Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Hollywood Casino 400

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, going into the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday, October 24, at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts Race No. 8: Kansas Speedway

• The 2021 season marks the first time Kansas Speedway has hosted the eighth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, the second race of the Round of 8.
• Since the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs inception in 2004, Kansas Speedway has participated in the postseason occupying six different positions on the Playoff schedule:
  • From 2004, 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2014 Kansas hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs,
  • From 2006-2010 Kansas hosted the third race in the Playoffs,
  • From 2015 to 2016 Kansas hosted the fifth race of the postseason and
  • From 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Kansas hosted the sixth race of the Playoffs.
  • In 2020, Kansas Speedway hosted the seventh race of the Playoffs.

• Kansas Speedway is the third different track to host the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Race No. 34); joining Phoenix Raceway (2004) and Texas Motor Speedway (2005-2020).
• A total of 11 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Kansas Speedway:

• Joey Logano leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff wins at Kansas Speedway with three postseason victories (2014, 2015, 2020).
• Twice the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway has gone on to win the title that same season:
  • In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won the Kansas Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race from the pole, leading 124 laps, and then went on to win his third consecutive series title later that season. Kansas was the third race of the Playoffs in 2008. The Kansas win was the first of three Playoff wins en route to the 2008 title.
  • In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won the Kansas Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race from the pole, leading 91 laps, and then went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title later that season. Kansas was the sixth race of the Playoffs in 2017. The Kansas win was the second of four Playoff victories en route to the championship in 2017.
• Three non-Playoff drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway:
  • In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas and was ranked 21st in the points at the time of the win.
  • In 2006, NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas and was 11th in points at the time of the victory.
  • In 2007, Greg Biffle won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas and was 14th in points at the time of the win.

• The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway by a driver that went on to win the championship later that same season was 15th by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart in 2011.
• Last season’s champion, Chase Elliott, finished sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway.
• A total of eight different drivers have won the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Race No. 34):

• Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff race No. 8 victories with five (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015) – all at Texas Motor Speedway.
• Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Playoff race No. 8 wins with three (2017, 2018, 2019) – all at Texas Motor Speedway.
• Three times the winner of the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title later that same season – all three at Texas Motor Speedway:
  • In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the eighth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title later that season. The Playoff win at Texas was his third of four consecutive victories in the 2007 Playoffs – the only driver to win four straight in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix).
  • In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fifth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Stewart’s fourth of his record setting five NASCAR Cup Series Playoff wins in a single postseason run in 2011 (Chicago, New Hampshire, Martinsville, Texas, Homestead-Miami).
  • In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Johnson’s second of two postseason victories (Dover, Texas) in 2013.
• The worst finish in the eighth NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race by a driver that went on to win the title:
  • At Texas Motor Speedway it was 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2009.
  • At Phoenix Raceway it was 10th by Kurt Busch in 2004.

• Last season’s champion, Chase Elliott, finished 20th in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway, the eighth race of the 2020 postseason.
• Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, all at Texas Motor Speedway:
  • In 2006, Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings at the time of the win.
  • In 2014, Jimmie Johnson was 11th in points at the time of the win. Johnson had made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  • In 2015, Jimmie Johnson was 12th in points at the time of the win. Johnson had made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 16.
  • In 2020, Kyle Busch was ninth in points at the time of the win. Busch had made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2020 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

NASCAR Cup Series 2021 Top 8 in the Playoff Standings at Kansas Speedway

* – Based on last 26 races at Kansas Speedway (2005 – 2021).

Kansas Speedway:
Season Race #: 34 of 36 (10-24-21)
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  2,685 feet
Backstretch Length:  2,207 feet
Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 107 laps

Qualifying Record Data

Track qualifying record:

Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet

197.773 mph, 27.304 secs. 10-03-14

2020 pole winner:

The starting lineup was determined by Metric Qualifying.

Kevin Harvick started from the first position.

2019 pole winner:

Joey Logano, Ford

191.646 mph, 28.177 secs. 10-20-18

Race Record Data

Track race record:

Chase Elliott, Chevrolet

152.057 mph, (02:38:02), 10-21-18

2020 race winner:

Joey Logano, Ford

138.329 mph, (02:53:43), 10-18-20

2019 race winner:

Denny Hamlin, Toyota

136.491 mph, (03:02:39), 10-20-19

HISTORY

• Groundbreaking for Kansas Speedway was held on May 25, 1999.
• The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA Menards Series race and an ARCA Menards Series West race on the same day – June 2.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was on September 30, 2001 and the race was won by Hendrick Motorsport’s driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet).
• During the 2012 season, between the April and October events, the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave, adding variable banking in the corners (17 to 20 degrees).
• There have been 31 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one event from 2001 – 2010 and two races per year since 2011.

STARTS

• A total of 157 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway; 120 drivers have competed in more than one.
• Three drivers have started all 31 NASCAR Cup Series races and lead the series in starts at Kansas Speedway – Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman.
• Five drivers all-time have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Kansas Speedway:
  • Matt Mills (May 2, 2021)
  • Erik Jones (May 9, 2015)
  • Ryan Blaney (May 10, 2014)
  • Austin Dillon (October 9, 2011)
  • Denny Hamlin (October 9, 2005)

• Jason Leffler (three starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas Speedway with a 3.500.
• Brad Keselowski (23 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas with a 9.826.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

POLES

• A total of 16 different drivers have won the pole at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Six of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series Kansas Speedway pole winners are active this weekend.

• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Kansas Speedway with five poles (fall 2013, 2014 sweep, spring 2018 and spring 2019).
• Jason Leffler won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway in 2001 with a speed of 176.499 mph (Dodge) driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Jason Leffler (2001), Ryan Blaney (2017) and Daniel Hemric (2019) are the only three drivers to post their first-career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway.
• Jimmie Johnson (2007-2008) and Kevin Harvick (three-straight: fall of 2013-2014 sweep) are the only two drivers to win consecutive poles at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Youngest series Kansas pole winner: Ryan Blaney (May 13, 2017 – 23 years, 2 months, 43 days).
• Oldest series Kansas pole winner: Mark Martin (October 4, 2009 – 50 years, 8 months, 25 days).
• Four manufacturers have won poles at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 11 poles; followed by Ford (nine), Toyota and Dodge have four each.

WINS

• A total of 15 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.
• Eight of the 15 NASCAR Cup Series Kansas Speedway winners are active this weekend.

• Five drivers are tied for the lead all-time in wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway with three victories each:
  • Jeff Gordon (2001, 2002, 2014)
  • Kevin Harvick (2013, 2016, 2018)
  • Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2011, 2015)
  • Denny Hamlin (2012, 2019, 2020)
  • Joey Logano (2014, 2015, 2020)

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on September 30, 2001.
• Youngest series Kansas winner: Chase Elliott (October 21, 2018 – 22 years, 10 months, 23 days).
• Oldest series Kansas winner: Mark Martin (October 9, 2005 – 46 years, 9 months, 0 days).
• Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin are the only four NASCAR Cup Series drivers that have posted consecutive wins at Kansas Speedway:
  • Jeff Gordon (2001 and 2002) – the first two series events at Kansas
  • Matt Kenseth (fall 2012, spring 2013)
  • Martin Truex Jr. (2017 sweep)
  • Denny Hamlin (2019 Playoff race and 2020)

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon is the only NASCAR Cup series driver to win at Kansas in his first appearance (2001).
• No NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won their first career race at Kansas Speedway.
• A total of 17 different starting spots in the field have led to victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.
• A total of six of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway (19.3%) have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most proficient starting spot in the field:
  • Joe Nemechek (2004)
  • Jimmie Johnson (2008)
  • Matt Kenseth (spring 2013)
  • Kevin Harvick (Playoffs 2013)
  • Martin Truex Jr. (Playoffs 2017)
  • Kevin Harvick (spring 2018).

• Eight of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races have been won from the front row (25.8%).
• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway is 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Kansas Speedway

• Kurt Busch leads the series with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 31; followed by Michael McDowell with 20 and Aric Almirola with 19.
• A total of eight different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.
• Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing are tied for the lead in the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Kansas Speedway with seven victories each:
  • Hendrick Motorsports – Jeff Gordon (three: 2001, 2002 and 2014), Jimmie Johnson (three: 2008, 2011 and 2015) and Chase Elliott (one: Playoffs 2018).
  • Joe Gibbs Racing – Denny Hamlin (three: 2012, 2019, 2020), Kyle Busch (two: 2016, 2021), Matt Kenseth (one: 2013), Tony Stewart (one: 2006).
• Four manufacturers have won at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 12 victories, Ford with nine, Toyota has eight and Dodge has two.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes

• A total of 20 different drivers have finished runner-up at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Kevin Harvick (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Kansas Speedway with five second-place finishes.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 37 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Kanas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick lead the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Kansas Speedway with 11 top fives each.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 57 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have posted top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway.
• Jimmie Johnson leads the series in top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway with 19 top 10s.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway in top-10 finishes with 18.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Average Finish:

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace (five starts) leads the series in average finish at Kansas Speedway with an 8.200.
• Kevin Harvick (31 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway with an average finishing position with a 9.097.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

LAP LEADERS

• A total of 75 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway; 59 of the 75 have led multiple laps.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Kansas Speedway with 949 laps led in 31 starts.
• The most laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway was 197 of the 272 scheduled laps (72.4%) by Jimmie Johnson on October 9, 2011 – he started the race from the 19th position.
• The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was 173 laps of the 267 scheduled laps (64.7%) by Martin Truex Jr. on April 22, 2012 – he started sixth and ultimately finished runner-up.
• The fewest laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway was five of the 267 scheduled laps (1.8%) by Tony Stewart on October 1, 2006 – he started the race from the 21st position.

Top 20 Lap Leaders at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed at Kansas Speedway in the series:
• Danica Patrick’s seventh-place finish (2014) at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series is the third-highest finish by a female driver in series history. Patrick’s series career-best finish is sixth at Atlanta. The best finish by a female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series is Sarah Christian’s fifth-place finish (Heidelberg) in 1949.

TRACK / EVENT STATS

• Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway is 0.081 second. The race was held on October 10, 2004 – the inaugural series event – Joe Nemechek beat Ricky Rudd.

Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway 

• Of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, four have resulted in NASCAR Overtime:

• Only one of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:

• Of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Kansas Speedway, only the Sept. 30, 2007 event has ended under caution – weather – Greg Biffle won the event.
• Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway, but it has been cancelled three times due to the pandemic – both races in 2020 and the first 2021 race.
• The NASCAR Cup Series Kansas race has never been postponed to another date due to weather conditions.

NASCAR IN KANSAS

• There has been a total of 80 NASCAR national series races among two tracks held in the state of Kansas.

• The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Kansas was on July 29, 1995 at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kansas. The event was a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, and it was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. (Chevrolet) driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

KANSAS IN NASCAR

• A total of 17 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Kansas.
• Of the 17 Kansas drivers, only two of them have won a NASCAR national series race; both have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.

— NASCAR —