2020 Fall Talladega Race All News Cup News

Statistical Advance: Analyzing the YellaWood 500

September 30, 2020 at 7:00 AM

Talladega Superspeedway
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-04-20)
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  4,300 feet
Backstretch Length:  4,000 feet
Race Length: 188 laps / 500 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 68 laps

Top 10 Talladega Driver Ratings
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 91.7
Joey Logano…………………………. 91.1
Kurt Busch……………………………. 90.3
Chase Elliott ………………………… 90.3
Brad Keselowski……………………. 89.5
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 86.5
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ………………. 86.2
Matt Kenseth………………………… 85.3
John H. Nemechek…………………. 84.1
Denny Hamlin……………………….. 83.8
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (31 total)
among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.

Talladega Superspeedway

Qualifying Data:

Track qualifying record:

Bill Elliott

Melling Racing Ford

212.809 mph, 44.998 secs.

April 30, 1987

2019 Playoff pole winner:

Chase Elliott

Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

192.707 mph, 49.692 secs.

October 12, 2019

2018 Playoff pole winner:

Kurt Busch

Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

195.804 mph, 48.906 secs.

October 13, 2018

Race Data:

Track race record:

Mark Martin

Roush Fenway Racing Ford

188.354 mph, (02:39:18),

May 10, 1997

2019 Playoff race winner:

Ryan Blaney

Team Penske Ford

136.644 mph, (03:39:35),

October 14, 2019

2018 Playoff race winner:

Aric Almirola

Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

153.707 mph, (03:30:24),

October 14, 2018

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5: Talladega Superspeedway

  • The 2020 season marks the fourth consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway will host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2020) – Race No. 31 of the season.
  • Talladega is the third different track to host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, joining:
    • Charlotte Motor Speedway (From 2004 – 2014)
    • Kansas Speedway (From 2015 and 2016)
  • Talladega Superspeedway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004.
    • Talladega hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs from 2004 – 2005.
    • Talladega hosted the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs from 2006 – 2008.
    • Talladega hosted the seventh race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs from 2009 – 2010.
    • Talladega hosted the sixth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2011.
    • Talladega has hosted the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2012.
    • Talladega hosted the sixth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs from 2013 – 2016. During the 2014-2016 seasons in the ‘elimination style’ Playoffs the sixth race of the Playoffs also served as the cutoff race for the Round of 12.
Talladega NASCAR Cup Playoff Winners
Season Track Drivers
2019 Talladega Ryan Blaney
2018 Talladega Aric Almirola
2017 Talladega Brad Keselowski
2016 Talladega Joey Logano
2015 Talladega Joey Logano
2014 Talladega Brad Keselowski
2013 Talladega Jamie McMurray
2012 Talladega Matt Kenseth
2011 Talladega Clint Bowyer
2010 Talladega Clint Bowyer
2009 Talladega Jamie McMurray
2008 Talladega Tony Stewart
2007 Talladega Jeff Gordon
2006 Talladega Brian Vickers
2005 Talladega Dale Jarrett
2004 Talladega Dale Earnhardt Jr
NASCAR Cup Playoff Race No. 5 Winners
Season Track Drivers
2019 Talladega Ryan Blaney
2018 Talladega Aric Almirola
2017 Talladega Brad Keselowski
2016 Kansas Kevin Harvick
2015 Kansas Joey Logano
2014 Charlotte Kevin Harvick
2013 Charlotte Brad Keselowski
2012 Charlotte Clint Bowyer
2011 Charlotte Matt Kenseth
2010 Charlotte Jamie McMurray
2009 Charlotte Jimmie Johnson
2008 Charlotte Jeff Burton
2007 Charlotte Jeff Gordon
2006 Charlotte Kasey Kahne
2005 Charlotte Jimmie Johnson
2004 Charlotte Jimmie Johnson
  • A total of 12 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway; six of the 12 are active this weekend.
  • Brad Keselowski (2017, 2014), Clint Bowyer (2010-2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015-2016) lead the series in Playoff wins at Talladega with two victories each.
  • During the Playoff Era (2004-Present), the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race has never gone on to win the title in the same season. But twice the Talladega Playoff race winner has finished runner-up in the championship standings at the end of the season: Jeff Gordon (2007) and Joey Logano (2016).
  • A total of 12 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series fifth race in the Playoffs; eight of the 12 are active this weekend.
  • Hendrick Motorsport’s driver Jimmie Johnson leads the series in wins during the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 – all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).
  • 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:
    • In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title – it was his third of four wins in the 2009 postseason.
    • In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the seventh starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series title – it was his first of three wins during the 2014 postseason.
  • The worst finish in a Playoff race at Talladega by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.
  • Last season’s champ, Kyle Busch finished 19th in the fifth race of the 2019 Playoffs at Talladega.
  • Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:
    • In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
    • In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points.
    • In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points.
    • In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points.
    • In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
  • Twice a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff:  In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points.In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.

