Reigning Cup Champions Daytona 500 Winners - TSJ101 Sports

Ryan Blaney aims to join elite NASCAR club with back-to-back Daytona 500 win and championship, a rare feat seen in decades.

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Is Ryan Blaney on the Verge of Joining an Exclusive NASCAR Club?

In a recent interview on The Money Lap podcast, Ryan Blaney discussed the rare opportunity he has to achieve a remarkable feat. Winning the Daytona 500 and the championship in the same year is a dream scenario for any NASCAR driver.

The list of defending NASCAR Cup Series champions who have also claimed victory at the Daytona 500 is a small and prestigious group. Only five drivers have accomplished this remarkable feat, and they are all considered legends in the sport. Let's take a closer look at these five individuals and their historic achievements.

The first driver to achieve this milestone was Lee Petty in 1959. He won the inaugural Daytona 500 and went on to secure his third and final championship season in NASCAR.

Following in his father's footsteps, Richard Petty claimed his fourth Cup title and also won the Daytona 500 in 1973. His victory in the Great American Race solidified his status as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.

Cale Yarborough joined this elite group in 1977, winning his second Daytona 500 while on his way to securing three consecutive championships. His dominant performance in the late 1970s cemented his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

In 1999, Jeff Gordon added his name to the list of drivers who have achieved this rare feat. His victory in the Daytona 500 was part of a successful season that saw him win seven races and establish himself as a dominant force in NASCAR.

Dale Jarrett became the most recent addition to this exclusive club in 2000. After winning the championship in 1999, he went on to claim his third Daytona 500 victory, solidifying his place among the sport's elite drivers.

Now, Ryan Blaney has the opportunity to join this esteemed group of NASCAR champions. With his strong track record at superspeedways and previous near-misses at the Daytona 500, Blaney is poised to make history. If he can secure a victory in this year's race, he will not only add his name to the list of legends but also become part of a rare piece of NASCAR history.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credits: Chris Graythen/Getty Images and Peter Stratta/TSJSports

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