NASCAR Daytona Notes: New Chance at Big Records

Kyle Larson is back in 2021 in a Hendrick Chevy.

Hendrick Motorsport’s driver Chase Elliott, the series’ most popular driver, collected his first NASCAR Cup Series title last season and a record 13th for Hendrick Motorsports (1995, ’96, ’97, ’98, 2001, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’13, ’16, ’20). Hendrick Motorsports also has the opportunity to surpass the historic Petty Enterprises for the series record in all-time wins this season. Petty Enterprises currently leads the series in wins with 268. Hendrick Motorsports has the second-most with 263.

“The Petty organization will always be kind of the backbone of the sport,” Rick Hendrick said. “Richard (Petty) will always be the King. We may end up with more wins than they did, but what they’ve done for the sport—you know, Richard has been with Presidents. He is the kind of person that when you mention his name, it helps our whole sport.

“So I’m a little humble to think that ‘Hey, I’m going to maybe one day pass his record of wins. I would love to, but I don’t know if I’ll ever contribute as much to the sport as Richard Petty and the Petty organization have.”


New Teams

Legendary teams like Petty Enterprises paved the way for all the teams competing in the NASCAR Cup Series today; including the new comers we will see this season – 23XI Racing, Trackhouse Racing and Live Fast Motorsports. All three new teams have announced they acquired Charters and will compete for the title this season. Even more interesting is, much like Petty Enterprises with NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty being part of the ownership of the organization, all three of the new teams have a driver or former driver as part of their ownership.

23XI Racing is a newly formed team by NBA legend Michael Jordan and current Cup Series driver and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. Jordan and Hamlin have tapped Bubba Wallace to pilot the No. 23 Toyota with crew chief Mike Wheeler this season and will make their official debut in the Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Trackhouse Racing is another newly formed team that will make their debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021. The team was formed by former driver Justin Marks and international entertainment superstar Pitbull and the organization has signed NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez to drive the No. 99 Chevrolet. Suarez will work with crew chief Travis Mack in 2021.

Live Fast Motorsports is the third of three newly formed teams this season, with drivers BJ McLeod and Matt Tifft forming the team in the off season. McLeod will not only help lead the organization but also drive the flagship No. 78 Ford for the team as well. McLeod will be paired with crew chief Frank Kerr in 2021.


New Faces In New Places

Not only are there new teams to watch for in the NASCAR Cup Series but also several drivers and crew chiefs have moved to new spots as well.

Like the aforementioned teams with their new drivers, here are some other drivers in new spots to keep an eye out for in 2021. Erik Jones moved from Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 to the recently relinquished No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet. With Leavine Family Racing closing shop at the end of last season, Christopher Bell made the jump back to Joe Gibbs Racing and will now drive the No. 20 Toyota. Chip Ganassi Racing tapped Ross Chastain to pilot their No. 42 Chevrolet this season. Kyle Larson returns and will now get behind the wheel of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Alex Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives will now lead the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. Two rookies to watch this season will be Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe in the No. 14 Ford that was recently vacated by a retiring Clint Bowyer and Front Row Motorsport’s Anthony Alfredo in the No. 38 Ford. Plus, Corey LaJoie moved to the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet crew chief Ryan Sparks.

Also, several new crew chiefs will be seen in the garage this season, including Rudy Fugle who replaced Chad Knaus after the seven-time champ stepped away from his crew chiefing duties at the end of last season. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Adam Stevens has been moved over to the No. 20 with Christopher Bell as Ben Beshore will take his place atop the pit box for the No. 18 team with Kyle Busch. And last but not least, Cliff Daniels, Jimmie Johnson’s former crew chief has been named to lead the No. 5 team with Kyle Larson.

