MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 03: A general view of the Bandits Flight Team performing a flyover during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 03, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 03: A general view of the Bandits Flight Team performing a flyover during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 03, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Xfinity 500

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, going into the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 9 Fast Facts: Martinsville Speedway

  • The 2025 season marks the 22nd year Martinsville Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race, and the sixth-time the track has hosted the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – the Round of 8 elimination race (Race No. 9 of 10).
  • Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, Martinsville Speedway has occupied three different positions on the postseason schedule:
  1. From 2004 – 2010 (seven seasons): Martinsville Speedway hosted the sixth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
  2. From 2011 – 2019 (nine seasons): Martinsville Speedway hosted the seventh race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – From 2014-2019 (six seasons) in the elimination-style format the seventh race of the Playoffs is the Round of 8 opener.
  3. From 2020-2024 (five seasons): Martinsville Speedway has hosted the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – the Round of 8 elimination race.
  • A total of 12 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson with six Playoff victories (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2016) at Martinsville.
  • Denny Hamlin (2009, 2010) and Ryan Blaney (20923, 2024) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in postseason wins at Martinsville Speedway with two Playoff victories each.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race Winners at Martinsville Speedway
Date Race Winner Crew Chief Organization Race No.
Sunday, October 24, 2004 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 32
Sunday, October 23, 2005 Jeff Gordon Steve Letarte Hendrick Motorsports 32
Sunday, October 22, 2006 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 32
Sunday, October 21, 2007 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 32
Sunday, October 19, 2008 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 32
Sunday, October 25, 2009 Denny Hamlin Mike Ford Joe Gibbs Racing 32
Sunday, October 24, 2010 Denny Hamlin Mike Ford Joe Gibbs Racing 32
Sunday, October 30, 2011 Tony Stewart Darian Grubb Stewart-Haas Racing 33
Sunday, October 28, 2012 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 33
Sunday, October 27, 2013 Jeff Gordon Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports 33
Sunday, October 26, 2014 Dale Earnhardt Jr Steve Letarte Hendrick Motorsports 33
Sunday, November 1, 2015 Jeff Gordon Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports 33
Sunday, October 30, 2016 Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports 33
Sunday, October 29, 2017 Kyle Busch Adam Stevens Joe Gibbs Racing 33
Sunday, October 28, 2018 Joey Logano Todd Gordon Team Penske 33
Sunday, October 27, 2019 Martin Truex Jr Cole Pearn Joe Gibbs Racing 33
Sunday, November 1, 2020 Chase Elliott Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports 35
Sunday, October 31, 2021 Alex Bowman Greg Ives Hendrick Motorsports 35
Sunday, October 30, 2022 Christopher Bell Adam Stevens Joe Gibbs Racing 35
Sunday, October 29, 2023 Ryan Blaney Jonathan Hassler Team Penske 35
Sunday, November 3, 2024 Ryan Blaney Jonathan Hassler Team Penske 35

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 9 Fast Facts: Martinsville Speedway

