Ten Most Clutch Wins in NASCAR History
10. Tyler Reddick – Daytona 2024 (Regular-Season Finale)
Reddick entered Daytona knowing he had to win to make the playoffs. In a chaotic green-white-checkered finish, he threaded through a massive wreck, held off Chase Elliott, and took the checkered flag. One mistake, and he’s out — but he nailed it. That’s clutch.
9. Jimmie Johnson – Homestead 2016
Johnson came into the Championship 4 as the underdog against Carl Edwards and Joey Logano. But when Edwards crashed late, Johnson capitalized, taking the win — and his record-tying 7th Cup title. It wasn’t just a win — it was a legacy-sealer.
8. Kevin Harvick – Phoenix 2014
In NASCAR’s first elimination-style playoff finale, Harvick had to win to advance to the Championship 4. Under pressure, he dominated late and pulled it off. Without that Phoenix win, he never even reaches the title race he eventually won a week later. Ice cold execution.
7. Tony Stewart – Homestead 2011
Stewart needed a win to claim the championship — and he did it in legendary fashion. After starting deep in the field, he passed 118 cars on track, beat Carl Edwards, and clinched the title on a tiebreaker. One of the gutsiest, most complete clutch drives ever.
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Daytona 500, 2004
After years of trying to live up to his father’s legacy, Junior finally won the sport’s biggest race. He dominated late, holding off Tony Stewart in a pressure-packed finish. That victory restored faith in Earnhardt Nation — a truly emotional clutch moment.
5. Joey Logano – Martinsville 2022
The first race of the Championship 4 era where a driver locked in with one perfect race. Logano had to win to reach Phoenix — and he delivered with authority. The victory paved the way for his second Cup championship just two weeks later. When the pressure rises, Logano thrives.
4. Jeff Gordon – Martinsville 2015
In his farewell season, Gordon was staring down elimination. He needed to win Martinsville to reach the Championship 4. He did just that — in front of a roaring crowd — securing his last career victory and a shot at one final title. Pure storybook clutch.
3. Kevin Harvick – Homestead 2014
After winning at Phoenix to reach the finale, Harvick came out swinging again at Homestead. He needed to win the race — and the championship — and did both. Passing Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman late, he sealed his first Cup title in back-to-back clutch performances.
2. Chase Elliott – Martinsville 2020
Elliott entered Martinsville below the cutline, needing a win to advance to Phoenix. Under massive pressure, he dominated, led 236 laps, and grabbed the victory. One week later, he won the championship. That Martinsville drive was a defining clutch moment for NASCAR’s new face.
1. Alan Kulwicki – Atlanta 1992
Kulwicki didn’t even win the race — but his performance under pressure was legendary. He needed to lead one more lap than Bill Elliott to clinch the championship by bonus points. He led exactly what he needed, finished second, and won the title by 10 points. That’s championship-level precision — the ultimate clutch performance in NASCAR history.
