Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently expressed skepticism about whether any current NASCAR driver will reach the milestone of 60 Cup Series wins, a feat recently achieved by Denny Hamlin. In a discussion on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt assessed the likelihood of several prominent drivers attaining this impressive achievement.
Top Contenders for 60 NASCAR Cup Wins
Earnhardt highlighted Kyle Larson as a potential contender, noting that Larson has the talent to reach 60 career wins if he commits to a full-time Cup Series schedule. Currently, Larson has 32 wins but has shown a strong inclination toward dirt racing, which may impact his future in the Cup Series.
Other Notable Drivers
- Joey Logano: With 37 career wins, Logano is projected to hit 50, but Earnhardt believes he may fall short of 60 unless his performance improves significantly during the regular season.
- Brad Keselowski: With 36 wins, Earnhardt is uncertain about Keselowski’s prospects, predicting he may struggle to reach 40 total wins.
- Chase Elliott: Despite having 21 wins, Earnhardt feels Elliott might retire before reaching the 60-win mark.
NASCAR’s Changing Landscape
Earnhardt noted a trend of younger retirements among NASCAR drivers. He reminisced about his early career when it was common to see drivers racing well into their 50s. He voiced concern that today’s drivers may retire much earlier.
Current Active Drivers with 60 Wins
Currently, two active drivers, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, have reached the 60-win mark. At 44 years old, Hamlin is actively competing, having won six races this year and edging closer to his first Cup Series title. In contrast, Busch has not secured a win since the 2023 season.
With the sport evolving, Earnhardt’s insights underline the challenges facing today’s drivers in achieving historic win totals.
