NASCAR has had multiple winners and champions since it was founded in 1948. However, the runner-up drivers often miss out on the fame and recognition. Reflecting on that, a stock car racing statistic page shared the list of the active Cup Series drivers with the most runner-up positions.
Ahead of the 2026 Cup Series season, the list revealed former two-time champion Kyle Busch as the driver with the most second-place finishes. Here’s the list of the top five active drivers with the most runner-up finishes in the series:
#1. Kyle Busch
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch made his first appearance in the series in 2004 with Hendrick Motorsports and earned his full-time seat in 2005. Busch clinched his first-ever second-place finish in his maiden full-time season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He then clinched two more runner-up finishes in the same year at Dover International Speedway.
Busch has been on a winless streak since 2024 and followed it in the 2025 season. He came close to winning a race on multiple occasions but failed to cross the finish line in P1. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver clinched three second-place finishes in the 2024 season during the LA Coliseum, Daytona, and Darlington races. He leads the list with 63 runner-up finishes.
#2. Jimmie Johnson
The former seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson ranks second on the list. He has clinched 46 runner-up finishes in his stock car racing career. Johnson began his racing career with Hendrick Motorsports and stayed with the team until his retirement in 2020. Johnson clinched his first career victory rather than a runner-up position.
The former HMS driver secured his career-first second-place finish at Martinsville Speedway in 2003. He then bagged another runner-up finish at Phoenix Raceway and North Carolina Speedway.
Johnson most recent runner-up finish was during the 2015 season, where he claimed three second-place finishes at Daytona, Bristol, and Talladega. He currently competes for his team Legacy Motor Club in the Cup Series.
#3. Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin secured third place on the list with 45 runner-up finishes. He can surpass Jimmie Johnson’s record in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Hamlin debuted in 2005 with JGR and clinched his first-ever second-place finish in 2006 at Richmond Raceway.
The #11 Toyota Camry XSE driver also leads the list of drivers with the most victories without winning the Cup Series championship title. Additionally, Hamlin wrapped the 2025 season as the runner-up champion behind Kyle Larson. His most recent second-place finish came at Kansas Speedway last season.
#4. Kyle Larson
The 2025 Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, ranks fourth on the list with 41 second-place finishes in his career. Larson made his first appearance in the 2013 season with Phoenix Racing and then moved to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014. During his maiden full-time season, he secured two runner-up finishes at Auto Club Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Since then, Larson has clinched two Cup Series championship titles for Hendrick Motorsports. His most recent second-place finish came during the 2025 season. The #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driver clinched four runner-up finishes at Talladega, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Las Vegas.
#5. Brad Keselowski
The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Brad Keselowski, made it to fifth place on the list. Keselowski secured 40 runner-up positions in his career and can surpass Larson’s record of 41 second-place finishes in the 2026 season. He debuted in NASCAR with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 and then landed his first full-time seat with Penske Championship Racing in 2010.
The former NASCAR champion also clinched his first victory before securing a runner-up finish. His first second-place finish came during the 2011 season at Watkins Glen International, followed by another runner-up finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. His most recent second-place finish came at the 2025 season finale race at Phoenix Raceway.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