  • This weekend, five of the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 Playoff drivers are former Martinsville Speedway Playoff race winners, including Ryan Blaney (2023, 2024), Denny Hamlin (2009, 2010), Joey Logano (2018), Chase Elliott (2020) and Christopher Bell (2022).
  • A total of 10 different crew chiefs have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway, led by Chad Knaus with six victories (2004, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘12, ‘16 all with Jimmie Johnson). Alan Gustafson leads all active crew chiefs with three.
  • A total of four organizations have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway, led by Hendrick Motorsports with 12 victories (2004-2008, 2012-2016, 2020, 2021).
  • All three official OEMs have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway, led by Chevrolet with 13 wins, followed by Toyota with five and Ford with three.
  • Eight times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway has gone on to win the title that same season (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023).
  1. In 2006, Jimmie Johnson won from the ninth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first of seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. It was his only win during the 2006 Playoffs.
  2. In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship that same season. The Playoff victory was the first of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).
  3. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the first starting position at Martinsville Speedway (Qualifying was cancelled), then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.
  4. In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was one of a single season record setting five Playoff victories for Stewart during the 2011 postseason.
  5. In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2016 postseason.
  6. In 2018, Joey Logano won from the 10th starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his first of two Playoff victories during the 2018 postseason.
  7. In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2020 postseason.
  8. In 2023, Ryan Blaney won from the 11th starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of two victories during the 2023 postseason.
  • The worst finish in a Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 33rd by Kevin Harvick in 2014 – that season Martinsville Speedway was the seventh race in the Playoffs.
  • Three times non-Playoff drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway (2005, 2014, 2021).
  1. In 2005, Jeff Gordon was ranked 15th in the points at the time of his Playoff win at Martinsville.
  2. In 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 11th in points at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  3. In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of the win at Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the postseason. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  • Martinsville Speedway is the third different track to host the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Darlington Raceway (one race: 2004) and Phoenix Raceway (15 races: 2005-2019).
  • A total of 13 different drivers have won the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Race 35 of 36), led by Jimmie Johnson (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2006, 2012, 2013, 2014) with four victories each.
  • Kyle Busch (Phoenix: 2005 and 2018) and Ryan Blaney (Martinsville: 2023 and 2024) lead all active drivers in wins in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ ninth race with two victories each.
  • This weekend, five of the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 Playoff drivers are former winners in the ninth race of the Playoffs; including Joey Logano (2016 Phoenix), Denny Hamlin (2019 Phoenix), Chase Elliott (2020 Martinsville), Christopher Bell (2022 Martinsville) and Ryan Blaney (2023 & 2024 Martinsville).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 9 – Race Winners
Date Track Race Winner Crew Chief Organization
Sunday, November 14, 2004 Darlington Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 13, 2005 Phoenix Kyle Busch Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 12, 2006 Phoenix Kevin Harvick Todd Berrier Richard Childress Racing
Sunday, November 11, 2007 Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 9, 2008 Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 15, 2009 Phoenix Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 14, 2010 Phoenix Carl Edwards Bob Osborne Roush Fenway Racing
Sunday, November 13, 2011 Phoenix Kasey Kahne Kenny Francis Red Bull Racing
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Phoenix Kevin Harvick Gil Martin Richard Childress Racing
Sunday, November 10, 2013 Phoenix Kevin Harvick Gil Martin Richard Childress Racing
Sunday, November 9, 2014 Phoenix Kevin Harvick Rodney Childers Stewart-Haas Racing
Sunday, November 15, 2015 Phoenix Dale Earnhardt Jr Greg Ives Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, November 13, 2016 Phoenix Joey Logano Todd Gordon Team Penske
Sunday, November 12, 2017 Phoenix Matt Kenseth Jason Ratcliff Joe Gibbs Racing
Sunday, November 11, 2018 Phoenix Kyle Busch Adam Stevens Joe Gibbs Racing
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Phoenix Denny Hamlin Christopher Gabehart Joe Gibbs Racing
Sunday, November 1, 2020 Martinsville Chase Elliott Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, October 31, 2021 Martinsville Alex Bowman Greg Ives Hendrick Motorsports
Sunday, October 30, 2022 Martinsville Christopher Bell Adam Stevens Joe Gibbs Racing
Sunday, October 29, 2023 Martinsville Ryan Blaney Jonathan Hassler Team Penske
Sunday, November 3, 2024 Martinsville Ryan Blaney Jonathan Hassler Team Penske
  • A total of 13 different crew chiefs have won the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, led by Chad Knaus with four victories (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 all with driver Jimmie Johnson). Adam Stevens (2018, 2022), Alan Gustafson (2005, 2020) and Jonathan Hassler (2023, 2024) lead all active crew chiefs with two wins each in the ninth Playoff race.
  • A total of seven organizations have won the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, led by Hendrick Motorsports with eight victories (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2021).
  • All three official OEMs have won the ninth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, led by Chevrolet with 12 wins, followed by Toyota with five and Ford with four.
  • Six times the winner of the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title that same season: (2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2020, 2023).
  1. In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the sixth starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The Playoff victory was the fourth of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).
  2. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the pole at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his third of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.
  3. In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The victory was his fourth of four wins during the 2009 postseason.
  4. In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Harvick faced elimination from the Playoffs heading into this race and become the first to clinch his spot in the Championship 4 by winning the Round of 8 elimination race. The win was also his second of three Playoff victories during the 2014 postseason.
  5. In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2020 postseason.
  6. In 2023, Ryan Blaney won from the 11th starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of two victories during the 2023 postseason.
  • The worst finish in the ninth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by a driver that went on to win the title that same season:
  • At Phoenix, 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016.
  • At Darlington, sixth by Kurt Busch in 2004.
  • At Martinsville, 14th by Kyle Larson in 2021.
  • Last season’s champion, Joey Logano finished 10th in the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Five times non-Playoff drivers have won the ninth Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason: (2005, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2021).
  1. In 2005, Kyle Busch was ranked 19th in the points at the time of the win at Phoenix.
  2. In 2011, Kasey Kahne was ranked 14th in the points at the time of the win at Phoenix.
  3. In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was seventh in points at the time of the win at Phoenix. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  4. In 2017, Matt Kenseth was seventh in points at the time of the win at Phoenix. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
  5. In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of the win at Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the postseason. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

