AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 09: A general view of racing from the grandstands during the NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 09, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 09: A general view of racing from the grandstands during the NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 09, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Straight Talk Wireless 500

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona going into the Straight Talk Wireless 500 on Sunday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings Outlook
Rank Driver Points Ldr Next +/- Chase Cutoff Starts Race Wins Stage Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles
1 Tyler Reddick 186 0 0 121 3 3 0 3 3 1
2 Bubba Wallace 116 -70 70 51 3 0 2 0 2 0
3 Chase Elliott 114 -72 2 49 3 0 0 1 2 0
4 Ryan Blaney 100 -86 14 35 3 0 0 0 2 0
5 Shane Van Gisbergen 90 -96 10 25 3 0 0 1 2 0
6 Joey Logano 90 -96 0 25 3 0 0 1 1 0
7 Daniel Suarez 87 -99 3 22 3 0 0 1 1 0
8 AJ Allmendinger 86 -100 1 21 3 0 0 0 1 0
9 Michael McDowell 83 -103 3 18 3 0 0 1 1 0
10 Carson Hocevar 82 -104 1 17 3 0 0 1 1 0
11 Chris Buescher 81 -105 1 16 3 0 0 0 1 0
12 Brad Keselowski 78 -108 3 13 3 0 0 1 1 0
13 William Byron 76 -110 2 11 3 0 0 0 0 0
14 Zane Smith 75 -111 1 10 3 0 1 0 2 0
15 Kyle Larson 73 -113 2 8 3 0 0 0 1 0
16 Ryan Preece 68 -118 5 3 3 0 0 0 1 0
17 Ty Gibbs 65 -121 3 -3 3 0 1 1 1 0
18 Noah Gragson 65 -121 0 -3 3 0 0 0 0 0
19 Ty Dillon 65 -121 0 -3 3 0 0 0 0 0
20 Ross Chastain 64 -122 1 -4 3 0 1 1 1 0
21 John Hunter Nemechek 63 -123 1 -5 3 0 0 0 0 0
22 Kyle Busch 61 -125 2 -7 3 0 0 0 0 1
23 Denny Hamlin 60 -126 1 -8 3 0 0 0 1 0
24 Christopher Bell 59 -127 1 -9 3 0 0 1 1 0
25 Riley Herbst 53 -133 6 -15 3 0 0 0 1 0
26 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 49 -137 4 -19 3 0 0 1 1 0
27 Chase Briscoe 46 -140 3 -22 3 0 0 1 1 0
28 Josh Berry 45 -141 1 -23 3 0 0 0 1 0
29 Cole Custer 40 -146 5 -28 3 0 0 0 0 0
30 Todd Gilliland 39 -147 1 -29 3 0 0 0 0 0
31 Austin Cindric 39 -147 0 -29 3 0 1 0 0 0
32 Connor Zilisch # 37 -149 2 -31 3 0 0 0 0 0
33 Cody Ware 37 -149 0 -31 3 0 0 0 0 0
34 Austin Dillon 35 -151 2 -33 3 0 0 0 0 0
35 Erik Jones 32 -154 3 -36 3 0 0 0 0 0
36 Alex Bowman 23 -163 9 -45 3 0 0 0 0 0

TOP 12 IN PHOENIX RACEWAY-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

(Drivers are listed in alphabetical order; Loop Data stats in the below section are from 2005-Present)

 

 

Christopher Bell

(No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • Two wins, three top fives, seven top 10s
  • Average Finish of 12.917, ninth-best
  • Average Running Position of 11.989, ninth-best
  • Driver Rating of 94.9, ninth-best
  • 2,599 Laps in the Top 15 (69.1%), ninth-most

 

Ryan Blaney

(No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

  • One win, ten top fives, 14 top 10s; three poles
  • Average finish of 10.850, third-best
  • Average Running Position of 8.926, second-best
  • Driver Rating of 101.0, third-best
  • 5,387 Laps in the Top 15 (85.9%), series-most

 

Chase Briscoe

(No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • One win, two top fives, four top 10s
  • Average finish of 18.400, 13th-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.915, 13th-best
  • Driver Rating of 76.4, 12th-best
  • 1,543 Laps in the Top 15 (49.3%), 12th-most