NASCAR Xfinity Odds: Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 at Daytona

WESTGATE LAS VEGAS SUPERBOOK

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

ODDS TO WIN 2021 BEEF. IT'S WHAT FOR DINNER. 300

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 - 5:15 PM ET

AJ ALLMENDINGER 7/1
Justin HALEY 7/1
Austin CINDRIC 10/1
Noah GRAGSON 10/1
Ty DILLON 10/1
Justin ALLGAIER 12/1
Michael ANNETT 12/1
Harrison BURTON 12/1
Daniel HEMRIC 12/1
Jeb BURTON 12/1
Tyler REDDICK 16/1
Brandon JONES 16/1
Riley HERBST 16/1
Ryan SIEG 25/1
Myatt SNIDER 25/1
Josh BERRY 25/1
Brett MOFFITT 40/1
Brandon BROWN 40/1
Alex LABBE 60/1
Gray GAULDING 60/1
Landon CASSILL 80/1
Jeremy CLEMENTS 100/1
Josh WILLIAMS 200/1
Jesse LITTLE 200/1
Timmy HILL 200/1
Jeffrey EARNHARDT 300/1
Joe GRAF JR 300/1
FIELD (all others) 40/1


XFINITY DAYTONA DRIVER MATCHUPS MATCHUPS

AJ ALLMENDINGER - 110
Justin HALEY - 110

Austin CINDRIC - 110
Ty DILLON - 110

Austin CINDRIC - 110
Noah GRAGSON - 110

Justin ALLGAIER - 110
Michael ANNETT - 110

Justin ALLGAIER - 110
Harrison BURTON - 110

Justin ALLGAIER - 110
Daneil HEMRIC - 110

Michael ANNETT - 110
Harrison BURTON - 110

Michael ANNETT - 110
Daniel HEMRIC - 110

Harrison BURTON - 110
Daniel HEMRIC - 110

Ryan SIEG - 110
Myatt SNIDER - 110

Odds to win 2021 Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona

WESTGATE LAS VEGAS SUPERBOOK

NASCAR CUP SERIES

ODDS TO WIN BLUEGREEN VACATION DUELS

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 - 7:20 PM ET

RACE 1 ODDS:

Denny HAMLIN 7/2
Joey LOGANO 7/2
Kyle LARSON 6/1
Aric ALMIROLA 10/1
Ricky STENHOUSE JR 10/1
Christopher BELL 12/1
Alex BOWMAN 20/1
Matt DiBENEDETTO 20/1
Tyler REDDICK 25/1
Austin CINDRIC 25/1
Ryan NEWMAN 25/1
Cole CUSTER 25/1
Jamie McMURRAY 25/1
Erik JONES 40/1
Daniel SUAREZ 40/1
Ryan PREECE 40/1
Michael McDOWELL 40/1
Ty DILLON 50/1
Quin HOUFF 300/1
Timmy HILL 300/1
Cody WARE 300/1
Josh BILICKI 300/1


RACE 2 ODDS: 9:00 PM ET

Ryan BLANEY 9/2
Chase ELLIOTT 9/2
Brad KESELOWSKI 5/1
Kyle BUSCH 7/1
Martin TRUEX JR 10/1
Kevin HARVICK 10/1
Darrell WALLACE JR 10/1
Kurt BUSCH 12/1
William BYRON 14/1
Austin DILLON 25/1
Ross CHASTAIN 25/1
Chase BRISCOE 30/1
Chris BUESCHER 30/1
Noah GRAGSON 100/1
David RAGAN 100/1
Corey LAJOIE 100/1
Anthony ALFREDO 200/1
Kaz GRALA 200/1
Garrett SMITHLEY 300/1
BJ McLEOD 300/1
Joey GASE 300/1
Derrike COPE 500/1

2021 NASCAR Duels Selections from Micah Roberts

NASCAR Duels - Odds from William Hill

 

Duel Race 1

1 #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 10/1

2 #48 Alex Bowman 10/1

3 #22 Joey Logano 7/2

4 #10 Aric Almirola 17/2

5 #20 Christopher Bell 12/1

 

Duel Race 2

1 #18 Kyle Busch 13/2

2 #9 Chase Elliott 9/2

3 #12 Ryan Blaney 5/1

4 #24 William Byron 10/1

5 #23 Bubba Wallace 10/1

Video: Micah Roberts gives 2021 Daytona 500 Top-5 Prediction

 

Alex Bowman and William Byron qualify on the front row of the 2021 Daytona 500

February 10, 2021

By Holly Cain

Alex Bowman swapped car numbers for the 2021 season – from 88 to 48 – but has certainly retained his Daytona magic, earning the pole position for Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), giving the Hendrick Motorsports driver a record fourth consecutive front row start in the NASCAR Cup Series season-opener.

