Who are the champions of the Daytona 500? Comprehensive list of all-time NASCAR victors

There is no finer way to kick off a NASCAR Cup Series season than by securing victory in its inaugural and most esteemed race: the Daytona 500. As one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewel events, this race has been a cornerstone of American motorsports since 1959. With its storied history, the Daytona 500 is often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing.”

Over his extensive career spanning more than 30 years in the NASCAR circuit, Richard Petty achieved the most Daytona 500 victories, claiming seven titles. In 2025, William Byron triumphed in the Daytona 500 for the second consecutive year. At the 2026 race, he will strive to become the first driver to win three Daytona 500 championships in a row.

Below is a list of all-time Daytona 500 champions:

• 2025: William Byron

• 2024: William Byron

• 2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

• 2022: Austin Cindric

• 2021: Michael McDowell

• 2020: Denny Hamlin

• 2019: Denny Hamlin

• 2018: Austin Dillon

• 2017: Kurt Busch

• 2016: Denny Hamlin

• 2015: Joey Logano

• 2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

• 2013: Jimmie Johnson

• 2012: Matt Kenseth

• 2011: Trevor Bayne

• 2010: Jamie McMurray

• 2009: Matt Kenseth

• 2008: Ryan Newman

• 2007: Kevin Harvick

• 2006: Jimmie Johnson

• 2005: Jeff Gordon

• 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

• 2003: Michael Waltrip

• 2002: Ward Burton

• 2001: Michael Waltrip

• 2000: Dale Jarrett

• 1999: Jeff Gordon

• 1998: Dale Earnhardt

• 1997: Jeff Gordon

• 1996: Dale Jarrett

• 1995: Sterling Marlin

• 1994: Sterling Marlin

• 1993: Dale Jarrett

• 1992: Davey Allison

• 1991: Ernie Irvan

• 1990: Derrike Cope

• 1989: Darrell Waltrip

• 1988: Bobby Allison

• 1987: Bill Elliott

• 1986: Geoff Bodine

• 1985: Bill Elliott

• 1984: Cale Yarborough

• 1983: Cale Yarborough

• 1982: Bobby Allison

• 1981: Richard Petty

• 1980: Buddy Baker

• 1979: Richard Petty

• 1978: Bobby Allison

• 1977: Cale Yarborough

• 1976: David Pearson

• 1975: Benny Parsons

• 1974: Richard Petty

• 1973: Richard Petty

• 1972: A.J. Foyt

• 1971: Richard Petty

• 1970: Pete Hamilton

• 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough

• 1968: Cale Yarborough

• 1967: Mario Andretti

• 1966: Richard Petty

• 1965: Fred Lorenzen

• 1964: Richard Petty

• 1963: Tiny Lund

• 1962: “Fireball” Roberts

• 1961: Marvin Panch

• 1960: Junior Johnson

• 1959: Lee Petty

Visit the ESPN NASCAR hub page for standings, results, schedules, and additional information.

Source: espn.com