Martinsville Speedway Track & Race Data:
Season Race #: 35 of 36 (October 26, 2025)
The Purse: $9,797,935
Track Size/Type: 0.526 Mile Asphalt Oval
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 12 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 12 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 0 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 0 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 800 feet
Backstretch Length: 800 feet
Race Length: 500 laps / 263 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 130 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 240 laps

MARTINSVILLE QUALIFYING / RACE DATA

Track Qualifying Record:
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, 100.201 mph, 18.898 secs., March 28, 2014

Track Race Record:
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 82.223 mph, (3:11:55), September 22, 2006

2024 Playoff Race Pole Winner:
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 96.190 mph, 19.686 secs., November 2, 2024

2024 Playoff Race Winner:
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, 75.677 mph, (03:28:31), November 3, 2024

HISTORY – Martinsville Speedway

  • Opened in September 1947 by Clay Earles, Martinsville Speedway, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.
  • The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville Speedway was on July 4, 1948.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race was on September 25, 1949 and the race was won by Red Byron in Raymond Park’s 1949 Oldsmobile.
  • The track was paved in 1955 and the first 500-lap event at Martinsville Speedway was in 1956.
  • Concrete corners were added atop the asphalt in 1976.
  • The track added LED lighting during the 2016-2017 off season.
  • There have been 153 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one race in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.

STARTS

  • A total of 658 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway; 430 have competed in more than one.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Martinsville Speedway with 67; followed by Dave Marcis and Ricky Rudd with 55 each.
  • Kyle Busch leads the Cup Series in starts among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway with 40; followed by Denny Hamlin with 39 starts.
  • Fonty Flock (nine starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Martinsville Speedway with a 3.125.
  • Joey Logano (31 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Martinsville Speedway with an 8.323.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Fonty Flock 3.125 9 1 Joey Logano 8.323 31
2 Fred Lorenzen 4.294 17 2 Denny Hamlin 8.784 37
3 Frankie Schneider 5.000 3 3 Chase Elliott 9.222 18
4 Tim Flock 5.889 11 4 Ryan Blaney 9.412 17
5 Cale Yarborough 5.935 31 5 Kyle Larson 10.895 19
6 Johnny Patterson 6.000 3 6 Chase Briscoe 11.429 7
7 Bobby Isaac 6.067 15 7 Brad Keselowski 11.448 29
8 Dick Hutcherson 6.200 5 8 Kyle Busch 11.658 38
9 Joe Millikan 6.200 5 9 Martin Truex Jr 12.784 37
10 David Pearson 6.571 28 10 Ty Gibbs 13.750 4
  • In total, 63 drivers have made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway.
  First-Time Driver Date   First-Time Driver Date
1 Al Wagoner Sunday, September 25, 1949 33 Ed Jordan Sunday, April 24, 1966
2 Clyde Minter Sunday, September 25, 1949 34 Johnny Wynn Sunday, April 24, 1966
3 Kenneth Wagner Sunday, September 25, 1949 35 Jimmy Trull Sunday, September 25, 1966
4 Bill Holluck Sunday, May 6, 1951 36 Paul Radford Sunday, April 23, 1967
5 Bill Lawrence Sunday, May 6, 1951 37 Tommy Ingram Sunday, April 23, 1967
6 Jack Wade Sunday, October 14, 1951 38 Buddy Young Sunday, April 27, 1969
7 Bob Welborn Sunday, October 19, 1952 39 Dave Alonzo Sunday, September 28, 1969
8 Julian Petty Sunday, October 19, 1952 40 Jimmy Hensley Sunday, April 30, 1972
9 Gordon Smith Sunday, May 15, 1955 41 Satch Worley Sunday, September 29, 1974
10 Jimmy Pardue Sunday, October 16, 1955 42 Bruce Blodgett Sunday, April 25, 1976
11 Bob Duell Sunday, May 20, 1956 43 Butch Lindley Sunday, September 23, 1979
12 George Cork Sunday, May 20, 1956 44 Bob McElee Sunday, September 27, 1981
13 Jim Rhoades Sunday, May 20, 1956 45 Dale Jarrett Sunday, April 29, 1984
14 Reitzel Darner Sunday, May 20, 1956 46 Sam Ard Sunday, September 23, 1984
15 Sherman Utsman Sunday, May 20, 1956 47 Jerry Cranmer Sunday, April 27, 1986
16 Bill Lutz Sunday, October 28, 1956 48 Mike Skinner Sunday, April 27, 1986
17 Bill Poor Sunday, October 28, 1956 49 Tony Spanos Sunday, April 26, 1987
18 Bun Emery Sunday, October 28, 1956 50 Jeff Purvis Sunday, April 29, 1990
19 Larry Frank Sunday, October 28, 1956 51 Elton Sawyer Sunday, April 23, 1995
20 Larry Odo Sunday, October 28, 1956 52 Stacy Compton Sunday, April 21, 1996
21 Norman Schihl Sunday, October 28, 1956 53 Mike Bliss Sunday, September 27, 1998
22 Barney Oldfield Sunday, May 19, 1957 54 Chad Chaffin Sunday, October 24, 2004
23 Ben Benz Sunday, April 20, 1958 55 Mario Gosselin Sunday, October 24, 2004
24 Erwin Carpenter Sunday, September 27, 1959 56 Travis Kvapil Sunday, October 24, 2004
25 Jerry Smith Sunday, September 27, 1959 57 Michael McDowell Sunday, March 30, 2008
26 Ernie Gahan Sunday, April 10, 1960 58 Scott Speed Sunday, October 19, 2008
27 Pat Moore Sunday, April 10, 1960 59 Kyle Fowler Sunday, October 26, 2014
28 Allen Franklin Sunday, April 30, 1961 60 Chase Elliott Sunday, March 29, 2015
29 Art Malone Sunday, September 24, 1961 61 Gray Gaulding Sunday, October 30, 2016
30 Wayne Lambath Sunday, September 24, 1961 62 Kyle Weatherman Sunday, October 29, 2017
31 Ronnie Croy Sunday, September 27, 1964 63 Burt Myers Sunday, March 30, 2025
32 Terry Murchison Sunday, April 25, 1965  
  • Chase Elliott (03/29/2015) and Michael McDowell (3/30/2008) are the only active full-time drivers who have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Of the 63 drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway, Clyde Minter posted the best finish in his series debut with a fourth-place run in 1949.

