Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders’ statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the YellaWood 500 on October 3 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
| NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoffs Outlook Following Race No. 30 | ||||||
| Rank | Driver | Points | Race Wins | Stage Wins | Playoff Pts | Pts From Cutoff |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin (P) | 3,082 | 2 | 10 | 30 | In On Wins |
| 2 | Kyle Larson (P) | 3,096 | 6 | 15 | 60 | 57 |
| 3 | Kyle Busch (P) | 3,074 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 35 |
| 4 | Martin Truex Jr. (P) | 3,070 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 31 |
| 5 | Ryan Blaney (P) | 3,063 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 24 |
| 6 | Chase Elliott (P) | 3,061 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 22 |
| 7 | Joey Logano (P) | 3,045 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 6 |
| 8 | Brad Keselowski (P) | 3,043 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| 9 | William Byron (P) | 3,039 | 1 | 3 | 14 | -4 |
| 10 | Kevin Harvick (P) | 3,036 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -7 |
| 11 | Alex Bowman (P) | 3,030 | 3 | 0 | 15 | -13 |
| 12 | Christopher Bell (P) | 3,018 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -25 |
| 13 | Tyler Reddick | 2,118 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Eliminated from the Playoffs |
| 14 | Kurt Busch | 2,104 | 1 | 3 | 8 | |
| 15 | Aric Almirola | 2,093 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| 16 | Michael McDowell | 2,044 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5: Talladega Superspeedway
- The 2021 season marks the fifth consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway will host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2021) – 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 (2004 – 2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015 – 2016).
- Talladega Superspeedway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004 and has occupied five different spots on the postseason schedule.
- Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004 – 2005); the fourth race (2006 – 2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017-2021); the sixth race (2011, 2013 – 2016); and the seventh race (2009 – 2010).
- A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway; five of the 13 are active this weekend.
| Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Race Winners | ||
| Track | Race Winner | Date |
| Talladega | Denny Hamlin | Sunday, October 4, 2020 |
| Talladega | Ryan Blaney | Sunday, October 13, 2019 |
| Talladega | Aric Almirola | Sunday, October 14, 2018 |
| Talladega | Brad Keselowski | Sunday, October 15, 2017 |
| Talladega | Joey Logano | Sunday, October 23, 2016 |
| Talladega | Joey Logano | Sunday, October 25, 2015 |
| Talladega | Brad Keselowski | Sunday, October 19, 2014 |
| Talladega | Jamie McMurray | Sunday, October 20, 2013 |
| Talladega | Matt Kenseth | Sunday, October 7, 2012 |
| Talladega | Clint Bowyer | Sunday, October 23, 2011 |
| Talladega | Clint Bowyer | Sunday, October 31, 2010 |
| Talladega | Jamie McMurray | Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| Talladega | Tony Stewart | Sunday, October 5, 2008 |
| Talladega | Jeff Gordon | Sunday, October 7, 2007 |
| Talladega | Brian Vickers | Sunday, October 8, 2006 |
| Talladega | Dale Jarrett | Sunday, October 2, 2005 |
| Talladega | Dale Earnhardt Jr | Sunday, October 3, 2004 |
- Brad Keselowski (2017, 2014), Clint Bowyer (2010-2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015-2016) lead the NASCAR Cup 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). Last season’s Talladega Playoff race winner Denny Hamlin finished the season fourth in the final standings.
- A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series fifth race in the Playoffs; six of the 13 are active this weekend.
- Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins during the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 – all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).
| NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 5 Winners | ||
| Track | Race Winner | Date |
| Talladega | Denny Hamlin | Sunday, October 4, 2020 |
| Talladega | Ryan Blaney | Sunday, October 13, 2019 |
| Talladega | Aric Almirola | Sunday, October 14, 2018 |
| Talladega | Brad Keselowski | Sunday, October 15, 2017 |
| Kansas | Kevin Harvick | Sunday, October 16, 2016 |
| Kansas | Joey Logano | Sunday, October 18, 2015 |
| Charlotte | Kevin Harvick | Saturday, October 11, 2014 |
| Charlotte | Brad Keselowski | Saturday, October 12, 2013 |
| Charlotte | Clint Bowyer | Saturday, October 13, 2012 |
| Charlotte | Matt Kenseth | Saturday, October 15, 2011 |
| Charlotte | Jamie McMurray | Saturday, October 16, 2010 |
| Charlotte | Jimmie Johnson | Saturday, October 17, 2009 |
| Charlotte | Jeff Burton | Saturday, October 11, 2008 |
| Charlotte | Jeff Gordon | Saturday, October 13, 2007 |
| Charlotte | Kasey Kahne | Saturday, October 14, 2006 |
| Charlotte | Jimmie Johnson | Saturday, October 15, 2005 |
| Charlotte | Jimmie Johnson | Saturday, October 16, 2004 |
- 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 (2004-2014):
- 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 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.
