A look at Cup Series consecutive starts streaks

Jamie McMurray. Photo by Dante Ricci/The Racing Experts

Jamie McMurray will rank 12th all-time in consecutive starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series if he does not race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after this year’s Daytona 500.

McMurray, who will drive the No. 40 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in his final confirmed start next month, does not have any further races announced at this time.

McMurray, 42, has competed in 580 straight races in NASCAR’s top series, a streak that started in October of 2002.

The longest consecutive starts streak is held by four-time series champion Jeff Gordon at 797, spanning from 1992 to 2015.

The longest streak among active drivers is 612 starts in a row held by both Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. Their streaks started at the 2002 Daytona 500.

Kevin Harvick is the fourth active driver who has at least 500 consecutive starts, spanning since April 2002.

Clint Bowyer (468) and Martin Truex Jr. (468) are the only drivers who could potentially hit the mark 500-consecutive starts mark in 2019.

Of the 2,936 drivers who have competed in the Cup Series, only 18 competed in 500 consecutive races.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS STREAK (500 or more through Homestead-Miami 2018)*
Jeff Gordon – 797
Ricky Rudd – 788
Bobby Labonte – 704
Rusty Wallace – 697
Terry Labonte – 655
Dale Earnhardt – 648
Jeff Burton – 628
Mark Martin – 621
Jimmie Johnson – 612
Ryan Newman – 612
Kevin Harvick – 603
Jamie McMurray – 580
Ken Schrader – 579
Matt Kenseth – 571
Kasey Kahne – 529
Tony Stewart – 521
Richard Petty – 513
Greg Biffle – 501

BOLD indicates made at least one start in 2018.
BLUE indicates active streak.
*List is unofficial.

SOURCES
Racing-Reference.info
Spire Motorsports