Every NASCAR champion starts somewhere, but not all debuts are storybook material. Some legends hit the track like a rocket on rails, while others got humbled real quick. Whether they were mixing it up in the top 10 or scraping fenders in the back, let’s break down where the sport’s biggest stars finished in their very first Cup Series race.

"The Champion Curse?" : Here are All Active Cup Champions and Drivers and Where they Finished in Their Debut

SVG didn’t just debut—he dominated! The Supercars ace rolled into Chicago and schooled the Cup field in the wet, becoming the first driver in 60 years to win in his first start. Absolute perfection!

19. Shane van Gisbergen - No. 88 Trackhouse Racing (Previous Rank: 26)

1. Shane van Gisbergen – 1st (2023, Chicago Street Race)

Not a bad way to kick things off! Herbst kept his car clean and pulled off a top-10 in his first-ever Cup start at the Great American Race. A rookie run done right!

29. Riley Herbst

2. Riley Herbst – 10th (2023, Daytona 500)

Stenhouse’s first Cup start was a solid 11th-place run at Charlotte, showing early flashes of his "checkers or wreckers" style. Now, he’s got a Daytona 500 trophy to back it up!

5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 11th (2011, Charlotte)

The road course ace turned superspeedway star wasted no time showing his potential. A 15th-place finish in his first Daytona 500? Not bad—but winning it the next year? Now that’s how you make an entrance!

9. Austin Cindric – 8 Starts (California, February 2022)

4. Austin Cindric – 15th (2021, Daytona 500)

Gibbs was thrown into the deep end, filling in for Kurt Busch at Pocono. A 16th-place finish showed he could hold his own, and now he’s carving out his own legacy in Cup.

33. Ty Gibbs - No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing (Previous Rank: 24)

5. Ty Gibbs – 16th (2022, Pocono)

Zane’s Cup debut at Gateway was steady—no heroics, just a solid 17th-place finish. But this young gun is just getting started!

5. Zane Smith – The Quiet Top-10 Machine

6. Zane Smith – 17th (2022, Gateway)

Briscoe’s first Cup race saw him land in 19th at Daytona. A respectable start for the dirt-track star turned short-track menace.

5. Chase Briscoe (#19) – Fast but Floundering in Qualifying

7. Chase Briscoe – 19th (2021, Daytona 500)

BK didn’t steal the show in his debut, but 19th at Texas was a sign of good things to come. The man would later bring Penske its first Cup championship—not too shabby!

9. Brad Keselowski – 19th in 2008 (Texas)

8. Brad Keselowski – 19th (2008, Texas)

Before watermelons flew in Victory Lane, Chastain’s Cup career started with a 20th-place run at the Monster Mile. Fast forward, and he’s smashing expectations left and right!

3. Ross Chastain – The Watermelon Wrecking Ball

9. Ross Chastain – 20th (2017, Dover)

A quiet but solid start for Buescher, finishing 20th in his Cup debut. Years later, he’s become RFK’s short-track king and a weekly contender.

32. Texas

10. Chris Buescher – 20th (2015, Fontana)

Bell’s first Cup start was a wild ride at Daytona, bringing it home in 21st. Now? He’s a championship threat every year!

How Christopher Bell Can Return the Championship to JGR But Not Without His Challenges

11. Christopher Bell – 21st (2020, Daytona 500)

JHN’s first Cup start was a 21st at Texas, but he’s taken the long road back to full-time Cup racing. This time, he’s here to stay!

18. John Hunter Nemechek - No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (Previous Rank: 11)

12. John Hunter Nemechek – 21st (2019, Texas)

Byron’s first Cup race was a middle-of-the-pack 23rd at Daytona. He’s come a long way since then, now fighting for wins week in and week out!

2. William Byron - No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports (Previous Rank: 2)

13. William Byron – 23rd (2018, Daytona 500)

Bowman’s first ride in the Cup ended in 23rd. Not a bad start, but little did we know he’d one day take over the 48 and fill some legendary shoes!

8. Alex Bowman - No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports (Previous Rank: 14)

14. Alex Bowman – 23rd (2014, Daytona 500)

Vegas wasn’t quite a jackpot for Custer’s first Cup race, finishing 25th. But give him credit—he’s got a Cup win under his belt now!