- Last season’s champ, Chase Elliott finished fifth in the fifth race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway.
- Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup 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 Playoffs:
- 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 2021 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega
| Rank | Driver | Races | Poles | Wins | Top Fives | Top 10s | DNFs | Average Finish | Driver Rating | |
| 1 | Kyle Larson | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 23.5 | 73.9 | |
| 2 | Denny Hamlin | 31 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 17.2 | 83.8 | |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 32 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 20.8 | 81.5 | |
| 4 | Martin Truex Jr | 33 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 21.8 | 76.2 | |
| 5 | Ryan Blaney | 14 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 17.4 | 91.1 | |
| 6 | Chase Elliott | 11 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 15.7 | 88.1 | |
| 7 | Joey Logano | 25 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 17.5 | 90.9 | |
| 8 | Brad Keselowski | 25 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 15.6 | 91.0 | |
| 9 | William Byron | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 17.1 | 85.7 | |
| 10 | Kevin Harvick | 41 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 15.8 | 80.5 | |
| 11 | Alex Bowman | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 24.6 | 73.1 | |
| 12 | Christopher Bell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 28.3 | 60.8 |
* – Based on last 33 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 – 2021).
Talladega Superspeedway:
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-03-21)
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
QUALIFYING & RACE DATA
Track qualifying record:
Bill Elliott
Melling Racing Ford
212.809 mph, 44.998 secs.
April 30, 1987
2020 Playoff pole winner:
Qualifying was cancelled due to the Pandemic
Starting Lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying
Denny Hamlin (Toyota) started in the first position
2019 Playoff pole winner:
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
192.707 mph, 49.692 secs.
October 12, 2019
Track race record:
Mark Martin
Roush Fenway Racing Ford
188.354 mph, (02:39:18)
May 10, 1997
2020 Playoff race winner:
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
129.774 mph, (04:05:58)
October 4, 2020
2019 Playoff race winner:
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske Ford
136.644 mph, (03:39:35),
October 14, 2019
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 September 14, 1969; the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
- The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on July 25, 1992; the event was won by Ernie Irvan (Chevrolet).
- The first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega was held on October 7, 2006; the event was won by Mark Martin (Ford).
- The name of the track changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
- The track completed its fourth repaving on September 19, 2006.
- In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.
- There have been 104 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970. Among the 104 events, the track has hosted 17 Playoff races in the NASCAR Cup Series.
STARTS
- A total of 481 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 332 have competed in more than one.
- Dave Marcis and Terry Labonte lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Talladega with 61 starts each.
- Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active Cup drivers in starts at Talladega with 41 each.
- A total of 72 drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega; the three most recent were Harrison Burton (April 25, 2021), Justin Haley (April 28, 2019) and Timothy Peters (April 29, 2018).
- Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.
- Chase Elliott (11 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 6.000.
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 | 6.000 | 11 |
| 2 | Davey Allison | 5.267 | 15 | 2 | Ryan Blaney | 11.857 | 14 |
| 3 | Pete Hamilton | 5.400 | 5 | 3 | Brad Keselowski | 11.920 | 25 |
| 4 | Chase Elliott | 6.000 | 11 | 4 | William Byron | 13.857 | 7 |
| 5 | Sam Sommers | 6.333 | 3 | 5 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 14.125 | 17 |
| 6 | David Pearson | 6.400 | 25 | 6 | Austin Dillon | 15.250 | 16 |
| 7 | Gordon Johncock | 7.500 | 2 | 7 | Ryan Newman | 15.308 | 39 |
| 8 | Cale Yarborough | 8.088 | 34 | 8 | Alex Bowman | 15.500 | 12 |
| 9 | Rob Moroso | 9.500 | 2 | 9 | Denny Hamlin | 16.387 | 31 |
| 10 | Dale Earnhardt | 10.182 | 44 | 10 | Joey Logano | 16.880 | 25 |
POLES
- A total of 44 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 23 of the 44 have done it multiple times.
- Six of the 44 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.
| Active Pole Winners | Poles | Seasons |
| Chase Elliott | 2 | 2019, ’16 |
| Kevin Harvick | 2 | 2018, ’05 |
| Austin Dillon | 1 | 2019 |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 2018 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 | 2017 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 1 | 2016 |
- NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).
- Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active NASCAR Cup 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; none of the 11 are currently active – most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Jeff Gordon in 2015 (sweep).
- 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 (May 4, 2014)
- Juan Pablo Montoya (April 26, 2009)
- Travis Kvapil (October 5, 2008)
- David Gilliland (October 8, 2006)
- Stacy Compton (April 22, 2001)
- Jeremy Mayfield (September 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.
- Nine of the 49 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.
| Active Race Winners | Wins | Seasons |
| Brad Keselowski | 6 | 2021, ’17, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’09 |
| Joey Logano | 3 | 2018, ’16, ’15 |
| Denny Hamlin | 2 | 2020, ’14 |
| Ryan Blaney | 2 | 2020, ’19 |
| Chase Elliott | 1 | 2019 |
| Aric Almirola | 1 | 2018 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 | 2017 |
| Kevin Harvick | 1 | 2010 |
| Kyle Busch | 1 | 2008 |
- 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 in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021); followed by Joey Logano with three wins (2015, 2016, 2018).
- 25 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 victories from 2001-2003. Ryan Blaney is the most recent driver to win consecutive races at Talladega (2019-2020).
- 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.
- A total of 25 different starting positions have produced race winners in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.
- 15 of the 104 NASCAR Cup Series races (14.4%) at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position – the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin on October 4, 2020.
- 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 | 15 | 14.42% | 14 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 2 | 20 | 19.23% | 15 | 2 | 1.92% |
| 3 | 7 | 6.73% | 16 | 3 | 2.88% |
| 4 | 9 | 8.65% | 17 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 5 | 5 | 4.81% | 18 | 2 | 1.92% |
| 6 | 4 | 3.85% | 19 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 7 | 3 | 2.88% | 20 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 8 | 1 | 0.96% | 22 | 2 | 1.92% |
| 9 | 6 | 5.77% | 24 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 10 | 4 | 3.85% | 27 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 11 | 4 | 3.85% | 34 | 3 | 2.88% |
| 12 | 3 | 2.88% | 36 | 1 | 0.96% |
| 13 | 4 | 3.85% | |||
| Stats | Winning % | Wins | |||
| Winning from the First Starting Position: | 14.42% | 15 | |||
| Winning from the Front Row: | 33.65% | 35 | |||
| Winning from a top-five Starting Position: | 53.85% | 56 | |||
| Winning from a top-10 Starting Position: | 71.15% | 74 | |||
| Winning After Starting Outside the top 20: | 7.69% | 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 41; followed by Ryan Newman with 39 and Martin Truex Jr. at 33.
- A total of 29 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, eight of the 29 are active this weekend:
| Active Winning Organizations at Talladega | Wins |
| Hendrick Motorsports | 13 |
| Richard Childress Racing | 12 |
| Team Penske | 10 |
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 5 |
| Wood Brothers Racing | 5 |
| Roush Fenway Racing | 5 |
| Chip Ganassi Racing | 1 |
| Stewart-Haas Racing | 1 |
- Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway 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 (31), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (four), Toyota (four), Plymouth (three) and Pontiac (two).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
- A total of 51 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega Superspeedway 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 Superspeedway.
- Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three runners-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
| Rank | All-Time Drivers | Runner-Ups | Rank | Active Drivers | Runner-Ups |
| 1 | Buddy Baker | 6 | 1 | Kevin Harvick | 3 |
| 2 | Tony Stewart | 6 | 2 | Kyle Busch | 2 |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr | 5 | 3 | Ryan Newman | 2 |
| 4 | Dale Jarrett | 5 | 4 | Alex Bowman | 1 |
| 5 | Darrell Waltrip | 5 | Erik Jones | 1 | |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | ||||
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 | ||||
| William Byron | 1 |
Top-Five Finishes:
- A total of 119 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 leads all active drivers in top fives at Talladega with nine.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
| Rank | All-Time Drivers | Top Fives | Rank | Active Drivers | Top Fives |
| 1 | Dale Earnhardt | 23 | 1 | Denny Hamlin | 9 |
| 2 | Jeff Gordon | 16 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | 8 |
| 3 | Buddy Baker | 15 | Joey Logano | 8 | |
| 4 | Cale Yarborough | 14 | Kevin Harvick | 8 | |
| Darrell Waltrip | 14 | Kurt Busch | 8 | ||
| Terry Labonte | 14 |
Top-10 Finishes:
- A total of 203 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.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
| Rank | All-Time Drivers | Top 10s | Rank | Active Drivers | Top 10s |
| 1 | Dale Earnhardt | 27 | 1 | Kurt Busch | 21 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | 24 | 2 | Kevin Harvick | 17 |
| 3 | Terry Labonte | 23 | 3 | Ryan Newman | 16 |
| 4 | Bill Elliott | 22 | 4 | Denny Hamlin | 13 |
| 5 | Kurt Busch | 21 | 5 | Brad Keselowski | 12 |
Average Finish:
- Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.
