Cup drivers to win 20 years after first victory

By Staff Report | Published: August 8, 2022 17

Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

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Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

With his 59th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, Kevin Harvick joined an exclusive club of drivers who managed to win more than 20 years following their first Cup triumph. See the full list of whose careers achieved such rare longevity.

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Richard Petty

First win: Southern States Fairgrounds, February 1960

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Richard Petty and Sterling Marlin in 1980.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Richard Petty

Winning 20 years later: North Wilkesboro, April 1980

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Cale Yarborough

First win: Valdosta 75 Speedway, June 1965

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Cale Yarborough

Winning 20 years later: Talladega Superspeedway, July 1985

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Bobby Allison

First win: Oxford Plains Speedway, July 1966

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 4, 1987: Bobby Allison #22 acted out some guerrilla warfare while playing catch-up in the 1987 Pepsi 400, making up a lap following a couple of crashes which diverted the attention from his charge. He finished 4 seconds ahead of the pack. (Photo by ISC Archives/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images)

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Bobby Allison

Winning 20 years later: Daytona International Speedway, July 1987

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt

First win: Bristol Motor Speedway, April 1979

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt

Winning 20 years later: Talladega Superspeedway, April 1999

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NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Terry Labonte

First win: Darlington Raceway, September 1980

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Terry Labonte celebrates at Darlington in 2003.

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Terry Labonte

Winning 20 years later: Darlington Raceway, August 2003

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Jeff Gordon celebrates at Charlotte in 1994.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon

First win: Charlotte Motor Speedway, May 1994

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Chris Trotman | Getty Images

Jeff Gordon

Winning 20 years later: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, July 2014

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Kevin Harvick celebrates at Atlanta in 2001.

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Kevin Harvick

First win: Atlanta Motor Speedway, March 2001

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Kevin Harvick celebrates at Michigan in 2022.

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Kevin Harvick

Winning 20 years later: Michigan International Speedway, August 2022

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Kurt Busch celebrates at Bristol in 2002.

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Kurt Busch

First win: Bristol Motor Speedway, March 2002

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Kurt Busch celebrates at Kansas in 2022.

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Kurt Busch

Winning 20 years later: Kansas Speedway, May 2022