Top 10 NASCAR Wins from Part-Time Drivers

NASCAR Wins from Part-Time Drivers

Shane van Gisbergen

10. A.J. Foyt — 1964 Daytona 500

Foyt was never a full-time NASCAR driver. He crossed disciplines and won the sport’s biggest race anyway.

9. Parnelli Jones — 1967 Riverside

Jones was not a NASCAR regular and entered as a road-racing star. He won outright against the Cup field.

8. Dan Gurney — 1967 Riverside

Gurney ran selective NASCAR races while focusing on other series. He routinely beat full-time drivers at Riverside.

7. Mark Donohue — 1973 Riverside

Donohue was a road-course specialist running part-time. He dominated full-time NASCAR regulars on skill alone.

6. Jamie McMurray — 2002 UAW-GM Quality 500

McMurray won in just his second Cup start. He wasn’t a full-time driver yet and stunned the sport instantly.

5. Justin Haley — 2019 Daytona (July)

Haley was running a partial Cup schedule when strategy and survival paid off. He capitalized when full-timers didn’t.

4. Kasey Kahne — 2017 Brickyard 400

Kahne was part-time with Leavine Family Racing. He shocked the garage by winning one of NASCAR’s biggest races.

3. A.J. Allmendinger — 2022 Bristol Dirt

Still a part-time Cup driver, Allmendinger charged through chaos to win. It was another reminder that experience can beat volume.

2. A.J. Allmendinger — 2021 Indianapolis Road Course

Allmendinger was running a limited Cup schedule with Kaulig Racing. He won on pure pace against full-time championship contenders.

1. Shane van Gisbergen — 2023 Chicago Street Race

SVG won in his Cup debut while running a one-off entry. He flat-out outdrove the entire field and embarrassed full-time veterans.