Breaking into NASCAR’s elite ranks is a difficult journey, and for Bubba Wallace, achieving his first win took a considerable amount of time. According to NASCAR Insights, Wallace holds the longest wait among active drivers for a maiden Cup Series victory, highlighting the challenges many drivers face before reaching victory lane. Currently, Wallace is experiencing a 96-race stretch without a win.
Bubba Wallace began his NASCAR Cup Series career in 2017 and endured 143 starts before securing his first win. Representing the newly founded 23XI Racing team, he earned his breakthrough victory during the rain-shortened Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 4, 2021.
Bubba Wallace’s Historic Victory and Recent Challenges
Despite leading only five laps, Wallace’s triumph was significant for multiple reasons. The rain-induced caution ended the race early, cementing his win and making him the second Black driver in 58 years to claim a NASCAR Cup Series race. This also marked the inaugural Cup Series victory for 23XI Racing. Wallace followed up his breakthrough with a second victory in 2022 at Kansas Speedway, but has since been on a lengthy winless stretch, currently at 96 races and facing the possibility of missing the playoffs this season.
Drivers Who Waited Years Before Their First Win
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also holds a notable place on the list of drivers who waited a long time for their first Cup win. On May 7, 2017, driving for Roush Fenway Racing, Stenhouse secured his maiden victory in dramatic fashion at Talladega Superspeedway. After 158 starts, he overtook Kyle Busch in a final lap battle during an overtime finish. Stenhouse’s achievement ended a three-year winless streak for his team and began a new phase of momentum.
Daniel Suarez, the first foreign-born driver to win the Xfinity Series championship in 2016, made his Cup Series debut with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2017. However, his first Cup win came later, during his second season with Trackhouse Racing. After 195 starts, Suarez reached victory lane at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022. He had also earned a recent win in an Xfinity Series event held outside the United States at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Suarez, however, has experienced limited wins since 2024 and is set to part ways with Trackhouse Racing after 2025. Wallace publicly supported Suarez on social media.
AJ Allmendinger achieved his first Cup Series win at Watkins Glen International in 2014 after 213 starts, driving for JTG Daugherty Racing. His victory came after a late battle with Marcos Ambrose. In 2021, he secured another milestone by winning Kaulig Racing’s first Cup race. Though he led laps earlier this season at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), he was unable to convert that into a top finish, ending the race in 30th place.
Michael McDowell’s Long-Awaited Daytona 500 Triumph
The record for the longest wait to a maiden Cup victory belongs to Michael McDowell, who achieved his breakthrough at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events, the Daytona 500. After an incredible 358 starts, McDowell won the 2021 Daytona 500 by navigating through a final lap wreck involving Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch. The race was rain-delayed and concluded past midnight, making his emotional victory the culmination of 14 seasons of perseverance.
The Significance of These Long-Awaited Wins
These lengthy intervals before first wins underscore the intense competition and challenges within NASCAR’s Cup Series. For Bubba Wallace, achieving the longest first win streak among active drivers reflects both his resilience and the high level of skill required to succeed. The stories of drivers like Stenhouse, Suarez, Allmendinger, and McDowell highlight how persistence and determination eventually pay off, lending hope to others still seeking their breakthrough moment. As Wallace continues his pursuit of further wins, his journey remains a significant part of NASCAR’s evolving narrative.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bubba Wallace ever win a race?
A. On October 26, 2013, Wallace made history by becoming the first African American to win in a NASCAR national series since 1963. He won the Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway.
Q. Has Bubba Wallace ever won?
A. Wallace claimed his first Cup victory at Talladega on October 4, 2021, when rain caused the race to end early.