NASCAR Cup Series 2020 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega

Rank Driver Races Poles Wins Top Fives Top 10s DNFs Average Finish Driver Rating
1 Kevin Harvick 39 2 1 7 16 4 15.9 80.8
2 Denny Hamlin 29 0 1 8 12 5 17.2 83.8
3 Brad Keselowski 23 0 5 7 11 4 16.1 89.5
4 Martin Truex Jr 31 1 0 2 8 13 21.5 76.5
5 Joey Logano 23 0 3 8 10 6 16.2 91.1
6 Chase Elliott 9 2 1 3 4 3 16 90.3
7 Alex Bowman 10 0 0 1 3 4 24.3 73.0
8 Kyle Busch 30 0 1 6 8 6 20.7 82.0
9 Kurt Busch 39 1 0 8 21 9 15.4 90.3
10 Clint Bowyer 29 0 2 7 13 5 16.6 75.7
11 Aric Almirola 21 0 1 5 9 2 14.8 80.1
12 Austin Dillon 14 1 0 1 3 6 20.8 71.5

* – Based on last 31 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 – 2020).

Talladega Superspeedway:

HISTORY

  • Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway 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 RV & 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.
  • The track completed its fourth repaving on Sept. 19, 2006.
  • In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.
  • There have been 102 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.

STARTS

  • A total of 475 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 324 have competed 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 39 each.
  • A total of 71 drivers have made their first series start at Talladega; the three most recent were Justin Haley (April 28, 2019), Timothy Peters (April 29, 2018) and Ryan Reed (October 23, 2016).
  • Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.
  • Chase Elliott (nine starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 5.333.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Bobby Isaac 3.625 8 1 Chase Elliott 5.333 9
2 Davey Allison 5.267 15 2 Jimmie Johnson 10.378 37
3 Chase Elliott 5.333 9 3 Ryan Blaney 12.083 12
4 Pete Hamilton 5.400 5 4 Brad Keselowski 12.217 23
5 Sam Sommers 6.333 3 5 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 13.071 15
6 David Pearson 6.400 25 6 William Byron 14.400 5
7 Gordon Johncock 7.500 2 7 Ryan Newman 14.865 37
8 Cale Yarborough 8.088 34 8 Austin Dillon 15.786 14
9 Rob Moroso 9.500 2 9 Tyler Reddick 16.000 1
10 Dale Earnhardt 10.182 44 10 Erik Jones 16.286 7

POLES

  • A total of 44 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 23 of the 44 have done it multiple times.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott lead the series in poles at Talladega with eight (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).
  • Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active series drivers in poles at Talladega with two each.
  • Bobby Isaac won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph. In fact, Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway (1969 and 1970 sweep).
  • A total of 11 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series. Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Cup poles at Talladega with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.
  • Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series 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)
    • Jeremy Mayfield (07/28/1996)
  • Youngest series Talladega pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 – 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).
  • Oldest series Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 – 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 among eight different drivers – Darrell Waltrip (1988), Terry Labonte (1995), Jimmie Johnson (2002), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015 sweep), Mark Martin (2011), Kasey Kahne (2012), Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2017).
  • Eight different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway; led by Chevrolet with 37 and followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), Toyota (three) and Buick (two).

