Recent drivers to earn first NASCAR Cup Series win in 20 starts or less
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David Jensen | Getty Images
Corey Heim's electric NASCAR Cup Series victory at Naval Base Coronado acted as his first career victory in NASCAR's premier series, with the triumph coming in only his 13th career Cup start.
Just how impressive is this? Dating back to 1981, only 16 drivers have won their first Cup Series race in 20 starts or less. View each instance of such a victorious start here.
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Ron Bouchard
Date: Aug. 2, 1981
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Career Cup start: 11th
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Davey Allison
Date: May 3, 1987
Track: Talladega Superspeedwway
Career Cup start: 14th
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Date: April 2, 2000
Track: Texas Motor Speedway
Career Cup start: 12th
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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images
Matt Kenseth
Date: May 28, 2000
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Career Cup start: 18th
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Jonathan Ferrey | Allsport
Kevin Harvick
Date: March 11, 2001
Track: EchoPark Speedway
Career Cup start: 3rd
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Robert Laberge | Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson
Date: April 28, 2002
Track: Auto Club Speedway
Career Cup start: 13th
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Jamie Squire | Getty Images
Jamie McMurray
Date: Oct. 13, 2002
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Career Cup start: 2nd
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Jamie Squire | Getty Images
Carl Edwards
Date: March 20, 2005
Track: EchoPark Speedway
Career Cup start: 17th
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Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Juan Pablo Montoya
Date: June 24, 2007
Track: Sonoma Raceway
Career Cup start: 17th
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John Harrelson | Getty Images
Brad Keselowski
Date: April 26, 2009
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Career Cup start: 5th
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Jerry Markland | Getty Images
Joey Logano
Date: June 28, 2009
Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Career Cup start: 20th
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Trevor Bayne
Date: Feb. 20, 2011
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Career Cup start: 2nd
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Justin Haley
Date: July 7, 2019
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Career Cup start: 3rd
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Cole Custer
Date: July 12, 2020
Track: Kentucky Speedway
Career Cup start: 20th
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Austin Cindric
Date: Feb. 20, 2022
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Career Cup start: 8th
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen
Date: July 2, 2023
Track: Chicago Street Course
Career Cup start: 1st
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David Jensen | Getty Images
Corey Heim
Date: June 21, 2026
Track: Naval Base Coronado
Career Cup start: 13th