Dale Earnhardt celebrates winning the 1998 Daytona 500 in Victory Lane

Complete Daytona 500 winner history

By Staff Report | Published: 19 Feb, 2023 65

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1959: Lee Petty

Lee Petty, driver of the No. 42 Oldsmobile, poses in front of his car after winning the first 1959 Daytona 500 race at the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25, 1959. Petty was not awarded the trophy until three days later after officials thought Johnny Beauchamp was the winner.

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1960: Junior Johnson

Junior Johnson and car owner Ray Fox celebrate winning the 1960 Daytona 500.

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1961: Marvin Panch

Marvin Panch, driver of the No. 20 Pontiac, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, 1961.

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1962: 'Fireball' Roberts

Glenn "Fireball" Roberts, driver of the No. 22 Pontiac, celebrates with Miss Pontiac 500 after winning the 1962 Daytona 500.

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1963: Tiny Lund

Driver Tiny Lund and the Wood Brothers celebrate their win in the Daytona 500. Lund was chosen to take the place of the Woods' regular driver, Marvin Panch, after he helped free Panch from his burning, overturned sports car when he crashed earlier in the month during practice for the Daytona Continental.

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1964: Richard Petty

Richard Petty waves to the crowd after leading a 1-2-3 sweep by Plymouths in the Daytona 500, thrilling a sold out crowd of almost 70,000 on Feb. 23, 1964.

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1965: Fred Lorenzen

Fred Lorenzen, driver of the No. 28 LaFayette Ford, stands in Victory Lane with his trophy after winning the 1965 Daytona 500 on February 14, 1965 at the Daytona International Speedway.

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1966: Richard Petty

Richard Petty, driver of the No. 43 STP Plymouth, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 27, 1966.

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1967: Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti won races around the world, including the 1967 Daytona 500.

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1968: Cale Yarborough

Standing on the hood of the winning car, Chris Economaki (R) interviews Cale Yarborough (L) after Yarborough won the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

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1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough

An obviously pleased 1969 Daytona 500 winner LeeRoy Yarbrough holds the trophy while waving to the crowd. Yarbrough's win came while driving a 1969 Ford Torino.

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1970: Pete Hamilton

Pete Hamilton, driver of the No. 40 Plymouth, stands in Victory Lane with his trophy after winning the 1970 Daytona 500.

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1971: Richard Petty

Richard Petty poses with his Petty Enterprises Plymouth that he drove to victory in the Daytona 500. This was the last car before acquiring STP sponsorship, which for the first time added red to the traditional all-Petty Blue paint.

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1972: A.J. Foyt

A.J. Foyt, driver of the No. 21 Mercury, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1972.

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1973: Richard Petty

Richard Petty with his STP Dodge Charger machine at Daytona International Speedway. Petty went on to win the Daytona 500 and finished second in the July 4 Firecracker 400.

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1974: Richard Petty

Driver Richard Petty celebrates with his father, Lee Petty, in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 race on Feb. 17, 1974.

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1975: Benny Parsons

Driver Benny Parsons celebrates with two kisses in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 1975.

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1976: David Pearson

David Pearson explains in Victory Lane how he managed to get his thoroughly crashed Mercury across the finish line to win the 1976 Daytona 500. Pearson crashed with Richard Petty, but was able to limp across the line.

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1977: Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough won the Daytona 500 title driving Junior Johnson's Holly Farms Chicken Chevrolet in 1977.

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1978: Bobby Allison

Bobby Allison, driver of the No. 15 Ford, poses on the infield grass before winning the 1978 Daytona 500.

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1979: Richard Petty

Richard Petty, driver of the No. 43 STP Oldsmobile, looks on with his helmet on after he won the Daytona 500 in 1979.

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1980: Buddy Baker

Buddy Baker wins the Daytona 500, driving the Harry Ranier Oldsmobile, dubbed the "Gray Ghost."