 

Kyle Busch

(No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

  • Three wins, 13 top fives, 28 top 10s; four poles
  • Average finish of 11.244, fifth-best
  • Average Running Position of 11.191, seventh-best
  • Driver Rating of 98.4, sixth-best
  • 9,936 Laps in the Top 15 (77.6%), fourth-most

 

William Byron

(No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, three top fives, nine top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 12.188, seventh-best
  • Average Running Position of 8.814, series-best
  • Driver Rating of 97.2, seventh-best
  • 4,144 Laps in the Top 15 (82.7%), second-most

 

Ross Chastain

(No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)

  • One win, three top fives, four top 10s
  • Average finish of 16.067, 11th-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.708, 12th-best
  • Driver Rating of 74.5, 12th-best
  • 2,301 Laps in the Top 15 (49.0%), 13th-most

 

Chase Elliott

(No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, five top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 12.105, sixth-best
  • Average Running Position of 9.520, third-best
  • Driver Rating of 101.2, second-best
  • 4,710 Laps in the Top 15 (79.1%), third-most

 

Denny Hamlin

(No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • Two wins, 17 top fives, 24 top 10s; four poles
  • Average finish of 10.488, second-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.388, sixth-best
  • Driver Rating of 99.8, fourth-best
  • 9,875 Laps in the Top 15 (77.1%), sixth-most

 

Brad Keselowski

(No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)

  • Ten top fives, 15 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 13.879, 10th-best
  • Average Running Position of 13.067, 11th-best
  • Driver Rating of 89.7, 10th-best
  • 6,764 Laps in the Top 15 (65.6%), 11th-most

 

Kyle Larson

(No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, 11 top fives, 15 top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 10.348, series-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.308, fifth-best
  • Driver Rating of 98.5, fifth-best
  • 5,518 Laps in the Top 15 (77.6%), fifth-most

 

Joey Logano

(No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

  • Four wins, ten top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 12.824, eighth-best
  • Average Running Position of 11.437, eighth-best
  • Driver Rating of 95.3, eighth-best
  • 7,613 Laps in the Top 15 (71.7%), eighth-most

 

Tyler Reddick

(No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

  • Two top fives, four top 10s
  • Average finish of 17.750, 12th-best
  • Average Running Position of 12.211, 10th-best
  • Driver Rating of 84.6, 11th-best
  • 2,530 Laps in the Top 15 (67.3%), 10th-most

 

The NASCAR Cup Series 2026 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Phoenix Raceway

  Driver Races Poles Wins Top Fives Top 10s DNFs Average Finish Driver Rating
1 Tyler Reddick 12 0 0 2 4 1 17.8 84.6
2 Bubba Wallace 16 0 0 0 3 3 20.7 60.8
3 Chase Elliott 19 1 1 5 11 1 12.1 101.2
4 Ryan Blaney 20 3 1 10 14 3 10.8 101.0
5 Shane Van Gisbergen 2 0 0 0 0 1 27.5 35.0
6 Joey Logano 34 2 4 10 18 5 12.8 95.3
7 Daniel Suárez 18 0 0 0 4 1 18.4 65.0
8 AJ Allmendinger 25 1 0 0 2 1 19.4 67.2
9 Michael McDowell 30 0 0 0 3 7 27.7 47.6
10 Carson Hocevar 5 0 0 0 0 1 23.2 71.0
11 Chris Buescher 20 0 0 3 5 1 18.2 63.8
12 Brad Keselowski 33 1 0 10 15 3 13.9 89.7
13 William Byron 16 2 1 3 9 0 12.2 97.2
14 Zane Smith 5 0 0 0 1 1 27.4 50.4
15 Kyle Larson 23 2 1 11 15 2 10.3 98.5
16 Ryan Preece 13 0 0 0 1 1 23.5 56.5

* – Based on last 42 races at Phoenix Raceway (2005 – 2025).

