The stress to win in NASCAR is probably better than it has ever been. A win routinely locks a driver into the playoffs, making them one in every of 16 with a shot on the championship.
Trying via the sphere of full-time drivers, six have gone at the least 50 races since their most up-to-date journey to Victory Lane. Let’s check out this group and see who has the most effective probability to finish their dry-spell subsequent season.
The longest energetic winless streak. Haley’s victory at Daytona in July, 2019 was all about being in the proper place on the proper time. Making simply his third profession Cup begin, he stayed out whereas others pitted throughout a warning interval. Quickly after, the rain arrived and he was declared the race winner. Haley hasn’t received on the Cup stage since that day, however he’s come shut. When Shane van Gisbergen took a shocking win on debut on the Chicago Avenue Course, it was Haley who he needed to cross within the closing laps.
Haley now strikes from Kaulig Racing to Rick Ware Racing for the 2024 season. RWR has by no means received a Cup race, however neither had Spire till Haley’s 2019 victory at Daytona. Ought to he attain Victory Lane subsequent yr, it will be fairly the upset. I wouldn’t anticipate it to occur however with Haley’s confirmed capability at superspeedways, I might by no means utterly rule it out.
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Fraternal Order of Eagles victory lane
For Keselowski, it’s a matter of when, not if he wins once more. With 35 wins as a Cup Collection driver, he’s with out query essentially the most profitable full-time driver on this unlucky record. The 2012 Cup champion left a cushty place at Staff Penske with the purpose to assist rebuild the Roush Fenway Racing crew, becoming a member of as each a driver and co-owner.
His work has paid off with each vehicles making the 2023 playoffs and Chris Buescher profitable three races, however Keselowski himself stays winless since becoming a member of RFK.
His most up-to-date victory got here at Talladega in April, 2021. He’s gotten agonizingly near getting his first win with RFK, however it simply hasn’t occurred but. Nevertheless, it feels inevitable at this level. I’d be shocked if this driver goes one other yr with out snapping his winless streak, so I’ll go on the file to say that it’s going to lastly go Brad’s manner in 2024.
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Brad Keselowski, Staff Penske, Ford Mustang MoneyLion
Cindric has only one win on the Cup stage, taking the checkered flag in NASCAR’s greatest race as a rookie driver. However ever since profitable the Daytona 500 in February, 2022, it’s been a wrestle for the Staff Penske driver.
Whereas his team-mates Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney have gone onto win back-to-back titles for Penske, he has but to return to Victory Lane. The crew appeared to take a step again from 2022 to 2023, and I am not assured that we’ll see any main enhancements subsequent yr.
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Race winner Austin Cindric, Staff Penske, Ford Mustang
Briscoe is now the one driver among the many four-car Stewart-Haas Racing crew to have received on the Cup stage, however it’s been practically two seasons since that day.
He received at Phoenix in March, 2022, making the most of the extent taking part in discipline with the introduction of the Subsequent Gen automobile. Since then, SHR has fallen behind and Briscoe scored only one top-five this yr.
With the departure of each Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola, he turns into essentially the most senior member of the race crew. They will be loads of stress for the complete group to get issues circled in 2024, or else it will likely be one other fruitless yr for Briscoe and SHR. Sadly, I believe their struggles will proceed into the brand new season, however maybe the up to date Ford physique will assist them to proper the ship.
Picture by: Jasen Vinlove / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Race winner Chase Briscoe, Stewart Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang in victory lane
It’s been a tough stretch for this Hendrick Motorsports driver. A concussion late within the 2022 season and a again harm early within the 2023 season haven’t helped in his efforts to return to Victory Lane.
His most up-to-date win got here at Las Vegas in March, 2022, beating team-mate Kyle Larson. Bowman is a confirmed winner with seven victories on the highest stage of the game, however there’s simply one thing lacking with this No. 48 crew proper now.
He’ll now utterly concentrate on his Cup efforts, just lately asserting that he’ll put his grime racing efforts on maintain. I do imagine he comes again stronger in 2024 and develop into a winner as soon as once more.
Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Race winner Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro
Suarez earned his first and solely Cup win up to now at Sonoma in June, 2022. This Trackhouse Racing driver has flirted with victory a number of instances after his Sonoma triumph. He had a shot to win from pole on the Indy RC final summer season, in the end ending third. He was additionally second within the rain-shortened Atlanta race.
However Trackhouse are the newest winners on the Cup stage, taking victory within the Cup finale at Phoenix with Ross Chastain. The vehicles are quick, however this No. 99 crew simply must put all items collectively.
Unforced errors and simply unhealthy luck have hindered their efforts, however I imagine they’ll get pleasure from a far smoother 2024. In actual fact, I am going to go one step additional and declare that Suarez will win on an oval for the primary time in his Cup profession.
Picture by: Jasen Vinlove / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Race winner Daniel Suarez, TrackHouse Racing, Onx Properties / Renu Chevrolet Camaro
One other winless streak to look at
Though not full-time, I’d additionally like to say seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson. The co-owner of Legacy Motor Membership ranks sixth on the all-time wins record, however his 83rd profession win came visiting six years in the past in June, 2017 at Dover.
He’ll make a handful of appearances subsequent yr, driving the No. 84 machine. His objective is to assist strengthen LMC because it switches to Toyota for the 2024 season, guiding Erik Jones and John-Hunter Nemechek of their efforts.
But when the chance arises, you recognize this veteran racer will do no matter he can to finish that 133-race winless streak.
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Race winner Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