POLES

  • In total 64 different drivers have won at least one pole at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Curtis Turner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway in 1949 driving an Oldsmobile for car owner Frank Christian.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Martinsville Speedway with eight poles (1979, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1992).
  • Joey Logano leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most poles at Martinsville Speedway with five (2015 sweep, spring 2016, fall 2017, spring 2019).
  • This weekend, seven of the 64 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway pole winners are active.
Active Martinsville Pole Winners Poles Seasons
Joey Logano 5 2019, ’17, ’16, ’15 sweep
Denny Hamlin 4 2019, ’13, ’10, ’07
Kyle Larson 2 2024, ’22
Kyle Busch 2 2018, ’14
Christopher Bell 1 2025
Ryan Preece 1 2023
Chase Elliott 1 2022
  • A total of 13 different drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway; most recently it was Ryan Preece on April 16, 2023.
First-Time Pole Winners (13) Date
Curtis Turner Sunday, September 25, 1949
Buck Baker Sunday, May 21, 1950
Fonty Flock Sunday, October 15, 1950
Perk Brown Sunday, October 19, 1952
Glen Wood Sunday, October 12, 1958
Bobby Johns Sunday, May 3, 1959
Lennie Pond Sunday, April 23, 1978
Ricky Rudd Sunday, April 26, 1981
Ricky Craven Sunday, April 21, 1996
Kenny Wallace Sunday, April 20, 1997
Tony Stewart Sunday, April 18, 1999
Scott Riggs Sunday, April 10, 2005
Ryan Preece Sunday, April 16, 2023
  • Youngest Cup Series Martinsville pole winner: Ricky Rudd (April 26, 1981 – 24 years, 7 months, 14 days).
  • Oldest Cup Series Martinsville pole winner: Morgan Shepherd (April 26, 1987 – 45 years, 6 months, 14 days).
  • A total of 13 different drivers have won two or more consecutive poles at Martinsville Speedway; the most recent was Joey Logano who won three consecutive poles at Martinsville from 2015-2016.
  • Five drivers have won three or more consecutive poles at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series: Glen Wood (fall of 1959 and 1960 sweep), Darrell Waltrip (1979 sweep and spring 1980), Mark Martin (fall of 1990 and 1991 sweep), Jeff Gordon (2003 sweep and spring 2004), Joey Logano (2015 sweep, 2016 spring).
  • Six active organizations have won a pole at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the Cup Series in Martinsville Speedway poles with 20 poles among seven drivers: Geoff Bodine (1984, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’89), Tim Richmond (1986), Jeff Gordon (2001, ’02, ’03 sweep, ’04, ’07, ’08), Jimmie Johnson (2006, ’12, ’13), Kasey Kahne (2012), Chase Elliott (2022) and Kyle Larson (2022, ‘24).
Active Organizations Poles Seasons
Hendrick Motorsports 20 2024, ‘22 sweep, ’13, ’12, ’08, ’07, ’06, ’04, ’03 sweep, ’02, ’01, ’89, ’87, ’86 sweep, ’85, ’84
Joe Gibbs Racing 13 2025, ’24, 23, ‘19, ’18, ’14, ’13, ’10, ’07, ’05, ’00, ’99, ’95
Team Penske 10 2019, ’17, ’16, ’15 sweep, ’06, ’04, ’02, ’00, ’94
RFK Racing 4 1994, ’91 sweep, ’90
Richard Childress Racing 3 1989, ’83, ’82
  • A total of 11 different manufacturers have won at least one NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 56 poles and followed by Ford (36), Dodge (10), Pontiac (9), Toyota (9), Buick (4), Hudson (4), Oldsmobile (4), Mercury (3), Chrysler (2), Plymouth (2).

