NASCAR
2022 Saw Five First-Time NASCAR Cup Series Winners
In the first season of the Next Gen car, 2022 ended with five drivers earning their maiden NASCAR Cup Series win. This ties the modern era record for new winners seen in 2001, 2002, and 2011. These winners stretched from the season-opening Daytona 500, all the way to Road America in July.
These five drivers also made their presence felt in the Playoffs. One of them even made an unbelievable run all the way to the Championship 4. Here’s a look back at all five of these fresh faces in victory lane, and how they got there. Entering 2023 with confidence as winners, could we see a bigger season ahead for any of these drivers?
Austin Cindric
Taking over the flagship Team Penske deuce, Austin Cindric came out swinging in 2022. The 23-year-old rookie put the 2 in Daytona 500 victory lane, his first triumph in only his eighth career start. While Cindric did not win again in 2022, his season was defined by conquering Daytona, a race that Penske lost in devastating fashion a year ago. Only adding to the significance of this moment, the win came on Roger Penske’s birthday.
The 2 was close to the front other times throughout the season, including a summer stretch of four-straight top-10s. Being the only rookie in the 2022 Playoffs, Cindric clinched Rookie of the Year 10 weeks early. The 2 would eventually finish 12th in points, building a great foundation for 2023. Penske teamwork has proven nearly unbeatable at the Daytona 500, so do not be surprised to see Cindric contend for a second-straight Harley J. Earl Trophy. Aside from February, the 2 should be strong on many road courses throughout the season.
Chase Briscoe
After scoring his first career top-five in the Daytona 500, Chase Briscoe found victory lane three weeks later in Phoenix. The 14 was not to be denied that day, holding off late charges from equally-hungry and winless Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick. Briscoe raced his way into NASCAR history, by becoming the 200th driver to win a Cup Series race. Much like with Cindric, this early season highlight was Briscoe’s only 2022 win, but he still nearly achieved the unthinkable.
Seemingly against all odds, Briscoe survived and advanced all the way to the Playoffs Round of 8. In this round, the 14 was in position to upend the entire postseason with a Championship 4 berth. At Homestead, an early spin and retirement put Briscoe in must-win territory for Martinsville. Thanks to staying out late on old tires, the 14 was leading inside of the final 10 laps. With just five to go however, his tires gave up and Briscoe was passed. With the ninth-place result, Briscoe failed to make the Championship 4, finishing 2022 ninth in points.
Aside from the Phoenix win though, Briscoe’s 2022 is also remembered for a few costly mistakes. At Bristol Dirt on Easter Sunday, Briscoe tried and failed at pulling a slide job on Tyler Reddick. This sent both drivers spinning, cost Reddick what would have been his first win, and handed it to Kyle Busch. A similar incident occurred in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. Briscoe once again dove to the inside, wrecking himself and leader Kyle Larson. Briscoe must learn to be more controlled in clutch scenarios if he is to pick up more wins in 2023.
Ross Chastain
Following a last-place finish in the Daytona 500, the early season was spectacular for Ross Chastain. Starting at Las Vegas in March, Chastain had a run of four-straight top-three finishes, ending with his first win at COTA. Just five weeks later at Talladega, the seas parted for the 1 on the last lap, ending with another watermelon smash. While these were Chastain’s only trips to victory lane in 2022, the consistency never waned. The Trackhouse team led the series with 21 top-10s, finishing second in points.
Chastain was arguably the biggest surprise of all drivers in 2022, and has higher aspirations for 2023. Few could have predicted that Trackhouse would have been one of the best teams all season long, or a Championship 4 appearance for a second-year group. If Chastain and the 1 were within eyeshot of the 2022 championship, there’s no reason this cannot be replicated or even bettered in 2023.
Daniel Suarez
With the 1 finding victory lane, the pressure was on teammate Daniel Suarez to do the same in the 99. Suarez had many chances at wins early in 2022, including at COTA where Chastain earned Trackhouse’s maiden win. However, Suarez would not see his day come to fruition until Sonoma in June. On the California circuit, the 99 took command in Stage 3 and never looked back. Locking both Trackhouse cars into the Playoffs, Suarez would end his best season yet at 10th in points.
Driver 99 had more winning opportunities escape his grasp. With some luck, the 1 and 99 may both be strong 2023 title threats. Between watermelons and piñatas, a lot of food may be smashed in 2023 winning celebrations.
Tyler Reddick
One final driver was painfully close to their first NASCAR Cup Series win all year long and finally put it all together. At Road America in July, Tyler Reddick bested Chase Elliott for his maiden victory. Reddick backed up this performance with another standout drive on the Indianapolis Road Course. After being eliminated in the Round of 16, the 8 also played spoiler at Texas in September. As one of only five drivers with at least three wins in 2022, Reddick had a stellar season that was sadly marred by bad luck.
Moving onto replace Kurt Busch in the No. 45 at 23XI Racing, Reddick should pick up right where he left off. In 2022, the 8 had no fewer than three dominant races end in a crash. With a sprinkling of good favor, Reddick should easily earn multiple wins again and perhaps be a championship contender. The future is certainly looking bright for the last of 2022’s new winners.
Since a record for new NASCAR Cup Series winners was tied this season, 2023 has a lot to live up to in terms of parity. While it is unlikely to see this feat replicate itself in the new year, five new winners has happened in back-to-back seasons before (2001-2002). Years from now, it will be very intriguing to look back on these five drivers and reminisce that their winning days all began in 2022.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Sean Gardner, James Gilbert, and Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
