To begin the season Denny Hamlin broke a career long 47 race winless streak by winning the Daytona 500. Then at Richmond Martin Truex Jr. snapped a 26 race winless streak. During the off week, it was only fitting to see what drivers are potentially on the verge of breaking winless streaks of their own.
Jimmie Johnson
- Winless Streak: 69 Races
- Last Win: 2017 Dover 1
- Best Finish Since Last Win: 3rd (Twice)
The 7-time champion is in the middle of the biggest slump of his 18 year career. Since his last win at Dover in 2017, Johnson has scored a total of 4 top 5s. It has been a stretch that has left everyone shaking their heads. It got to a point where the combination of Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus were separated.
There have been some signs of hope for Johnson as he ran well at Texas by getting the pole and leading 60 laps. Johnson will see some tracks that he is historically good at like Dover, Kansas, and Charlotte. Notoriously a good stretch for the 48 team so this could be Johnson’s chance to get back to victory lane for career win #84.
Kyle Larson
- Winless Streak: 55 Races
- Last Win: 2017 Richmond 2
- Best Finish Since Last Win: 2nd (7 Times)
Larson has shown a lot of speed during his winless streak. He has finished 2nd seven times in the last 55 races. The speed has been there for 42 team, but the luck hasn’t been on his side. Everything that could go wrong for Larson has gone wrong. Larson and the 42 team have to find a way to put together a clean race and they could go to victory lane.
Larson has some good tracks coming up for him. Once the schedule gets past Talladega, Larson has Dover and Kansas, two tracks Larson has had a lot of speed. He could have won Kansas last spring if it wasn’t for late race contact with Ryan Blaney. With some luck, Larson and the 42 team could be back in victory lane very soon.
Clint Bowyer
- Winless Streak: 30 Races
- Last Win: 2018 Michigan 1
- Best Finish Since Last Win: 2nd (Twice)
It’s unbelievable to think that it has been almost a full year since Clint Bowyer won a race. Bowyer has been very good at times during this winless streak. He has had the speed to win, but has not put the car back into victory lane. There have been mistakes that have cost him a few wins. If the team can put a clean race together Bowyer can snap the winless streak.
We could potentially see Bowyer end the winless streak this weekend at Talladega. Bowyer is very good at Talladega as he has 2 wins, 7 top 5’s, and 13 top 10’s there in his career. He finished 2nd there in the fall and he will have a shot to end the streak there on Sunday.
Erik Jones
- Winless Streak: 27 Races
- Last Win: 2018 Daytona 2
- Best Finish Since Last Win: 2nd
“That Jones Boy” only has one win in his young career. That win came last July at Daytona and he has yet to find victory lane since. Jones has shown improvement each year in cup. But just like other drivers on this list, the execution and luck just has not been there for the 20 team. Now that he hasn’t won in 27 races, Jones is looking to get back to victory lane and make it a consistent thing.
Jones has some potential at the next few races. He has had success at Daytona which could translate to Talladega this weekend, He finished 4th at Dover and Kansas last fall. Some good tracks coming for Jones and he knows these are opportunities to join his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates as winners this season.
Kurt Busch
- Winless Streak: 21 Races
- Last Wins: 2018 Bristol 2
- Best Finish Since Last Win: 2nd
The 2004 champion is sitting on a 21 race winless streak. Busch has changed teams since his last win. He got that win with Stewart-Hass Racing in the 41 car last summer at Bristol. Now he is in the 1 car for Chip Ganassi Racing. Kurt has run well so far this year as he has 3 top 5’s , which is alread one more top 5 then Jmaie McMurray had in that car all of last year.
Kurt still has the drive and passion to go out and win races. He said he was gonna wreck his brother for the win at Bristol. Kurt can get it done at the next few tracks as he was a few drops of fuel away from winning Talladega last year and he has won at Dover back in 2011.
Congrats little bro @kylebusch. Thanks @teamchevy @MonsterEnergy we will keep building towards a win.. RT if you think I should have wrecked him pic.twitter.com/2K2asrZnOM
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) April 8, 2019
