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Statistical Advance: Analyzing the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race

Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 contenders at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona leading into the Championship Race on November 6 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoff Outlook Following Martinsville Speedway
Rank Drivers Points Race Wins Stage Wins Playoff Pts +/- Cutoff
1 Joey Logano 5,000 3 6 26 Advanced to Championship 4 Round
2 Christopher Bell 5,000 3 4 18
3 Ross Chastain 5,000 2 6 21
4 Chase Elliott 5,000 5 6 46
5 Denny Hamlin 2,350 2 5 13 Eliminated from the Playoffs
6 William Byron 2,339 2 4 15
7 Kyle Larson 2,316 3 6 20
8 Ryan Blaney 2,300 0 8 15
9 Daniel Suarez 2,259 1 2 7
10 Chase Briscoe 2,244 1 4 9
11 Austin Dillon 2,204 1 0 5
12 Austin Cindric # 2,198 1 1 6
13 Tyler Reddick 2,197 3 2 17
14 Kyle Busch 2,194 1 3 10
15 Alex Bowman 2,104 1 2 7
16 Kevin Harvick 2,085 2 0 12

PHOENIX-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

*Playoff drivers are seeded by best finishes from the Playoffs Round of 8; Loop Data from 2005-2021.

1 – Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.5 (sixth-best)

2022 Rundown:

  • Three wins, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s, three poles
  • Led 597 laps
  • Average Finish of 13.8

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

  • Two wins, seven top fives, 15 top 10s, one pole
  • Average Finish of 13.111, seventh-best
  • Average Running Position of 11.287, sixth-best
  • Driver Rating of 94.7, seventh-best
  • 304 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best
  • 6,202 Laps in the Top 15 (73.6%), sixth-most
  • 687 Quality Passes, sixth-most

2 – Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.2 (fifth-best)

2022 Rundown:

  • Three wins, 12 top fives, 19 top 10s, four poles
  • Led 573 laps
  • Average Finish of 13.9

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

  • Two top 10s
  • Average Finish of 17.000, 14th-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.145, 16th-best
  • Driver Rating of 76.1, 17th-best
  • 24 Fastest Laps Run, 22nd-best
  • 664 Laps in the Top 15 (42.5%), 22nd-most
  • 185 Quality Passes, 20th-most

3 – Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.4 (second-best)

2022 Rundown:

  • Two wins, 14 top fives, 20 top 10s
  • Led 692 laps
  • Average Finish of 13.5

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

  • One top five, one top 10
  • Average Finish of 20.500, 23rd-best
  • Average Running Position of 22.504, 28th-best
  • Driver Rating of 57.7, 26th-best
  • 22 Fastest Laps Run, 23rd-best
  • 582 Laps in the Top 15 (23.3%), 23rd-most
  • 138 Quality Passes, 22nd-most

4 – Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.2 (series-best)

2022 Rundown:

  • Five wins, 12 top fives, 20 top 10s, three poles
  • Led 857 laps
  • Average Finish of 12.0

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

  • One win, five top fives, eight top 10s, one pole
  • Average finish of 10.692, third-best
  • Average Running Position of 7.861, series-best
  • Driver Rating of 109.9, second-best
  • 397 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
  • 3,520 Laps in the Top 15 (86.4%), 10th-most
  • 408 Quality Passes, 11th-most
Active NASCAR Cup Series Drivers with Championships (1949 – 2021)
Rank No. of Titles Active Champions (7) Years
1 2 Kyle Busch 2019, 2015
2 1 Kyle Larson 2021
1 Chase Elliott 2020
1 Joey Logano 2018
1 Martin Truex Jr. 2017
1 Kevin Harvick 2014
1 Brad Keselowski 2012

NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway

  • The 2022 season marks the third year the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will be held at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona (2020-2022), and the 19th consecutive season Phoenix has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  • Since the inception of the Playoffs in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2004, Phoenix Raceway has occupied three different positions on the postseason schedule:
  • In 2004, Phoenix Raceway hosted the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  • From 2005 – 2019 (15 seasons), Phoenix Raceway hosted the penultimate race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race No. 9 of 10 – the elimination race of the Round of 8 from 2014-2019.
  • A total of 11 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff race wins at Phoenix Raceway with four victories (2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014).
  • Since hosting the series’ Championship Race, the winner of the race has also won the NASCAR Cup Series title – Chase Elliott won at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 8, 2020 and Kyle Larson won at Phoenix on Nov. 7, 2021.
NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway Playoff Race Winners
Track Playoff Race Winners Date Race No.
Phoenix Dale Earnhardt Jr Sunday, November 7, 2004 34
Phoenix Kyle Busch Sunday, November 13, 2005 35
Phoenix Kevin Harvick Sunday, November 12, 2006 35
Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 11, 2007 35
Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 9, 2008 35
Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 15, 2009 35
Phoenix Carl Edwards Sunday, November 14, 2010 35
Phoenix Kasey Kahne Sunday, November 13, 2011 35
Phoenix Kevin Harvick Sunday, November 11, 2012 35
Phoenix Kevin Harvick Sunday, November 10, 2013 35
Phoenix Kevin Harvick Sunday, November 9, 2014 35
Phoenix Dale Earnhardt Jr Sunday, November 15, 2015 35
Phoenix Joey Logano Sunday, November 13, 2016 35
Phoenix Matt Kenseth Sunday, November 12, 2017 35
Phoenix Kyle Busch Sunday, November 11, 2018 35
Phoenix Denny Hamlin Sunday, November 10, 2019 35
Phoenix Chase Elliott Sunday, November 8, 2020 36
Phoenix Kyle Larson Sunday, November 7, 2021 36
  • Four non-Playoff drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway:
  • In 2005, Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 19th in the point standings at the time of the win.
  • In 2011, Kasey Kahne won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 14th in the point standings at the time of the win.
  • In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in the point standings at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  • In 2017, Matt Kenseth won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in points at the time of the win. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  • The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway by a driver that went on to win the title the same season was 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016 – Phoenix occupied the penultimate event of the season.
  • Prior to the 2020 season, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff’s season finale from 2004-2019 (16 seasons). Phoenix Raceway is just the second track to host the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in the Playoffs.
  • A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (2004-2020).
  • Greg Biffle leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Championship Race wins with three victories (2004, 2005, 2006 – all at Homestead-Miami Speedway).
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Winners
Track Playoff Race Winners Date
Homestead Greg Biffle Sunday, November 21, 2004
Homestead Greg Biffle Sunday, November 20, 2005
Homestead Greg Biffle Sunday, November 19, 2006
Homestead Matt Kenseth Sunday, November 18, 2007
Homestead Carl Edwards Sunday, November 16, 2008
Homestead Denny Hamlin Sunday, November 22, 2009
Homestead Carl Edwards Sunday, November 21, 2010
Homestead Tony Stewart Sunday, November 20, 2011
Homestead Jeff Gordon Sunday, November 18, 2012
Homestead Denny Hamlin Sunday, November 17, 2013
Homestead Kevin Harvick Sunday, November 16, 2014
Homestead Kyle Busch Sunday, November 22, 2015
Homestead Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 20, 2016
Homestead Martin Truex Jr Sunday, November 19, 2017
Homestead Joey Logano Sunday, November 18, 2018
Homestead Kyle Busch Sunday, November 17, 2019
Phoenix Chase Elliott Sunday, November 8, 2020
Phoenix Kyle Larson Sunday, November 7, 2021
  • Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series season finale race has won the championship nine times, including the last eight consecutive: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
    • In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the 15th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and as a result secured his third-career NASCAR Cup Series championship in the closest points battle in series history – tied with Carl Edwards – Stewart won the title by virtue of the tiebreaker: most wins.
    • In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as a result he won his first series title.
    • In 2015, Kyle Busch won from the third starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the second year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, as a result he won his first series championship.
    • In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the 14th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the third year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he tied NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the series-most championships with seven each.
    • In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won from the second starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fourth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
    • In 2018, Joey Logano won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fifth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
    • In 2019, Kyle Busch won from the fourth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the sixth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he became just the second active driver at the time with multiple titles (20115, 2019) joining seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.
    • In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the first starting position at Phoenix Raceway in the seventh year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship. Worth noting, Elliott was served a pre-race penalty and as a result of serving the penalty he actually started the race from back of the field and still won.
    • In 2021, Kyle Larson won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway in the eighth year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
  • The worst finish in a Playoff race by the eventual series champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway is 15th (three times): Tony Stewart in 2005, Jimmie Johnson in 2008 and Brad Keselowski in 2012.
  • Two non-Playoff drivers have won the Homestead-Miami Speedway season finale Playoff race: Greg Biffle (2004 and 2006) and Denny Hamlin (2013).

NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Comparisons:

Comparing Season Stats Heading into the Season Finale

2022 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Joey Logano 35 3 10 16 3 597 8,981 6.6% 10.7 13.8 89.5
Christopher Bell 35 3 12 19 4 573 8,504 6.7% 9.9 13.9 91.2
Ross Chastain 35 2 14 20 0 692 8,740 7.9% 14.1 13.5 93.4
Chase Elliott 35 5 12 20 3 857 8,514 10.1% 10.8 12 99.1
Totals & Averages 13 48 75 10 2,719 34,739 7.8% 11.4 13.3 93.3
Winning Percentage 37.1%
2021 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Kyle Larson 35 9 19 25 1 2,474 8,688 28.5% 6.2 9.3 111.9
Chase Elliott 35 2 14 20 0 858 8,738 9.8% 8.2 11.8 101.5
Martin Truex Jr. 35 4 12 19 0 793 8,822 9.0% 8.3 12.3 96.7
Denny Hamlin 35 2 18 24 0 1,502 8,884 16.9% 6.4 8.6 109.2
Totals & Averages 17 63 88 1 5,627 35,132 16.1% 7.3 10.5 104.8
Winning Percentage 48.6%
2020 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Joey Logano 35 3 11 20 0 814 9,473 8.6% 6.5 12.1 101
Chase Elliott 35 4 14 21 1 1,094 9,229 11.9% 9.2 12 102.3
Brad Keselowski 35 4 12 23 0 936 9,427 9.9% 7.7 10.3 99.4
Denny Hamlin 35 7 17 20 0 1,083 9,579 11.3% 9 9.5 100.3
Totals & Averages 18 54 84 1 3,927 37,708 10.4% 8.1 11 100.8
Winning Percentage 51.4%
2019 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Denny Hamlin 35 6 19 23 3 920 9,857 9.3% 11.3 9.5 97.7
Kyle Busch 35 4 16 26 1 1,462 9,900 14.8% 12.5 9.2 107.5
Martin Truex Jr. 35 7 14 23 0 1,268 9,885 12.8% 13.4 10 102.7
Kevin Harvick 35 4 14 25 6 912 9,537 9.6% 8.7 10.2 104.9
Totals & Averages 21 63 97 10 4,562 39,179 11.6% 11.5 9.7 103.2
Winning Percentage 60.0%
2018 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Joey Logano 35 2 12 25 1 854 9,559 8.9% 9.9 10.9 96.1
Kyle Busch 35 8 21 27 4 1,448 9,734 14.9% 7.6 8.4 109.3
Martin Truex Jr. 35 4 19 20 4 996 9,493 10.5% 10.1 11 101.2
Kevin Harvick 35 8 22 28 4 1,932 9,424 20.5% 8.7 9 115.2
Totals & Averages 22 74 100 13 5,230 38,210 13.7% 9.1 9.8 105.5
Winning Percentage 62.9%

 

 

