Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Mobil 1 301

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, going into the Mobil 1 301 on September 21 at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Fast Facts: Race #4 (New Hampshire Motor Speedway)

• The 2025 season marks the first-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway is one of eight different tracks to host the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, alongside Talladega Superspeedway (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012), Auto Club Speedway (2009, 2010), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, 2016, 2017), Dover Motor Speedway (2018, 2019), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2020, 2021), Texas Motor Speedway (2022-2023) and Kansas Speedway (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2024).
• Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, New Hampshire Motor Speedway has hosted a Playoff race 14 times (2004-2017). This season is the first year since 2017 New Hampshire will host a Playoff race.
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway has occupied two previous positions on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff schedule:

1. From 2004-2012, New Hampshire hosted the first race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
2. From 2013-2017, New Hampshire hosted the second race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

• A total of 17 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson leads the series in victories in the fourth race of the Playoffs with three postseason wins (2009, 2011, 2016). Joey Logano leads all active drivers with two wins (2014, 2015).

• A total of seven of the 17 drivers with wins in the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are active in the postseason this weekend – Ross Chastain (2024), William Byron (2023), Tyler Reddick (2022), Denny Hamlin (2021), Kyle Larson (2019), Chase Elliott (2018), Joey Logano (2014, 2015).
• Ten different drivers have won the last 10 Playoff Round of 12 openers (2015-2024).
• Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2004, 2006, 2022, 2024.

1. In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the victory.
2. In 2006, Brian Vickers won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway, he was ranked 16th in points at the time of the victory.
3. In 2022, Tyler Reddick won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Reddick had qualified for the postseason but was eliminated from the Playoffs in the Round of 16, he was ranked 13th in points at the time of the victory
4. In 2024, Ross Chastain won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 17th in points at the time of the victory.

• Three times the winner of the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the Cup title in the same season: 2009, 2016 and 2017.

1. In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title in the same season. The victory was his second of four wins during his postseason run that season.
2. In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval) and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title that same season. The win was Johnson’s first of three that postseason.
3. In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title the same season. It was his first of three wins in that postseason.

• The worst finish by a driver in the fourth NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 38th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway.
• Last season, Joey Logano finished 14th in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Kansas Speedway and went on to win the title later that same year.
• A total of 11 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and only two are active in the postseason this weekend – Joey Logano (one win, 2014) and Denny Hamlin (one win, 2012).
• Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth lead the Cup Series in Playoff wins at New Hampshire with two each; followed by Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart.

NASCAR Cup Series 2025 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at New Hampshire

* – Based on last 31 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2005 – 2024).

New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Stats, Facts & Tidbits:

TRACK DETAILS & RECORDS
Season Race #: 30 of 36 (09-21-25)
Race Purse: $9,797,935
Track Size: 1.058-mile
Banking/Turns: 2 to 7 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch & Backstretch: 1 degree (each)
Frontstretch & Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet (each)
Race Length: 301 laps / 318.46 miles
Stages 1 Length: 70 laps
Stages 2 Length: 115 laps (ends Lap 185)
Final Stage Length: 116 laps (ends Lap 301)

Track Qualifying Record:
Brad Keselowski, Ford, 140.598 mph, 27.090 secs. September 21, 2014

Track Race Record:
Jeff Burton, Ford, 117.134 mph, (02:42:35), July 13, 1997

2024 Pole Winner:
None – Qualifying was cancelled due to inclement weather.

2024 Race Winner:
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 84.832 mph, (03:48:14), June 23, 2024

HISTORY

• The property that is now New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally a 1.6-mile road course that opened in 1964 called Bryar Motorsports Park.
• Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was August 13, 1989 by then owners Bob and Gary Bahre.
• The 1.058-mile oval is located on approximately 1,200 acres; the multi-use complex is the largest sports facility in New England.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was on July 11, 1993 and won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace driving a Team Penske Pontiac (105.947 mph, 02:59:45).
• Speedway Motorsports agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre on January 11, 2008, and then renamed the track New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• There have been 53 NASCAR Cup Series races held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year from 1997-2017. In 2018, the track reverted back to just one event per season.

