5 NASCAR drivers who have made a mark in the 24 Hours of Daytona

Tony Kanaan, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, and Scott Dixon (L-R)
Tony Kanaan, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, and Scott Dixon (L-R) - Image via Getty

The 24 Hours of Daytona or the Rolex 24 as it is also called is a 24-hour endurance race that takes place at the Daytona International Speedway. The race, which debuted in 1962, sees 59 cars across 4 different classes racing for the winning teams to gain the top prize of a yellow gold and steel Rolex watch. The race has seen the involvement of many NASCAR drivers including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, and Kyle Busch.

This list will examine 5 NASCAR drivers who went home with a Rolex at the 24 Hours at Daytona.

5. Mark Martin (1995)

Mark Martin completed the 24 Hours to take victory for Roush Racing in a Mercury XR7 GTO. The Hall-of-Famer drove with teammates Wally Dallenbach Jr. and Dorsey Schroeder to win the endurance race. Martin, who drove for Roush Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series as well, has achieved 35 Cup victories for the North Carolina-based outfit during his time with them from 1988 to 2006.

Mark Martin (2013) - Source: Imagn
Mark Martin (2013) - Source: Imagn

4. AJ Allmendinger (2012)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, who completed the 2024 season in third place in the standings, raced the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2012. His victory came alongside teammates Justin Wilson, Oswaldo Negri, and John Pew for the Michael Shank Racing Team. The 18-time Xfinity Series race winner drove the last three-and-a-half hours of the endurance race, clinching the win for his team.

AJ Allmendinger in the NASCAR Xfinity Series - Source: Imagn
AJ Allmendinger in the NASCAR Xfinity Series - Source: Imagn

3. Kyle Larson (2015)

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion drove the Rolex 24 for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2015. Alongside teammates Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, and Jamie McMurray, driving the #2 Ford Riley, this victory clinched the 6th overall victory for Ganassi Racing. Larson, who had debuted for CGR in the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series is now a 29-time Cup Series race winner and has qualified for the playoffs 8 times.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship driver Kyle Larson - Source: Imagn
NASCAR Cup Series Championship driver Kyle Larson - Source: Imagn

2. Jeff Gordon (2017)

4-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Jeff Gordon, drove the 24 Hours of Daytona twice, in 2007 and in 2017. Both of his entries were with the Wayne Taylor Racing Team. His 2007 race ended with him in third place, and coming back after 10 years, he clinched the victory at Daytona. With his win in 2017, Gordon joined the prestigious list of A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Jamie McMurray as the only drivers to win the Daytona 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona.

Jeff Gordon at Ford Ecoboost 400-Practice - Source: Imagn
Jeff Gordon at Ford Ecoboost 400-Practice - Source: Imagn

1. Scott Pruett (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013)

Pruett, who has raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series, is one of only two drivers who has won the Rolex 24 five times. As of 2018, He has raced the 24 Hours of Daytona 28 times - with his 2018 run being the final one before his retirement. In the NASCAR Xfinity series, he has won three pole positions and two top-5s over his 11 starts. He has also had 40 NASCAR Cup Series starts, with three top-five finishes.

Scott Pruett and teammates at the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona- Source: Imagn
Scott Pruett and teammates at the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona- Source: Imagn

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar
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