What’s in a quantity? The numerology of Daytona 500 winners

A quantity is every part in NASCAR. From automotive quantity to position within the subject to podium-decider — some carry with them practically 80 years of inventory automotive racing historical past, evoking sturdy feelings at any time when they seem on the observe. Others have but to seek out their place within the pages of inventory automotive racing greatness, however numerology has all the time been an fascinating pattern to comply with in a sport the place the automotive numbers are an integral a part of every driver and crew’s id.

Traditionally, no quantity has earned extra victories than the No. 11, whereas none have run extra races than the No. 43, and a few have reached a degree of idolatry that the majority drivers can solely dream of — like the enduring No. 3, which nonetheless graces the again home windows of passenger autos throughout America right now.

In fashionable NASCAR numerology, Ross Chastain grew to become the primary driver to ever win greater than 4 Cup races within the No. 1 automotive, with a number of drivers reaching 4 however by no means extra. Past that, Joey Logano can solely make the Championship 4 in even-numbered years, and the No. 22 even received the crown in ‘22. Chase Elliott and his father Invoice each received Cup titles within the No. 9, whereas Austin Dillon received the 2018 Daytona 500 within the RCR No. 3, — 20 years after Dale Earnhardt’s triumph, who himself solely received it himself after 20 years of making an attempt. 

Is it fascinating? Sure! However does it actually imply a lot? No, not significantly. However as somebody who loves parallels and discovering curious traits, we simply needed to dive into the numerology of NASCAR’s largest race – the Daytona 500. Particularly, the numbers pushed by the race winners within the earlier 66 editions of this prestigious occasion. To place all of it in perspective, 22 Daytona 500-winning numbers are current on this yr’s subject, and probably 23 if Justin Allgaier makes the minimize within the No. 40. Solely seven numbers previously victorious within the 500 usually are not a part of this yr’s moderately giant entry listing. 

The ‘King’ of Daytona numbers

The winningest quantity within the Daytona 500 ought to come as no shock to anybody. Seven occasions the No. 43 has pushed to Victory Lane at Daytona, and all seven events have been courtesy of ‘The King’ Richard Petty. The longtime rival of that Petty No. 43 is in fact the Wooden Brothers-owned No. 21, which trails simply behind with 5 victories within the 500. However not like Petty profitable seven all on his personal within the No. 43, 5 completely different drivers have wheeled the No. 21 to victory between Tiny Lund in 1963 and Trevor Bayne in 2011. Maybe that’s an much more spectacular feat. The No. 28 additionally has 5 wins within the 500 however none since 1992, and because it’s not actively used within the Cup Sequence, that’s not more likely to change anytime quickly. The No. 11 is one other with 5 victories within the 500 — and three within the final decade because of the success of Denny Hamlin.

The unfold between wins is one thing else the No. 11 can take pleasure in with 53 years between its first and most up-to-date 500 victories [1967 – 2020]. No quantity crosses a better time period however curiously, the No. 22 has achieved the identical feat with 53 years between its first and most up-to-date 500 win as properly [1962 – 2015]. Each have an excellent likelihood of visiting Victory Lane but once more this weekend with Hamlin and Logano representing these iconic palindromic race numbers. Now, these data could possibly be toppled by different numbers in the event that they win all of it this yr and they’re the Nos. 20, 21 , 42, 40, and 43. For Christopher Bell, he’s making an attempt to steer the No. 20 to victory within the 500 for the primary time since Marvin Panch in 1961, however the No. 42 of John-Hunter Nemechek (shockingly) hasn’t received the massive prize for the reason that inaugural race with Lee Petty in 1959.

Predicting the winner, through a automotive quantity?

The palindromic numbers aren’t executed holding sure data both because the No. 11 and No. 88 are the one numbers to have really received a 500 in 4 separate many years. However do the latest traits give any nod to who could also be topped winner on the finish of this week? Properly, we did uncover one thing that one may dare to name a pattern. The 1995, 2005, and 2015 Daytona 500 have been all received by numbers that had beforehand received the five hundred earlier than, which doesn’t actually slender it down till you notice the profitable quantity in every of those cases collected its third 500 win that yr. Ought to that pattern one way or the other proceed in 2025, the one potential winners are as follows: Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, or Austin Dillon. They’re the one drivers with numbers that enter this yr’s 500 with two wins and in the hunt for a 3rd. 

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney, Crew Penske Ford

Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures

Whereas 30 completely different automotive numbers have received the Daytona 500, a quantity within the 50s or 60s has by no means really executed it. Whereas the numerology favors the likes of Elliott and Blaney, it’s working in opposition to drivers resembling Ty Gibbs [No. 54] and Ryan Preece [No. 60].

When digging via all of this, one shortly notices the rising unpredictability in latest profitable numbers, which follows a really actual pattern of shock victors within the fashionable Daytona 500. The race has change into radically unpredictable in recent times, and three of the final 4 500s have been received by numbers which have by no means received it earlier than (Nos. 2, 34, 47). Simply have a look at the numbers that earned a 500 win for the primary time through the twenty first century as solely one in all them has gone on to win a number of occasions over the previous two-and-a-half many years — the No. 48 with Jimmie Johnson. So maybe we ought to be trying to a quantity that hasn’t but received the five hundred on Sunday.

So near victory…

What about these unlucky numbers that stay related within the subject every weekend, however nonetheless have by no means identified Daytona 500 glory? Of them, the Nos. 6, 16, and 99 have been the closest over time with two runner-up finishes apiece. They, together with the No. 97 (which isn’t getting used), are the one numbers to have multiple runner-up end within the 500 with out ever really profitable the massive race. We’ll see if Brad Keselowski [No. 6], A.J. Allmendinger [No. 16], or Daniel Suarez [No. 99] can change that this yr.

However in fact, the true keys to victory in NASCAR’s crown jewel occasion is not the quantity on the door, however the execution by the motive force, crew, and generally intercession of Girl Luck. The historical past of the Daytona 500 is written by these numbers – some way more well-known than others – and every one has a driver behind them hoping to put in writing their very own little bit of historical past this weekend.

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro

Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

The profitable numbers of the Daytona 500