2017 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Martin Truex Jr. 35 7 18 25 3 2,175 10,101 21.5% 6.9 9.7 115.7
Kyle Busch 35 5 13 21 8 1,980 10,017 19.8% 7.3 11.8 108.2
Brad Keselowski 35 3 15 20 2 777 9,226 8.4% 8.9 12.6 95.9
Kevin Harvick 35 2 13 22 4 850 9,888 8.6% 8.8 11.3 102.7
Totals & Averages 17 59 88 17 5,782 39,232 14.7% 8 11.3 105.6
Winning Percentage 48.6%
2016 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Jimmie Johnson 35 4 10 15 1 734 9,963 7.4% 12 14.3 95.7
Kyle Busch 35 4 17 24 2 1,378 9,657 14.3% 9.6 11.6 104.7
Carl Edwards 35 3 9 18 6 871 10,046 8.7% 7.1 13.3 97.6
Joey Logano 35 3 15 25 3 697 9,892 7.0% 7.9 10.7 100.8
Totals & Averages 14 51 82 12 3,680 39,558 9.3% 9.1 12.5 99.7
Winning Percentage 40.0%
2015 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Kyle Busch 35 4 11 15 1 695 6,485 10.7% 8.4 11.2 107.1
Kevin Harvick 35 3 22 27 1 2,248 9,913 22.7% 8.2 8.9 118.9
Martin Truex Jr. 35 1 8 22 0 564 10,005 5.6% 12.5 12.2 100
Jeff Gordon 35 1 5 20 4 256 10,025 2.6% 12 13.9 92.5
Totals & Averages 9 46 84 6 3,763 36,428 10.3% 10.3 11.5 104.6
Winning Percentage 25.7%
2014 Starts Wins Top Fives Top 10s Poles Laps Led Laps Completed % Led Avg. Start Avg. Finish Driver Rating
Joey Logano 35 5 16 22 1 993 10,127 9.8% 9.8 11.2 106.7
Kevin Harvick 35 4 13 19 8 2,083 9,765 21.3% 9.2 13.3 109.9
Denny Hamlin 35 1 7 17 3 313 9,443 3.3% 14.7 14.5 90.7
Ryan Newman 35 0 4 15 0 41 10,212 0.4% 13.1 13 86.1
Totals & Averages 10 40 73 12 3,430 39,547 8.7% 11.7 13 98.4
Winning Percentage 28.6%

NASCAR Cup Series 2022 Championship 4 Round Drivers at Phoenix Raceway

Rank Driver Races Poles Wins Top Fives Top 10s DNFs Average Finish Driver Rating
1 Joey Logano 27 1 2 7 15 4 13.1 94.7
2 Christopher Bell 5 0 0 0 2 0 17.0 76.1
3 Ross Chastain 8 0 0 1 1 0 20.5 57.7
4 Chase Elliott 13 1 1 5 8 1 10.7 109.9

* – Based on last 34 races at Phoenix Raceway (2005 – 2022).

Phoenix Raceway Stats & Tidbits:
Season Race #: 36 of 36 (11-06-22)
Track Size: 1-mile
The Purse: $10,542,284
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Race Length: 312 laps / 500 Kilometers / 312 Miles
Stage 1 Length: 60 laps
Stage 2 Length: 125 laps
Final Stage Length: 127 laps

QUALIFYING / RACE RECORDS

Track Qualifying Record:

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 143.158 mph, 25.147 secs., November 13, 2015

2021 Championship Race Pole Winner:

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 137.847 mph, 26.116 secs., November 6, 2021

Track Race Record:

Tony Stewart, Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac, 118.132 mph, (02:38:28), November 7, 1999

2021 Championship Race Winner:

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 100.348 mph, (03:06:33), November 7, 2021

