Underdogs Triumph: Part-Time Drivers Achieve Rare NASCAR Cup Series Victories in Modern Era

In a sport where consistency and full-time dedication often dictate success, a select group of part-time drivers have defied the odds to capture victories in the modern NASCAR Cup Series. While the early years of NASCAR saw part-time participants contend for and even win championships, the increasing competitiveness and financial demands of the sport in recent decades have made such triumphs exceptionally rare. Since the turn of the 21st century, only nine instances of a scheduled part-time driver winning a Cup Series race have occurred, with recent performances highlighting the enduring possibility of this remarkable feat.

The latest chapter in this narrative was written by Corey Heim, who achieved a historic double by winning on the streets of Naval Base Coronado in San Diego and subsequently at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. This dual victory positions Heim as the first part-time driver to secure multiple Cup Series wins in a single season since Davey Allison and Tim Richmond in 1987, underscoring his remarkable impact on the 2026 season.

Heim’s initial triumph came during his 13th career start and sixth of the 2026 season, piloting an unchartered fourth entry for 23XI Racing. Despite qualifying 13th, Heim did not assume the lead until the closing laps. In a dramatic turn of events, he made contact with the wall while battling his championship-leading teammate, Tyler Reddick, ultimately passing him with just three laps remaining. Reddick suffered a flat tire, allowing Heim to drive to a commanding 10.3-second victory over his teammate Bubba Wallace. This win also marked a historic moment for the No. 67 car, which secured its first Cup Series victory in its 650th race.

Less than a month later, Heim repeated his improbable success by clinching a crown jewel event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Starting seventh for the Brickyard 400, Heim led a significant portion of the race, accumulating 58 laps led. In a tense final restart, he seized the lead from his car owner, Denny Hamlin. Despite running a visibly loose race car, Heim skillfully held off charging competitors Christopher Bell and Joey Logano to claim the prestigious victory. Following these groundbreaking wins, Heim has secured a full-time ride with 23XI Racing for the 2027 season, indicating a promising future in the Cup Series, even before his official rookie campaign.

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The resurgence of part-time success was notably heralded by Shane van Gisbergen in 2023 at the inaugural Chicago Street Course. The three-time Australian Supercars champion made his NASCAR Cup debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program, an initiative designed to bring international talent to the sport. Van Gisbergen immediately demonstrated his adaptability, mastering the challenging street circuit under wet conditions. Despite facing strategic setbacks, he staged a remarkable charge from 18th place in the final 30 laps to claim victory, becoming the first driver in over 60 years to win a Cup Series race in his debut. His performance led him to leave his Supercars career behind and pursue a full-time NASCAR career in the United States. He has since achieved multiple road and street course victories, earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, and is now recognized as the winningest foreign-born driver in NASCAR history, with a recent strong showing on an oval track adding another dimension to his accomplishments.

AJ Allmendinger, a seasoned competitor with multiple stints in the Cup Series, also achieved a part-time victory in 2021 at the Indianapolis Road Course. Resurging with Kaulig Racing, Allmendinger competed part-time in the Cup Series while also racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In his fourth of five Cup starts that year, he capitalized on an overtime restart from third position. A series of incidents involving other competitors, including a course-cutting penalty and retaliation, opened the door for Allmendinger, who secured his first Cup Series win since 2014 and the inaugural victory for Kaulig Racing. Allmendinger has since added another Cup win at the Charlotte Roval in 2023 and continues to be a consistent contender in the Cup Series, approaching 500 career starts.

Another surprising victory came in 2019 at Daytona International Speedway, courtesy of Justin Haley. Making his third career Cup start with Spire Motorsports, Haley opted to stay out on track during a caution period while other competitors pitted. As rain began to fall, the race was ultimately called, declaring Haley the winner in a stunning upset. Starting 34th and leading only one lap, this remains Haley’s sole Cup Series victory and the first for Spire Motorsports. While Haley subsequently raced full-time in the Cup Series without further wins, he achieved significant success in the Xfinity Series, securing four wins with Kaulig Racing.

The 2013 season saw Brian Vickers achieve a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway while sharing the No. 55 car for Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). In his eighth start of the year, Vickers took the lead with 16 laps remaining and held on to secure the win, which would ultimately be the final Cup Series victory for both Vickers and MWR. Vickers’ career was later cut short due to health reasons related to blood clots, concluding his Cup career with 323 starts and three wins.

Perhaps one of the most iconic part-time wins in recent memory was Trevor Bayne’s victory in the 2011 Daytona 500. In his second career Cup Series start and on the eve of his 20th birthday, Bayne drove the legendary No. 21 car for the Wood Brothers to their first Daytona 500 victory since 1976. The win, aided by a push from Bobby Labonte, saw Bayne hold off Carl Edwards in a thrilling finish. While Bayne went on to compete in nearly 200 Cup races, this remains his sole victory at the top level.

In 2009, Brad Keselowski emerged as a victor at Talladega Superspeedway during a partial season with both James Finch’s team and Hendrick Motorsports. In a chaotic finish, Keselowski made a daring move to the inside, leading to a multi-car incident that saw Carl Edwards’ car flip into the catch fence. This marked Keselowski’s first career Cup Series win and the only victory for Finch as a team owner. Keselowski has since become one of the sport’s most successful drivers, winning the 2012 Cup Series championship and amassing 36 Cup Series victories, in addition to a highly successful Xfinity Series career. He currently competes as a driver and owner for RFK Racing.

Jamie McMurray’s breakthrough came in 2002 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he filled in for an injured Sterling Marlin at Chip Ganassi Racing. In only his second career start, McMurray led the most laps and fended off Bobby Labonte to claim his first Cup Series win. This victory set the stage for a successful career that included seven Cup Series wins, highlighted by triumphs in the 2010 Daytona 500 and the 2010 Brickyard 400.

Robby Gordon secured his first Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2001, while driving for Richard Childress Racing as a replacement for an injured Mike Skinner. The race, rescheduled due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, saw Gordon emerge victorious after a controversial battle with Jeff Gordon. Gordon’s Cup career yielded three wins, and he later achieved success in open-wheel racing and off-road disciplines, notably participating in multiple Indianapolis 500s and founding the Stadium Super Trucks series.

These instances collectively demonstrate that while the landscape of NASCAR has evolved significantly, the spirit of the underdog and the possibility of a part-time driver achieving ultimate success on NASCAR’s grandest stages remain a compelling and inspiring aspect of the sport.

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