2021 Busch Clash
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Statistical Advance: Analyzing The Busch Clash At DAYTONA

February 6, 2021 at 6:04 AM

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida going into the Busch Clash at Daytona on Feb. 9.

A total of 24 drivers are eligible to participate in the annual preseason non-points race. The 2021 Busch Clash At DAYTONA will mark the first time in

history the traditional exhibition-style event will tackle the track’s 14-turn, 3.61-mile road course, The event will be broadcast live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 7 p.m. ET.

This season’s criteria to be eligible for the event are as follows:

  • 2020 Busch Pole Award winners
  • Past Busch Clash Winners who competed full-time in 2020
  • DAYTONA 500 Champions who competed full-time in 2020
  • Former DAYTONA 500 Busch Pole Winners who competed full-time in 2020
  • 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers
  • 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Race winners
  • 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Stage winners
The Clash at Daytona All-Time Winners
2020 Erik Jones
2019 Jimmie Johnson
2018 Brad Keselowski
2017 Joey Logano
2016 Denny Hamlin
2015 Matt Kenseth
2014 Denny Hamlin
2013 Kevin Harvick
2012 Kyle Busch
2011 Kurt Busch
2010 Kevin Harvick
2009 Kevin Harvick
2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr
2007 Tony Stewart
2006 Denny Hamlin
2005 Jimmie Johnson
2004 Dale Jarrett
2003 Dale Earnhardt Jr
2002 Tony Stewart
2001 Tony Stewart
2000 Dale Jarrett
1999 Mark Martin
1998 Rusty Wallace
1997 Jeff Gordon
1996 Dale Jarrett
1995 Dale Earnhardt
1994 Jeff Gordon
1993 Dale Earnhardt
1992 Geoff Bodine
1991 Dale Earnhardt
1990 Ken Schrader
1989 Ken Schrader
1988 Dale Earnhardt
1987 Bill Elliott
1986 Dale Earnhardt
1985 Terry Labonte
1984 Neil Bonnett
1983 Neil Bonnett
1982 Bobby Allison
1981 Darrell Waltrip
1980 Dale Earnhardt
1979 Buddy Baker

 

Busch Clash All-Time Winners (24)
No. of Wins Winners Seasons
6 Dale Earnhardt 1980 1986 1988 1991 1993 1995
3 Dale Jarrett 1996 2000 2004
3 Tony Stewart 2001 2002 2007
3 Kevin Harvick 2009 2010 2013
3 Denny Hamlin 2006 2014 2016
2 Neil Bonnett 1983 1984
2 Ken Schrader 1989 1990
2 Jeff Gordon 1994 1997
2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2003 2008
2 Jimmie Johnson 2005 2019
1 Buddy Baker 1979
1 Darrell Waltrip 1981
1 Bobby Allison 1982
1 Terry Labonte 1985
1 Bill Elliott 1987
1 Geoffrey Bodine 1992
1 Rusty Wallace 1998
1 Mark Martin 1999
1 Kurt Busch 2011
1 Kyle Busch 2012
1 Matt Kenseth 2015
1 Joey Logano 2017
1 Brad Keselowski 2018
1 Erik Jones 2020

The Busch Clash At Daytona Tidbits

HISTORY

  • The first Busch Clash at Daytona was held on February 11, 1979, and the event was won by Buddy Baker (194.384 MPH).
  • This weekend’s event will be the 43rd running of the Busch Clash at Daytona.
  • The number of participants has ranged from a low of seven in 1981 to a high of 28 in 2009.
  • Like the past four seasons, the starting field for the 2021 Busch Clash at Daytona will not be a predetermined number of cars; rather, the field will be limited to drivers who meet more exclusive criteria. (24 drivers are eligible for this year’s event).
  • The 2021 season marks the first time in the exhibition-style event will compete on the 14-turn, 3.61-mile Daytona International Speedway Road Course
  • The format for the Busch Clash at Daytona has changed 15 times since its inception in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1979.

STARTS

  • In total, 117 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in the Busch Clash at DAYTONA; 89 of the 117 drivers have participated in more than one.
  • The top 10 drivers (all-time) with the most Busch Clash at Daytona appearances:
Rank All-Time Drivers Busch Clash Starts
1 Mark Martin 24
2 Bill Elliott 23
3 Jeff Gordon 22
4 Ken Schrader 19
4 Rusty Wallace 19
6 Jimmie Johnson 18
6 Terry Labonte 18
8 Kurt Busch 17
9 Dale Earnhardt Jr 16
10 Geoff Bodine 16
10 Kevin Harvick 16
10 Ricky Rudd 16
10 Ryan Newman 16
10 Tony Stewart 16

STARTS

  • The top 10 (active) drivers with the most Busch Clash at Daytona appearances:
Rank Active Drivers Busch Clash Starts
1 Jimmie Johnson 18
2 Kurt Busch 17
3 Kevin Harvick 16
4 Ryan Newman 16
5 Denny Hamlin 15
6 Kyle Busch 14
7 Joey Logano 12
8 Matt Kenseth 11
9 Martin Truex Jr 9
10 Brad Keselowski 8
  • Jeff Gordon has appeared in the most consecutive Busch Clash at Daytona races, competing in 22 consecutive events from 1994-2015.
  • Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in consecutive Busch Clash at Daytona starts with 18 (2003 – 2020).

