and led until the end, including the green-white-checker finish.
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 1 Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, hasn’t been to victory lane since July 13, 2019 at Kentucky Speedway. The Las Vegas native led 41 of 269 laps including the final two and held off Logano for the win.
Chris Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Rough Fenway Racing Ford, has gone winless for 126 events dating back to Aug. 1, 2016 at Pocono International Raceway. The win came for Front Row Motorsports when a bizarre fog overtook the triangular 2.5-mile speedway, Buescher remained on the track while others pitted. NASCAR was forced to ended the delayed Monday race on lap 138 of the 160-lap race.
Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, has traveled the winless road 107 races dating back to March 19, 2017 at Phoenix Raceway. He led the final six laps in his RCR Enterprises Chevrolet after moving past Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing on the final restart. Since that day, Newman has finished second twice at Talladega but hasn’t gotten back to his winning ways.
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Hendrik Motorsports Chevrolet, has been away from victory lane for 98 races dating back to June 4, 2017 at Dover International Speedway. Johnson was in the lead during a second green-white-checkered start before a multi-car accident ended the race. Over the past two seasons, there have been many heartbreaks but hope prevails that he can win again during his final season in 2020.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet, has been locked out of victory lane for 94 races. His last win came at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2017. The win was taken after a last lap battle over David Ragan of Furniture Row Racing.
Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 RCR Enterprises Chevrolet, last won NASCAR’s biggest event, the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2018 which was 74 races ago. In typical Daytona fashion, Dillion had to do some aggressive driving to get around Darrell “Bubba” Wallace in turn three on the final lap to secure the win. Dillion is very good on the superspeedways and could pull off another victory there next month.
Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, has gone 60 races since last winning at Michigan Speedway on June 10, 2018. That day, he led the final eight laps after getting around teammate Kevin Harvick for the top spot. Since that day, he and crew chief Mike Bugarewicz have put together some strong and respectable finishes but haven’t been able to seal the deal with a win. New colors and a new season can sometimes make all the difference.
Another in the winless column from Stewart-Haas Racing is Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. The native of Tampa, FL. led only one lap that day-the last one-but chose the one that mattered most. In typical Talladega fashion, Almirola held off a tight pack of cars to collect his second-career Cup series win. His only other win came at Daytona for Richard Petty Motorsports in 2014. He would say 44 races without a win is way too many.
Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford, has gone winless in 24 races since last collecting a victory at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2019. That day, the Michigan native led lap 143 and laps and from laps 261 through 271 that also spanned through an overtime restart.
Joey Logano, another driver for Team Penske Racing, is sitting on a short but frustrating 21-race drought. The Connecticut native last went to victory lane at Michigan Speedway on June 10, 2019. Logano gained the lead on lap 186 of the 203-lap event and led until the end, including the green-white-checker finish.
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 1 Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, hasn’t been to victory lane since July 13, 2019 at Kentucky Speedway. The Las Vegas native led 41 of 269 laps including the final two and held off Logano for the win.