STARTS

• A total of 211 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; with 167 drivers having competed in more than one.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 42 appearances.
• Top Five in Cup Series New Hampshire Starts (All-Time): Jeff Gordon (42), Kevin Harvick (40), Jeff Burton (39), Kurt Busch (39), Bobby Labonte (38).
• Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 32 starts.
• Top Five in Cup Series New Hampshire Starts (Active): Kyle Busch (33), Denny Hamlin (31), Joey Logano (26), Brad Keselowski (24), Michael McDowell (22).
• A total of 19 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; three of the drivers are active in the series this season – Ryan Preece (2015), Corey LaJoie (2014) and Joey Logano (2008).
• Of the 19 drivers that made their NASCAR Cup Series career debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Mike McLaughlin put up the best finish in his debut, bringing home a 22nd-place finish in his 1994 debut.

Drivers That Made Their First Career NASCAR Cup Series Start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

• Chase Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with an 8.273 in 11 starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at New Hampshire (All-Time & Active)

POLES

• In total 23 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 11 of the 23 pole winners have won multiple Cup Series poles at the 1.058-mile track.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1993 with a speed of 126.871 MPH, driving an RFK Racing Ford.
• Ryan Newman leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with seven poles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 sweep, 2013).
• Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with four poles (2010, 2013, 2014, 2019).
• This weekend, four of the 23 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway are active.

• Youngest New Hampshire Cup Series pole winner: Brian Vickers (July 17, 2005 – 21 years, 8 months, 23 days).
• Oldest New Hampshire Cup Series pole winner: Bill Elliott (July 21, 2002 – 46 years, 9 months, 13 days).
• Two drivers (all-time) have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Brad Keselowski (September 19, 2010) and Patrick Carpentier (June 27, 2008).
•     A total of six of the 11 drivers with multiple NASCAR Cup Series poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have won consecutive poles at the 1.058-mile track: Ken Schrader (1997 sweep), Jeff Gordon (1998-99), Rusty Wallace (1999-00), Ryan Newman (2002-2004; 2011 sweep), Juan Pablo Montoya (2009-10), Carl Edwards (2015 sweep).
• A total of 13 different organizations have won a NASCAR Cup Series pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

• Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series lead in poles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 10 poles each:
  • Team Penske has 10 poles among three drivers – Brad Keselowski (2010, 2013, 2014, 2019), Rusty Wallace (1999, 2000) and Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006).
  • Joe Gibbs Racing has 10 poles among six drivers – Bobby Labonte (2000), Tony Stewart (2005), Kyle Busch (2012, 2014, 2017), Carl Edwards (2015 sweep, 2016), Martin Truex Jr. (2022), Christopher Bell (2023)
• Five different manufacturers have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire; led by Chevrolet (18) and followed by Ford (10), Toyota (10), Dodge (six), and Pontiac (one).
• The longest streak of consecutive pole wins by a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was six straight by Chevrolet from 7/14/1996 – 7/11/1999.
• Two drivers have won poles in multiple manufacturers in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
  • Ryan Newman – Chevrolet (three), Dodge (three) and Ford (one)
  • Brad Keselowski – Ford (three), Dodge (one).

WINS

• A total of 27 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; 14 of the 27 have won multiple times at the 1.058-mile track
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was on July 11, 1993, and was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace driving a Team Penske Pontiac (105.947 mph, 02:59:45).
• Jeff Burton (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) and Kevin Harvick (2006, 2016, 2018, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with four victories each.
• Denny Hamlin (2007, 2012, 2017) and Kyle Busch (2006, 2015, 2017) lead all active drivers in wins at New Hampshire with three each.
• Of the 27 different NASCAR Cup Series New Hampshire Motor Speedway race winners, five are active this weekend.

• Four drivers have posted consecutive wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2003 sweep), Kurt Busch (2004 sweep), Matt Kenseth (2015 fall, 2016 spring) and Kevin Harvick (2018, 2019).
• Youngest Cup Series New Hampshire winner: Joey Logano (June 28, 2009 – 19 years, 1 month, 4 days).
• Oldest Cup Series New Hampshire winner: Mark Martin (September 20, 2009 – 50 years, 8 months, 11 days).
• Five NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

• Michael McDowell leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 22 starts.
• A total of 25 different positions on the starting grid have resulted in wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the NASCAR Cup Series field at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, producing more winners (six) than any other starting position at 1.058-mile track.
• Six of the 53 (11.53%) NASCAR Cup Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent was Kyle Busch in 2017.