WINS

  • A total of 59 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Martinsville Speedway, and 29 of the 59 different NASCAR Cup Series winners at Martinsville Speedway have won multiple times.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 15 victories (1960, 1962, 1963, 1967 sweep, 1968, 1969 sweep, 1970, 1971, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1975, 1979).
  • Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway with five victories (2008, 2009, 2010 sweep, 2015).
  • This weekend, 10 of the 59 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway race winners are active.
Active Martinsville Winners Wins Seasons
Denny Hamlin 6 2025, ’15, ’10 sweep, ’09, ’08
Ryan Blaney 2 2024, ’23
William Byron 2 2024, ’22
Brad Keselowski 2 2019, ’17
Kyle Busch 2 2017, ’16
Kyle Larson 1 2023
Christopher Bell 1 2022
Alex Bowman 1 2021
Chase Elliott 1 2020
Joey Logano 1 2018
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway was on Sept. 25, 1949 – the race was won by Red Byron in Raymond Park’s 1949 Oldsmobile.
  • A total of 12 NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted consecutive wins at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Fred Lorenzen won four straight NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville from the fall of 1963 through the spring of 1965 – the series-most consecutive wins at Martinsville.
  • Martin Truex Jr. is the most recent driver to win consecutive races at Martinsville (2019 Playoff race / spring of 2020).
  • A total of 12 different drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway; the most recent was Ricky Craven (10/15/2001).
First-Time Race Winners Date Starting Position
Ricky Craven Monday, October 15, 2001 6
Geoff Bodine Sunday, April 29, 1984 6
Harry Gant Sunday, April 25, 1982 3
Morgan Shepherd Sunday, April 26, 1981 12
Dave Marcis Sunday, September 28, 1975 7
Earl Ross Sunday, September 29, 1974 11
Fred Lorenzen Sunday, April 9, 1961 2
Bob Welborn Sunday, October 6, 1957 2
Jack Smith Sunday, October 28, 1956 23
Jim Paschal Sunday, October 18, 1953 N/A
Dick Rathmann Sunday, April 6, 1952 9
Herb Thomas Sunday, October 15, 1950 19
  • Youngest series Martinsville winner: Richard Petty (April 10, 1960 – 22 years, 9 months, 8 days).
  • Oldest series Martinsville winner: Harry Gant (September 22, 1991 – 51 years, 8 months, 12 days).

 Note: In four of the early races at Martinsville Speedway (1950, Spring 1953, Fall 1953 and Spring 1954), the starting positions were not provided on the official race reports, the below starting position win stats do not take into account those four races.

  • A total of 25 different starting positions on the grid in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway have resulted in victories.
  • A total of 21 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.73%) at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position. The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2013.
  • The first starting position is the most proficient starting spot in the field at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, producing more wins than any other starting position (21).
  • A total of 36 of the 153 (23.53%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the front row: 21 from the first starting position and 15 from the second starting position.
  • The deepest in the field that a race winner has started in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is 36th, by Kurt Busch in the fall of 2002.
  • The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is 20th, by Christoher Bell in 2022.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Martinsville Speedway

Note: In four of the early races at Martinsville Speedway (1950, Spring 1953, Fall 1953 and Spring 1954), the starting positions were not provided on the official race reports; therefore, the below chart only takes into account the 147 races we have starting positions for.

