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Statistical Advance: Analyzing the 1000Bulbs.com 500

October 8, 2019 at 12:46 PM

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Talladega
Chase Elliott ………………………… 93.4
Kurt Busch…………………………… 90.5
Joey Logano…………………………. 89.8
Brad Keselowski……………………. 89.0
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 87.1
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 86.7
Daniel Hemric……………………….. 85.5
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ………………. 83.5
Denny Hamlin……………………….. 83.2
Kyle Busch…………………………… 81.8
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2019 races (29 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.

Monster Energy Series Playoff Fast Facts Race No. 5: Talladega Superspeedway

  • This is the third year in a row the fifth race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will be held at Talladega Superspeedway (2017-2019).
  • Talladega is the third track to host the fifth race in the Monster Energy Series Playoffs; joining Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004 – 2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015 and 2016).
  • Prior to 2017, Talladega was the third race of the Playoffs from 2004 – 2005; it then moved to the fourth race of the Playoffs from 2006 – 2008; it then moved to the seventh race of the Playoffs from 2009 – 2010; then moved to the sixth Playoff race in 2011; then back to the fourth race of the Playoffs in 2012 and then from 2013 to 2016, Talladega was the sixth race of the Playoffs.
  • A total of 11 different drivers have won the Talladega Playoff races, led by Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray and Joey Logano with two wins each.
  • The winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race has never gone on to win the title in the same season in the Playoff era (2004-Present).
  • Twice the winner of the fifth race in the Playoffs has gone on to win the title later that season; both happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

o   In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won from the pole at Charlotte then the fifth race in the Playoffs and went on to win his fourth consecutive Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title.

o   In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the seventh starting position at Charlotte then the fifth race in the Playoffs and went on to win his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title.

  • The worst finish in a Playoff race at Talladega by a driver that went on to win the title was 24th by Jimmie Johnson (2006). Last season’s champ, Joey Logano finished fifth.
  • Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:

o   2005 – Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points at the time of his win.

o   2006 – Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points at the time of his win.

o   2009 – Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points at the time of his win.

o   2011 – Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points at the time of his win.

o   2013 – Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points at the time of his win.

Talladega Superspeedway:

History

  • Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.
  • The first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega was held on Sept. 14, 1969 – won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
  • The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega was held on July 25, 1992 – won by Ernie Irvan (Chevrolet). The first NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race at Talladega was held on Oct. 7, 2006 – won by Mark Martin (Ford).
  • The name changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
  • Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.
  • In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.
  • There have been 100 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.

Starts

  • A total of 464 different drivers have competed in at least one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 320 in more than one.
  • Dave Marcis and Terry Labonte lead the series in starts at Talladega with 61 starts each.
  • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active drivers in starts at Talladega with 37 each.
  • A total of 71 drivers have made their first series start at Talladega; the most recent was Justin Haley (April 28, 2019).
  • Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.
  • Chase Elliott (seven starts) leads all active drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 5.143.

Poles

  • A total of 44 different drivers have won at least one Busch Pole Award at Talladega Superspeedway, seven of the 44 are active this weekend.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott lead the series in poles at Talladega with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).
  • Kevin Harvick leads all active series drivers in poles at Talladega with two (2005, 2018).
  • Bobby Isaac won the inaugural Busch Pole Award at Talladega in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph.  In fact, Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.
  • A total of 11 drivers have won consecutive Busch Pole Awards at Talladega. Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.
  • Youngest Talladega pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 – 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).
  • Oldest Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 – 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).
  • Six drivers have posted their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch pole at Talladega – Brian Scott (05/04/2014); Juan Pablo Montoya (04/26/2009), Travis Kvapil (10/5/2008), David Gilliland (10/8/2006), Stacy Compton (04/22/2001) and Jeremy Mayfield (07/28/1996).
  • Eight different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the Monster Energy Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 36 and followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), Toyota (three) and Buick (two).

Wins

  • A total of 48 different Monster Energy Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 11 of 48 are active this weekend.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in wins at Talladega with 10 victories (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep and 2000).
  • Brad Keselowski leads all active Monster Energy Series drivers with five wins (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017); followed by Joey Logano (three wins).
  • Eight different drivers have won consecutive series races at Talladega; led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with four-straight (2001-’03).
  • Youngest Talladega winner: Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986 – 22 years, 1 month, 22 days).
  • Oldest Talladega winner: Harry Gant (May 6, 1991 – 51 years, 3 months, 26 days).
  • The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega.

Monster Energy Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway

  • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race.
  • The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race.
  • A total of 11 drivers have won their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (5/7/2017), Brad Keselowski (04/26/2009), Brian Vickers (10/08/2006), Ken Schrader (07/31/1988), Phil Parsons (05/01/1988), Davey Allison (04/30/1987), Bobby Hillin Jr. (07/27/1986), Ron Bouchard (08021981), Lennie Pond (08/06/1978), Dick Brooks (08/12/1973) and Richard Brickhouse (09/14/1969).
  • Kevin Harvick (18), Aric Almirola (18) and David Ragan (12) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Talladega.
  • Kurt Busch leads the series among active drivers with the most Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega without visiting Victory Lane at 37; followed by Ryan Newman with 35.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Talladega with 13 victories.
  • Nine different manufacturers have won in the Monster Energy Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 41 victories; followed by Ford (28), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (four), Plymouth (three), Toyota (three) and Pontiac (two).

Additional Finishing Positions

  • A total of 48 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega Superspeedway in the Monster Energy Series.
  • Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart lead the series in runner-up finishes with six second-place finishes each at Talladega.
  • Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick lead all active drivers with three runners-up finishes each.
  • A total of 114 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.
  • Kurt Busch and Joey Logano lead all active drivers in top fives at Talladega with eight each.
  • A total of 192 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top 10s with 27 top-10 finishes.
  • Kurt Busch leads all active drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 20.
  • Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (12 starts) leads all active drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 11.8.

Lap Leaders

  • A total of 191 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway.
  • Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.
  • Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in laps led at Talladega with 470 in 35 starts.
  • The most laps led in a single Monster Energy Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by the race winner was 153 of the scheduled 188 laps (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970 – he started the race in the fourth position.
  • The most laps led in a single Monster Energy Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that did not win the race was 142 of the scheduled 192 laps (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013 – he started the race in the sixth position and finished eighth.

Track / Event Specific Stats

  • There have been 14 Monster Energy Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega.
  • Only two of the 100 series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions
  • Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway five times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall).
  • Only one Monster Energy Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was not run on its scheduled date. The April 27, 1997, race was postponed due to inclement weather to May 10, 1997 – Mark Martin won the event.
  • Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway is the April 17, 2011 race won by Jimmie Johnson over second-place Clint Bowyer with a MOV of 0.002 second – the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the MENCS using electronic scoring.

Female Competitor Stats

  • Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.

NASCAR in Alabama

  • There have been 160 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:
  • The very first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Alabama was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event held at Lakeview Speedway (Mobile) in 1951 – the race was won by Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).
  • The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 – the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).

Alabama Drivers In NASCAR

  • A total of 74 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Alabama.
  • 11 drivers from Alabama have won at least one race in NASCAR’s three national series; six have won in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

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