How These NASCAR Legends Surpassed Success After Their 700th Career Start
In the world of NASCAR, just making it to 700 starts is a monumental achievement. It’s a testament to a driver’s grit, their relentless passion, and the sheer will to climb into that driver’s seat, week after week, year after year. It means you’ve outlasted competitors, navigated the changing tides of the sport, and earned the respect of everyone in the garage. However, to start a race after reaching the 700-mark is another thing altogether. To actually win one? That puts you in a whole other league. When Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag at Gateway, it wasn’t just another win. It was a statement.
His third victory after crossing the 700-start threshold, a feat that proves he’s not just hanging on; he’s still a dominant force, hungry for more. But Hamlin isn’t the first old-timer to show the young guns how it’s done. He joins a small, legendary group of drivers who proved that experience, paired with raw talent, is a combination that never gets old. This isn’t just a list of names. This is a tribute to the triathletes of NASCAR, the veterans who defied the odds and reminded everyone that the fire in a champion’s belly never truly burns out.
The King’s Unmatched Record
When you talk about records in NASCAR, you almost always start with one man: Richard Petty. It’s no surprise “The King” doesn’t just top this list; he demolishes it. After his 700th start, Petty went on to win an incredible 22 more times. Let that sink in. Most drivers would kill for a 22-win career, period. Petty did it after already racing more than most could ever dream of. His final victory, the iconic 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona, was his 1,010th start. It’s a record so staggering, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever getting close.
Harvick and Gordon: Modern-Day Legends
In the modern era, two names stand out for their late-career brilliance. Kevin Harvick, “The Closer,” lived up to his nickname by racking up seven wins after his 700th start. He was a threat to win every single weekend right up until he hung up his helmet, with his final win coming at Richmond in 2022. It was proof that even as the sport evolved, Harvick’s raw, aggressive driving style never went out of fashion.
And then there’s Jeff Gordon. The “Wonder Boy” who became a seasoned veteran, Gordon, grabbed six wins after his 700th start. His final victory at Martinsville in 2015 was pure emotion. A win that punched his ticket to the championship finale in his last full-time season. It was a storybook moment, a perfect final chapter for one of the greatest ever to grip a steering wheel.
Consistency and Class: Martin’s Late-Career Surge
Mark Martin is the definition of longevity and professionalism. The man was a fitness fanatic before it was cool, and his dedication paid off handsomely. Martin found Victory Lane five times after his 700th start, with all of those wins coming during his incredible run with Hendrick Motorsports in 2009. He was 50 years old, driving with the passion of a rookie, and nearly capturing that elusive championship.
The Ironmen: Hamlin, Busch, and Rudd
Denny Hamlin is still writing his story, currently tied with Kurt Busch and Ricky Rudd with three wins after their 700th start. Hamlin is an active driver who appears to be improving, so expect him to rise in this list. Kurt Busch, one of the most tenacious competitors of his generation, also proved his staying power with a late-career win at Kansas in 2022. And you can’t forget Ricky Rudd, the original “Ironman” of NASCAR. Rudd was as tough as they come, and his final win at Sonoma in 2002 was a testament to his road-course prowess and sheer determination.
One More for the Road
Finally, we have a trio of legends who each captured one more checkered flag after crossing the 700-start milestone: Bobby Allison, Terry Labonte, and Bill Elliott. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” got his final win at Rockingham in 2003, “Texas Terry” Labonte won the Southern 500 that same year, and the great Bobby Allison capped his career with an unforgettable Daytona 500 victory in 1988. Each win was a poignant, decisive moment, a final, triumphant shout from some of the sport’s most iconic figures.