Bowman, 27, went out late in the qualifying order (38th of 44 drivers) Wednesday night – the first night-time pole qualifying session in race history – but his Chevrolet handily set the pace with a lap of 191.261 mph (47.056 secs.), taking the top-spot from Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron by more than a quarter-second.

“It was fast,” Byron said, smiling about Bowman’s pole-winning lap.

The Hendrick teammates also started alongside one another in 2019, when Byron edged Bowman for the pole position. Bowman earned his first Daytona 500 pole in 2018 and started second last year. Hendrick Motorsports now has 14 Daytona 500 pole positions.

“It doesn’t really have a whole lot to do with me, right,” Bowman said on pit road after qualifying. “It’s a testament to these guys and everybody back in the shop at Hendrick Motorsports. They work so hard on these superspeedway cars. They are beautiful when they get to the race track. Our Ally Camaro has been really fast since we unloaded and they focused a lot on trying to get the pole for the Daytona 500.

“It means a lot to us and we were able to achieve that.”

And, he added, “It’s more about the people that make it happen. I floored it, but I’m pretty sure everyone else did too. I’m just appreciative my race car is fast.”

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola was third fastest in the No. 10 Ford followed on the speed chart by Bubba Wallace, who earned rave reviews in his debut driving the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota, which is co-owned by three-time and defending Daytona 500 winning driver Denny Hamlin and NBA Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan. Wallace’s lap was good enough for the top spot only to be taken by Byron three cars later.

Wallace was fastest in an hour-long practice Wednesday afternoon – his first official laps with the new organization and he was clearly feeling optimistic about the week. He finished runner-up in his very first Daytona 500 in 2018.

“Everything’s shaping up to be a great ending for us, we just have to get through it,” Wallace said. “It’s kind of the same feeling I had in 2018, my first 500. The speed was there, we qualified decent and had a really good Duel and finished second in the 500.

“I think the way things are going, we just have to keep it going, keep the positive momentum going. Everything’s kind of going well in the car. I’m confident. Still getting things worked out but all in all it comes pretty natural when you have a great team behind you.”

Wallace said he got a “very positive” text from Jordan after qualifying and said the basketball superstar arrives in Daytona on Thursday in time for the Bluegreen Vacation Duels (7 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) that will ultimately set the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Hamlin, the three-time defending Daytona 500 winner was 12th fastest in qualifying. The two joked about Wallace being faster.

“I’m aware,” Hamlin said with a smile, adding, “It’s actually a pretty solid qualifying effort certainly for our FedEx team, just barely out of the top 10 there so that’s a good starting spot for us and we’re excited about it.

“Obviously that was a great run by the 23-team. They just barely missed it there by a tenth or so to get that locked in spot (on the front row). But now they get to go out there and race and get the experience they need to get a good finish on Sunday.”

Speed wise, last year’s polesitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr. proved fast again – fifth quickest in the JTG Daugherty Chevrolet. Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford), Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota), Ryan Preece (No. 37 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet), 2018 Daytona 500 winner Austin Dillon (No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) and Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet) rounded out the top 10.

Preece and 13th-place qualifier David Ragan were quickest among Open car teams needing to qualify based upon time. The rest of the Open car team drivers – Austin Cindric, Kaz Grala, Timmy Hill, Noah Gragson, Ty Dillon and Garrett Smithley – will have to battle it out in the Duels with the highest finisher among them in each Duel earning a spot in the Daytona 500.

