Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2022 and has been updated.
The Daytona 500 is one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ crown-jewel races. It’s the crown jewel of crown jewels and by far, the biggest race of the NASCAR schedule. It also opens the 36-race season every year at Daytona International Speedway.
Drivers would do just about anything to take NASCAR’s most coveted checkered flag, and it has and continues to elude many of the sport’s best competitors.
DAYTONA 500: Why NASCAR’s Daytona track has its own massive lake
Winning the Daytona 500 can be a career- and life-changing moment, securing a driver’s permanent place in NASCAR history and hoisting the massive Harley J. Earl Trophy. So here’s a look back at every Daytona 500 winner since the first race in 1959.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: A general view of the “DAYTONA” grass stencil during the NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel #1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775940831 ORIG FILE ID: 1466887355
Feb 26, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; Mario Andretti before the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
- 1960: Junior Johnson
- 1961: Marvin Panch
- 1962: Fireball Roberts
- 1963: Tiny Lund
- 1964: Richard Petty
- 1965: Fred Lorenzen
- 1966: Richard Petty
- 1967: Mario Andretti
- 1968: Cale Yarborough
- 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
Richard Petty (43), and Darrell Waltrip finish a 1979 race first and second respectively. Richard Petty private Collection Petty Enterprises — DATE TAKEN: 1979 No Byline Petty Enterprises , Source: Petty Enterprises HO – handout ORG XMIT: ZX1590
- 1970: Pete Hamilton
- 1971: Richard Petty
- 1972: A.J. Foyt
- 1973: Richard Petty
- 1974: Richard Petty
- 1975: Penny Parsons
- 1976: David Pearson
- 1977: Cale Yarborough
- 1978: Bobby Allison
- 1979: Richard Petty
This is a photo of auto racer Cale Yarborough – 3-time NASCAR national champion (1976-78); 4-time winner of Daytona 500 (1968,77,83-84); ranks 5th on NASCAR all-time list with 83 wins. — DATE TAKEN: 8/26/2002 By Gary Graves USAT OWN – USAT owns all rights ORG XMIT: PX78235
- 1980: Buddy Baker
- 1981: Richard Petty
- 1982: Bobby Allison
- 1983: Cale Yarborough
- 1984: Cale Yarborough
- 1985: Bill Elliott
- 1986: Geoff Bodine
- 1987: Bill Elliott
- 1988: Bobby Allison
- 1989: Darrell Waltrip
15 Feb 1998: Dale Earnhardt celebrates after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
- 1990: Derrike Cope
- 1991: Ernie Irvan
- 1992: Davey Allison
- 1993: Dale Jarrett
- 1994: Sterling Marlin
- 1995: Sterling Marlin
- 1996: Dale Jarrett
- 1997: Jeff Gordon
- 1998: Dale Earnhardt
- 1999: Jeff Gordon
After winning the 2004 Daytona 500 on Sunday Feb 14, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #8 Budweiser car was inducted into Daytona USA Monday Feb. 16, 2004, where it will stay for a year. — DATE TAKEN: 2/16/2004 By Sherryl Creekmore NASCAR , Source: NASCAR Daytona FL HO – handout ORG XMIT: ZX15021
- 2000: Dale Jarrett
- 2001: Michael Waltrip
- 2002: Ward Burton
- 2003: Michael Waltrip
- 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2005: Jeff Gordon
- 2006: Jimmie Johnson
- 2007: Kevin Harvick
- 2008: Ryan Newman
- 2009: Matt Kenseth
Jul 6, 2013; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) celebrates winning the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-128808 ORIG FILE ID: 20130706_kdl_al3_053.jpg
- 2010: Jamie McMurray
- 2011: Trevor Bayne
- 2012: Matt Kenseth
- 2013: Jimmie Johnson
- 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 2015: Joey Logano
- 2016: Denny Hamlin
- 2017: Kurt Busch
- 2018: Austin Dillon
- 2019: Denny Hamlin
Feb 20, 2022; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric (2) celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-476752 ORIG FILE ID: 20220220_jdm_sx1_030.jpg
- 2020: Denny Hamlin
- 2021: Michael McDowell
- 2022: Austin Cindric
- 2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- 2024: William Byron