10 one-time wonders in NASCAR History

One-time wonders in NASCAR

Derrike Cope

10. Trevor Bayne – 2011 Daytona 500

The 20-year-old rookie shocked the world by winning the Daytona 500 in just his second Cup start. Despite the fairytale start, Bayne never returned to Victory Lane again.

9. Paul Menard – 2011 Brickyard 400

Menard used fuel strategy to outlast Jeff Gordon at Indianapolis. It was a career-defining moment — and his only Cup win.

8. Regan Smith – 2011 Southern 500

Smith pulled off a massive upset at Darlington, holding off Carl Edwards for a historic win in the underfunded No. 78 Furniture Row car.

7. David Ragan – 2013 Talladega

Ragan made a brilliant last-lap move to give Front Row Motorsports a shocking 1–2 finish. He never reached those heights again.

6. Justin Haley – 2019 Daytona

Haley was in the right place when lightning ended the race early — giving Spire Motorsports an unbelievable victory.

5. Derrike Cope – 1990 Daytona 500

Cope inherited the lead after Dale Earnhardt’s tire blew on the final lap. It became one of the biggest upsets in NASCAR history.

4. Phil Parsons – 1988 Talladega

The younger Parsons brother scored his only career win in a drafting duel at Talladega.

3. Johnny Benson Jr. – 2002 Rockingham

After years of trying, Benson finally broke through at Rockingham for his lone Cup win.

2. Bobby Hillin Jr. – 1986 Talladega

Just 22 years old, Hillin outlasted the chaos at Talladega to score a career-defining victory.

1. Jeremy Clements – 2017 Road America (Xfinity)

An independent driver who stunned everyone with a win on pure strategy and determination — a moment that reminded fans what underdog victories mean in NASCAR.