Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Goodyear 400

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina going into the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

DARLINGTON-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

(Driver stats below are during the Loop Data Era: 2005 to Present)

 Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• One top five, two top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 16.778, 11th-best
• Average Running Position of 13.981, 12th-best
• Driver Rating of 80.0, 12th-best
• 1,664 Laps in the Top 15 (58.4%), 12th-most

Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

• Three top 10s
• Average Finish of 17.214, 13th-best
• Average Running Position of 16.448, 13th-best
• Driver Rating of 79.2, 13th-best
• 2,238 Laps in the Top 15 (47.8%), 13th-most

Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

• One win, six top fives, 14 top 10s
• Average Finish of 13.333, seventh-best
• Average Running Position of 10.157, third-best
• Driver Rating of 100.2, fourth-best
• 6,792 Laps in the Top 15 (81.2%), second-most

William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• One win, four top fives, five top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 15.636, 10th-best
• Average Running Position of 11.467, seventh-best
• Driver Rating of 93.6, sixth-best
• 2,714 Laps in the Top 15 (75.7%), fifth-most

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Four top fives, seven top 10s
• Average Finish of 17.000, 12th-best
• Average Running Position of 13.142, 10th-best
• Driver Rating of 85.5, 11th-best
• 3,394 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), ninth-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Four wins, 12 top fives, 16 top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 8.435, series-best
• Average Running Position of 7.778, series-best
• Driver Rating of 107.2, series-best
• 7,043 Laps in the Top 15 (88.0%), series-most

Erik Jones (No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota)

• Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s
• Average Finish of 11.833, fifth-best
• Average Running Position of 12.114, eighth-best
• Driver Rating of 90.6, 10th-best
• 2,950 Laps in the Top 15 (74.7%), seventh-most

Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)

• One win, six top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 11.400, fourth-best
• Average Running Position of 12.642, ninth-best
• Driver Rating of 92.0, eighth-best
• 4,567 Laps in the Top 15 (66.2%), 11th-most

Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• One win, six top fives, eight top 10s
• Average Finish of 9.417, second-best
• Average Running Position of 9.706, second-best
• Driver Rating of 106.7, second-best
• 3,373 Laps in the Top 15 (80.5%), third-most

Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

• One win, six top fives, 10 top 10s; two poles
• Average Finish of 13.200, sixth-best
• Average Running Position of 11.398, sixth-best
• Driver Rating of 93.4, seventh-best
• 5,174 Laps in the Top 15 (75.0%), sixth-most

Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

• Three top fives, four top 10s
• Average Finish of 11.333, third-best
• Average Running Position of 11.133, fifth-best
• Driver Rating of 90.8, ninth-best
• 2,208 Laps in the Top 15 (77.5%), fourth-most

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Two wins, four top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 13.435, eighth-best
• Average Running Position of 10.230, fourth-best
• Driver Rating of 101.9, third-best
• 5,868 Laps in the Top 15 (73.4%), eighth-most

The NASCAR Cup Series 2024 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Darlington Raceway

* – Based on last 24 races at Darlington Raceway (2005 – 2023).

Darlington Raceway – Qualifying / Race Data

Track Qualifying Record: Aric Almirola, Ford, 184.145 MPH, 26.705 secs. April 11, 2014

Track Race Record (500 miles): Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 141.383 MPH, (03:32:45), May 11, 2013

Track Race Record (400 miles): David Pearson, Ford, 132.703 MPH, (03:00:54), May 11, 1968

2023 Pole Winner: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 169.409 MPH, 29.028 secs. May 13, 2023

2023 Race Winner: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 118.880 MPH, (03:23:23), May 14, 2023

At Darlington Raceway Stats & Tidbits:

HISTORY

• Darlington Raceway was originally built as a 1.25-mile paved superspeedway in 1949-1950.
• Darlington Raceway hosted the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt on September 4, 1950 – 75 cars competed in the event.
• For the first NASCAR cup Series race at Darlington, Curtis Turner won the pole at 82.034 mph, and the race was won by Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph). The race to 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete.
• The track was re-measured to 1.375 miles in 1953.
• The track was re-configured to the 1.366 miles it is today following the spring race in 1970.
• The track was repaved in 1995.
• The 2005 race was the first Saturday night race at Darlington Raceway.
• The track was again repaved prior to the 2008 season.
• There have been 125 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. From 1960 – 2004 the track hosted two Cup Series races per year and from 2005 – 2019 it was just one race per season. The series returned to multiple races per season in 2020.

