NASCAR: Top 10 drivers at Daytona of all-time

DAYTONA, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2007 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR)
DAYTONA, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2007 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR) /
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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR)
DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images for NASCAR) /

Daytona is the greatest track in NASCAR, but who are the greatest drivers to drive on the greatest track? Let’s rank the 10 greatest drivers at the track.

The 60th annual Daytona 500 is under one week away, and as the race gets closer, more eyes fall onto the young drivers of the sport as NASCAR continues to leave the past behind and look towards the future of the sport.

However, 60 years is a lot of time for phenomenal drivers to handle the wheel on the legendary behemoth of a track that is Daytona International Speedway. Racing legends have graced that track and left their mark on the Harley J. Earl Trophy.

These legends shouldn’t be left behind as we look towards the future and most of the drivers that will be competing in the 2018 season will never reach the level that these 10 men are on.

This isn’t a list of the greatest drivers, though; this is a list of the greatest drivers on the greatest track in NASCAR. Who is the greatest driver ever at Daytona?

After 59 years of racing on the track, I think I have enough statistical data to make informed rankings. These rankings are judged by individual driver performances at Daytona. Not just the Daytona 500 but every Cup Series race that has taken place at Daytona is factored into these rankings.

Before we get started, I want to point out five individuals that may deserve to be on this list but unfortunately barely didn’t make the cut.

Honorable Mentions

  1. Bill Elliott
  2. Bobby Isaac
  3. Tony Stewart
  4. Junior Johnson
  5. Joe Weatherly

All five of these gentlemen could have made the list, but for one reason or another, I decided to leave them off in favor of the other 10. These five are great drivers with strong legacies at Daytona that will be remembered regardless.

Now, let’s have a look at the top 10.