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NASCAR: Win Droughts Heading Into Watkins Glen

By Matt Lovisa

WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 07: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger/Kingsford Chevrolet, races Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Crisper Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 7, 2016 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 07: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger/Kingsford Chevrolet, races Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Crisper Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 7, 2016 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Winning NASCAR races is not always easy. Some drivers have had very long waits since earning their latest victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. In fact, some have never won at all.

With 21 races completed in this season’s 36-race schedule, many drivers are searching for their first victory in a long time. In fact, some drivers are searching for their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory. Which drivers are trying to end the longest winless streaks?

Kyle Busch made it back-to-back weeks for drivers who snapped a winless streak with his win at Pocono, snapping a 36-race winless streak. Not only did he snap his winless streak and earn himself a spot in the playoffs, he also won at a track where he had yet to win in the NASCAR Cup Series, leaving only Charlotte as the track where he has yet to win a points-paying race on the Cup Series schedule.

As the series heads to Watkins Glen, there’s a chance another driver could snap their winless streak. The Glen is the location for A.J. Allmendinger’s last, and only, Cup Series win and Clint Bowyer has a win at the other road course on the schedule, Sonoma Raceway.

NOTE: These lists include drivers that are in the series with full-time rides only. Also, they only include the races in which the drivers have competed.

Drivers Searching for First Career Victory

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The number of races beside the names of these drivers is the number of races in which they have driven in their careers.

9. Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota (21 races dating back to 2017)

8. Erik Jones, Furniture Row Racing, Toyota (24 races dating back to 2015)

7. Ty Dillon, Germain Racing, Chevrolet (39 races dating back to 2014)

6. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet (62 races dating back to 2015)

5. Matt DiBenedetto, Go FAS Racing, Ford (89 races dating back to 2015)

4. Cole Whitt, TriStar Motorsport, Ford (133 races dating back to 2011)

3. Danica Patrick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford (175 races dating back to 2013)

2. Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing, Chevrolet (234 races dating back to 2008)

1. Landon Cassill, Front Row Motorsports, Ford (244 races dating back to 2010)

Drivers In A Winless Streak

Below is a list of drivers with a winless streak equal to or longer than the amount of races in one NASCAR season, which is 36. The number of races beside the names of these drivers is the amount of races completed since their latest victory; it does not include their latest win.

10. Chris Buescher, JTG-Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet (36 races – 2016 Pocono)

9. Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota (38 races – 2016 Loudon)

8. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet (40 races –2015 Phoenix)

7. Aric Almirola, Richard Petty Motorsports, Ford (104 races – 2014 Daytona)

6. A.J. Allmendinger, JTG-Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet (107 races – 2014 Watkins Glen)

5. Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet (133 races –2013 Talladega)

4. Trevor Bayne, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford (149 races – 2011 Daytona)

3. David Ragan, Front Row Motorsports, Ford  (155 races – 2013 Talladega)

2. Clint Bowyer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford (169 races – 2012 Richmond)

1. Paul Menard, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet (217 races – 2011 Indianapolis)

Next: NASCAR: Playoff Picture After Second Pocono Race

With 15 races to go this season and five in the regular season alone, there will be plenty of opportunities for some of these drivers and teams to end their lengthy winless streaks. Some drivers and teams will also try to avoid letting small win droughts turn into longer ones. Which drivers and teams will have success this season while others add to their win droughts?

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