- Tyler Reddick (three starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 11.33.
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 | Tyler Reddick | 11.333 | 3 |
| 2 | John H. Nemechek | 8.000 | 2 | 2 | Ryan Preece | 12.000 | 5 |
| 3 | Bruce Jacobi | 10.000 | 2 | 3 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 14.000 | 17 |
| 4 | Tyler Reddick | 11.333 | 3 | 4 | Brad Keselowski | 15.600 | 25 |
| 5 | Ryan Preece | 12.000 | 5 | 5 | Chase Elliott | 15.727 | 11 |
| 6 | Ty Dillon | 12.000 | 8 | 6 | Aric Almirola | 15.739 | 24 |
| 7 | Bobby Isaac | 12.375 | 8 | 7 | Kevin Harvick | 15.756 | 41 |
| 8 | Dale Earnhardt | 12.409 | 44 | 8 | Kurt Busch | 16.244 | 41 |
| 9 | David Ray Boggs | 12.500 | 2 | 9 | William Byron | 17.143 | 7 |
| 10 | Davey Allison | 12.667 | 15 | 10 | Denny Hamlin | 17.194 | 31 |
LAP LEADERS
- A total of 200 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
- NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.
- Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega with 407 in 25 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 | Joey Logano | 407 | 4,506 | 9% |
| 2 | Buddy Baker | 1,137 | 6,161 | 18% | 2 | Denny Hamlin | 389 | 5,532 | 7% |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr | 967 | 6,134 | 16% | 3 | Brad Keselowski | 300 | 4,618 | 6% |
| 4 | Jeff Gordon | 902 | 7,963 | 11% | 4 | Kurt Busch | 282 | 7,400 | 4% |
| 5 | Bobby Allison | 703 | 5,267 | 13% | 5 | Kevin Harvick | 276 | 7,356 | 4% |
| 6 | Darrell Waltrip | 666 | 8,071 | 8% | 6 | Kyle Busch | 256 | 5,658 | 5% |
| 7 | Cale Yarborough | 593 | 4,731 | 13% | 7 | Ryan Blaney | 174 | 2,514 | 7% |
| 8 | Bill Elliott | 526 | 9,594 | 5% | 8 | Chase Elliott | 173 | 2,012 | 9% |
| 9 | Matt Kenseth | 524 | 6,836 | 8% | 9 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 94 | 2,835 | 3% |
| 10 | Jimmie Johnson | 474 | 6,777 | 7% | 10 | Ryan Newman | 91 | 6,687 | 1% |
- 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.
- Four times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only 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.
- Brad Keselowski earlier this season, started 10th and led just the final lap to win the race beating William Byron to the line by 0.102-second.
TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
- There have been 17 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega (the most of any track):
| Date | Scheduled | Actual | Overtime | Race Winners |
| Sunday, April 25, 2021 | 188 | 191 | 3 | Brad Keselowski |
| Sunday, October 4, 2020 | 188 | 200 | 12 | Denny Hamlin |
| 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 104 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 eight times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall), 2020 (Playoffs – Metric Qualifying), 2021 (April – Metric Qualifying) and 2021 (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 Margin of Victory 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: | 35 | 88 – 2 Times (04/17/2011) | 13 (05/06/1973) |
| Leaders: | 19 | 29 (04/25/2010) | 4 (05/16/1971) |
| Cautions: | 8 | 13 (10/04/2020) | 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) |
| Laps Led (Winner) | 1 | 153 (08/23/1970) | 1 – 4 Times (04/25/2021) |
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 169 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 | 104 | 31 | 15 | 150 | 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 | 123 | 31 | 15 | 169 |
- 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 75 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 Camping World 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.
| Race Winners From Alabama | Cup | Xfinity | Truck | Combined |
| Bobby Allison | 84 | 2 | 0 | 86 |
| Tim Flock | 39 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| Davey Allison | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Neil Bonnett | 18 | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| Donnie Allison | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Red Byron | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Steve Grissom | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Grant Enfinger | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Bubba Wallace | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Rick Crawford | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Cale Gale | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 172 | 14 | 18 | 204 |
— NASCAR —