HISTORY

  • Construction was completed, on what was then known as Phoenix International Raceway, in January of 1964.
  • The facility consisted of a one-mile oval and a 2.5-mile road course.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on November 6, 1988.
  • The first spring race at Phoenix Raceway was held on April 23, 2005 and was also the first night race, which was won by Kurt Busch.
  • The track underwent its first repave in 2011. The construction began in March and concluded in September of that year.
  • The following changes were made during the construction period (March – Sept. 2011):
  • Widened the frontstretch from 52 to 62 feet and reconfigured pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls
  • Pushed the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet and tightened the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet
  • Implemented banking, including 11-degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11-degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 9-degree banking in Turns 3 and 4.
  • Phoenix Raceway underwent reconstruction following the Spring race of 2018, with many new fan amenities added to the track, as well as the track itself being reconfigured so that the start/finish line is now just before the dog leg.
  • In total, there have been 52 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.
  • Phoenix Raceway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since 2004.
  • The 2020 season marked the first year Phoenix Raceway hosted the championship finale race (2020-2022).

STARTS

  • In total 238 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, and 181 have competed in more than one Cup Series race at Phoenix.
  • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 39 starts each.
  • In total 25 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Phoenix Raceway; none are currently active tin the series; the most recent was Bayley Currey on March 10, 2019.
  • Of the 25 drivers that made their first Cup Series start at Phoenix, Clint Bowyer had the best finish in his series debut at Phoenix Raceway with a 22nd-place finish.
  • Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney lead the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.6 in 13 starts each.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Race Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Chase Elliott 5.615 13 1 Chase Elliott 5.615 13
2 Ryan Blaney 5.615 13 2 Ryan Blaney 5.615 13
3 Kyle Larson 6.875 16 3 Kyle Larson 6.875 16
4 Rusty Wallace 8.053 19 4 Denny Hamlin 9.471 34
5 Alan Kulwicki 8.600 5 5 Christopher Bell 9.600 5
6 Denny Hamlin 9.471 34 6 Kyle Busch 10.382 34
7 Christopher Bell 9.600 5 7 Joey Logano 10.407 27
8 Kyle Busch 10.382 34 8 Erik Jones 11.750 12
9 Joey Logano 10.407 27 9 Martin Truex Jr 12.152 33
10 Jeff Gordon 10.794 34 10 William Byron 12.556 9

POLES

  • There have been 26 different NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Phoenix Raceway and 14 of 26 pole winners have won multiple poles at the 1-mile track.
  • 10 of the 26 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active this weekend.
Active Phoenix Pole Winners Poles Seasons
Kyle Busch 4 2006, 2012, 2016, 2019
Ryan Blaney 3 2017, 2019, 2022
Kevin Harvick 2 2015, 2018
Martin Truex Jr 2 2009, 2018
Denny Hamlin 2 2005, 2014
Kyle Larson 1 2021
Chase Elliott 1 2020
Joey Logano 1 2017
Alex Bowman 1 2016
Brad Keselowski 1 2014
  • Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008) and Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with four each.
  • Geoffrey Bodine won the first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 secs.) in a Chevrolet.
  • Youngest series Phoenix pole winner: Kyle Busch (April 22, 2006 – 20 years, 11 months, 20 days).
  • Oldest series Phoenix pole winner: Mark Martin (March 3, 2013 – 54 years, 1 month, 22 days).
  • Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles at Phoenix Raceway. Newman won three-straight (2002-04), Gordon won in the Fall of 2006 and the Spring of 2007. Edwards won in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011.
  • Four drivers have won their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway: Casey Atwood (October 2001), Denny Hamlin (November 2005), AJ Allmendinger (April 2010) and Alex Bowman (November 2016).
  • A total of 17 different owners have won the pole at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with 13 among nine different drivers: Geoff Bodine (1988), Ken Schrader (1989), Jeff Gordon (2005, 2006, 2007), Kyle Busch (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013, 2015), Mark Martin (2009), Alex Bowman (2016), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
  • Five different manufacturers have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, led by Chevrolet with 18 and followed by Ford (15), Toyota (7), Dodge (4) and Pontiac (4).