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 21 13.73% 14 7 4.58%
2 15 9.80% 15 4 2.61%
3 17 11.11% 16 1 0.65%
4 14 9.15% 17 4 2.61%
5 10 6.54% 18 2 1.31%
6 8 5.23% 19 3 1.96%
7 9 5.88% 20 4 2.61%
8 3 1.96% 21 2 1.31%
9 6 3.92% 22 1 0.65%
10 5 3.27% 23 2 1.31%
11 3 1.96% 24 1 0.65%
12 3 1.96% 36 1 0.65%
13 3 1.96%  
Stats Winning % Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position: 13.73% 21
Winning from the Front Row: 23.53% 36
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 50.33% 77
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position: 70.59% 108
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 4.58% 7
  • In total 39 different car owners have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway (1949-2025).

Active NASCAR Cup Series organizations with wins at Martinsville Speedway

Rank Active Organizations Wins
1 Hendrick Motorsports 29
2 Joe Gibbs Racing 15
3 Team Penske 11
4 Richard Childress Racing 7
5 RFK Racing 4
6 Stewart-Haas Racing 4
7 Wood Brothers Racing 2
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 29 victories among nine drivers – Jeff Gordon (nine: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003 sweep, 2005 sweep, 2013, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (nine: 2004, 2006, 2007 sweep, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016), Darrell Waltrip (four: 1987, 1988, 1989 sweep), William Byron (two: 2022, 2024), Geoffrey Bodine (one: 1984), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (one: 2014), Chase Elliott (one: 2020), Alex Bowman (one: 2021), Kyle Larson (one: 2023).
  • A total of 11 manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 61 victories, followed by Ford (32), Plymouth (12), Toyota (12), Dodge (10), Oldsmobile (8), Pontiac (8), Buick (3), Chrysler (3), Hudson (2) and Mercury (2).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • A total of 72 NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Martinsville Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series with seven runner-up finishes at Martinsville Speedway, followed by Bobby Allison and Lee Petty with six each.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active series drivers with four runner-up finishes at Martinsville; followed by Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano with three each.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups
1 Dale Earnhardt 7 1 Kyle Busch 4
2 Bobby Allison 6 2 Chase Elliott 3
Lee Petty 6   Denny Hamlin 3
4 Cale Yarborough 5   Joey Logano 3
Jeff Gordon 5 5 AJ Allmendinger 2
Richard Petty 5   Brad Keselowski 2
  Kyle Larson 2
  Ryan Blaney 2

Top-Five Finishes

  • A total of 159 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Martinsville Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 30; followed by Jeff Gordon with 29.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active Cup drivers in top fives with 21 top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Richard Petty 30 1 Denny Hamlin 21
2 Jeff Gordon 29 2 Kyle Busch 17
3 Darrell Waltrip 27 3 Brad Keselowski 12
4 Denny Hamlin 21 4 Joey Logano 11
5 Jimmie Johnson 19 5 Ryan Blaney 10

Top-10 Finishes

  • A total of 272 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Martinsville Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 38 top 10s; followed by Richard Petty with 37 and Darrell Waltrip with 31.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active Cup drivers in top 10s at Martinsville with 27; followed by Kyle Busch with 21 and Joey Logano with 21.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Jeff Gordon 38 1 Denny Hamlin 27
2 Richard Petty 37 2 Joey Logano 21
3 Darrell Waltrip 31 3 Kyle Busch 21
4 Bobby Allison 28 4 Brad Keselowski 18
5 Denny Hamlin 27 5 Chase Elliott 13
Terry Labonte 27  

Average Finish:

  • Dick Hutcherson (five starts) leads the series in average finishing position at Martinsville Speedway with a 3.8 average finish.
  • Ryan Blaney (19 starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers in average finishing positions at Martinsville Speedway with an 8.474; followed by Denny Hamlin with a 9.795 (39 starts).

