Kyle Larson has been there, done that. Two NASCAR championships, trophies at crown jewels, such as the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, Brickyard 400, and even the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship. His trophy cabinet tells the story of a driver who can win anywhere, especially when the stakes are high and the lights are the brightest. Perhaps that’s why Mark Martin has described ‘Yung Money’ as a “generational talent“.

Yet, even for someone with a résumé that glittered in NASCAR, there’s one glaring omission that keeps him hungry. As Larson recently revealed, there’s a single crown jewel that has somehow eluded his grasp. Despite all his talent, patience, and persistence behind the wheel, Larson’s still searching for that fabled win.

Kyle Larson’s elusive Daytona win

Recently, on the Rubbin is Racing podcast, Kyle Larson revealed that the Daytona 500 trophy remains the one elusive prize in his illustrious NASCAR career. “Daytona. I mean, that’s that’s really the only uh that I can think of like Crown Jewel NASCAR race that I haven’t, you know, been able to win yet. So, yeah, hopefully someday,” he said.

Despite 11 starts at the Daytona 500, Larson has yet to claim a victory in “The Great American Race.” His best finishes include four top-10s, one pole position, and leading 31 laps. However, he has yet to cross the finish line first at this crown jewel event. The Daytona 500’s unpredictable nature and intense superspeedway racing have so far denied Larson this coveted win.

Larson’s difficult past with Daytona dates back to his Xfinity Series debut in 2013, when he was engaged in a horrific collision that destroyed his car and sent it into the fence. The young driver, who had quickly advanced from sprint cars to the national stage of NASCAR, had a difficult introduction. The Daytona 500, however, has continued to elude him despite his 2018 Xfinity victory at the track.

However, Larson is optimistic, given his growth in his superspeedway performances. “We’ve been getting a lot better at the Superspeedway. I feel like it’s not out of reach to get it,” he said. For instance, Larson managed to grab second place in the Jack Link’s 500 race at Talladega in April this year. Similarly, he came third in the Ambetter Health 400 at the EchoPark Speedway in February.

However, Larson emphasized the importance of getting “lucky at the right time” amid the chaotic racing conditions usually witnessed at Daytona, including the one leading to the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. As Kyle Larson continues to refine his approach and capitalize on team improvements, racing fans eagerly anticipate the moment Larson finally conquers this iconic race. Will 2026 be the year Larson captures the Daytona 500 trophy and completes his NASCAR legacy?

The crown jewel that eludes NASCAR greats

Kyle Larson isn’t the only NASCAR star who has been denied a Daytona victory. Many greats have grappled with the challenges and unpredictability of Daytona’s superspeedway racing, where luck and strategy are as critical as raw speed. One of the most popular drivers, who faced issues in winning the Daytona 500, was the legendary Dale Earnhardt.

“The Intimidator” raced at Daytona for over 20 years. However, no matter how hard he tried, a win continued to elude him until he finally secured his sole Daytona 500 win in 1998. His long quest for the trophy became a defining story of perseverance and tenacity in NASCAR history.

As he made his way inside the press box post-race, a fan handed a stuffed monkey to his PR representative, J.R. Rhodes. Earnhardt tucked it into the back of his fire suit, and upon entering the room, dramatically pulled it out, tossed it to the floor, and declared that he’d finally gotten the monkey off his back.

However, unlike Earnhardt, many NASCAR greats weren’t that lucky and didn’t secure a single win at the crown jewel in their glorious career. These include names like Kyle Larson (currently active), Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Kyle Busch (currently active), Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski, and others. Busch and Larson have a chance of changing that narrative in the coming years.

Daytona has a way of humbling even the sport’s greatest, turning dominance into despair in a heartbeat. Yet, for racers like Larson, that unpredictability is exactly what makes the chase so intoxicating. Because when (or if) they finally capture that elusive Daytona 500 trophy, it won’t just be another win. It’ll be a milestone after years of relentless pursuit for the biggest prize of them all.