STARTS

• A total of 752 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway; 472 drivers have competed in more than one race at Darlington.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Darlington Raceway with 65.
• Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Darlington Raceway with 24.
• Fred Lorenzen leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Darlington with a 3.7 in 16 starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the series in average starting position at Darlington with an 8.8 in 23 starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Darlington Raceway (All-Time and Active)

 A total of 124 different drivers have made their NASCAR Cup Series career debut at Darlington Raceway; the most recent was T.J. Bell (May 7, 2011).

The best finish by a driver making their Cup Series debut at Darlington Raceway, was fourth-place by NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte on September 4, 1978.

 POLES

• A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at least one pole at Darlington Raceway; 27 of the 54 different drivers have won multiple poles at the 1.366-mile track.
• Curtis Turner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway in 1950 in an Oldsmobile with a speed of 82.034 mph.
• Of the 54 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway pole winners all-time, six are active this weekend.

• NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 12 – (1967, ’70, ’72, ’73 sweep, ’75 sweep, ’76 sweep, ’77, ’78 and ’82)
• Pearson’s 12 Darlington poles are tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough (12 poles at Daytona) for the second-most poles all-time at a single track in the NASCAR Cup Series. Pearson also holds the series’ record for most poles at a single track with 14 poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Darlington Raceway with two (2022 sweep).
• In total, 10 drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway – Joey Logano (2022 sweep), Kasey Kahne (2004, 2005-2006), Dale Jarrett (1996-1997), Sterling Marlin (1992 sweep), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), David Pearson (1975-1977 and 1973 sweep), Cale Yarborough (1969 sweep), Fred Lorenzen (1963 sweep and 1964), Fireball Roberts (1959, 1960 sweep), Fonty Flock (1952-1953).
• David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway with five straight from 1975 – 1977.
• Eight drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway.

• Youngest Darlington pole winner: William Byron (Sept. 1, 2019 – 21 years, 8 months, 3 days).
• Oldest Darlington pole winner: David Pearson (Sept. 6, 1982 – 47 years, 8 months, 15 days).
• A total of 46 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• Wood Brothers Racing lead all organizations in the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 12 among three different drivers: David Pearson (1978, 1977, 1976 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1973 sweep, 1972), Donnie Allison (1971) and Cale Yarborough (1969 sweep).
• This weekend, seven organizations that have previously won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway will be active.

• A total of 12 different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway – most different OEMs to win a pole at a single track in the series.
• Ford leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 45 poles; followed by Chevrolet (22), Mercury (13), Pontiac (10), Dodge (8), Toyota (4), Buick (3), Oldsmobile (3), Plymouth (3), Chrysler (1), Hudson (1) and Studebaker (1).

 WINS

• A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Darlington Raceway all-time; 29 of the 54 drivers have won multiple times.
• Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph) won the first NASCAR Cup Series race held at Darlington Raceway on September 4, 1950. The race took 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete.
• Of the 54 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway winners, eight will be active this weekend.

• NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Darlington Raceway with 10 wins (1968, ’70, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’76 sweep, ’77, ’79, 80); followed by Dale Earnhardt with nine and Jeff Gordon with seven.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in victories at Darlington Raceway with four (2021, 2020, 2017, 2010).
• Dale Earnhardt (1989-1990) and Jeff Gordon (1995-1996) are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series most consecutive wins at Darlington Raceway with three consecutive victories each.
• A total of 13 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Darlington – Greg Biffle (2005-2006), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep), Jeff Burton (1999 sweep), Jeff Gordon (1995-1996), Dale Earnhardt (1989-1990 and 1987 sweep), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), David Pearson (1976 sweep, 1979-1980), Bobby Allison (1975 sweep), Buddy Baker (1970-1971), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969 sweep), Richard Petty (1967 sweep), Nelson Stacy (1961-1962), Herb Thomas (1954-1955).
• Youngest Cup Series Darlington winner: Kyle Busch (May 10, 2008 – 23 years, 0 months, 8 days).
• Oldest Cup Series Darlington winner: Harry Gant (Sept. 1, 1991 – 51 years, 7 months, 22 days).
• Six drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:

• A total of 21 different starting positions have led to wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• Of the 125 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, 21 have been won from the pole; the most recent was Joey Logano in 2022.
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (21) than any other starting position at Darlington (16.80%).
• The outside front row (second starting position) has produced the second-most wins at 18 (14.40%)
• A total of 12 different drivers have won from the pole or first starting position at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with four wins from the pole (1971, 1972, 1976 sweep).
• Joey Logano (2022) is the only active driver to win from the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington.

• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Darlington is 43rd by Johnny Mantz in 1950 – the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event held at the historic raceway.
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Darlington is 18th by Kyle Larson on Sept. 3, 2023.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Darlington Raceway

• Michael McDowell leads the Cup Series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington without visiting Victory Lane at 17 starts.
• A total of 46 different organizations have won a race in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway. This weekend eight of the 46 organizations that have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway will be active.
• Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins by an organization at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series with 16 victories among eight drivers – Tim Richmond (1986), Ricky Rudd (1991), Jeff Gordon (1995, ’96 sweep, ’97, ’98, ’02, ’07), Terry Labonte (2003), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep and 2012), Mark Martin (2009), William Byron (2023) and Kyle Larson (2023).

• A total of 11 different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• Chevrolet leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Darlington Raceway with 44 victories; followed by Ford (32), Mercury (10), Toyota (10), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (five), Pontiac (five), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Hudson (three) and American Motor Company (two).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 63 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty with eight second-place finishes each.
• Denny Hamlin (2007, 2012, 2013, 2022) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in second-place finishes at Darlington Raceway with four.

Top Five In Runner-Up Finishes at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 147 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 25 top-five finishes.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Darlington with 12 top fives.

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

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 241 different Cup Series drivers have posted top-10 finishes at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott with 35 top 10s.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at Darlington with 16 top 10s.

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

Average Finishing Position:

• Bob Burdick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with a 3.0 in two starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with an 8.435 in 23 starts.

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

LAP LEADERS

• In total 177 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Darlington Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Darlington Raceway with 2,648 laps led in 44 series starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 978 laps led in 23 starts at Darlington.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was 351 laps of the scheduled 400 laps (87%) by Johnny Mantz on September 4, 1950. He started the race from the 43rd position.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by a driver that did not win the race was 284 laps of the scheduled 367 laps (77%) by Kyle Larson on September 2, 2018. He started the race from the second position and finished third.
• The fewest laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was just the final lap by Ricky Craven on March 16, 2003. He started the race from the 31st position.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Three female drivers have competed at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series – Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson.

TRACK / EVENT STATS

• Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway is the March 16, 2003 race won by Ricky Craven with a margin of victory of 0.002 second over Kurt Busch.
• Darlington’s 0.002 sec. margin of victory is tied with the 2011 Spring Talladega race as the second-closest finishes in the series using electronic scoring.

Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway

Top Five Largest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway

• NASCAR Overtime: Four NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted in an Overtime finish at Darlington Raceway:

 A total of 10 of the 125 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway have been shortened from their scheduled number of laps; the most recent was in 2020.

• Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway six times: 1952, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2016.
• Five NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington from 2020-2021 did not hold qualifying due to the COVID-19 pandemic/restrictions: In 2020, the May 17 race (random draw), May 20 (inverted field), Sept. 6 (metric qualifying). In 2021 both races were by metric qualifying – May 9 and Sept. 5.
• NASCAR Cup Series has held 10 races on Mother’s Day producing nine different winners.
• Last season’s race at Darlington Raceway, won by Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron was the most recent Cup race on the holiday Mother’s Day.
• Buck Baker has won the most NASCAR Cup Series races on Mother’s Day – twice (1956, 1954).

NASCAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA

• South Carolina has hosted a total of 328 NASCAR national series races among 10 different tracks.

• The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of South Carolina was at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 4, 1950 – the event was won by Johnny Mantz in a Plymouth.

SOUTH CAROLINA IN NASCAR

• A total of 140 different drivers have made at least one NASCAR national series start with their home state recorded as South Carolina.
• James Hylton leads all NASCAR drivers from South Carolina with the most NASCAR national series starts with 607.
• Three drivers from South Carolina have been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame – David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, and Cotton Owens.
• 11 drivers from South Carolina have won at least one race in NASCAR’s three national series totaling 240 victories; seven have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.

— NASCAR —