WINS

  • A total of 49 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 12 of 49 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 NASCAR Cup Series drivers with five wins (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017); followed by Joey Logano (three wins).
  • 24 of the 49 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Talladega have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.
  • Nine different drivers have won consecutive series races at Talladega; led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with four-straight (2001-’03).
  • Ryan Blaney joined the list of consecutive Talladega winners after winning the 2019 Playoff race and the 2020 June race. Blaney is looking to become the third different driver to win three or more consecutive Cup races at Talladega; joining Buddy Baker (1975 sweep, 1976 May race) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2001-2003).
  • Youngest series Talladega winner is Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986) at the age of 22 years, 1 month, 22 days.
  • Oldest series Talladega winner is Harry Gant (May 6, 1991) at the age of 51 years, 3 months, 26 days.
  • 14 of the 102 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.72%) at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position – the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on May 7, 2017.
  • None of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega (2004-2019) have been won from the pole or first starting position.
  • The outside front row (second starting position) is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. The most recent driver to win from the second starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2011.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 14 13.7% 14 1 1.0%
2 20 19.6% 15 2 2.0%
3 7 6.9% 16 3 2.9%
4 9 8.8% 17 1 1.0%
5 5 4.9% 18 2 2.0%
6 4 3.9% 19 1 1.0%
7 3 2.9% 20 1 1.0%
8 1 1.0% 22 2 2.0%
9 6 5.9% 24 1 1.0%
10 3 2.9% 27 1 1.0%
11 4 3.9% 34 3 2.9%
12 3 2.9% 36 1 1.0%
13 4 3.9%
Stats Winning % Wins  
Winning from the First Starting Position: 13.73% 14
Winning from the Front Row: 33.33% 34
Winning from a top-five Starting Position: 53.92% 55
Winning from a top-10 Starting Position: 70.59% 72
Winning After Starting Outside the top 20: 7.84% 8
  • 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 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway:
First-Time Race Winners Date
Ricky Stenhouse Jr Sunday, May 7, 2017
Brad Keselowski Sunday, April 26, 2009
Brian Vickers Sunday, October 8, 2006
Ken Schrader Sunday, July 31, 1988
Phil Parsons Sunday, May 1, 1988
Davey Allison Sunday, May 3, 1987
Bobby Hillin Jr Sunday, July 27, 1986
Ron Bouchard Sunday, August 2, 1981
Lennie Pond Sunday, August 6, 1978
Dick Brooks Sunday, August 12, 1973
Richard Brickhouse Sunday, September 14, 1969
  • Kurt Busch leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 39; followed by Ryan Newman with 37.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Talladega with 13 victories among seven different drivers – Ken Schrader (1988), Jeff Gordon (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007 sweep), Terry Labonte (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2011), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015) and Chase Elliott (2019).
  • Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 41 victories; followed by Ford (30), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (four), Plymouth (three), Toyota (three) and Pontiac (two).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • A total of 49 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup 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.

Top-Five Finishes:

  • A total of 116 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.
  • Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch and Joey Logano lead all active drivers in top fives at Talladega with eight each.

Top-10 Finishes:

  • A total of 197 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • 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 21.

Average Finish:

  • Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (15 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 10.9.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg. Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg. Finish Races
1 Pete Hamilton 5.600 5 1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 10.929 15
2 Bruce Jacobi 10.000 2 2 Ryan Preece 12.000 3
3 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 10.929 15 3 Ty Dillon 13.286 7
4 Ryan Preece 12.000 3 4 Aric Almirola 14.762 22
5 Bobby Isaac 12.375 8 5 Kurt Busch 15.359 39
6 Dale Earnhardt 12.409 44 6 Kevin Harvick 15.949 39
7 David Ray Boggs 12.500 2 7 Chase Elliott 16.000 9
8 Davey Allison 12.667 15 8 Brad Keselowski 16.130 23
9 Daniel Hemric 13.000 2 9 Joey Logano 16.217 23
10 Ty Dillon 13.286 7 10 Clint Bowyer 16.621 29

