What are the five biggest upset victories in NASCAR history?

Question

1. Jamie McMurray in the fall Charlotte race(2002).

2. Derrike Cope win in the 1990 Daytona 500.

3. Greg Sacks in the 1985 Firecracker 400 at Daytona.

4. Robby Gordon at New Hampshire(2001).

5. Kevin Harvick winning at Atlanta in only his third start(2001).

Answer 1

I've only been watching for about 10 years so a couple of those I don't know of.

However in recent time theres a few that really have stuck out to me and these aren't really in any particular ranked order.

David Gilliland's first Busch series win in 06 at Kentucky

Kevin Harvick's Daytona 500 win last year.  It was "upsetting" seeing Martin not win it.

Jamie McMurray winning his second start.

Casey Mears at the coca cola 600 last year.

Kevin Harvick in his third start at Atlanta.

Answer 2

ANy 5 races that JR won

Answer 3

I would have to go with Derrike Cope, his winning any race is a miracle!

Answer 4

well, i wouldn't deign to say "of all time" because my serious fanhood doesn't go back to before the millenium and i'm sure there's lots of daytona 500s and all-star races and such i missed or haven't seen in "back in the day" repeats yet. so i'll stick to the past few years and races i've seen:

1. harvick beating martin at the 2007 daytona 500

2. ricky craven beating kurt busch at darlington in 2003.

3. jamie mcmurray beating kyle busch a the 2007 pepsi 400 in daytona

4. kyle busch beating jimmie johnson at chicagoland in 2008

5. the rcr 1-2-3 finish at bristol earlier this year, after jgr had dominated all day.

Answer 5

Anytime Dale Jr wins.

Answer 6

My list is almost the same as yours, but with a couple of differences:

1. Jamie McMurray winning the Charlotte fall race in his second start.

2. Kevin Harvick winning Atlanta in his third start.

3. Steve Park winning Rockingham the week after Sr. died.

4. Derrick Cope winning the 500 after Sr. blew a tire.

5. Ricky Craven winning the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington over Kurt Busch by a fraction of a second.

Answer 7

how about 2003 darlignton?

rickey craven and kurt busch?

Answer 8

Yours are great ones. Don't forget Bobby Hillen Jr. at Talladega in '86, Phil Parsons in '88, and Lake Speed in Darlington in '88.  

Answer 9

Gordo's 1st win at Charlotte.  Rusty was dominating the entire race.

Answer 10

I remember answering this question over the winter and now I have to remember my answer again.

1. Derrick Cope at Daytona

2. Ron Bouchard at Talladega in 1981 (noone ever gives him the credit he's due)

3. Greg Sacks

4. McMurray (only because it was his second ever race because he has won since)

5. Lake Speed at Darlington in 1988 in a self owned car for his only win.

The biggest upset of all however was not in a single race but for a championship when Alan Kulwicki drove his self-owned "Underbird" to the championship after starting the year without a sponsor and barely qualifying for the Daytona 500. Not only that but he made up a 278 point deficit in the final 6 races to win the championship.

Answer 11

I would agree with all those except maybe #4.  Insert Jeremy Mayfield at Pocono....he had to move Earnhardt Sr. out of the way to do it.  It was '99 or '00.

Answer 12

totally agree with Dale H, on same wavelength