Top 10 in Average Starting Position in the Busch Clash at DAYTONA

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Greg Sacks 4.000 3
2 Tim Richmond 4.000 2
3 Buddy Baker 4.333 6
4 Reed Sorenson 4.500 2
5 Brad Keselowski 4.625 8
6 Scott Riggs 5.000 2
7 Darrell Waltrip 5.167 12
8 Boris Said 5.500 2
9 Bobby Allison 5.833 6
10 Rick Mast 6.000 5
Must have competed in more than one Clash

WINS

  • A total of 24 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the Busch Clash at Daytona.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in Busch Clash at Daytona wins with six victories (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).
  • Denny Hamlin (three: 2006, 2014, 2016) and Kevin Harvick (three: 2009, 2010, 2013) lead all active drivers in the Busch Clash at Daytona wins with three each.

WINS

  • There have been 10 multiple winners in the Busch Clash at Daytona:
    • Dale Earnhardt won six events, most all-time (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).
    • Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
    • Kevin Harvick won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
    • Tony Stewart won in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
    • Denny Hamlin won in 2006, 2014 and 2016.
    • Other multiple winners: Neil Bonnett (1983-1984), Ken Schrader, (1989-1990), Jeff Gordon (1994, 1997), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2008) Jimmie Johnson (2005, 2019).
  • Bonnett, Schrader, Stewart and Harvick are the only drivers to win back-to-back Busch Clash at Daytona races.
  • No driver has won three consecutive Clash events.
  • Buddy Baker (1979), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Jeff Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Denny Hamlin (2006) all won the first Busch Clash at Daytona in which they competed.
  • Only five times has the Busch Clash winner gone on to win the Daytona 500 pole: Buddy Baker (1979), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989, 1990), Dale Jarrett (2000).
  • Six times in the 42-year history of the race has the Busch Clash winner gone on to win the Daytona 500: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997), Denny Hamlin (2016).
  • Two drivers have swept the Busch Clash at Daytona, Daytona 500 pole and Daytona 500 from 1979-2020: Dale Jarrett (2000) and Bill Elliott (1987)
  • One driver has swept the Busch Clash at Daytona, the Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 from 1979-2020: Bobby Allison (1982).
  • Seven drivers have won the Busch Clash at Daytona (1979-2020) and the championship in the same season. Dale Earnhardt is the only one to have accomplished it multiple times (four).

Tony Stewart (2002)

Jeff Gordon (1997)

Dale Earnhardt (1993, 1991, 1986 and 1980)

Darrell Waltrip (1981)

WINS

  • There have been four Busch Clash winners from the pole: Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).
  • Four drivers have won consecutive Clash at Daytona races (1979-2018). None went on to win that year’s Daytona 500.

Kevin Harvick (2009-10)

Tony Stewart (2000-01)

Ken Schrader (1990-91)

Neil Bonnett (1983-84)

The Busch Clash At Daytona Manufacturer Wins Recap

Manufacturer Victories Last Victory – Driver

Chevrolet 21 2019 – Jimmie Johnson

Ford 9 2018 – Brad Keselowski

Toyota 5 2020 – Erik Jones

Buick 2 1982 – Bobby Allison

Oldsmobile 2 1980 – Dale Earnhardt

Pontiac 2 2002 – Tony Stewart

Dodge 1 2011 – Kurt Busch

Wins By Busch Clash Starting Position

Starting Pos. Wins Win % Starting Pos Wins Win %
1 4 9.52% 11 1 2.38%
2 4 9.52% 12 3 7.14%
3 5 11.90% 13 3 7.14%
4 1 2.38% 14 2 4.76%
5 1 2.38% 15 6 14.29%
7 2 4.76% 16 1 2.38%
8 1 2.38% 17 4 9.52%
9 1 2.38% 19 1 2.38%
10 1 2.38% 27 1 2.38%
Additional Stats
Stats Total %
Wins From the Pole 4 9.52%
Wins From Front Row 8 19.05%
Wins From Top Five Start 15 35.71%
Wins From Top 10 Start 20 47.62%
Wins From Start Outside Top 10 22 52.38%

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip lead the series in runner-up finishes in the Busch Clash at Daytona with three each.
  • Joey Logano leads all active drivers with seven runner-up finishes in the Busch Clash at Daytona.