WINS

  • A total of 28 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Phoenix Raceway, and 13 of the 28 have won multiple times at 1-mile track.
  • Eight of the 28 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active this weekend.
Active Phoenix Race Winners Wins Seasons
Kevin Harvick 9 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 sweep, 2013, 2012, 2007 sweep
Kyle Busch 3 2019, 2018, 2005
Joey Logano 2 2020, 2016
Denny Hamlin 2 2019, 2012
Chase Briscoe 1 2022
Kyle Larson 1 2021
Martin Truex Jr 1 2021
Chase Elliott 1 2020
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race).
  • A total of 13 drivers have multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway: Kevin Harvick leads the series in wins with nine followed by Jimmie Johnson (four), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (three), Kyle Busch (three), Davey Allison (two), Jeff Burton (two), Jeff Gordon (two) Carl Edwards (two), Mark Martin (two), Matt Kenseth (two), Ryan Newman (two), Joe Logano (two) and Denny Hamlin (two).
  • Of the 13 drivers with multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway, Mark Martin (Ford; 1993 and Chevrolet; 2009) and Kyle Busch (Chevrolet; 2005 and Toyota; 2018, 2019) are the only two drivers to win in two different manufacturers.
  • Six drivers have won consecutive races at Phoenix Raceway: Davey Allison (1991,1992); Jeff Burton (2000, 2001); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2004); Kevin Harvick (swept 2006, then 2013 Playoff race, swept 2014 and 2015 spring race); Jimmie Johnson (fall race of 2007, swept 2008); Kyle Busch (Playoff race 2018, Spring race 2019).
  • Three drivers have scored their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway – Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988), Bobby Hamilton (10/27/1996) and Chase Briscoe (3/13/2022).
  • In total 22 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix.
  • Seven of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series races (12%) at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the pole or first starting position: Jeff Gordon (Spring race of 2007), Jimmie Johnson (Playoff race of 2008), Mark Martin (Spring race of 2009), Carl Edwards (Playoff race of 2010), Kevin Harvick (Spring race of 2015), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021).
  • 10 of the 52 (19.2%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the front row: seven from the first starting position and three from second starting position.
  • The first and third starting position are tied for the most proficient starting position in the field producing more winners (seven each) than any other starting positions – the most recent was Kyle Larson’s win in this race last season.
  • Ricky Rudd won the 1995 Phoenix Raceway race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest in the field a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the 1-mile raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick won the 2012 Phoenix Raceway race from the 19th starting position, the furthest back an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the 1-mile track.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Phoenix Raceway

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 7 13.46% 13 5 9.62%
2 3 5.77% 14 2 3.85%
3 7 13.46% 15 3 5.77%
4 2 3.85% 17 1 1.92%
5 1 1.92% 18 1 1.92%
6 4 7.69% 19 2 3.85%
7 2 3.85% 20 1 1.92%
9 2 3.85% 21 1 1.92%
10 2 3.85% 22 1 1.92%
11 2 3.85% 28 1 1.92%
12 1 1.92% 29 1 1.92%
Stats Winning % Wins
Winning from the Pole: 13.46% 7
Winning from the Front Row: 19.23% 10
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 38.46% 20
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position: 57.69% 30
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 7.69% 4
  • Youngest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Kyle Busch (November 13, 2005 – 20 years, 6 months, 11 days).
  • Oldest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Mark Martin (April 18, 2009 – 50 years, 3 months, 9 days).
  • 24 of the 28 NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have won at Phoenix Raceway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. NASCAR Hall of Famers Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988) and Tony Stewart (11/7/1999) are the only two drivers to win at Phoenix Raceway in their first appearance.
  • In total 13 different organizations have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Hendrick Motorsports with 10 victories.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with 12 victories among seven drivers: Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
  • In total four different manufacturers have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Chevrolet with 25 victories and followed by Ford (18), Toyota (7) and Pontiac (2).