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1981: Richard Petty

Richard Petty, driver of the No. 43 STP Buick, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 1974.

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1982: Bobby Allison

One of NASCAR's all-time most popular drivers is Bobby Allison. Here he gets a victory kiss from wife Judy after winning the 1982 Daytona 500.

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1983: Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1983.

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1984: Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500. Yarborough would take home $160,300 for the win.

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1985: Bill Elliott

Bill Elliott with the Coors/Melling Ford Thunderbird at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott won the Daytona 500 and finished second in the Pepsi Firecracker 400.

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1986: Geoff Bodine

Geoff Bodine, driver of the No. 5 Levi Garrett Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 1986.

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1987: Bill Elliott

Bill Elliott's No. 9 Coors-Melling Ford Thunderbird dominated the 1987 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Shown taking the checkered flag on Feb. 15, 1987, Elliott set a qualifying record at 210.364 mph and won with an average speed of 176.263 mph.

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1988: Bobby Allison

Driver Bobby Allison celebrates in Victory Lane by pouring Miller beer over the head of son Davey Allison on Feb. 14, 1988 after winning the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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1989: Darrell Waltrip

Darrell Waltrip, driver of the No. 11 Tide Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19, 1989.

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1990: Derrike Cope

Derrike Cope after his upset win in the 1990 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt cut down a tire in the final turn of the final lap, eliminating his solid challenge.

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1991: Ernie Irvan

Ernie Irvan and his crew celebrate after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

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1992: Davey Allison

Davey Allison, driver of the Robert Yates Racing No. 28 Texaco-Havoline Ford, celebrates with his dad, Bobby, and mom, Judy, after winning the 1992 Daytona 500.

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1993: Dale Jarrett

Dale Jarrett hoists the trophy symbolizing his victory in the 1993 Daytona 500. Jarrett's win was his first of three career Daytona 500 wins.

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1994: Sterling Marlin

Sterling Marlin (No. 4) takes the checkered flag and wins in the 1994 Daytona 500. Second-place finisher Ernie Irvan (No. 28) is close, but it's Marlin's day at Daytona.

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1995: Sterling Marlin

There's no better way to celebrate a Daytona 500 win than with another. Here 1994 and now 1995 winner Sterling Marlin celebrates with his Morgan-McClure Racing team.

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1996: Dale Jarrett

Dale Jarrett in his Quality Care Ford Thunderbird holds off a charging Dale Earnhardt in his GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.

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1997: Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon celebrates his first win in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

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1998: Dale Earnhardt

After several near-misses, Dale Earnhardt celebrates finally winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

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1999: Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon, left, and crew chief Ray Evernham pose for photographers after winning the Daytona 500.

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2000: Dale Jarrett

Dale Jarrett celebrates his victory after the Daytona 500. It was his third and final victory in the Great American Race.

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2001: Michael Waltrip

Michael Waltrip, who drove the No. 15 Chevy Monte Carlo for Dale Earnhardt Inc., poses with his Daytona 500 trophy.

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2002: Ward Burton

Virginian Ward Burton gets a victory kiss from his wife after winning the 2002 Daytona 500. Burton drove the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge to the victory.

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2003: Michael Waltrip

In 2003, Michael Waltrip won his second Daytona 500 in three years. As Waltrip held his NAPA Chevrolet out front, the 2003 Daytona 500 was halted on Lap 109 due to rain, giving him the win.

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2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates with his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of Dale Earnhardt, after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, 2004. Junior drove that year for Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

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2005: Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet, celebrates his victory with team owner Rick Hendrick in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 2005.

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2006: Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet celebrates with his team, after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 19, 2006 at Daytona International Speedway.

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2007: Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, celebrates on top of his car, after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2007.

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2008: Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, does a burnout after winning the 50th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

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2009: Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 DEWALT Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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2010: Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

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2011: Trevor Bayne

Crew members for Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrate in pit row as Bayne performs a burnout after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 2011.