Busch Pole Qualifying – 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500
Daytona International Speedway
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

1. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 191.261 mph.
2. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, 190.219 mph.
3. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 190.178 mph.
4. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 189.577 mph.
5. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 189.565 mph.
6. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 189.518 mph.
7. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 189.183 mph.
8. (37) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 189.135 mph.
9. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 188.953 mph.
10. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 188.933 mph.
11. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 188.699 mph.
12. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 188.699 mph.
13. (36) David Ragan, Ford, 188.561 mph.
14. (1) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 188.513 mph.
15. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 188.474 mph.
16. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 188.363 mph.
17. (21) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 187.966 mph.
18. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 187.911 mph.
19. (33) Austin Cindric(i), Ford, 187.891 mph.
20. (16) Kaz Grala, Chevrolet, 187.793 mph.
21. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 187.723 mph.
22. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 187.672 mph.
23. (6) Ryan Newman, Ford, 187.656 mph.
24. (42) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 187.609 mph.
25. (41) Cole Custer, Ford, 187.266 mph.
26. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 187.219 mph.
27. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, 187.017 mph.
28. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 186.858 mph.
29. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 186.765 mph.
30. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, 186.455 mph.
31. (8) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 186.154 mph.
32. (38) Anthony Alfredo, Ford, 185.866 mph.
33. (96) Ty Dillon(i), Toyota, 185.774 mph.
34. (77) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 184.631 mph.
35. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 184.551 mph.
36. (00) Quin Houff, Chevrolet, 181.558 mph.
37. (13) Garrett Smithley(i), Ford, 180.433 mph.
38. (78) BJ McLeod(i), Ford, 180.054 mph.
39. (66) Timmy Hill(i), Ford, 179.942 mph.
40. (51) Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 179.734 mph.
41. (53)  Joey Gase, Ford, 177.760 mph.
42. (52)  Josh Bilicki, Ford, 176.727 mph.
43. (15)  Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.
44. (62)  Noah Gragson(i), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.

Daytona Betting Preview: 2021 Daytona 500

 HANDICAPPING NASCAR AT DAYTONA

In the previous 62 Daytona 500s, no driver has won three straight of NASCAR’s most prestigious race and we haven’t seen anyone get the opportunity since Sterling Marlin tried in the 1996 event. But 2021 gives us a chance to watch history as Denny Hamlin will try to win his third straight Daytona 500 on Sunday and he’s fully aware of what is at stake.

"I hope that I'm around (don't wreck early), that I give myself a chance to make history because ultimately, that's what I'm here for," Hamlin said. "Making history, doing something that no one else has ever done, that's what motivates me to want to get this one."

He also will be shooting for his fourth Daytona 500 which would tie him with Cale Yarborough for second-most behind Richard Petty’s seven wins. He has a chance to make history and that’s the main theme coming into the 63rd running of the race.

There are only five active drivers other than Hamlin to win a Daytona 500 and all of them have one win each. Some of the best superspeedway drivers, or those from the restrictor-plate era, have retired and taken their secrets of manipulating the air in the draft. But the 40-year-old Hamlin learned in his younger years by watching the greats and finally won a superspeedway race in his ninth season racing on them at Talladega in 2014.

Now he’s got five superspeedway wins, winning two of four last season -- top-four in all four -- closing out with a Talladega win. He led laps in all four superspeedway races last season and used different strategies in all. He’d either get upfront and lead to keep the ‘Big One’ behind him or fall behind to keep an eye in front of him with enough room to avoid the inevitable pile up that always happens on superspeedways. He’s been successful at both.

Denny Hamlin seeks a third consecutive Daytona 500 title on Sunday afternoon. (AP)

He’s also got Joe Gibbs Racing equipment which has worked hard to be competitive in the opener at Daytona. Matt Kenseth led a bunch of laps on superspeedways for JGR, Erik Jones got a summer Daytona win in 2018, and Kyle Busch has the top Daytona rating (91.1) among all drivers since NASCAR's Loop Data started keeping track in 2005. Hamlin is rated No. 2 (88.7) over that span.

