BACK TO GALLERIES

Drivers to lead one lap in win

By Staff Report | Published: 25 Apr, 2022 22
Sean Gardner | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Ross Chastain nabbed his second career win by leading just one lap at Talladega -- the last one. There are 21 such instances of drivers winning with one lap led in NASCAR's Modern Era (1972-present). Read on to see the full list.

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Geoff Bodine, 1989


Date: Oct. 15

Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway

Note: Bodine was the first driver in the Modern Era to lead one lap in a win. He passed Dale Earnhardt on the final lap following a late caution.

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Jimmy Spencer, 1994


Date: July 2

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: This was Spencer's first Cup Series victory. At the time, his .008-second margin of victory over Ernie Irvan was the fifth-closest finish of all time.

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Ricky Craven, 2003


Date: March 16

Track: Darlington Raceway

Note: This served as the closest -- and perhaps best -- finish in NASCAR history.

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Darrell Ingham | Getty Images

Bobby Labonte, 2003


Date: Nov. 16

Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Note: This victory in the 2003 season finale served as the final victory of Labonte's career.

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Warren Wimmer | Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson, 2006


Date: March 12

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Note: Johnson's last-lap pass came out of Turn 4, using his momentum on the outside lane to stun Kenseth.

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Jeff Burton, 2007


Date: April 15

Track: Texas Motor Speedway

Note: In addition to this one-lap-led-win, Burton has won two races by leading exactly two laps ... and he also won in 2000 at New Hampshire by leading every lap.

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Jeff Gordon, 2007


Date: Oct. 7

Track: Talladega Superspeedway

Note: This was Gordon's historic 80th career win, a victory he wrested away from teammate Jimmie Johnson on the final lap.

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Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski, 2009


Date: April 26

Track: Talladega Superspeedway

Note: Brad Keselowski sent Carl Edwards into the catchfence coming to the start/finish line, but earned his first career Cup Series win.

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Mark Martin, 2009


Date: June 14

Track: Michigan International Speedway

Note: Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson dueled ahead of him, but neither had enough fuel to make it to the end. Martin did, pulling off the strategic win.

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Todd Warshaw | Getty Images

Kevin Harvick, 2011


Date: March 27

Track: Auto Club Speedway

Note: Harvick used the high line over a frenetic final lap, running the fence to close the gap out of Turn 2 and then making the pass in Turn 4.

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Doug Pensinger | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski, 2015


Date: March 22

Track: Auto Club Speedway

Note: A green-white-checkered finish set the scene, and Brad Keselowski stole the show. He went from third to first on the final two laps, passing Kurt Busch after the white flag.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Joey Logano, 2015


Date: Aug. 9

Track: Watkins Glen International

Note: Kevin Harvick ran dry on the final lap, giving Joey Logano the opportunity to pass for the win. This had been the most recent one-lap winner on a non-superspeedway before Busch's dirt victory.

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Kurt Busch, 2017


Date: Feb. 26

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: Busch's first Daytona 500 victory came as multiple drivers in front of him ran dry on fuel in the closing laps.

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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Austin Dillon, 2018


Date: Feb. 18

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: Dillon ran Aric Almirola up the track and into the fence as he threw a block, then held off Bubba Wallace.

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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

Erik Jones, 2018


Date: July 7

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: This was the first career win for Erik Jones and the third consecutive one-lap win to occur at Daytona.

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Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

Aric Almirola, 2018


Date: Oct. 14

Track: Talladega Superspeedway

Note:Almirola's second career win automatically qualified him for the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs.

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Justin Haley, 2019


Date: July 7

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: A strategy play saw Haley stay on the track under caution, and the rain rolled in shortly thereafter.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Michael McDowell, 2021


Date: Feb. 14

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Note: Teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano wrecking from the lead sent another Ford -- Michael McDowell -- into Victory Lane.

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Brad Keselowski, 2021


Date: April 25

Track: Talladega Superspeedway

Note: This was Keselowski's third career one-lap win, and his second at Talladega.

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Logan Riely | Getty Images

Kyle Busch, 2022


Date: April 17

Track: Bristol Dirt Track

Note: Busch wasn't super close to the final-laps battle between Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe, but he was close enough. An errant slidejob attempt from Briscoe wiped out both cars, and Busch passed Reddick just before the start/finish line for his 60th career Cup Series win.

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Ross Chastain, 2022


Date: April 24

Track:Talladega Superspeedway

Note:Could it have been any more perfect for Chastain? As the leaders tangled in the tri-oval, the No. 1 slingshotted down the inside line to the lead at the checkered flag for his second career win.