AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, celebrates after winning the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BACK TO GALLERIES

Modern-era drivers to win a Cup race in fewest starts

By Staff Report | Published: March 15, 2022 29

BACK TO GALLERIES

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, celebrates after winning the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Stewart-Haas Racing driver Chase Briscoe captured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in Sunday's win at Phoenix Raceway in just his 40th start. Read on to see other drivers to win their first premier race in 40 starts or fewer.

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Date: 3/13/22
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Driver: Chase Briscoe
Start number: 40

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Date: 2/21/21
Track: Daytona International Speedway Road Course
Driver: Christopher Bell
Start number: 38

4 of 29

LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 15: Ryan Newman, driver of the #12 Alltel/Mobile 1 Ford Taurus poses with the trophy after winning rain-shortened New Hampshire 300, part of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, on September 15, 2002 at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Donald Miralle | Getty Images

Date: 9/15/02
Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Driver: Ryan Newman
Start number: 35

5 of 29

ONTARIO, CA — November 20, 1977: Neil Bonnett is joined by Miss Winston in victory lane at Ontario Motor Speedway after Bonnett drove car owner Jim Stacy’s Harry Hyde-wrenched Dodge Charger to victory in the Los Angeles Times 500 NASCAR Cup race. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 9/11/77
Track: Richmond Raceway
Driver: Neil Bonnett
Start number: 33

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FONTANA, CA - SEPTEMBER 4: Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Kellogg's Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Sony HD 500 on September 4 , 2005 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. (Photo By Darrell Ingham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Darrell Ingham | Getty Images

Date: 9/4/05
Track: Auto Club Speedway
Driver: Kyle Busch
Start number: 31

7 of 29

LONG POND, PA - AUGUST 01: Chris Buescher, driver of the #34 Dockside Logistics Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on August 1, 2016 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The race was delayed due to inclement weather on Sunday, July 31. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Date: 8/1/16
Track: Pocono Raceway
Driver: Chris Buescher
Start number: 27

8 of 29

RICHMOND, VA — September 11, 1999: Tony Stewart holds his trophy over his head after winning the first NASCAR Cup race of his career, the Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 9/.11/99
Track: Richmond Raceway
Driver: Tony Stewart
Start number: 25

9 of 29

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 5: Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 Ford Taurus, poses for a photo after winning the Pepsi 400, on July 05, 2003 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo By Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Date: 7/5/03
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Driver: Greg Biffle
Start number: 23

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 1974: Canadian driver Earl Ross poses with the car he drove to a third-place finish in the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 9/29/74
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Driver: Earl Ross
Start number: 21

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LONG POND, PA - JUNE 11: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Chevrolet, poses with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Pocono 500 at the Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2006 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Doug Pensinger | Getty Images

Date: 6/11/06
Track: Pocono Raceway
Driver: Denny Hamlin
Start number: 21

12 of 29

LOUDON, NH - JUNE 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota, celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, 2009 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Date: 6/28/09
Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Driver: Joey Logano
Start number: 20

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SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 12: Cole Custer, driver of the #41 HaasTooling.com Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on July 12, 2020 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Date: 7/12/20
Track: Kentucky Speedway
Driver: Cole Custer
Start number: 20

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 28, 2000: Matt Kenseth in victory lane after winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 5/28/00
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Driver: Matt Kenseth
Start number:18

15 of 29

HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 20: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Roush Racing Ford, is congratulated by teammates after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 on March 20, 2005 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jamie Squire | Getty Images

Date: 3/20/05
Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Driver: Carl Edwards
Start number: 17

16 of 29

SONOMA, CA - JUNE 24: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, celebrates in the winner's circle, after winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway on June 24, 2007 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Date: 6/24/07
Track: Sonoma Raceway
Driver: Juan Pablo Montoya
Start number: 17

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1979: A NASCAR career that would span four decades and ultimately bring seven Cup Championships began with Dale Earnhardt's first Cup victory in the 1979 Southeastern 500 at Bristol. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 4/1/79
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway
Driver: Dale Earnhardt
Start number: 16

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MARTINSVILLE, VA - APRIL 26, 1981: Morgan Shepherd in victory lane following the Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Shepherd drove Cliff StewartÕs Performance Connection-sponsored Pontiac to his first career NASCAR Cup win while a rookie driver on the tour that year. It was the first victory in NASCAR Cup racing for the Pontiac nameplate since Joe Weatherly won a race in October of 1963 - a span of 18 years. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 4/26/81
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Driver: Morgan Shepherd
Start number: 15

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TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 3, 1987: Davey Allison scored his first NASCAR Cup victory in the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. He went on to win the Winston 500 two more times, in 1989 and 1992. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 5/3/87
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Driver: Davey Allison
Start number: 14

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28 Apr 2002: Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson (center) poses withe the winners trophy with co-owners Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Series NAPA Auto Parts 500 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge/Getty Images.

Robert Laberge | Getty Images.

Date: 4/28/02
Track: Auto Club Speedway
Driver: Jimmie Johnson
Start number: 13

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FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 2, 2000: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his crew celebrate their win in the DirecTV 500 NASCAR Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. The win was the younger Earnhardt’s first in Cup competition. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 4/2/2000
Track: Texas Motor Speedway
Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Start number: 12

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TALLADEGA, AL August 2, 1981: Ron Bouchard in victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway following his win in the Talladega 500 NASCAR Cup race. It would be his only career Cup victory. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 8/2/81
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Driver: Ron Bouchard
Start number: 11

23 of 29

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, celebrates in the Ruoff Mortgage victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Date: 2/20/2022
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Driver: Austin Cindric
Start number: 8

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UNKNOWN — Early-1970s: During his brief, yet illustrious racing career, Mark Donohue teamed with car owner Roger Penske to win titles in both the SCCA Can-Am and Trans-Am Series, the 1972 Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis (IN) Motor Speedway, the 1973 Winston Western 500 NASCAR Cup race at the Riverside (CA) International Raceway and the 1969 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. (Photo by ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images)

ISC Images and Archives via Getty Images

Date: 1/21/73
Track: Riverside International Raceway
Driver: Mark Donohue
Start number: 5

25 of 29

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN RE-CROPPED) Brad Keselowski, driver of the #09 Miccosukee Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Date: 4/26/09
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Start number: 5

26 of 29

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 11, 2001: Kevin Harvick enjoys his first NASCAR Cup win following the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

ISC Archives | CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

Date: 3/11/01
Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Driver: Kevin Harvick
Start number: 3

27 of 29

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Justin Haley, driver of the #77 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 07, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Date: 7/7/19
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Driver: Justin Haley
Start number: 3

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CONCORD, NC - OCTOBER 13: The pit crew for Jamie McMurray, driver of the #40 Ganassi Racing team Dodge Intrepid R/T, celebrates winning the UAW-GM Quality 500, part of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on October 13, 2002. (Photo By Rusty Jarrett /Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Date: 10/13/02
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Driver: Jamie McMurray
Start number: 2

29 of 29

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for NASCAR) | Getty Images

Matthew Stockman | Getty Images

Date: 2/20/11
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Driver: Trevor Bayne
Start number: 2