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2012: Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Best Buy Ford, poses with wife Katie and the Harley J. Earl Trophy in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 27, 2012.

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2013: Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, stands with his wife, Chandra, and daughter Genevieve Marie in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 24, 2013.

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2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet, poses after putting his handprints in cement in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 on Feb. 23, 2014.

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2015: Joey Logano

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 57th Annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 2015.

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2016: Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 58th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 21, 2016. His win over Martin Truex Jr. officially was the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.

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2017: Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 59th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, 2017. His win was both his first win at Daytona International Speedway, and his first in a restrictor-plate event.

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2018: Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 60th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2018. He led one lap as he guided the No. 3 car into Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway.

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2019: Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 61th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2019. Hamlin led 30 laps as Joe Gibbs Racing finished 1-2-3 with Kyle Busch and Erik Jones coming home second and third, respectively.

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2020: Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin became the fourth driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, joining Sterling Marlin (1994-95), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Richard Petty (1973-74). He also joined a select group of three-time Daytona 500 winners with his triumph on a Monday night.

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2021: Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell scored his first Cup win in his 358th career start in the sport's top series. The driver of the Front Row Motorsports No. 34 Ford avoided a last-lap wreck to nab his first victory -- leading just one lap in the race -- the final lap.

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2022: Austin Cindric

Cindric started at the head of the field on the final restart, looking to start his rookie Cup Series campaign with a bang. Around the final turn, Cindric threw a perfect block on Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney and edged a hopeful Bubba Wallace narrowly at the checkered line. The win is Cindric's first in Cup and third Harley J. Earl Trophy for the Team Penske organization.

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2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

In his first race reunited with former crew chief Mike Kelley, Stenhouse stole the show in the Cup Series' 75th anniversary opener. Starting from the lead position in double overtime, Stenhouse raced out in front of Joey Logano and held the lead to the white flag lap before the final caution flew and ended the race. Driving for a single-car organization in JTG Daugherty Racing, this win will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest underdog stories in Daytona 500 history.

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Complete Daytona 500 winner history

1959: Lee Petty

1960: Junior Johnson

1961: Marvin Panch

1962: 'Fireball' Roberts

1963: Tiny Lund

1964: Richard Petty

1965: Fred Lorenzen

1966: Richard Petty

1967: Mario Andretti

1968: Cale Yarborough

1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough

1970: Pete Hamilton

1971: Richard Petty

1972: A.J. Foyt

1973: Richard Petty

1974: Richard Petty

1975: Benny Parsons

1976: David Pearson

1977: Cale Yarborough

1978: Bobby Allison

1979: Richard Petty

1980: Buddy Baker

1981: Richard Petty

1982: Bobby Allison

1983: Cale Yarborough

1984: Cale Yarborough

1985: Bill Elliott

1986: Geoff Bodine

1987: Bill Elliott

1988: Bobby Allison

1989: Darrell Waltrip

1990: Derrike Cope

1991: Ernie Irvan

1992: Davey Allison

1993: Dale Jarrett

1994: Sterling Marlin

1995: Sterling Marlin

1996: Dale Jarrett

1997: Jeff Gordon

1998: Dale Earnhardt

1999: Jeff Gordon

2000: Dale Jarrett

2001: Michael Waltrip

2002: Ward Burton

2003: Michael Waltrip

2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2005: Jeff Gordon

2006: Jimmie Johnson

2007: Kevin Harvick

2008: Ryan Newman

2009: Matt Kenseth

2010: Jamie McMurray

2011: Trevor Bayne

2012: Matt Kenseth

2013: Jimmie Johnson

2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2015: Joey Logano

2016: Denny Hamlin

2017: Kurt Busch

2018: Austin Dillon

2019: Denny Hamlin

2020: Denny Hamlin

2021: Michael McDowell

2022: Austin Cindric

2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.