There have been a few upsets in NASCAR races where strategy, skill, but also sheer luck have determined the ultimate winner. Every one of these races is a tribute to the fact that anyone can take the checkered flag on any given day.
Here are seven of the most unexpected wins everyone including fans and analysts, did not see coming.
Related: Updated NASCAR power rankings
7. Chris Buescher—2016 Pocono 400
Chris Buescher with the help of fuel strategy was able to secure an unexpected win at the 2016 Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The race which was moved from Sunday to Monday because of rain was further affected by fog and storms and therefore was cut short. Buescher assumed the lead on Lap 127 after the leader, Austin Dillon, made a pit stop.
NASCAR eventually red-flagged the race with 22 laps to go and then waved the checkered flag, ending the race and giving Buescher his first career win in his 27th start. This win was also memorable for Front Row Motorsports, as it was the team’s first since 2013.
6. Brad Keselowski—2009 Talladega 500
While racing at Talladega for the Aaron’s 500 event in 2009, Brad Keselowski gave fans an unexpected ending and memorable upset win by emerging as the winner. Competing for the low-profile team, Phoenix Racing, Keselowski decided to take a risk on the last lap, attempting to overtake Carl Edwards, who was in the lead.
While battling with Keselowski, Edwards attempted to block Keselowski, but he was already there so Edwards ended up turning sideways causing his car, after contact with another car, to go airborne and hit the catch fence in a scary crash, but hopefully no injuries were reported. Keselowski kept the race in his favor before finally getting to the checkered flag and taking his maiden NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win.
Read more: 20 worst motorsports crashes of all-time
5. Michael McDowell—2021 Daytona 500
Michael McDowell had his maiden NASCAR Cup Series win in his 358th race at the 2021 Daytona 500. This was a stunning and unexpected victory following a last-lap collision between Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski followed by a multi-car wreck that McDowell had a clean run through to the checkered flag and snatched the win as the caution flag went up.
This particular triumph was not only important for McDowell but also for Front Row Motorsports because this was the team’s first win at the legendary race.
4. Justin Haley — 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400
Justin Haley got his maiden NASCAR Cup Series win at the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 in the Daytona International Speedway rain-shortened event, in only his third cup race. Lightning and rain washed through the venue and so with 33 laps still in the air, the race was red-flagged.
Kurt Busch, who was leading the race, had to pit right under a caution, and Haley got to the lead during the caution period. This strategic move by Haley who drives for Spire Motorsports in his rookie year, saw him at the front when the green flag was waived as the weather intervened to end the race. This unexpected victory meant a lot for Spire Motorsports as it claimed its first Cup Series victory.
Also read: 7 Most controversial moments in NASCAR history
3. Greg Sacks—1985 Firecracker 400 (Daytona)
Greg Sacks had perhaps one of the most shocking performances in NASCAR history when he overcame many odds to claim the Firecracker 400 title at Daytona in 1985. Sacks had a part-time schedule driving an unsponsored research and development car for DiGard Motorsports and was not considered a contender against other key teams which made this win unexpected. But he led 33 laps and won against the dominant car of Bill Elliott and against the race leader Terry Labonte, in the final laps.
2. Derrike Cope — 1990 Daytona 500
One of the most unexpected wins that NASCAR fans witnessed was Derrike Cope’s win at the 1990 Daytona 500. Cope was racing close behind the legendary №3 car of Dale Earnhardt, who was virtually ahead for a race victory, until his tire was cut on the last lap.
This twist and turn worked in favor of Cope making his way to the front and emerging as a first-time winner of a NASCAR race. It was particularly memorable because Cope had never placed higher than sixth in his first 71 Winston Cup attempts.
1. Trevor Bayne — 2011 Daytona 500
This is one of the most shocking upsets in the Cup Series: Trevor Bayne’s win in the 2011 Daytona 500. Wood Brothers Racing rookie Trevor Bayne, 20, became the youngest winner ever to win the greatest race in NASCAR, driving the №21 Ford. This was an important win in part because of Bayne’s age and in part because it was only his second race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The race itself gave us lots of thrills: 74 lead changes and 16 caution flags made a record-breaking Daytona 500. The victory was a timely confidence boost for Wood Brothers Racing as they had not clinched a Daytona 500 victory since 1976.