NASCAR Wins That Fans Still Call Lucky or Stolen
25. Chris Buescher – Pocono 2016
Fog ended the race early, gifting Buescher his first career win. Fans argue he never had the speed to win if the race had gone full distance.
24. Justin Haley – Daytona 2019
Stayed out under lightning red flag, race never resumed — instant Cinderella win. Critics say he only lucked into it by being in the right place at the right time.
23. David Reutimann – Coca-Cola 600 (2009)
Won after a rain-shortened strategy gamble, never led a lap under green. Many point out he was running mid-pack and never had the pace to win outright.
22. Austin Dillon – Daytona 500 (2018)
Spun Aric Almirola on the final lap to steal the Great American Race. Some fans say the move crossed the line between racing hard and wrecking for the win.
21. Joey Logano – Talladega (2015)
Survived a restart controversy where NASCAR waved off attempts to start cleanly. Fans insist the confusion gifted him a win he might not have otherwise earned.
20. Trevor Bayne – Daytona 500 (2011)
Some fans still chalk his shocking win up to pure luck and drafting help. They argue he was simply pushed to victory in the chaos of pack racing.
19. Erik Jones – Daytona 2018 (July)
Survived a crash-filled race where most contenders wrecked out. Fans argue his only path to victory was attrition, not dominance.
18. Michael Waltrip – Daytona 500 (2001)
Overshadowed by Dale Earnhardt’s death, some call it bittersweet luck. Critics say he never truly earned it on speed since DEI teammates controlled the draft.
17. Brad Keselowski – Talladega 2009
Spun Carl Edwards on the last lap in a wild finish. Fans still debate whether it was a clean move or just luck to be in position.
16. Ryan Newman – Daytona 500 (2008)
Benefited from Penske team orders pushing him to the lead. Many believe he wouldn’t have won without teammate Kurt Busch’s help.
15. Kurt Busch – Daytona 500 (2017)
Won by stretching fuel mileage after a wild wreck-filled race. Fans argue he was more survivor than true dominator that day.
14. James Buescher – Daytona Xfinity 2012
Was running 11th on the final lap — missed the Big One and stole it. The fact he only led the last few hundred feet makes the case for pure luck.
13. Denny Hamlin – Talladega (2014)
Avoided a “Big One” late crash and slipped through for the win. Critics say he was in the right place at the right time more than anything else.
12. Jeff Gordon – Brickyard 400 (2004)
Fuel mileage win that left many saying he “stole” it from faster cars. Fans argue it was strategy, not speed, that carried him to victory lane.
11. Jamie McMurray – Charlotte 2002
Won in his second career start, some calling it too good to be true. Fans say he had beginner’s luck with a perfect race car that night.
10. Elliott Sadler – Talladega (2004)
Survived multiple Big Ones — called more survival than domination. Many claim any driver could’ve won by simply staying clean.
9. Bobby Hillin Jr. – Talladega (1986)
An underdog victory that came only because of massive attrition. Fans argue the win wouldn’t have happened if the field hadn’t wiped itself out.
8. Derrike Cope – Daytona 500 (1990)
Earnhardt cut a tire on the last lap, handing Cope an unbelievable upset. To this day, fans insist he was gifted the win rather than earning it.
7. Casey Mears – Coca-Cola 600 (2007)
A fuel mileage shocker that many never saw coming. Critics say he wasn’t the best car, just the one that lasted on gas.
6. Joe Nemechek – Kansas (2004)
Won after gambling on fuel and catching lucky cautions. Fans still argue the victory was more luck than talent.
5. Aric Almirola – Daytona 2014 (July)
Race called for rain, with Almirola inheriting the lead. Many say the weather stole a potential win from stronger drivers.
4. Regan Smith – Darlington (2011)
Beat Carl Edwards on fuel strategy in a shocking upset. Fans claim he didn’t have winning speed, just a risky call that paid off.
3. Chris Buescher – Daytona 2023 (August)
Fans argued weather strategy played more into it than raw speed. They insist it was more about timing than driving brilliance.
2. Trevor Bayne – Talladega 2011 (Fall)
Follow-up to his Daytona 500, again fueled by draft partners. Critics argue he was dependent on others rather than being the strongest car.
1. Bubba Wallace – Talladega (2021)
Won after rain cut the race short while he led under caution. Fans argue he benefited from perfect timing rather than outright dominance. Some of the criticism of Wallace can be considered insensitive or racist.
