Top 5 luckiest NASCAR wins ever ft. Chase Elliott at Pocono

Winning a NASCAR race requires a high-level of skill, reflexes and mental fortitude, among other qualities. However, luck also plays an important role in the sport.

Luck often determines NASCAR outcomes. Ross Chastain's daring, borderline illegal "Martinsville Miracle" showcased this. His wall-ride maneuver propelled him into the championship race, but NASCAR swiftly banned the move, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the sport.

Besides having knowledge and experience, it's good to have luck on your side while on the track. Here's a look at five instances where NASCAR drivers got lucky and drove down victory lane:

#5 Kevin Harvick (2011)

In 2011, Kevin Harvick was piloting the #29 Chevrolet for the Richard Childress Racing team. After an underwhelming qualifying session, Harvick started the Coca-Cola 600 in P28. With just one lap to go in the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was leading the pack, with Harvick close behind in second. As the duo approached turn three, Earnhardt Jr. ran out of fuel, allowing Harvick to easily seize the opportunity and claim victory.

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#4 Chris Buescher (2016)

Chris Buescher started the Pennsylvania 400 race at Pocono Raceway in P22. Buescher steadily advanced through the field as other competitors pitted. A caution was initiated with 29 laps remaining as fog obscured turn one. Interestingly, NASCAR regulations permit a race to be halted and declared complete after surpassing the halfway point, owing to weather or other circumstances.

With 22 laps to go, the race was red-flagged, and as Buescher was leading the field prior to the caution, he was declared the winner.

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#3 Mark Martin (2009)

NASCAR legend Mark Martin was piloting the #5 Chevrolet for HMS in the 2009 LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Martin was in P3 before the white flag, as Jimmie Johnson's car ran out of fuel. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Gregg Biffle, who was leading the race, started wiggling as the #16 Ford ran dry. With half a lap to go, Mark Martin overtook Biffle and won the race.

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#2 James Buescher (2012)

In 2012, James Buescher piloted the #30 Chevrolet part-time with several other drivers for Turner Motorsports. Buescher competed in the Daytona 300 (now United Rentals 300) NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and after avoiding an eleven-car wreck in the final lap, he emerged into the lead and ultimately secured victory.

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#1 Chase Elliott (2022)

Chase Elliott drove the #9 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports at Pocono Raceway, finishing initially in P3 behind Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. However, both Hamlin and Busch were disqualified after a post-race inspection revealed additional pieces of tape on the front fascias of their Toyotas.

This marked the first time in NASCAR's modern era (commencing in 1972) that a Cup race winner was determined via post-race disqualification. As a result, Elliott, who finished the race in P3, was declared the winner.