LAP LEADERS

  • A total of 197 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.
  • Matt Kenseth leads all active drivers in laps led at Talladega with 524 in 38 starts.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Led Completed % Led Rank Active Drivers Led Completed % Led
1 Dale Earnhardt 1,377 7,199 19% 1 Matt Kenseth 524 6,636 8%
2 Buddy Baker 1,137 6,161 18% 2 Jimmie Johnson 473 6,644 7%
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr 967 6,134 16% 3 Joey Logano 352 4,259 8%
4 Jeff Gordon 902 7,963 11% 4 Denny Hamlin 320 5,144 6%
5 Bobby Allison 703 5,267 13% 5 Brad Keselowski 293 4,227 7%
6 Darrell Waltrip 666 8,071 8% 6 Kurt Busch 282 7,107 4%
7 Cale Yarborough 593 4,731 13% 7 Kevin Harvick 262 6,965 4%
8 Bill Elliott 526 9,594 5% 8 Kyle Busch 250 5,279 5%
9 Matt Kenseth 524 6,636 8% 9 Ryan Blaney 153 2,131 7%
10 Jimmie Johnson 473 6,644 7% 10 Chase Elliott 129 1,621 8%
  • The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup 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 NASCAR Cup 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.
  • Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway only led one lap – the final lap:
    • Jeff Gordon in 2007, started 34th and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Hendrick Motorsport’s teammate Jimmie Johnson to the line by 0.66-second.
    • Brad Keselowski in 2009, started ninth and led just the final lap to win the race beating
      Dale Earnhardt Jr.       to the line by 0.175-second.
    • Aric Almirola in 2018, started fourth and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Clint Bowyer by 0.105-second.

TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS

  • There have been 15 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega:
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Race Winners
Monday, June 22, 2020 188 191 3 Ryan Blaney
Sunday, October 14, 2018 188 193 5 Aric Almirola
Sunday, May 7, 2017 188 191 3 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Sunday, October 23, 2016 188 192 4 Joey Logano
Sunday, October 25, 2015 188 196 8 Joey Logano
Sunday, October 19, 2014 188 194 6 Brad Keselowski
Sunday, May 5, 2013 188 192 4 David Ragan
Sunday, October 7, 2012 188 189 1 Matt Kenseth
Sunday, May 6, 2012 188 194 6 Brad Keselowski
Sunday, April 25, 2010 188 200 12 Kevin Harvick
Sunday, November 1, 2009 188 191 3 Jamie McMurray
Sunday, October 5, 2008 188 190 2 Tony Stewart
Sunday, April 29, 2007 188 192 4 Jeff Gordon
Sunday, October 2, 2005 188 190 2 Dale Jarrett
Sunday, May 1, 2005 188 194 6 Jeff Gordon
  • Two of the 102 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:
Date Scheduled Actual Fewer Race Winners
Sunday, July 28, 1996 188 129 -59 Jeff Gordon
Thursday, April 30, 1987 188 178 -10 Davey Allison
  • Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway six times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall), 2020 (Playoffs – Metric Qualifying).
  • Twice the NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was not run on its originally scheduled date:
    • The April 27, 1997 race was postponed due to inclement weather to May 10, 1997 – Mark Martin won the event.
    • The April 26, 2020 race was postponed to June 22, 2020 due to the stoppage in sports as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – Ryan Blaney won the event.
  • Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the 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 NASCAR Cup Series using electronic scoring.