In Wednesday morning’s first practice before qualifying, JGR equipment posted the top-five speeds with the new 2021 entry, Bubba Wallace, fastest with his Michael Jordan-Hamlin-owned No. 23.

The point is that it hasn’t all been Hamlin, but he’s been the one to use his skills the best and get out front lately. He uses the side-draft better than anyone and he blocks while leading better than anyone which is why we’re talking about him possibly winning for the third straight season. The car rules and race packages are the same as 2020, although Hamlin’s winning Daytona 500 car from last season is on display at Daytona USA.

NASCAR CUP ODDS - DAYTONA

• Denny Hamlin +800
• Chase Elliott +1000
• Joey Logano +1000
• Ryan Blaney +1000
• Brad Keselowski +1400
• William Byron +1400
• More NASCAR Futures
• (Odds Subject to Change)

William Hill sportsbooks have him listed as the 8-to-1 favorite while Circa Sports updated numbers Wednesday have him favored at 11-to-1 odds, the best number in the world.

I’ve been saying for years to be careful and be smart wagering every time there’s a superspeedway race. It’s repetitive but I feel it’s important to remind you all that the volatility of these two tracks changes the true driver rating for each driver because they’re more susceptible to being caught up in a wreck at no fault of their than other tracks.

That’s why I say ditch the props and driver match-ups, but spend some more than usual on odds to win mixing in weighted amounts on a couple of favorites like Hamlin or Ryan Blaney (14/1), middle of the board drivers like Kyle Busch (19/1), Wallace (28/1), Chris Buescher (51/1), and a long shot like Jones (60/1) or Ryan Newman (60/1).

The sportsbooks know this as well which is why they don’t offer any huge odds on the long shots but offer big odds on the favorites. It’s the randomness, the crapshoot of it all where any driver can win. As the wrecks start happening, you start throwing bet tickets away, but for the final five laps, you may have three of the 10 drivers in the lead pack and have just as good of a shot as any.

Last season I had tickets on Hamlin and Newman in that situation and I got lucky, but I believed in Newman and the Roush equipment for superspeedways. I still do to an extent with Newman and Buescher, who finished third in the Daytona 500.

Let’s talk about some contenders to derail Hamlin’s quest for history beginning with his new employee Wallace who William Hill is offering at 28-to-1 odds.

DAYTONA 500 CONTENDERS

The Toyota’s have the least amount of friends and the drivers always choose manufacturers of their own to draft with which is all the more reason to be astounded by Hamlin’s success. The Fords and Chevrolets all have more cars on the track than Toyota. But Hamlin just got a new wingman with Wallace in case Martin Truex, Jr., Busch, or Christopher Bell aren’t around to push him.

READ MORE HERE.........TOP-5 SELECTIONS ON VEGASINSIDER.COM

Daytona International Speedway Data: 2021 Daytona 500

 Daytona International Speedway Data

Race #: 1 of 36 (2-14-21)

Track Size: 2.5 miles

Banking/Corners: 31 degrees

Banking/Straights: 3 degrees

Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees

 

Total Race Length: 500 miles (200 laps)

Stage 1 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)

Stage 2 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)

Final Stage Length: 175 miles (70 laps)

 

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Daytona

Kyle Busch                              91.1

Denny Hamlin                       88.7

Joey Logano                           87.5

Ryan Blaney                           87.4

Kurt Busch                              86.6

William Byron                        83.4

Kevin Harvick                         81.9

Brad Keselowski                     78.5

Jamie McMurray                    78.1

Alex Bowman                           78.0

 

Note: Driver Ratings are compiled from 2005-2020 races (32 total) at Daytona International Speedway (active drivers only).