• Of the five drivers to win from the pole, Ryan Newman is the only driver to win multiple NASCAR Cup Series races from the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (two: 2002 and 2011).
• The deepest in the field that a Cup race winner has started at New Hampshire is 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at New Hampshire is 32nd, by Denny Hamlin in 2012.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at New Hampshire

• A total of 11 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• Joe Gibbs Racing lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 14 victories among seven drivers – Tony Stewart (2000, 2005), Denny Hamlin (2007, 2012, 2017), Joey Logano (2009), Matt Kenseth (2013, 2015, 2016), Kyle Busch (2015, 2017), Christopher Bell (2022, 2024), Martin Truex Jr. (2023).

Winning Organizations in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire

• Five different manufacturers have won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 19 victories; followed by Ford (17), Toyota (12), Dodge (three) and Pontiac (two).
• The longest streak of consecutive race wins by a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was six straight by Chevrolet from 9/20/2009 – 7/15/2012.
• Seven drivers have won races in multiple manufacturers in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
  • Ryan Newman – Chevrolet (one), Dodge (one) and Ford (one)
  • Kevin Harvick – Chevrolet (two), Ford (two)
  • Kurt Busch – Ford (two), Dodge (one)
  • Kyle Busch – Toyota (two), Chevrolet (one)
  • Tony Stewart – Chevrolet (two), Pontiac (one)
  • Denny Hamlin – Toyota (two), Chevrolet (one)
  • Joey Logano – Ford (one), Toyota (one)

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 27 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with six second-place finishes each.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 63 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished inside the top-five at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 16 top fives.
• Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 11 top fives each.

Top Five In Top-Five Finishes at New Hampshire (All-Time & Active)

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 94 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished inside the top-10 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the Cup Series in top-10 finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 24 top 10s.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at New Hampshire with 19 top 10s.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at New Hampshire (All-Time & Active)

Average Finishes:

• Denny Hamlin leads NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at New Hampshire with a 9.4 in 30 starts.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at New Hampshire

LAP LEADERS

• A total of 89 different drivers have led laps in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 1,373 laps led in 42 starts.
• Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with 1,134 laps led in 33 starts.
• Four drivers have led more than a 1,000 laps in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in their careers: Jeff Gordon (1,373 laps led), Tony Stewart (1,302), Martin Truex Jr. (1,170) and Kyle Busch (1,134).

Top 10 in Laps Led at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

• The most laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series race winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was 300 laps of the scheduled 300 lap race (100%) by Jeff Burton on September 17, 2000. He started the race from the second position.
• The most laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series driver that did not win the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was 257 of the scheduled 300 laps (85.6%) by Jeff Gordon on November 23, 2001. He started the race from the pole but finished 15th.
• The fewest laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is just two laps of the scheduled 300 laps, and it has happened twice – Jeff Burton on July 11, 1999 and Tony Stewart on September 25, 2011.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS

• Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the July 1, 2007 race won by Denny Hamlin over Jeff Gordon with a margin of victory of 0.068-second.

Top Five Closest Margin of Victory Finishes at NHMS in the NCS:

Top Five Largest Margin of Victory Finishes at NHMS in the NCS:

• Five of the 53 NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted in a NASCAR Overtime finish at New Hampshire:

• Five of the 53 NASCAR Cup Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions; below are the events:

• Twice the actual race date has been changed from the scheduled race date due to weather in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
  • 2023 race – Scheduled Date: July 16, 2023; Actual Date: July 17, 2023
  • 2001 race – Scheduled Date: September 16, 2001; Actual Date: November 23, 2001
• Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway seven times:
  • For Weather: 2001 (Fall), 2003 (Summer), 2004 (Fall), 2008 (Fall) and 2009 (Summer).
  • Pandemic Restrictions: 2020 and 2021.
• The most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is 23 and it has occurred twice – 1996 and 2002.
• The fewest number of lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is one lead change and it occurred in 2000.
• The most different lap leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is 15 and it has occurred twice – 1996 and 2011.
• The fewest number of different lap leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway is one leader and it occurred in 2000 – Jeff Burton led all 300 laps.

NASCAR IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

• A total of 110 NASCAR national series races have been held in the state of New Hampshire, all at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DRIVERS IN NASCAR

• A total of 16 drivers have made at least one start in a NASCAR national series event with their home state recorded as New Hampshire.
• Jamie Aube is the only one of the 16 New Hampshire drivers to record a victory in NASCAR national series competition. Aube won in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on July 12, 1987 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, ME; it was his only start that season.

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