Top 25 Times NASCAR Drivers Were Stripped of Wins
25. Michael Waltrip – Daytona 500 Scandal (2007)
Waltrip’s Toyota was found with an illegal substance in the intake, disqualifying his pole effort and stripping momentum before the 500.
24. Kasey Kahne – Nationwide Race (2011)
Though not Cup, Kahne’s win loss for height violations was a major NASCAR storyline.
23. David Pearson – Daytona Qualifying (1960s)
The Silver Fox was disqualified after an illegal setup gave him a pole win.
22. Joe Weatherly – 1960s Infractions
Weatherly was among the first Cup drivers to be stripped of wins under stricter early inspections.
21. Rusty Wallace – Richmond (1990)
Lost his Richmond win due to an illegal carburetor found in post-race teardown.
20. Sterling Marlin – Daytona 500 Qualifier (1990s)
Stripped for illegal car alterations in a Duel qualifying race.
19. Jeff Gordon – Infamous Template Violation (1990s)
Gordon’s dominant car failed post-race body template checks, costing him a key win.
18. Tim Richmond – 1980s Fuel Violations
Richmond’s flamboyant driving wasn’t enough to escape losing wins over illegal modifications.
17. Ernie Irvan – Talladega (1991)
Irvan’s Yates Racing car failed inspection for an illegal manifold setup.
16. Robby Gordon – New Hampshire (2005)
Lost his Busch win for illegal fuel, though NASCAR kept his Cup finishes intact.
15. Kurt Busch – Nationwide Race (2006)
While not in Cup, his disqualification for an illegal rear shock drew headlines and carried into Cup scrutiny.
14. Junior Johnson – Daytona (1960s)
The “Last American Hero” saw multiple stripped wins due to mechanical infractions in the early rulebook days.
13. Cale Yarborough – Talladega (1974)
Yarborough was caught with illegal modifications, losing what would’ve been a dominant superspeedway win.
12. Buddy Baker – Talladega (1971)
Baker’s victory was stripped when his car failed to meet NASCAR’s carburetor rules.
11. Darrell Waltrip – Daytona 500 Qualifier (1983)
Waltrip lost his qualifying race win after a post-race teardown revealed an illegal engine.
10. Richard Petty – Charlotte (1983)
The King was stripped of a Coca-Cola 600 victory after his engine was found to be oversized.
9. Bobby Allison – Daytona (1974)
Allison’s car was disqualified for illegal modifications in the Firecracker 400.
8. Kevin Harvick – Talladega (2002)
Harvick’s controversial pass below the yellow line initially gave him the win, but it was stripped away.
7. Dale Jarrett – Post-Race Fuel Violation (1990s)
Jarrett once lost a Busch win due to illegal fuel, showing how tightly NASCAR policed the rulebook.
6. Carl Long – 2009 All-Star Weekend
Though not a points race, Long’s disqualification came after his oversized engine was caught.
5. Matt Kenseth – New Hampshire (2013)
Kenseth’s dominant run was invalidated when his engine failed inspection after a 1st-place finish.
4. Joey Logano – Richmond (2017)
Logano’s encumbered win was stripped from playoff eligibility after a post-race inspection violation.
3. Chase Elliott – Phoenix (2020)
Elliott lost a Truck Series win earlier in his career, but in Cup, he nearly faced disqualification at Phoenix due to loose lug nuts — saved only by paying a fine.
2. Kyle Busch – Pocono (2022)
Busch, who finished 2nd, was also disqualified for the same infractions as Hamlin, giving Chase Elliott the win.
1. Denny Hamlin – Pocono (2022)
Hamlin’s win was taken away after NASCAR inspectors found illegal front fascia modifications on his Toyota.