 

Daytona International Speedway  Qualifying / Race Data

 

Daytona 500 Qualifying record:

Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird

Melling Racing

Crew Chief: Ernie Elliott

(210.364 mph, 42.783 secs., 02-09-1987)

 

2020 pole winner:

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet Camaro

JTG Daugherty Racing

Crew Chief: Brian Pattie

(194.582 mph, 46.253 secs., 02-09-2020)

 

2019 pole winner:

William Byron, Chevrolet Camaro

Hendrick Motorsports

Crew Chief: Chad Knaus

(194.305 mph, 46.319 secs., 02-10-2019)

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

 Daytona 500 Race record:

Buddy Baker, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Ranier Racing

Crew Chief: Waddell Wilson

(177.602 mph, 02:48:55, 02-17-1980)

 

2020 race winner:

Denny Hamlin, Toyota Camry

Joe Gibbs Racing

Crew Chief: Chris Gabehart

(141.110 mph, 03:42:10, 02-17-2020)

 

2019 race winner:

Denny Hamlin, Toyota Camry

Joe Gibbs Racing

Crew Chief: Chris Gabehart

(137.440 mph, 03:45:55, 02-17-2019)

 

All-Time Duel Winners
Rnk.	Winners (43)	Wins
1	Dale Earnhardt	12
2	Bobby Allison	5
	Cale Yarborough	5
	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	5
	Darrell Waltrip	5
	Jeff Gordon	5
7	Bill Elliott	4
8	Buddy Baker	3
	Denny Hamlin	3
	Kyle Busch	3
	Sterling Marlin	3
	Tony Stewart	3
13	Bobby Isaac	2
	Chase Elliott	2
	Elliott Sadler	2
	Ernie Irvan	2
	Jimmie Johnson	2
	Joey Logano	2
	Kevin Harvick	2
	Ken Schrader	2
	Matt Kenseth	2
	Michael Waltrip	2
	Neil Bonnett	2
24	A.J. Foyt	1
	Benny Parsons	1
	Bobby Labonte	1
	Coo Coo Marlin	1
	Dale Jarrett	1
	Dave Marcis	1
	Davey Allison	1
	David Pearson	1
	Donnie Allison	1
	Geoff Bodine	1
	Jeff Burton	1
	Kasey Kahne	1
	Kurt Busch	1
	Mike Skinner	1
	Richard Petty	1
	Ricky Rudd	1
	Robby Gordon	1
	Ryan Blaney	1
	Terry Labonte	1
	William Byron	1

Daytona 500 All-Time Winners

Season	Daytona 500 Winners
2020	Denny Hamlin
2019	Denny Hamlin
2018	Austin Dillon
2017	Kurt Busch
2016	Denny Hamlin
2015	Joey Logano
2014	Dale Earnhardt Jr
2013	Jimmie Johnson
2012	Matt Kenseth
2011	Trevor Bayne
2010	Jamie McMurray
2009	Matt Kenseth
2008	Ryan Newman
2007	Kevin Harvick
2006	Jimmie Johnson
2005	Jeff Gordon
2004	Dale Earnhardt Jr
2003	Michael Waltrip
2002	Ward Burton
2001	Michael Waltrip
2000	Dale Jarrett
1999	Jeff Gordon
1998	Dale Earnhardt
1997	Jeff Gordon
1996	Dale Jarrett
1995	Sterling Marlin
1994	Sterling Marlin
1993	Dale Jarrett
1992	Davey Allison
1991	Ernie Irvan
1990	Derrike Cope
1989	Darrell Waltrip
1988	Bobby Allison
1987	Bill Elliott
1986	Geoff Bodine
1985	Bill Elliott
1984	Cale Yarborough
1983	Cale Yarborough
1982	Bobby Allison
1981	Richard Petty
1980	Buddy Baker
1979	Richard Petty
1978	Bobby Allison
1977	Cale Yarborough
1976	David Pearson
1975	Benny Parsons
1974	Richard Petty
1973	Richard Petty
1972	A.J. Foyt
1971	Richard Petty
1970	Pete Hamilton
1969	LeeRoy Yarbrough
1968	Cale Yarborough
1967	Mario Andretti
1966	Richard Petty
1965	Fred Lorenzen
1964	Richard Petty
1963	Tiny Lund
1962	Fireball Roberts
1961	Marvin Panch
1960	Junior Johnson
1959	Lee Petty