Top Five Finishes:

  • Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes in the Busch Clash at Daytona with 11.
  • Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with seven top fives in the Busch Clash at Daytona.

Top 10 Finishes:

  • Mark Martin leads the series in top-10 finishes in the Busch Clash at Daytona with 17.
  • Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with 10 top 10s in the Busch Clash at Daytona.

Average Finishing Position:

  • Dale Earnhardt leads the series in average finishing position in the Busch Clash at Daytona with a 2.75.
  • Ryan Blaney leads all active drivers with average finishing position in the Busch Clash at Daytona with a 5.33.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position in the Busch Clash at Daytona

Rank Driver Avg. Finish Races
1 Dale Earnhardt 2.750 12
2 Neil Bonnett 3.000 6
3 Davey Allison 3.400 5
4 Sterling Marlin 4.333 6
5 Cale Yarborough 5.125 8
6 Buddy Baker 5.333 6
7 Ryan Blaney 5.333 3
8 Darrell Waltrip 5.500 12
9 Kenny Wallace 5.500 2
10 Bobby Allison 5.667 6
Must have made more than one Clash start

LAP LEADERS

  • A total of 61 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap in the Busch Clash at Daytona.
  • Denny Hamlin leads the series in laps led in the Busch Clash at Daytona with 154 laps led of his 1,027 laps completed (14.9%)

Top 20 in Laps Led in the Busch Clash at Daytona (All-Time)

<td”>LedCompleted% Led<td”>154102715.0%<td”>149107313.9%<td”>13052924.6%<td”>120107511.2%<td”>108103910.4%<td”>9828834.0%<td”>9610399.2%<td”>697129.7%<td”>669257.1%<td”>638427.5%<td”>628407.4%<td”>6026522.6%<td”>556598.3%<td”>547617.1%<td”>5024020.8%<td”>4611124.1%<td”>455907.6%<td”>434818.9%<td”>4011933.6%<td”>3311352.9%

Rank All-Time Driver Races
1 Denny Hamlin 15
2 Dale Earnhardt Jr 16
3 Brad Keselowski 8
4 Tony Stewart 16
5 Jeff Gordon 22
6 Dale Earnhardt 12
7 Kevin Harvick 16
8 Greg Biffle 10
9 Kyle Busch 14
10 Ken Schrader 19
11 Jamie McMurray 13
12 Paul Menard 5
13 Carl Edwards 10
14 Matt Kenseth 11
15 Darrell Waltrip 12
16 Jimmie Johnson 18
17 Martin Truex Jr 9
18 Terry Labonte 18
19 Buddy Baker 6
20 Ryan Newman 16
  • The most laps led in Busch Clash at Daytona by the race winner was 47 of the scheduled 70 laps (67.1%) by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Feb. 9, 2008 – he started from the seventh position.
  • The most laps led in the Busch Clash at Daytona by a driver that did not win was 51 of the scheduled 75 laps (68%) by Paul Menard on Feb. 10, 2019 – he started first and finished 13th. Note: this event was shortened to 59 laps due to rain.
  • The fewest laps led in the Busch Clash at Daytona by the race winner was one lap led (the final lap) and it has happened eight different times: Erik Jones (2020), Kevin Harvick (2009), Dale Jarrett (2004, 2000), Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1984, 1983), Dale Earnhardt (1980).

By the Numbers: The Busch Clash At Daytona

.013 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in the Clash at Daytona history

.058 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second-closest margin in the Clash at Daytona history

.080 – Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third-closest margin of victory in the Clash at Daytona history

1 – Fewest laps led by a winner – Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004), Kevin Harvick (2009) and Erik Jones (2020) – in the Clash at Daytona.

2.75 – Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts

4 – Number of drivers to win the Clash at Daytona from the pole position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).

5 – Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006) – William Byron is the only driver entered this season making his first Clash appearance.

6 – Number of the Clash at Daytona wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader (1980, 86, 88, 91, 93, 95)

7 – Number of fewest starters in the field for the Clash at Daytona (1981)

11 – Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin)

14 – Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979

21 – Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Clash at Daytona, leads all manufacturers

22 – Most consecutive starts in the Clash at Daytona by a driver – Jeff Gordon (1994-2015).

27 – Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history

28 – Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979

47 – Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most by a winner in a single Clash at Daytona.

51 – Laps led by Paul Menard in 2019, the most by a driver who did not win the event

197.802 mph – The fastest average speed of the race for the Clash at Daytona was in 1987 and won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott.

— NASCAR —