5 NASCAR champions yet to win the Daytona 500, including Kyle Busch

The Daytona 500 is one of NASCAR's most prestigious races the sport has to offer. For any driver that's been able to hoist the Harley J. Earl Trophy, they've put themselves in elite NASCAR company.

However, not every NASCAR great has been able to win "The Great American Race" at the Daytona International Speedway. Former champions such as Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, and Martin Truex Jr. failed to add a win in the 500-mile event to their resumes. Today, there's a few former Cup Series champions who are still seeking that first Daytona 500 victory.

Here, we'll take a look at what former Cup champions are still gunning for that elusive first Daytona 500 triumph.

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Kyle Busch

Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) removes his helmet during qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Credit: Imagn Images

Perhaps no driver is hungrier for a Daytona 500 win than Kyle Busch. The two-time Cup Series champion has yet to secure a win in the famed race in 21 starts.

The Las Vegas native finished runner-up in the 2019 Daytona 500, third in the 2016 event, and fourth in the 2008 race. The 63-time Cup Series winner led the race's 200th lap in 2023, which is normally the race's final lap. However, due to an overtime restart, the race ran longer than its normal distance, and Busch was unable to fend off the field and win.

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Brad Keselowski

NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (6) looks on prior to the start of the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Credit: Imagn Images

Brad Keselowski has won two of the four NASCAR crown jewel races, but one of the two missing includes the Daytona 500. The 2012 Cup Series champion has a best finish of third in the Daytona 500 back (2014).

The year prior, the Michigan native placed fourth. However, victory lane in "The Great American Race" continues to elude the co-owner of RFK Racing. The 2025 Daytona 500 will mark Keselowski's 16th start in the event as he'll go for the win in one of the only big-time races he's yet to secure a victory in.

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Chase Elliott

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Credit: Imagn Images

Chase Elliott is another former Cup Series champion that's failed to add a Daytona 500 win to his portfolio.

The 2020 champion scored a best finish of second in the event back in 2021, only finishing behind winner Michael McDowell. Elliott has made nine starts in the event, all with Hendrick Motorsports. Although he's never won the prestigious race, Elliott is a two-time pole sitter of the Daytona 500 as he started first in the event in both 2016 and 2017.

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Kyle Larson

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) celebrates after winning the 30th running of the Brickyard 400, Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Image via Imagn)

Kyle Larson has accomplished a lot through his 11-year Cup Series career, not the least of which was winning the championship in 2021.

However, the driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet hasn't won a Daytona 500 in 11 starts at the event. The California native's best finish in the 200-lap event is seventh twice, coming in 2016 and 2019. Larson is a former pole sitter of the race as he started first in 2022. Heading into 2025, the 32-year-old still seeks a victory in "The Great American Race."

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Ryan Blaney

Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Credit: Imagn Images

Ryan Blaney is still looking for his first Daytona 500 victory in what will be his 11th start in the event in 2025. The 2023 Cup Series champion has come close multiple times to capturing the checkered flag in the 500-mile event, but has failed to do so.

The North Carolina native has placed runner-up twice in the event in 2017 and 2020. The driver of the #12 Team Penske Ford also notched a fourth-place in the 2022 Daytona 500, while his teammate, Austin Cindric, won the race to secure his first career victory.