Statistical Advance: Analyzing the South Point 400

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada, going into the South Point 400 on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts: Race #4 (Las Vegas)

• The 2021 season marks just the second-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Race No. 30 of the season). Las Vegas is the sixth different track to host the fourth race of the Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Auto Club Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway.
  • Kansas Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs five times: 2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014.
  • Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs four times: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012.
  • Auto Club Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs twice: 2009, 2010.
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs three times: 2015, 2016, 2017.
  • Dover International Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs twice: 2018, 2019.

• Prior to the 2020 season, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the first race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2018 and 2019.
  • Brad Keselowski won the 2018 Las Vegas Playoff race.
  • Martin Truex Jr. won the 2019 Las Vegas Playoff race.

• A total of 13 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs., led by Jimmie Johnson with three victories (2009, 2011, 2016).

• Three times the winner of the fourth race in the Playoffs has gone on to win the title the same season:
  • In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title the same season. The victory was his second of four during that postseason.
  • In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title the same season. The win was Johnson’s first of three that postseason.
  • In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title the same season. It was his first of three wins that postseason.
• Twice a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:
  • Joe Nemechek won the Kansas Speedway Playoff race in 2004, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time.
  • Brian Vickers won the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race in 2006, he was ranked 16th in points at the time.

• No non-Playoff driver has ever won the Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Kansas Speedway was 15th by Tony Stewart in 2011.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway was third by Jimmie Johnson in 2010.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Charlotte Motor Speedway was 20th by Kyle Busch in 2015.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Dover International Speedway was sixth by Kyle Busch in 2019.
• The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was 22nd by Chase Elliott in 2020.

NASCAR Cup Series 2020 Top 12 in the Driver Standings at Las Vegas

* – Based on last 20 races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2005 – 2021).

At Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Season Race #: 30 of 36 (09-26-21)
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 20 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  2,275 feet
Backstretch Length:  1,572 feet
Race Length: 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 107 laps

Las Vegas Qualifying & Race Data:

Track Qualifying Record:

Kurt Busch, Chevrolet

196.328 mph. 27.505 secs.

March 4, 2016

2020 Playoff Race Pole Winner:

Qualifying was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Starting Lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying.

Kevin Harvick started from the first position.

Track Race Record:

Brad Keselowski, Ford

154.633 mph, (2:35:24)

March 9, 2014

2020 Playoff Race Winner:

Kurt Busch, Chevrolet

131.420 mph, (03:03:32)

September 27, 2020

HISTORY

• The construction to build Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) began in 1995. Speedway Motorsports Inc. acquired the property in 1998.
• The first NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was an ARCA Menards Series West race won by Ken Schrader on Nov. 2, 1996.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas was held on March 1, 1998. Dale Jarrett won the pole for the event and Mark Martin won the race.
• In 2006, the track was reconfigured to include progressive banking.
• In total there have been 27 NASCAR Cup Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 1.5-mile track has hosted one race per season from 1998 to 2017. The 2018 season marked the first time Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted two series events in a single season.

STARTS

• In total 170 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; 135 have competed in more than one.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with 24 starts.
• A total of six drivers have made their NASCAR Cup Series career debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Stanton Barrett (1999), Kyle Busch (2004), Timmy Hill (2012), Jon Wood, Aric Almirola (2007) and Cole Custer (2018).
• Daniel Hemric (two starts) leads the series in average starting position at Las Vegas a 5.5.
• Chase Elliott (nine starts) leads all active drivers in the series in average starting position at Las Vegas an 8.778.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

POLES

• A total of 17 different drivers have won the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Of the 17 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Las Vegas Motor Speedway eight at active this weekend:

• Kasey Kahne leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Las Vegas with three (2004, 2007 and 2012).
• Kyle Busch (2008, 2009) and Kurt Busch (2010, 2016) lead all active drivers in poles at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with two each.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett won the series’ inaugural pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a speed of 168.224 mph (32.773 secs.) in 1998.
• Kyle Busch is the only driver to win consecutive Cup Series poles at Las Vegas from 2008-2009.
• Youngest series LVMS pole winner: Erik Jones (Sept. 16, 2018 – 22 years, 3 months, 17 days).
• Oldest series LVMS pole winner: Dale Jarrett (March 4, 2001 – 44 years, 3 months, 6 days).
• Only one NASCAR Cup Series driver has posted his first career pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kasey Kahne (March 7, 2004).
• In total five different manufacturers have won a pole at Las Vergas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Ford (11), and followed by Chevrolet (four), Dodge (four), Toyota (three) and Pontiac (one).

WINS

• A total of 15 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Of the 15 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Las Vegas seven of them are active this weekend.

• Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with four victories (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010).
• Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series wins at Las Vegas with three (2014, 2016, 2018).
• Eight drivers (all-time) have multiple NASCAR Cup Series wins at Las Vegas: Jimmie Johnson (four), Matt Kenseth (three), Brad Keselowski (three), Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards (each have two).
• Youngest LVMS winner: Kyle Busch (March 01, 2009 – 23 years, 9 months, 27 days).
• Oldest LVMS winner: Sterling Marlin (March 03, 2002 – 44 years, 7 months, 32 days).
• Three drivers have won consecutive races at Las Vegas: Jeff Burton (1999, 2000); Matt Kenseth (2003, 2004) and Jimmie Johnson, who is the only driver to win three consecutive races (2005, 2006 and 2007).
• Las Vegas-native Kyle Busch became the first and only driver to win from the pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, he accomplished the feat on March 1, 2009.
• Five of the 27 Las Vegas races (18.52%) have been won from the front row: Kyle Busch, 2009 (pole); Carl Edwards, 2008 (second starting position); Brad Keselowski, 2014 (second starting position); Martin Truex Jr., 2017 (second starting position); Kevin Harvick, 2018 (second starting position).
• The second starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field producing more winners (four) than any other starting position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (14.81%).

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started is 25th, by Matt Kenseth in 2004.
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started is 24th, by Martin Truex Jr. in 2019.
• Eight of the 15 all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners at Las Vegas participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Mark Martin (1998; inaugural event) is the only driver to win at Las Vegas in his first appearance.
• Ryan Newman leads the series among active drivers with the most starts at Las Vegas without visiting Victory Lane at 23 races.
• A total of seven different organizations have won at least one race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.

• Roush Fenway Racing leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Las Vegas with seven victories: Mark Martin (1998), Jeff Burton (1999, 2000), Matt Kenseth (2003, 2004), Carl Edwards (2008, 2011).
• Four manufacturers have visited Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, led by Ford (13 wins), Chevrolet (nine), Toyota (four) and Dodge (one).
• No NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won their first career race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 18 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series in runner-up finishes at Las Vegas with three.
• Five drivers are tied for the lead among active drivers in second-place finishes at Las Vegas with two each.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 42 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished inside the top-five at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
• Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski lead all active drivers in the series in top-five finishes at Las Vegas with eight each.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 66 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished inside the top-10 at Las Vegas.
• Kevin Harvick leads the series in top-10 finishes at Las Vegas with 12 top-10 finishes.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Average Finish:

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in average finishing position at Las Vegas with a 7.667.
• Joey Logano leads all active drivers in the series in average finish at Las Vegas with an 8.0.

Top Five in Average Finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

LAP LEADERS

• A total of 78 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, led by Kevin Harvick with 679 laps led in 24 starts.
• The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by the race winner was 214 of the scheduled 267 laps (80.1%) by Kevin Harvick on March 4, 2018 – he started second.
• The fewest laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by the race winner was just one lap of the scheduled 270 laps by Jimmie Johnson on March 12, 2006. Johnson passed Matt Kenseth on the final lap in NASCAR Overtime to win – he started third.
• The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by a driver that did not win was 219 of the scheduled 267 laps (82%) by Jeff Gordon on February 28, 2010 – he started second and finished third.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Danica Patrick and Shawna Robinson are the only two female drivers to compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.

TRACK SPECIFIC STATS

• The closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the March 12, 2006 race won by Jimmie Johnson over Matt Kenseth by a margin of 0.045 second.

Top 10 Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas

• Twice the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has ended under caution – in 2000 (Jeff Burton won) and in 2020 (Joey Logano won).
• Three times the NASCAR Cup Series race has resulted with a NASCAR Overtime finish at Las Vegas:

• Only one NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas has ended early due to weather:

• Qualifying has only been cancelled four times at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series:

NASCAR IN NEVADA

• There has been a total of 84 NASCAR national series races among two tracks in the state of Nevada.

• The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Nevada was at Las Vegas Park Speedway on October 16, 1955. Las Vegas Park Speedway was a 1-mile dirt track, and the event was 200 laps. Norm Nelson won the race driving a Chrysler.

NEVADA IN NASCAR

• A total of 29 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Nevada.
• Five drivers with their home state recorded as Nevada have won at least one NASCAR national series race.

Winning Drivers from Nevada

• Kyle Busch from Las Vegas, Nevada holds the record for the most combined wins across all three NASCAR national series at 222 victories.
• Two of the 29 are NASCAR national series champions: Kyle Busch – Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015, 2019), Kurt Busch – NASCAR Cup Series champion (2004)

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