The Daytona 500, the biggest race of the NASCAR calendar, is just around the corner to kick off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Known as “The Great American Race,” the season opener has a way of producing unlikely heroes, dramatic heartbreak, and career-defining moments.
While victories make headlines, consistency at Daytona International Speedway is a different kind of achievement. Surviving the wreck and consistently finishing up front at a 2.5-mile-long superspeedway is no small feat. On that note, let’s take a look at the five active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with the best average finishes in the Daytona 500, featuring both rising stars and veterans.
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Five drivers with best average finish in the Daytona 500
#5 Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace, the driver of the #23 23XI Racing car, has built a reputation as one of the most capable superspeedway drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has an average finish of 16.00 in eight “The Great American Race” appearances. Wallace has come heartbreakingly close to victory at Daytona before and consistently runs near the front in the draft. He has two runner-up finishes here.
#4 Denny Hamlin
When it comes to modern “The Great American Race” success, Denny Hamlin is already a legend and the winningest active driver of the event. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has combined clutch performances with long-term consistency, reflected in his 14.40 average finish in 20 starts.
#3 Chase Briscoe
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is third on the list. Although Briscoe is primarily recognized for his proficiency on short tracks and road courses, his performance in the Daytona 500 is often overlooked. He has an average finish of 14.2 in five starts and has proven he can handle the high-speed chess match that defines superspeedway racing. The #19 JGR driver has scored notable finishes of third and fourth in 2022 and 2025, respectively.
#2 Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric already has a Daytona 500 trophy on his resume, and his 13.80 average finish over five starts proves that win was no fluke. Team Penske and its drivers have shown a natural feel for superspeedway racing, often positioning them near the front when the laps wind down. He has one win and one top-10 finish in five starts at this event.
#1 John Hunter Nemechek
In a small sample size, the #42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota driver has quietly been one of the most consistent drivers in the Daytona 500. An average finish of 7.67 across just three starts shows that he knows how to stay out of trouble and put himself in position when it matters most. In three starts, Nemechek finished 11th, seventh, and fifth in 2020, 2024, and 2025, respectively.
Edited by Yash Soni
