Milestones that can be reached in 2020 season

Kevin Harvick achieved a milestone in The Real Heroes 400 on May 17, 2020 at Darlington Raceway by earning his 50th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, tying Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett for 12th on the all-time list -- and passing his team owner Tony Stewart (49 Cup wins). From inching closer to legends in several categories to several drivers closing in on 700 Cup starts, see what other feats could be accomplished as the 2020 season resumes.

Milestone: 1,200 national series starts


Who could do it: Joe Nemechek (1,191)


Historical impact: Nemechek passed Richard Petty in 2019 for the top spot in this category, but his hold on this might be temporary depending on how much national series racing he does with Kevin Harvick (third with 1,155 starts) and Kyle Busch (sixth with 1,042 starts) getting closer. Both Harvick and Busch could each move up a spot this season.

Milestone: 700 NASCAR Cup Series starts


Who could do it: Kurt Busch (689), Kevin Harvick (687)


Historical impact: Both drivers lead the way for most Cup starts by active drivers, and provided they run a full season – Busch will move into 14th on the all-time list past Bobby Allison, while Harvick will tie Allison for 15th and move past Rusty Wallace, Buddy Baker and Jeff Burton in the process. The pair would be two of 17 drivers with 700 Cup starts.

Milestone: 650 consecutive starts


Who could do it: Kevin Harvick (645)


Historical impact: Harvick trails Jimmie Johnson by eight starts in the consecutive start category. With Johnson set to retire at the end of 2020 season and Harvick armed with an extension through the 2023 season, "Happy" will take over the lead in the category shortly thereafter barring something unforeseen.

Milestone: 400 NASCAR Cup Series starts

Who could do it: Brad Keselowski (382)


Historical impact: The sign of career longevity is hitting 400 starts in a series, which Keselowski will do toward the end of the regular season. He will be one of 10 active full-time drivers with at least 400 career Cup starts. By season's end, Keselowski will also hit 400 consecutive starts in the series. He's at 368 right now.

Milestone: 60 national series wins


Who could do it: Denny Hamlin (57), Joey Logano (56)


Historical impact: All but one driver with at least 60 wins across NASCAR's three national series that has been Hall of Fame eligible thus far has made the Hall. Carl Edwards (72 wins) is the lone exception among retired drivers, and he stepped away from the sport only in the last five years. That win total isn't a lock to get a driver in, but it sure is close. 


Milestone: 85 NASCAR Cup Series wins


Who could do it: Jimmie Johnson (83)


Historical impact: If Johnson notches two wins this season, he'd move up to fourth place (all alone) on the all-time Cup wins list, passing NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. A season with one win puts him into a tie for fourth with Allison and Waltrip.

Milestone: 30 NASCAR Cup Series wins


Who could do it: Martin Truex Jr. (26), Joey Logano (25)


Historical impact: Only 35 drivers have 25 NASCAR Cup Series wins, and only 27 have at least 30 Cup wins. Six active drivers (Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski) currently have at least 30 Cup wins.

Milestone: 124 National Series poles

Who could do it: Kyle Busch (122)


Historical impact: A year after passing “The King” on the all-time national series wins list, Kyle Busch is closing in on doing the same in the national series poles category. Busch is one pole behind Petty's mark of 123.

Milestone: 100 National Series top fives


Who could do it: Ryan Blaney (97), Chase Elliott (87)


Historical impact: Blaney and Elliott will be two drivers that shoot up this list in the coming years. At present, 60 drivers have 100 national series top fives, and it's safe to expect that these two drivers will join that club in the next year. Elliott is also five Cup top fives away from 50 in his young Cup career, while Blaney is two Cup top fives away from 30.

Milestone: 700 National Series top 10s


Who could do it: Kevin Harvick (688), Kyle Busch (673)



Historical impact: Richard Petty holds the all-time mark at 712. Harvick has a shot to pass him this year, but it's more likely to come in 2021. Either way, expect Harvick and Busch to move up this category in the next two seasons.

Milestone: 375 NASCAR Cup Series top 10s


Who could do it: Kevin Harvick (367), Jimmie Johnson (366)


Historical impact: The California "kids" Harvick and Johnson are nine Cup top 10s away from moving into the top eight. If they hit the 375 mark, the two drivers would pass Ricky Rudd (374), Buck Baker (372) and David Pearson (366).

Milestone: 120 NASCAR Cup Series races hosted


Who could do it: Bristol Motor Speedway (118)


Historical impact: "The Last Great Colosseum" will rank fifth on the all-time Cup races hosted list when both 2020 events are run. Only Daytona, Richmond, Martinsville and Charlotte have run more Cup races.

Milestone: Eight NASCAR Cup Series Championships


Who could do it: Jimmie Johnson (7)


Historical impact: A championship in his final full-time season would leave Johnson alone in the NASCAR history books as the only driver to win eight titles in the sport's history. Currently, Johnson is tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven championships apiece.