NASCAR's 'one-win wonders' that need to win again in 2017

In just his second career Cup start, McMurray won the fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Chip Ganassi Racing. Only Trevor Bayne has matched that feat since.

McMurray parlayed his victory into three additional years with the No. 42 team followed by a ride with Roush Racing in 2006 — when the organization had won two of the previous Cup championships.

McMurray's drought coming to an end

McMurray struggled during that transitional season in the No. 26 Ford. He would not win again until 2007 — 166 races following his first career Cup victory. McMurray never gave up. He always believed that his next win was possible every time he climbed in the race car. And when McMurray’s drought finally ended in the 2007 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the tears flowed.

“When I won Charlotte, I did it so quick,” McMurray said in Victory Lane. “It’s not that I didn’t appreciate it but I didn’t think I realized how hard it is to win one of these races. I said there will never be another victory the way Charlotte was — and I fooled myself. Tonight was as special to me than Charlotte could have ever been.

“I had to work so hard and after struggling like we did last year, if you could pick a racetrack to win at Daytona is it.This is the home to our sport. You always dream of racing here, let alone win a Cup race. It’s huge.”

Of the six full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup drivers with just one career win, who will be the next to drive into Victory Lane? Yes, a win at Daytona would be “huge” as McMurray said. But these competitors would welcome a win anywhere.

AJ Allmendinger — JTG Daugherty Racing

 It’s been 86 races since Allmendinger, 35, wheeled the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet to the win at Watkins Glen in 2014. Any time the Cup tour rolls into a road course, AJ is automatically a favorite. But he also excels at rhythm tracks. So don’t discount The Dinger at Martinsville where he’s finished second twice — as recently as last April. He finished 2016 with his ninth top-10 finish of the season — the second most of his career. When it comes to laps led, Dover tops his list with 152 circuits at the point. In 2009, Allmendinger finished third in the Daytona 500 where anything is possible.

Paul Menard — Richard Childress Racing

After posting a season-high finish of eighth (Martinsville I) last year, Menard, 36, would likely adopt Carl Edwards’ back flip if he won a race. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years and 196 races since Menard’s memorable Brickyard 400 win in 2011. Matt Borland will oversee the No. 27 team this season. He’s Menard’s third crew chief since splitting with Slugger Labbe in 2014. Menard produced just three top-five finishes after the split. Menard has exhibit versatility at a variety of tracks. His most laps led (104) are at Bristol. His best average finish (16.5) is at Las Vegas. And his most career top-five finishes (four) were earned at Michigan. Hopefully, Borland can help Menard find the consistency he’s been missing to pull the team together.

Aric Almirola — Richard Petty Motorsports

Almirola’s sole Cup victory came in the 2014 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona after NASCAR called the race due to rain after 112 laps. In the 90 races since, Almirola, 32, has led just six laps and posted three top-five finishes. Almirola’s 2016 highlight was an eighth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway after Drew Blickensderfer became crew chief. Although Almirola was still running at the end of 30 races, he had just 15 lead lap finishes —his fewest since 2012. Yes, Richard Petty Motorsports has suffered setbacks of late — including the loss of its second team. While there’s usually strength in numbers, Almirola might function better when all the focus is on him.

Chris Buescher — JTG Daugherty Racing

Buescher was the only rookie to win in 2016. While Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney were the favorites entering the season, Buescher came from under the radar with an underfunded team and solid strategy to win the rain-shortened race at Pocono in August in his 27th career start. This season, Buescher has a fresh start at JTG Daugherty Racing. His crew chief Trent Owens, also won his last race with an assist from Mother Nature with Almirola at Daytona. Expect Buescher to make the most out his new opportunity as well as be the catalyst that fires up his teammate AJ Allmendinger.

Kyle Larson — Chip Ganassi Racing

Larson enjoyed his most consistent season in Cup to date with Ganassi Racing in 2016. In his third full year on the tour — and under the direction of Chad Johnston, Larson, 26 earned his first win at Michigan in August in his 99th start. His 10 top-five finishes and 379 laps led were career bests. And he finally qualified for the playoffs. Certainly, Larson has been heralded as one of the best young drivers to enter NASCAR in years. If Ganassi continues to provide Larson with top equipment, expect 2017 to be his breakout season.

Trevor Bayne — Roush Fenway Racing

No, Bayne isn’t currently in the most competitive equipment at Roush Fenway Racing, but when he won the 2011 Daytona 500 with the Wood Brothers it was just a part-time operation. Six years — and 128 races later — Bayne, 26, is still looking for his second win. After his iconic victory, Bayne’s future appeared bright. However, he has yet to deliver on that promise. Perhaps that will change in 2017. Although Bayne has been on the Cup scene for seven seasons, 2016 was just his second year. He improved in every category: top fives (2), top 10s (five), laps led (34), average finish (19.9), running at the finish (34) and lead lap finishes (21). Bayne’s best finish (third) since his Daytona 500 win came at same track in July. Certainly, it would not be unexpected to see Bayne race the No. 6 Ford to front in the Great American Race on Feb. 26.