The Five Youngest NASCAR Drivers to Win A Cup-Series Race (2024)

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Published Aug 10, 2023

So, you're wondering who the youngest NASCAR drivers to win a Cup-Series race are? Let's get in to it!

The NASCAR Cup Series is the premier and most prestigious stock car racing series in the United States. Organized by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the Cup Series features powerful stock cars competing on oval and road courses across the country. It is one of the most popular and well-known motorsport series in the world.

Related: The 15 Best NASCAR Drivers of All-Time, Ranked

Being the best NASCAR driver in the world comes with a slew of rewards and benefits. The obvious being financial compensation, with the winner of the cup series taking home the largest cash prize. There is also the glory of being the best race car driver in America.

Here are the five youngest NASCAR drivers to win a cup series race:

• Year: 2009
• Age: 19-Years-Old
• Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Joey Logano's first win in the NASCAR Cup Series came on June 28, 2009, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The race was the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, and Logano achieved victory in only his 20th start in the Cup Series, making him the youngest driver at the time to accomplish that feat.

Driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, Logano's win was particularly memorable because the race was shortened due to rain. The weather conditions led to the race being called after 273 of the scheduled 301 laps had been completed.

• Year: 2011
• Age: 20-Years-Old
• Location: Daytona International Speedway

Trevor Bayne's first win in the NASCAR Cup Series came on February 20, 2011, in the prestigious Daytona 500. Driving the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford Fusion, Bayne secured an unexpected and historic victory in one of the most iconic races in NASCAR.

At the time of his win, Bayne was just 20-years-old and had only a handful of Cup Series starts under his belt. The victory made him the youngest winner of the Daytona 500 in history, a record that still stands.

• Year: 2005
• Age: 20-Years-Old
• Location: Auto Club Speedway

Kyle Busch's first win in the NASCAR Cup Series came on September 4, 2005, at the Sony HD 500 race held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. He was driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports at the time.

Busch's victory in the Sony HD 500 marked his breakthrough moment in the Cup Series. He had already shown his potential by achieving success in NASCAR's lower series, and this win solidified his status as a promising young driver on the rise.

During the race, Busch showcased his skill and determination, leading the field and ultimately securing his first Cup Series victory. The win came in his 13th starts, making him one of the youngest drivers at the time to win a Cup Series race.

• Year: 1950
• Age: 21-Years-Old
• Location: Occoneechee Speedway

Fireball Roberts' first win in the NASCAR Cup Series actually came on July 10, 1952, at the Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Driving the No. 22 Ford owned by Frank Christian, Fireball Roberts secured his first victory in the Cup Series on that day. His win marked the beginning of a successful racing career that would see him become one of the sport's most iconic drivers.

Fireball Roberts was known for his skill, speed, and competitive spirit on the track. He went on to achieve a total of 33 wins in the Cup Series before his tragic passing in a racing accident in 1964. His contributions to NASCAR and his legacy as a pioneering driver continue to be remembered and celebrated by fans of the sport.

• Year: 1986
• Age: 22-Years-Old
• Location: Talladega Superspeedway

Bobby Hillin Jr. achieved his first and only victory in the NASCAR Cup Series on July 27, 1986. He won the Talladega 500 held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.

Driving the No. 8 Stavola Brothers Racing Chevrolet, Hillin Jr. became the youngest driver at the time to win a Cup Series race, securing the victory at the age of 22. The Talladega Superspeedway is known for its high-speed, restrictor-plate racing, and Hillin Jr.'s victory in such a competitive race was a significant accomplishment.

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