Which Legend Is in the Best Position to End Their Daytona 500 Drought in 2024?

American racing fans are pretty much at the edge of their seats this time of the year. There is only one reason for that- the clock is ticking until the NASCAR season-opener, the Daytona 500 race. A multitude of emotions are running through the US populace at present, ranging from tension to ecstasy. Daytona is right around the corner, and the driving legends are gearing up to give their best in this legendary race.

The Great American Race has seen the likes of several fan favorites on Victory Lane. However, there are many skilled racers who are yet to call this race theirs. They have broken several records in other races and have collected enough wins to fill their houses with awards. But clinching the Harley J. Earl trophy at the arguably most hyped-up NASCAR race is what they are still hungry for.

Legends who are close to grabbing the 2024 Daytona 500 title

Some of the best racers have carved a nice place for them in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. But they are still pushing themselves to their very limits to climb to the topmost rung of the ladder. The Daytona 500 is such a race that affords drivers that honor and prestige for a lifetime.

In a recent debate on Performance Racing Network, NBC’s Dustin Long breaks down the 2024 scenario. Answering a question about the possible storylines that may emerge, he mentions three drivers who might turn around their fortunes at Daytona this year. He said, “You see somebody that has gone winless in the Daytona 500 for so many years. You think of Martin Truex Jr, 0 for 19, Kyle Busch 0 for 18, Brad Keselowski 0 for 14.”

Martin Truex Jr has put in years of effort into Daytona- 19 to be exact. It remains to be seen if he will break that dry spell in his 20th start of this year. He is a 2017 Cup champion and came closest to victory in 2016 when he was overtaken by Hamlin by 0.01 seconds at the Daytona 500.

Kyle Busch has the next largest number of dry years, 18. He came daringly close to winning the race only last year. But an overtime restart pulled him back from the top position.

Brad Keselowski is the next contender with 14 winless years of frustration. Dustin Long said, “Brad has made it quite clear and has been openly talking about how that is his biggest goal right now, is to win the Daytona 500.” He has come close to winning the coveted cup over the past three years.

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All these racers have a tough fight to put up against those who have won the race before.

Racers already basking in the Daytona 500 glory

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As royal and unreachable as the race sounds, racers have won Daytona and snagged the honor associated with it. Their background in racing has no relation though, as Long points out.

“When you look at the last three years, the winners have been guys that did not have a whole lot of wins before they scored their Daytona 500 win. Is this the year, maybe that streak breaks?”

Some of the best winners of the Daytona are big names. Right on top is ‘The King’ Richard Petty with a whopping 4 Daytona wins (1973, 1974, 1979, 1981). Second is the infamous Denny Hamlin, snagging 3 wins for his trophy cabinet (2016, 2019, 2020). Third is Jeff Gordon again with 3 titles (1997, 1999, 2005). The list is longer with more talented drivers who aced the race.

So which driving legend do you think will receive Lady Luck’s favor for Daytona this year? 

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