In the unpredictable world of NASCAR, where triumphs and setbacks unfold at breakneck speeds, a driver’s journey to Victory Lane is often fraught with challenges and suspense. The 2023 season witnessed two notable breakthroughs that sent waves of celebration through the racing community.
Michael McDowell , after enduring a nearly 100-race winless streak, emerged triumphant with a sensational victory at the Indianapolis Road Course in August. Similarly, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. , etching his name into record books, shattered a formidable 199-race winless streak by clinching victory in the season-opening Daytona 500.
As the 2024 season fast approaches us, we ponder the doubt on who still has the longest winless streak. Delve into the realm of NASCAR’s top drivers grappling with active winless streaks, McDowell and Stenhouse’s triumphant moments serve as a reminder that every race holds the potential for redemption, and Victory Lane is never too far from the grasp of determined contenders.
Alex Bowman, steering the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports holds a win-drought of 61 races. His versatile racing career extends to part-time roles in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving for HMS and Spire Motorsports, respectively. Bowman faced setbacks in 2023 with a late 2022 concussion and early-season back injury, hindering his return to Victory Lane.
The 2023 season posed challenges for Bowman due to a back injury sustained in sprint car racing, causing him to miss three races and impacting his overall performance. Despite these hurdles, he finished 20th in the point standings, notching four top-4 finishes and 10 top-10 finishes. Over his extensive career, Bowman boasts 306 starts, seven wins, three poles, 32 top-5 finishes, and 79 top-10 finishes in the Cup Series.
A pivotal moment in Bowman’s career unfolded at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he secured a thrilling victory, besting NASCAR champion Kyle Larson in a door-to-door battle in overtime. This marked his first win of the year and seventh overall, contributing to Hendrick Motorsports’ consecutive victories. The strategic prowess showcased in his crew chief’s decision for a two-tire call proved pivotal as Bowman clinched the checkered flag, cementing his status as a formidable force in NASCAR.
4. Chase Briscoe (68 races)
Chase Briscoe, part of the four-car Stewart-Haas Racing team, is among the drivers facing an active winless streak. His last victory occurred at Phoenix in March 2022, exploiting the introduction of the Next Gen car. Since then, Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing have grappled with challenges, resulting in a solitary top-five finish in the subsequent season.
As the most senior member of the revamped Stewart-Haas Racing lineup in 2024, Briscoe’s shoulders heightened expectations, pressured to lead the team following the departure of key drivers like Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola. With a winless streak spanning 68 races since his triumph at Phoenix, Briscoe’s past success and the potential improvements with the updated Ford body instill a sense of optimism. It suggests that, despite recent struggles, Briscoe may well find his way back to Victory Lane in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.
3. Austin Cindric (71 Races)
Austin Cindric, one of the younger drivers on the NASCAR Cup Series grid, enters the 2024 season racing full-time for Team Penske. In the 2023 season, Cindric experienced a breakthrough, securing his first pole position and clinching his inaugural Cup Series win dramatically at the Daytona 500. The victory came in only his 7th Cup Series start, showcasing his early prowess and determination.
The 2023 season saw Cindric finish with five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, earning him the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award. With a total of 108 starts in his career, Cindric has accumulated one win, 23 top-5, and 52 top-10 finishes. As he continues with Team Penske in 2024, driving the No. 2 Ford Mustang, Cindric remains poised for further success in his racing journey.
Despite a winless streak of 71 races since his triumph at the Daytona 500 in February 2022, Cindric’s relatively short time in the Cup Series, combined with his early achievements, suggests that he has the potential to break the streak in the upcoming season. His continued association with a championship-winning team like Team Penske adds to the anticipation that Cindric may soon find his way back to Victory Lane in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series.
2. Brad Keselowski (98 races)
Brad Keselowski embarks on the 2024 season with RFK Racing, aiming to turn his fate around after a notable performance in 2023 in underwhelming machinery. Despite enduring a multi-car accident during the playoffs, Keselowski demonstrated consistent competitiveness throughout the season, securing seven top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in the Cup Series.
With an extensive career spanning 416 starts, Keselowski brings a wealth of experience to RFK Racing, boasting 35 wins, 177 top-5, and 282 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series. Keselowski’s winless streak of 98 races since his last victory at Talladega in April 2021 feels more like a temporary setback than a prolonged drought. He has finished second but victory has eluded him over the last 2 seasons.
The 2021 Talladega race was an eventful race and a spectacular one for Keselowski. Hamlin claimed the pole, while Kyle Larson‘s early exit due to a blown engine set the tone. Dramatic incidents unfolded, including Joey Logano‘s airborne flip and Matt DiBenedetto winning the first stage. The second stage saw Hamlin’s crash, Wallace’s maiden stage win, and a chaotic overtime finish. Keselowski secured his sixth Talladega win, tying legends Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon.
The move to RFK Racing, where he serves as both driver and co-owner, signifies a commitment to rebuilding the team. Amid a famine of wins, optimism shines bright for Keselowski as he was the driver to lead most laps for a Ford since 2013. The seasoned driver’s influence and determination may well lead to a triumphant return to Victory Lane in the 2024 season.
1. Justin Haley (105 races)
Justin Haley transitions to Rick Ware Racing for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, following a commendable 2023 with Kaulig Racing. Despite finishing 24th in the standings, Haley showcased remarkable consistency, ranking as the safest full-time driver with only nine on-track incidents in 36 races. Notably, he secured six top-10 finishes, including a notable second place at the inaugural Cup Series street race in Chicago.
While Haley’s winless streak spans 105 races, his proven ability at superspeedways and the unpredictability of NASCAR races leave room for optimism. The 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway was a rain-shortened race, securing Justin Haley’s first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win in his third start. The race, delayed by rain, saw Haley leading a top-five finish that included William Byron, Jimmie Johnson, Ty Dillon, and Ryan Newman. Since the last time and the only time Haley took the chequered flag, there have been 4 different champions.
The move to Rick Ware Racing, though facing significant odds, introduces an element of unpredictability, reminiscent of his 2019 Daytona victory under unusual circumstances. If Haley can adapt well to the new team and capitalize on his superspeedway prowess, he might have the potential to break his winless streak in the 2024 season.
Honourable mention:
Daniel Suarez had a solid season in 2023, securing three top-5 and 10 top-10 finishes but struggled with consistency, ending in 18th place. Despite highlights like top-5 finishes at Auto Club Speedway and the Chicago Street Course, criticism arose for regression. Suarez aims to break his 56-race winless streak in 2024, seeking improvement with Trackhouse Racing and eyeing his first oval win.
There is another driver, the seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson who faces a daunting 133-race winless streak since June 2017. Co-owning Legacy Motor Club, Johnson, driving the No. 84 machine in select races, strives to guide the team’s transition to Toyota. As a seasoned racer, he remains determined to seize any opportunity and end his extended dry spell on the track.