LAP LEADERS

  • In total 95 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Phoenix with 1,663 laps led in 39 starts.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Phoenix Raceway in NASCAR Cup Series (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Led Completed % Led Rank Active Drivers Led Completed % Led
1 Kevin Harvick 1,663 12,154 14% 1 Kevin Harvick 1,663 12,154 14%
2 Kyle Busch 1,190 10,409 11% 2 Kyle Busch 1,190 10,409 11%
3 Jimmie Johnson 998 10,619 9% 3 Denny Hamlin 854 10,549 8%
4 Mark Martin 911 10,477 9% 4 Kurt Busch 818 12,094 7%
5 Rusty Wallace 867 5,406 16% 5 Joey Logano 721 8,091 9%
6 Denny Hamlin 854 10,549 8% 6 Chase Elliott 546 3,925 14%
7 Kurt Busch 818 12,094 7% 7 Ryan Blaney 320 3,748 9%
8 Joey Logano 721 8,091 9% 8 Brad Keselowski 283 7,778 4%
9 Dale Earnhardt Jr 569 8,734 7% 9 Martin Truex Jr 259 9,476 3%
10 Tony Stewart 555 8,690 6% 10 Alex Bowman 194 4,046 5%
  • The most laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 264 of the scheduled 312 laps (84.6%) by Kevin Harvick on November 9, 2014 – he started from the third position.
  • The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 237 of the scheduled 312 laps (74.3%) by Kyle Busch on November 11, 2012 – he started from the pole but finished third.
  • The fewest laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was four of the scheduled 378 laps (1.05%) by Ryan Newman on April 10, 2010 – he started from the 14th position.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • A total of 31 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Phoenix Raceway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Phoenix Raceway with five second-place finishes.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in runner-up finishes at Phoenix with four second-place finishes.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups
1 Mark Martin 5 1 Kyle Busch 4
2 Kyle Busch 4 2 Kevin Harvick 3
3 Jimmie Johnson 3 3 Brad Keselowski 2
Kevin Harvick 3 Martin Truex Jr 2
Tony Stewart 3 5 Chase Elliott 1
Denny Hamlin 1
Joey Logano 1
Kyle Larson 1
Ross Chastain 1

Top-Five Finishes:

  • A total of 54 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-five at Phoenix.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 18 top fives.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Kevin Harvick 18 1 Kevin Harvick 18
2 Denny Hamlin 16 2 Denny Hamlin 16
Jimmie Johnson 16 3 Kyle Busch 12
4 Jeff Gordon 12 4 Brad Keselowski 8
Kyle Busch 12 5 Joey Logano 7
Mark Martin 12

Top-10 Finishes:

  • A total of 91 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-10 at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 28 top 10s.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Kevin Harvick 28 1 Kevin Harvick 28
2 Jeff Gordon 24 2 Kyle Busch 24
Kyle Busch 24 3 Denny Hamlin 20
4 Jimmie Johnson 22 4 Joey Logano 15
5 Kurt Busch 21 5 Martin Truex Jr 14
Mark Martin 21

Average Finish:

  • Alan Kulwicki (five starts) leads the series in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.200.
  • Kevin Harvick (39 starts) leads all active drivers in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 8.744.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-time Drivers Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races
1 Alan Kulwicki 5.200 5 1 Kevin Harvick 8.744 39
2 Kevin Harvick 8.744 39 2 Denny Hamlin 10.618 34
3 Dale Earnhardt 9.538 13 3 Chase Elliott 10.692 13
4 Mark Martin 9.588 34 4 Kyle Busch 10.735 34
5 Jimmie Johnson 10.229 35 5 Kyle Larson 12.375 16
6 Denny Hamlin 10.618 34 6 Brad Keselowski 12.923 26
7 Chase Elliott 10.692 13 7 Joey Logano 13.111 27
8 Kyle Busch 10.735 34 8 Ryan Blaney 13.462 13
9 Jeff Gordon 10.765 34 9 William Byron 13.778 9
10 Davey Allison 11.000 5 10 Aric Almirola 14.130 23

TRACK / EVENT STATS

  • Since the advent of electronic scoring (1993), the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway is the Spring race of 2016 (March 13, 2016) when Kevin Harvick beat Carl Edwards to the line by 0.010 seconds – which is tied with Atlanta (3/12/2000), Daytona (2/21/2016), and Rockingham (2/22/2004) for the eighth closest finish in series history.

