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NASCAR: Top 10 drivers at Daytona of all-time

By Tyler Callaway

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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6 Sep 1997: Dale Earnhardt sits behind the wheel during the Exide Batteries 400 at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport
6 Sep 1997: Dale Earnhardt sits behind the wheel during the Exide Batteries 400 at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport /

4. Dale Earnhardt

  • Races: 46
  • Wins: 3
  • Top 5 finishes: 22
  • Top 10 finishes: 34
  • Average finish: 10.74

How could Dale Earnhardt Sr. not be ranked in front of Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

The elder Earnhardt only finished outside of the top 10 in 12 races at Daytona in his career, which gave him the fourth best average finish in NASCAR history out of drivers with 20+ starts at the track.

It’s funny having a man who many thought was cursed when it came to the Daytona 500 because of how long in his prestigious career it took him to win it ranked 4th on this list. It wasn’t until his 20th attempt that he was finally able to claim his only Harley J. Earl Trophy.

While Earnhardt’s life was tragically taken at Daytona, fans will always remember what he brought to the track each time he got behind the wheel. Daytona was always considered one of his best tracks to race at and

Earnhardt is one of the only drivers on this list (there’s one more coming later) who can be argued as the best restrictor plate driver of all-time and also argued as the greatest NASCAR driver of all-time. He is sure to be the one with the most outstanding legacy.

There isn’t a statue of this man outside of Daytona due to tragedy; it is due to greatness.

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