Top 10 NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Talladega Superspeedway

Rank Race Winner Runner-Up Margin of Victory Date
1 Jimmie Johnson Clint Bowyer 0.002 Sunday, April 17, 2011
2 Dale Earnhardt Ernie Irvan 0.005 Sunday, July 25, 1993
3 Ryan Blaney Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 0.007 Monday, June 22, 2020
4 Ryan Blaney Ryan Newman 0.007 Sunday, October 13, 2019
5 Kevin Harvick Jamie McMurray 0.011 Sunday, April 25, 2010
6 Clint Bowyer Jeff Burton 0.018 Sunday, October 23, 2011
7 Jimmy Spencer Bill Elliott 0.025 Sunday, July 24, 1994
8 Sterling Marlin Dale Jarrett 0.050 Sunday, July 23, 1995
9 Tony Stewart Paul Menard 0.052 Sunday, October 5, 2008
10 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Michael Waltrip 0.060 Sunday, April 21, 2002
Dale Earnhardt Ernie Irvan 0.060 Sunday, May 1, 1994
  • Additional NASCAR Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway event stats:
Categories Last Race Most/Largest Fewest/Smallest
Cars: 40 60 (05/06/1973) 36 (09/14/1969)
Lead Changes: 57 88 – 2 Times (04/17/2011) 13 (05/06/1973)
Leaders: 19 29 (04/25/2010) 4 (05/16/1971)
Cautions: 8 11 – 2 Times (10/15/2017) 0 – 3 Times (10/06/2002)
Caution Laps: 33 62 (05/07/1972) 0 – 3 Times (10/06/2002)
Lead Lap Finish: 24 34 (10/23/2016) 1 – 2 Times (05/06/1979)
Running at Finish: 35 40 (04/22/2001) 14 – 2 Times (10/15/2017)

FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS

  • Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Danica Patrick 13 21 Sunday, October 15, 2017
Danica Patrick 31 38 Sunday, May 7, 2017
Danica Patrick 30 20 Sunday, October 23, 2016
Danica Patrick 37 24 Sunday, May 1, 2016
Danica Patrick 20 27 Sunday, October 25, 2015
Danica Patrick 25 21 Sunday, May 3, 2015
Danica Patrick 27 19 Sunday, October 19, 2014
Danica Patrick 7 22 Sunday, May 4, 2014
Danica Patrick 23 33 Sunday, October 20, 2013
Danica Patrick 23 33 Sunday, May 5, 2013
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Patty Moise 36 33 Sunday, July 30, 1989
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Janet Guthrie 12 29 Sunday, August 6, 1978
Janet Guthrie 9 34 Sunday, August 7, 1977
Janet Guthrie 13 32 Sunday, May 1, 1977

NASCAR IN ALABAMA

  • There have been 166 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:
Track Name City Cup Xfinity Truck Combined First Year
Talladega Superspeedway Talladega 102 29 14 147 1969
Birmingham International Raceway Birmingham 8 0 0 8 1958
Montgomery Motor Speedway Montgomery 6 0 0 6 1955
Lakeview Speedway Mobile 2 0 0 2 1951
Chisholm Speedway Montgomery 1 0 0 1 1956
Dixie Speedway Birmingham 1 0 0 1 1960
Huntsville Speedway Huntsville 1 0 0 1 1962
Totals 121 29 14 166
  • The very first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Alabama was a 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 NASCAR Cup Series.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison (Hueytown) is the winningest driver from Alabama posting the fourth most NASCAR Cup Series wins all-time at 84.
  • Bubba Wallace from Mobile, Alabama became the second African American in NASCAR national series history to win a NASCAR national series race (six Gander Truck wins) joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott (one NASCAR Cup Series win).
  • Alabama driver Bubba Wallace also holds the record for best finish by an African American in the NASCAR Cup Series in the Daytona 500 with his runner-up finish in 2018.
NASCAR Race Winners from Alabama
Rank Race Winners Cup Xfinity Gander Truck Combined
1 Bobby Allison 84 2 0 86
2 Tim Flock 39 0 0 39
3 Davey Allison 19 0 0 19
4 Neil Bonnett 18 1 0 19
5 Donnie Allison 10 0 0 10
6 Red Byron 2 0 0 2
7 Steve Grissom 0 11 0 11
8 Bubba Wallace 0 0 6 6
9 Rick Crawford 0 0 5 5
10 Grant Enfinger 0 0 5 5
11 Cale Gale 0 0 1 1
Totals 172 14 17 203

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