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

Rank All-Time Driver Avg Finish Races Rank Active Driver Avg Finish Races
1 Dick Hutcherson 3.800 5 1 Ryan Blaney 8.474 19
2 Frank Mundy 4.000 3 2 Denny Hamlin 9.795 39
3 Bill Amick 4.500 2 3 Joey Logano 10.667 33
4 Bill Snowden 5.000 2 4 Chase Elliott 11.700 20
5 Bud Moore 5.000 2 5 Chase Briscoe 12.222 9
6 Lee Petty 5.542 24 6 Kyle Busch 13.375 40
7 Swede Savage 6.500 2 7 Brad Keselowski 13.839 31
8 Jeff Gordon 6.745 47 8 William Byron 13.867 15
9 Dick Rathmann 7.000 5 9 Christopher Bell 15.455 11
10 Ryan Blaney 8.474 19 10 Kyle Larson 15.524 21

LAP LEADERS

  • A total of 162 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Martinsville Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Martinsville Speedway with 3,851 laps led in 31 starts (28.8% of his laps completed at the track).
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Martinsville Speedway with 2,722 laps led in 39 starts (14% of his laps completed at the track).
  • The most laps led all-time by a NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was 493 of the scheduled 500 laps (98.6%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen on September 27, 1964 – he started from the pole.
  • The most laps led by an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was 446 of the scheduled 500 laps (92.8%) by Brad Keselowski in the March 24, 2019 race – he started from third.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Lap Leaders Led Completed % Led Rank Active Lap Leaders Led Completed % Led
1 Cale Yarborough 3,851 13,392 29% 1 Denny Hamlin 2,722 18,639 15%
2 Jeff Gordon 3,779 23,269 16% 2 Kyle Busch 1,429 19,295 7%
3 Rusty Wallace 3,632 19,829 18% 3 Chase Elliott 1,275 9,492 13%
4 Darrell Waltrip 3,617 23,727 15% 4 Joey Logano 1,220 16,095 8%
5 Richard Petty 2,964 27,891 11% 5 Brad Keselowski 1,068 14,765 7%
6 Jimmie Johnson 2,932 18,765 16% 6 Ryan Blaney 554 9,120 6%
7 Fred Lorenzen 2,731 6,638 41% 7 Kyle Larson 367 9,455 4%
8 Denny Hamlin 2,722 18,639 15% 8 William Byron 360 6,917 5%
9 Bobby Allison 1,986 18,271 11% 9 Christopher Bell 184 5,107 4%
10 Dale Earnhardt 1,947 18,907 10% 10 Chase Briscoe 142 4,110 3%
  • The most laps led all-time by a NASCAR Cup Series driver at Martinsville Speedway that did not win was 432 of the scheduled 500 laps (86.4%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison on September 24, 1972 – he started from the pole but finished runner-up to Richard Petty.
  • The most laps led by an active NASCAR Cup Series driver at Martinsville Speedway that did not win was 296 of the scheduled 500 laps (59.2%) by Denny Hamlin on March 29, 2009 – he started from the eighth starting position but finished runner-up to Jimmie Johnson.
  • The fewest laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was four laps of the scheduled 500 (0.8%) by John Andretti on his way to victory on April 18, 1999.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Danica Patrick is the only female driver to compete at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. Below are Patrick’s stats at Martinsville.
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date Driver Rating
Danica Patrick 23 17 10/29/2017 61.7
Danica Patrick 29 23 4/2/2017 54.2
Danica Patrick 24 24 10/30/2016 53.2
Danica Patrick 28 16 4/3/2016 69.2
Danica Patrick 16 40 11/1/2015 49.8
Danica Patrick 16 7 3/29/2015 86.9
Danica Patrick 30 34 10/26/2014 61.3
Danica Patrick 10 32 3/30/2014 52.4
Danica Patrick 41 17 10/27/2013 64.7
Danica Patrick 32 12 4/7/2013 72.6
Averages 24.9 22.2   62.6

TRACK EVENT STATS

  • Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is the April 1, 2007 race won by Jimmie Johnson with a margin of victory of 0.065 second over second-place Jeff Gordon.

Top Five Closest NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Martinsville Speedway

