@nascarcasm: Which state has won the most Daytona 500s?

The battle for geographic dominance of the Great American Race is at hand!

If a state is colored red, then a driver born in that state has won the Daytona 500. At first glance, you'll notice there are many states that have not produced a Daytona 500 winner. Disappointing. Especially you, North and South Dakota -- there are TWO of you ... for some reason.


At next glance, you probably wondered, "OK, but which state has produced the MOST Daytona 500 wins?" That's what we're here to share with you. Here we go.

Texas has produced more than one NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, but it's only won a single Daytona 500. That came in 1972, when SuperTex, A.J. Foyt won with Wood Brothers Racing. Mr. Foyt is now 87 and could still lay you out with a single punch.

New York has one Victory Lane representative -- Geoffrey Bodine. His win came in 1986.

Las Vegas' Kurt Busch is the lone Daytona 500 winner from Nevada (in 2017). You may remember the footage of crew chief Tony Gibson going completely ham in the pit box. If you don't, find it on YouTube. It will warm your soul.

The first point I'd like to make is Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500 in 2010. The second point is I was today year's old when I realized that "Missouri" rhymes with "McMurray." Like it was planned.

Massachusetts' Pete Hamilton piloted the famous Petty Enterprises Plymouth Superbird to victory in the 1970 Daytona 500.

*Before you go all fact-checker on us, we are well aware that Italy is not in the United States, but will we alter the rules to make sure we mention Mario Andretti? HARD YES.

The Rocketman Ryan Newman's 2008 victory finally gave the Hoosier State a Daytona 500 winner. No, we don't count Jeff Gordon as a Hoosier, even though he spent his formative years there. That would be bending the rules, and that never happens in NASCAR.

That fellow with the perfect hair and Hollywood good looks staring directly into your soul is Fred Lorenzen -- Illinois' sole Daytona 500 winner, which happened in 1965.

Iowa's ironically nicknamed "Tiny" Lund won the Daytona 500 in 1963. I guess you have to be that tall to see over all the corn.

"Sliced Bread" finally put Connecticut on the Daytona 500 winners' map in 2015. "Connecticut." "Massachusetts." Why does New England have tiny states with such ridiculously long names? Stop overcompensating.

Michael McDowell's win this past year gave Arizona its first Daytona 500 winner. Hard to believe that was a year ago. That race ended so late it feels like it was maybe a week ago.

Both were won by Awesome Bill From Dawsonville, father of Awesome Chase From The Exact Same Place (in 1985 and 1987). Not too shabby for an Xfinity Series rookie.

Matt twice (2009, 2012) and Marvin once (1961). Together, these two give the great state of Wisconsin a nice one-two Panch! I'm sorry about that one.

The Volunteer State's Sterling Marlin won the Great American Race twice in back-to-back years (1994 and 1995), while Trevor Bayne's stunning, underdog, "AM I DREAMIN' RIGHT NOW?" win came in 2011.

Two by Michael Waltrip (2001 and 2003) and one by Darrell Waltrip (1989). They're both from Kentucky and I think they may be related.

The state's four total Daytona 500 victories come courtesy of Denny Hamlin's three (2016, 2019, and 2020) and Ward Burton's one (2002). Strong showing by the state of Virginia. Or as one of the drivers pictured pronounces it, "Vuhrjjjaanyuh."

Buddy Baker, David Pearson and Cale Yarborough -- perhaps you've heard the names. This almost-Mouth-Rushmore of South Carolina NASCAR legends brings with them a cool six-pack of Daytona 500 wins -- Cale with four across three decades (1968, 1977, 1983, 1984), Baker with one (1980) and Pearson with one (1976).

That's one by LeeRoy Yarbrough (1969), one by Fireball Roberts (1962), one by Davey Allison (1992) and three from Bobby Allison (1978, 1982 and 1988). "But wait -- I always affiliate the Allisons with Alabama!" you're now wondering. Both Bobby Allison and Davey Allison were actually born in Florida, Bobby in Miami and Davey in Hollywood. Assuming Wikipedia is correct at least.

The left coast WOULD know how to turn left, wouldn't they? Eight total wins for this collection of California kids. Jeff Gordon has three (1997, 1999 and 2005), Jimmie Johnson has two (2006 and 2013), Kevin Harvick has one (2007), Ernie Irvan has one (1991) and Derrike Cope has one (1990). Let it be known that Mr. Cope was the first California-born driver to win the Great American Race. Derrike walked so the rest of you could run.

I know North Carolina having the most Daytona 500 wins comes as a shock to a grand total of zero people. I mean whatever state Richard Petty was born in can pretty much claim the title. But here's an incredibly lengthy rundown of NC's 17 Daytona 500 wins, OK? Richard Petty with SEVEN (You read that right -- 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1981). Dale Jarrett has three (1993, 1996, 2000). Dale Earnhardt Jr. has two (2004 and 2014). Dale Earnhardt has one (1998 -- man this state produces a lot of Dales). Austin Dillon has one (2018). Benny Parsons has one (1975). Junior Johnson has one (1960). Lee Petty has one (1959 -- the first running of the race).