Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2022 and has been updated.
The Daytona 500 is one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ crown-jewel races. It’s the crown jewel of crown jewels and a race casually referred to as the Super Bowl of NASCAR. It is, by far, the biggest race of the NASCAR schedule, and it opens the season every year.
Drivers would do just about anything to take NASCAR’s most coveted checkered flag, and it has and continues to elude many of the sport’s best competitors.
Winning the Daytona 500 can be a career- and life-changing moment, securing a driver’s permanent place in NASCAR history and hoisting the massive Harley J. Earl Trophy. So here’s a look back at all the Daytona 500 winners since 2000.
Confetti flies as Dale Jarrett, of Hickory, NC., gets out of his Ford in Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 Sunday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2000 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Runner-up: Jeff Burton
2001: Michael Waltrip, No. 15 Chevrolet
Michael Waltrip, the 2001 Daytona 500 winner, waves to the crowd in Victory Lane Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, after winning the second of two Gatorade 125s qualifying to take the 4th starting position in the Daytona 500 on Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. With him is his 4-year-old daughter, Margaret Carol. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Runner-up: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2002: Ward Burton, No. 22 Dodge
Ward Burton receives a kiss from his wife Tabitha, left, as his son Jeb raises the No. 1 sign as they stand by the trophy in victory lane after Burton won the 2002 Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday Feb. 17, 2002. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Runner-up: Elliott Sadler
2003: Michael Waltrip, No. 15 Chevrolet
Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip gives an interview Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, as his NAPA Chevrolet Monte Carlo goes on display in Daytona USA in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Daytona Beach News-Journal, David Tucker)
Runner-up: Kurt Busch
2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 8 Chevrolet
In this Feb. 15, 2004 photo, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. celebrates with his crew at the start finish line after winning the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Kelly Jordan/The Daytona Beach News-Journal via AP)
Runner-up: Tony Stewart
2005: Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Chevrolet
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon celebrates his victory in the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Runner-up: Kurt Busch
2006: Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Team owner Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, and Darian Grubb hold aloft the winners trophies after victory in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 19, 2006 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Gavin Lawrence/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 17: Ryan Newman, driver of the #12 Alltel Dodge, celebrates in victory lane after winning the 50th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Runner-up: Kurt Busch
2009: Matt Kenseth, No. 17 Ford
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 DEWALT Ford, celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Runner-up: Kevin Harvick
2010: Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Chevrolet
Jamie McMurray celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Runner-up: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2011: Trevor Bayne, No. 21 Ford
ORG XMIT: USPW-24892 Feb 20, 2011; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Trevor Bayne celebrates after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Runner-up: Carl Edwards
2012: Matt Kenseth, No. 17 Ford
Matt Kenseth celebrates in victory lane after winning the Daytona 500 NASCAR auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla., Tuesday Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lesley Ann Miller)
Runner-up: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2013: Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet
Feb 24, 2013; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Chevrolet
In this Feb. 23, 2014 photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Runner-up: Denny Hamlin
2015: Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
Feb 22, 2015; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Kevin Harvick
2016: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
Feb 21, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates winning the the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Martin Truex Jr.
2017: Kurt Busch, No. 41 Ford
Feb 26, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kurt Busch (41) reacts with New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski after winning the 2017 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Ryan Blaney
2018: Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 18: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 60th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Runner-up: Bubba Wallace
2019: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
Feb 17, 2019; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Kyle Busch
2020: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
Feb 17, 2020; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The race is being run on a Monday after raining out Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Runner-up: Ryan Blaney
2021: Michael McDowell, No. 34 Ford
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 14: Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Runner-up: Chase Elliott
2022: Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Runner-up: Bubba Wallace
2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. jumps from his No. 47 Chevrolet into the waiting arms of his crew on February 19, 2023 after winning the Daytona 500. (David TuckerNews Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Runner-up: Joey Logano
2024: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
