#SrigleyStats Countdown to Daytona: 33 Days!
Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 -- 33 Days Until Daytona!
33 DAYS UNTIL DAYTONA!
Let’s look back at the history of the #33 in NASCAR’s National Series.
FIRST USAGE:
NCS: 1950-07 — Dayton — Buck Barr
NXS: 1982-01 — Daytona — George Dalton
NCTS: 1996-08 — Bristol — Harry Gant
BEST FINISH:
NCS: 24 NASCAR Cup Series Victories (Most: Harry Gant, 16)
NXS: 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series Wins (Most: Kevin Harvick, 8)
NCTS: 29 NASCAR Truck Series Victories (Most: Ron Hornaday, 22)
BEST START:
NCS: 24 NASCAR Cup Series Poles (Most: Harry Gant, 16)
NXS: 31 NASCAR Xfinity Series Poles (Most: Kevin Harvick, 8)
NCTS: 21 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Poles (Most: Ron Hornaday, 16)
IS THE NUMBER ACTIVE?
Yes. The #33 was used on a full-time basis during the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign. The number was also used in a one-off capacity in the NASCAR Cup Series, by a team with historical attachment to the number.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Richard Childress Racing utilized its third entry in a one-off event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Road Course, with 2023 Australian Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki behind the wheel of the #33 Chevrolet Camaro.
Despite having to start at the rear of the field — due to a crash in qualifying — and the lack of natural stoppages in the event, Kostecki was able to finish 22nd. The former K&N Pro Series driver is planning to return for several races in 2024, but the entry he’ll pilot has yet to be confirmed.
The #33 hasn’t successfully qualified for a NASCAR Xfinity Series event since Brandon Jones was competing for Richard Childress Racing in 2017, but in the time since, the number has attempted to qualify for several events.
In 2022, Reaume Brothers Racing attempted to field the #33 Toyota GR Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, the vehicle failed to qualify for events at Daytona (Natalie Decker), Auto Club (Will Rodgers), and Phoenix (Loris Hezemans) before halting its effort.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Reaume Brothers Racing currently fields the #33 on a full-time basis and has since the organization first entered the series with driver-owner Josh Reaume.
Mason Massey was scheduled to compete full-time in the #33 in 2023, but after a mid-season departure, Josh Reaume, Mason Maggio, Chase Janes, Derek Lemke, and Memphis Villarreal all ended up taking turns behind the wheel of the entry.
In 2024, Lawless Alan will drive the #33 Ford F-150 full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series, marking his reunion with Reaume Brothers Racing.
WHO HAS MOST FREQUENTLY USED THE #33?
NASCAR Cup Series: Harry Gant — 397 Starts
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Tony Raines — 143 Starts
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Ron Hornaday, Jr. — 147 Starts
MISCELLANEOUS STATS ABOUT THE #33 IN NASCAR
Chevrolet (83.28%) is the most-used manufacturer for the #33 across NASCAR’s National Series — and is the most-used in each series, as well.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Ron Hornaday, Jr. has led more laps behind the wheel of the #33 (4,080 LL) than any other driver has completed while using the number.
While piloting the #33 in the NASCAR Cup Series, Harry Gant led 7,791 laps, enough to place him inside the top-30 in all-time laps led at NASCAR’s top level.
Mike Dillon (son-in-law of Richard Childress) and his two sons, Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon, have each competed in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event while driving the #33.
Both Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon have utilized the #33 in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Paul Menard has also utilized the number across all three series.
The last three drivers to utilize the #33 in the NASCAR Cup Series — Austin Cindric, Austin Hill, and Brodie Kostecki — each made their series debuts while using the number.