Top Five Closest Margins of Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Margin of Victory Race Winner Runner-Up Date
0.010 Kevin Harvick Carl Edwards Sunday, March 13, 2016
0.130 Ryan Newman Jeff Gordon Saturday, April 10, 2010
0.170 Mark Martin Ernie Irvan Sunday, October 31, 1993
0.250 Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 12, 2006
0.276 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick Sunday, March 8, 2020
  • Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather at Phoenix Raceway. But it has been cancelled twice due to the pandemic (2020 season finale and 2021 spring race)
  • Nine of the 52 races at Phoenix Raceway have ended with NASCAR Overtime (18%):
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Winner Runner-Up
Sunday, March 8, 2020 312 316 4 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick
Sunday, March 19, 2017 312 314 2 Ryan Newman Kyle Larson
Sunday, November 13, 2016 312 324 12 Joey Logano Kyle Busch
Sunday, March 13, 2016 312 313 1 Kevin Harvick Carl Edwards
Sunday, March 3, 2013 312 316 4 Carl Edwards Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, November 11, 2012 312 319 7 Kevin Harvick Denny Hamlin
Saturday, April 10, 2010 375 378 3 Ryan Newman Jeff Gordon
Sunday, November 9, 2008 312 313 1 Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch
Sunday, November 7, 2004 312 315 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr Ryan Newman
  • Only two of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been shortened due to weather:
Date Scheduled Actual Fewer Winner Runner-Up
Sunday, November 15, 2015 312 219 -93 Dale Earnhardt Jr Kevin Harvick
Sunday, October 25, 1998 312 257 -55 Rusty Wallace Mark Martin

 FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Danica Patrick is the only female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to compete at Phoenix Raceway. She made 11 starts at Phoenix Raceway in her career.
Date Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Driver Rating
Sunday, November 12, 2017 Danica Patrick 24 25 48.2
Monday, March 13, 2017 Danica Patrick 26 22 52.8
Sunday, November 13, 2016 Danica Patrick 16 29 48.9
Sunday, March 13, 2016 Danica Patrick 36 19 60.3
Sunday, November 15, 2015 Danica Patrick 21 16 66.4
Sunday, March 15, 2015 Danica Patrick 23 26 59.6
Sunday, November 9, 2014 Danica Patrick 32 22 60.5
Sunday, March 2, 2014 Danica Patrick 33 36 51.7
Sunday, November 10, 2013 Danica Patrick 32 33 33.2
Sunday, March 3, 2013 Danica Patrick 40 39 44.2
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Danica Patrick 37 17 58.0
AVERAGES 29.1 25.8 53.1

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

  • There have been 132 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Arizona.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of Arizona was on April 22, 1951 and the event had 33 competitors and was won by Marshall Teague driving a 1951 Hudson.

NASCAR National Series Tracks in Arizona

Tracks in Arizona City Cup Xfinity Truck Combined First Year
Phoenix Raceway Avondale 52 41 31 124 1988
Arizona State Fairgrounds Phoenix 4 0 0 4 1951
Tucson Raceway Park Tucson 0 0 3 3 1995
Tucson Rodeo Grounds Tucson 1 0 0 1 1955
Totals 57 41 34 132

ARIZONA IN NASCAR

  • A total of 33 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.
  • Of the 33 Arizona drivers, only two have won NASCAR national series races.
  • Michael McDowell, from Phoenix, won the 2021 Daytona 500 – his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Race Winners from Arizona

Driver Cup Xfinity Truck Combined
Alex Bowman 7 1 0 8
Michael McDowell 1 1 0 2
Totals 8 2 0 10

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