Margin of Victory Date Race Winner Runner-Up
0.065 Sunday, April 1, 2007 Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon
0.107 Sunday, October 28, 2018 Joey Logano Denny Hamlin
0.141 Sunday, October 29, 2017 Kyle Busch Martin Truex Jr
0.141 Monday, October 15, 2001 Ricky Craven Dale Jarrett
0.170 Sunday, October 30, 2011 Tony Stewart Jimmie Johnson
  • Qualifying has been cancelled 14 times in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway:
No. Date of Race Drivers That Started First Reason
1 Sunday, May 17, 1953 Joe Eubanks Weather
2 Sunday, May 16, 1954 Ralph Liguori Weather
3 Sunday, October 16, 1955 Gwyn Staley Weather
4 Sunday, September 24, 1995 Jeff Gordon Weather
5 Sunday, October 19, 2008 Jimmie Johnson Weather
6 Sunday, March 29, 2009 Jeff Gordon Weather
7 Monday, March 29, 2010 Kevin Harvick Weather
8 Sunday, October 30, 2011 Carl Edwards Weather
9 Sunday, April 2, 2017 Kyle Larson Weather
10 Monday, March 26, 2018 Martin Truex Jr Weather
11 Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Ryan Blaney Pandemic
12 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Brad Keselowski Pandemic
13 Saturday, April 10, 2021 Joey Logano Pandemic
14 Sunday, October 31, 2021 Kyle Larson Pandemic
  • Eight NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway have been shortened due to weather:
Date Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Fewer Laps Race Winner Runner-up
4/23/1995 500 356 144 Rusty Wallace Ted Musgrave
4/24/1977 500 384 116 Cale Yarborough Benny Parsons
9/26/1976 500 340 160 Cale Yarborough Darrell Waltrip
9/30/1973 500 480 20 Richard Petty Cale Yarborough
5/31/1970 500 377 123 Bobby Isaac Bobby Allison
4/9/1961 500 149 351 Fred Lorenzen Rex White
10/12/1958 500 350 150 Fireball Roberts Speedy Thompson
10/17/1954 200 165 35 Lee Petty Hershel McGriff
  • Nine NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway races have ended in NASCAR Overtime:
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Race Winner Runner-up
Sunday, April 7, 2024 400 415 15 William Byron Kyle Larson
Saturday, April 9, 2022 400 403 3 William Byron Joey Logano
Sunday, October 31, 2021 500 501 1 Alex Bowman Kyle Busch
Sunday, October 29, 2017 500 505 5 Kyle Busch Martin Truex Jr.
Sunday, April 1, 2012 500 515 15 Ryan Newman AJ Allmendinger
Monday, March 29, 2010 500 508 8 Denny Hamlin Joey Logano
Sunday, October 25, 2009 500 501 1 Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, October 19, 2008 500 504 4 Jimmie Johnson Dale Earnhardt Jr
Sunday, October 21, 2007 500 506 6 Jimmie Johnson Ryan Newman

NASCAR IN VIRGINIA

  • There have been 571 NASCAR national series races among 10 tracks in the state of Virginia.
  • Martinsville Speedway hosted the very first NASCAR national series race in the state of Virginia on Sept. 25, 1949 – the NASCAR Cup Series event was won by Red Byron (Oldsmobile).

NASCAR Tracks in Virginia

NASCAR Tracks in Virginia City Cup Xfinity Truck Combined First Year
Martinsville Speedway Martinsville 153 44 49 246 1949
Richmond Raceway Richmond 137 78 17 232 1953
Langley Field Speedway Hampton 9 14 0 23 1963
New River Valley Speedway Dublin 0 4 0 4 1989
Norfolk Speedway Norfolk 2 0 0 2 1956
Old Dominion Speedway Manassas 7 0 0 7 1958
Princess Anne Speedway Norfolk 1 0 0 1 1953
South Boston Speedway South Boston 10 35 3 48 1960
Southside Speedway Richmond 4 0 0 4 1961
Starkey Speedway Roanoke 4 0 0 4 1958
Total 327 175 69 571

VIRGINIA IN NASCAR

  • A total of 191 different drivers that have made at least one start in a NASCAR national series race have their home state recorded as Virginia.
  • 20 drivers from Virginia have won at least one race in NASCAR’s three national series totaling 282 victories.

Virginia Drivers With NASCAR Wins

NASCAR Winners From Virginia Cup Wins Xfinity Wins Truck Wins Combined
Denny Hamlin 60 18 2 80
Joe Weatherly 25 0 0 25
Ricky Rudd 23 1 0 24
Jeff Burton 21 27 0 48
Curtis Turner 17 0 0 17
Ward Burton 5 4 0 9
Glen Wood 4 0 0 4
Elliott Sadler 3 13 1 17
Emanuel Zervakis 2 0 0 2
Lennie Pond 1 0 0 1
Wendell Scott 1 0 0 1
Tommy Ellis 0 22 0 22
Jimmy Hensley 0 9 2 11
Rick Mast 0 9 0 9
Jeb Burton 0 2 1 3
Hermie Sadler 0 2 0 2
Elton Sawyer 0 2 0 2
Brandon Brown 0 1 0 1
Stacy Compton 0 0 2 2
Jon Wood 0 0 2 2
Totals 162 110 10 282

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