Most successful new driver-crew chief combos in the NASCAR Cup Series

Since 2002, there have been 12 instances where a new driver-crew chief pairing has won at least four races in a season. The 2021 season -- which featured Kyle Larson's and Cliff Daniels' march to their first championship -- is the most recent entry into that club.

Three times in that stretch, a new driver-crew chief combo has won the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Read on to learn about the most successful seasons for new duos in recent years, via data courtesy of Racing Insights.

Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew chief: Jeremy Bullins
Team: No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Season: 2020
Wins: 4
Final standings position: Second, reached Championship 4

Driver: Tony Stewart
Crew chief: Darian Grubb
Team: No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Season: 2009
Wins: 4
Final standings position: Sixth

Driver: Kurt Busch
Crew chief: Jimmy Fennig
Team: No. 97 Roush Racing Ford
Season: 2002
Wins: 4
Final standings position: Third

Driver: Kyle Busch
Crew chief: Adam Stevens
Team: No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Season: 2015
Wins: 5
Final standings position: First, won championship

Driver: Kevin Harvick
Crew chief: Rodney Childers
Team: No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Season: 2014
Wins: 5
Final standings position: First, won championship

Driver: Denny Hamlin
Crew chief: Darian Grubb
Team: No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Season: 2012
Wins: 5
Final standings position: Sixth

Driver: Mark Martin
Crew chief: Alan Gustafson
Team: No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Season: 2009
Wins: 5
Final standings position: Second

Driver: Denny Hamlin
Crew chief: Chris Gabehart
Team: No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Season: 2019
Wins: 6
Final standings position: Fourth, reached Championship 4

Driver: Matt Kenseth
Crew chief: Jason Ratcliff
Team: No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Season: 2013
Wins: 6
Final standings position: Second
*Kenseth won seven races that season but Ratcliff was suspended for one of them

Driver: Kasey Kahne
Crew chief: Kenny Francis
Team: No. 9 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge
Season: 2006
Wins: 6
Final standings position: Eighth

Driver: Kyle Busch
Crew chief: Steve Addington
Team: No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Season: 2008
Wins: 8
Final standings position: 10th

Driver: Kyle Larson
Crew chief: Cliff Daniels
Team: No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Season: 2021
Wins: 10
Final standings position: First, won championship