12. Cole Custer (-50 points, 1 deduction)

15. Cole Custer – 25th (2018, Las Vegas)

A 25th-place finish at Atlanta was an okay start for Ty, but he’s been grinding ever since, looking to carve out his own lane.

10. Ty Dillon

16. Ty Dillon – 25th (2014, Atlanta)

Bubba’s first Cup start saw him land 26th at Pocono. Now, he’s a Daytona winner and a playoff contender. Not too shabby!

11. Bubba Wallace - No. 23 23XI Racing (Previous Rank: 10)

17. Bubba Wallace – 26th (2017, Pocono)

Dillon’s Cup debut wasn’t headline-worthy, finishing 26th at Kansas. But a few years later, he was driving the No. 3 back into Victory Lane at Daytona!

18. Austin Dillon – 26th (2011, Kansas)

McDowell’s first Cup race was a forgettable 26th-place finish at Texas. But years later, he pulled off a Daytona 500 shocker and became a superspeedway stud!

7. Michael McDowell (13.35 AVG Finish)

19. Michael McDowell – 26th (2008, Texas)

Reddick’s debut at Daytona ended in 27th, but these days, he’s a high-line maestro and a road-course rocket!

3. Tyler Reddick - No. 45 23XI Racing (Previous Rank: 6)

20. Tyler Reddick – 27th (2019, Daytona 500)

Blaney’s first Cup race? A 27th at Kansas. His most recent one? A championship victory! Not bad for YRB.

12. Ryan Blaney – Old School Ink for a New School Star

21. Ryan Blaney – 27th (2014, Kansas)

Suárez started his Cup career with a 29th-place finish, but now he’s a Trackhouse hero with a big win under his belt.

15. Daniel Suárez – The Breakthrough Star (2 Wins)

22. Daniel Suárez – 29th (2017, Daytona 500)

Berry’s first Cup start saw him land in 30th at Daytona. But with a full-time ride in 2024, watch out—this guy’s coming!

23. Josh Berry – 30th (2023, Daytona 500)

Gragson’s Cup debut was a tough day at Daytona, finishing 31st. But if his Xfinity success is any sign, there’s more to come!

28. Noah Gragson

24. Noah Gragson – 31st (2022, Daytona 500)

A forgettable 32nd in his debut, but a couple of months later? Boom—a Daytona win! Haley knows how to be in the right place at the right time.

25. Justin Haley – 32nd (2019, Talladega)

Preece’s Cup debut saw him finish 32nd at Loudon. But the short-track ace is still fighting to make his mark!

6. Ryan Preece – Climbing Out of the Trenches

26. Ryan Preece – 32nd (2015, Loudon)

32nd-place debut? Yikes. But two championships later, Logano’s got the last laugh!

4. Joey Logano #22

27. Joey Logano – 32nd (2008, Loudon)

Denny’s first Cup run saw him finish 32nd. These days, he’s running the show with 51 wins and counting!

28. Denny Hamlin – 32nd (2005, Kansas)

A 33rd-place finish at Daytona wasn’t flashy, but Gilliland is getting better every season!

29. Todd Gilliland – 33rd (2022, Daytona 500)

Hocevar’s first Cup race saw him finish 36th at Gateway, but this kid’s got plenty of upside!

5. Carson Hocevar

30. Carson Hocevar – 36th (2023, Gateway)

A 37th-place debut for a future champ? Wild. But once Larson found his groove, there was no stopping him!

12. Kyle Larson - No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports (Previous Rank: 7)

31. Kyle Larson – 37th (2013, Charlotte)

Martinsville wasn’t kind to NASCAR’s future Golden Boy, but just look at him now!

8. Chase Elliott – Martinsville (2015) | Tough Day, Flashes of Speed

32. Chase Elliott – 38th (2015, Martinsville)

A tough 39th-place debut, but hey, at least he made it to the big leagues!

36. Cody Ware - No. 51 Rick Ware Racing (Previous Rank: 36)

33. Cody Ware – 39th (2017, Daytona 500)

Jones finished 40th in his debut, but That Jones Boy proved he belongs.

34. Erik Jones – 40th (2015, Kansas)

AJ Allmendinger’s Cup Series debut saw him finishing 40th, putting him near the tail end of the field.

26. AJ Allmendinger - No. 16 Kaulig Racing (Previous Rank: 31)

35. AJ Allmendinger – 40th Place

Vegas wasn’t kind to Rowdy in his debut but with two championships and 63 wins, who’s laughing now?