Statistical Advance: Analyzing the YellaWood 500

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 1 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5 (Talladega Superspeedway)

• The 2023 season marks the seventh consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2023) – Race No. 31 of the season.
• Talladega Superspeedway 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; including the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004 – 2005); the fourth race (2006 – 2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017-2023); the sixth race (2011, 2013 – 2016); and the seventh race (2009 – 2010).
• A total of 15 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway.
• 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 Superspeedway with two victories each.
• Seven of the 15 Talladega Playoff race winners are active this weekend and four of the seven are Playoff contenders this year – Bubba Wallace (2021), Denny Hamlin (2020), Ryan Blaney (2019), Brad Keselowski (2014, 2017).

• During the Playoffs Era (2004-Present), the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race has never gone on to win the title in the same season.
• 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 – Chase Elliott finished the season fourth in the final standings.
• 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 37th by Kyle Larson in 2021.
• A total of 15 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series fifth race in the Playoffs; nine of the 15 are active this weekend and four are currently in the Playoffs – Bubba Wallace (2022 Talladega), Denny Hamlin (2021 Talladega), Ryan Blaney (2019 Talladega) and Brad Keselowski (2017 Talladega and 2013 Charlotte).
• Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 – all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).
• Brad Keselowski (2013 Charlotte and 2017 Talladega) and Kevin Harvick (2014 Charlotte and 2016 Kansas) lead all active drivers in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Serries Playoffs with two each.

• Twice the winner of the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the championship later that season; both times it occurred at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004-2014):

1. 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.
2. 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.

• Three times 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.
• In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in points
• Six times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:

1. In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
2. In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points.
3. In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points.
4. In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points.
5. In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
6. In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in points

NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega

* – Based on last 37 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 – 2023).

Talladega Superspeedway Stats & Tidbits:

TRACK DATA
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-01-23)
The Purse: $8,806,315
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 / 500.08 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

2022 Playoff Pole Winner:
Christpher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 180.591 mph, 53.026 secs., September 1, 2022

Track Race Record:
Mark Martin, RFK Racing Ford, 188.354 mph, (02:39:18), May 10, 1997

2022 Playoff Race Winner:
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 153.569 mph, (03:15:23), October 2, 2022

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 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway 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 108 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.

STARTS

• A total of 489 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 343 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 leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Talladega with 45.
• A total of 72 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first career start at Talladega Superspeedway.
• The most recent driver to make their first Cup start at Talladega was Harrison Burton on April 25, 2021.
• Justin Haley (4/28/19) is the only other active driver to make his first career Cup start at Talladega.
• Of the 72 drivers to make their first career Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, Dick Simon had the best finish with a seventh-place result after starting in 52nd-place on May 6, 1973.

• Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.
• Chase Elliott (13 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 7.462.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

POLES

• A total of 46 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 24 of the 46 have multiple poles at Talladega.
• Seven of the 46 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).
• Christopher Bell (2022 sweep), Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Talladega Superspeedway 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 12 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series; Christopher Bell (2022 sweep) is the only of the 12 that is currently active.
• 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), Toyota (six), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), and Buick (two).

WINS

• A total of 51 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 25 of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Talladega have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.
• Eleven of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway 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).
• 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 108 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.8%) 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.
• A total of 13 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway from the pole or first starting position.

• 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

• 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 12 drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway:

• Martin Truex Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 37; followed by Michael McDowell with 25.
• A total of 31 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, nine of the 31 are active this weekend:

• Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 14 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, 2022).
• Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 44 victories; followed by Ford (31), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Toyota (five), Dodge (four), Plymouth (three) and Pontiac (two).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 54 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway with six second-place finishes each.
• 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)

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 125 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.
• Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top fives at Talladega with 10 each.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 211 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top 10s with 27 top-10 finishes.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 19.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

Average Finish:

• Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.
• Chase Elliott (15 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 14.067.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

LAP LEADERS

• A total of 210 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.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega with 431 in 35 starts.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)

• 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.
• Three 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 Motorsports 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 18 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega (the most of any track):

• Three of the 108 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:

• 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).
• Three times 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.
  • The October 3, 2021 race was postponed to Oct. 4, 2021 (Monday) due to weather.
• 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 Five NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Talladega Superspeedway

FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS

• Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.

NASCAR IN ALABAMA

• There have been 179 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:

• 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 76 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; seven 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.

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