Phoenix Raceway – Key Statistics & Insights

 

RACE & TRACK DATA

Season Race #: 4 of 36 (March 8, 2026)

Purse: $11,233, 037

Track Size: 1-mile

Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees

Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees

Race Length: 312 laps / 312 Miles / 500 Kilometers

Stage 1 Length: 60 laps

Stage 2 Length: 125 laps (Ends on Lap 185)

Final Stage Length: 127 laps (Ends on Lap 312)

QUALIFYING & RACE RECORDS

Track Qualifying Record:

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

2025 Pole Winner (Spring):

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 133.680 mph, 26.930 secs., March 8, 2025

 

2024 Pole Winner (Spring):

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 132.655 mph, 27.138 secs., March 9, 2024

 

Track Race Record:

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

2025 Race Winner (Spring):

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 92.141 mph, (03:23:10), March 9, 2025

 

2024 Race Winner (Spring):

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 103.568 mph, (03:00:45), March 10, 2024

 

HISTORY

  • Construction was completed on Phoenix Raceway in January of 1964.
  • The facility was built by Richard Hogue, an amateur sports car racer. The facility was built in the foothills of the Estrella Mountains and originally consisted of a one-mile oval, a quarter mile drag strip and a 2.5-mile road course.
  • The first race held at Phoenix Raceway was in January of 1968 and the event was run on the 2.5-mile road course and won by Don White.
  • In October of 1970 Hollywood giant Steve McQueen wins the 17 lap ‘Winter Sprint’ sports car race on the track’s road course in Porsche 908 from pole position, setting a new lap record of 1:41.09
  • On Nov. 25, 1973, Phoenix Raceway holds its first USAC Midget race and the event was won by Billy Englehart.
  • The first NASCAR race held at Phoenix Raceway was on November 27, 1977 and it was a NASCAR Winston West Series (now ARCA Menards Series West) race won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough.
  • Sept. 15 1985 – Emmett ‘Buddy’ Jobe purchases Phoenix Raceway from Dennis Wood. At the time, the track featured less than 10,000 reserved seats.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on November 6, 1988. Kulwicki performed his ‘Polish Victory Lap’ following the event.
  • June of 1991 – During the summer months, the infield course is redesigned to a new configuration with 11 turns and 1.51 miles of track.
  • April of 1997 – International Speedway Corporation (now NASCAR) purchases Phoenix Raceway from Emmett ‘Buddy’ Jobe.
  • The first spring NASCAR Cup Series race was held on April 23, 2005 and was also the first night race, which was won by Kurt Busch driving for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
  • The track underwent its first repave in 2011. The construction began in March and concluded in September of that year. The following changes were made during the construction period (March – Sept. 2011):

o   Widened the frontstretch from 52 to 62 feet and reconfigured pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls

o   Pushed the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet and tightened the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet

o   Implemented banking, including 11-degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11-degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 9-degree banking in Turns 3 and 4.

  • March 1, 2013 – Abraham Calderon captures the checkered flag in the inaugural stateside running of the NASCAR Mexico Series at Phoenix Raceway.
  • 2014 – Phoenix Raceway celebrates its 50th anniversary.
  • Following the 2017 season, the track was renamed from Phoenix Raceway to ISM Raceway. Then in 2019 the track was renamed from ISM Raceway back to Phoenix Raceway.
  • Phoenix Raceway underwent a $178 million modernization following the Spring race of 2018, with many new fan amenities added to the track, as well as the track itself being reconfigured so that the start/finish line is now just before the dog leg.
  • March 26, 2019 – The Valley of the Sun will play host to a new championship sporting event as NASCAR announced that the NASCAR Championship Weekend will be held at Phoenix Raceway, November 6-8, 2020, for the first time in the sport’s history.
  • In total, Phoenix Raceway has hosted 59 NASCAR Cup Series races, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.

 

STARTS

  • In total 249 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway.
  • A total of 193 drivers have competed in more than one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 42 starts from 2001-2023.
  • Top five in Phoenix Starts (all-time): Kevin Harvick (42), Denny Hamlin (41), Kyle Busch (41), Kurt Busch (39), Ryan Newman (39).
  • Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lead all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 41 starts each.
  • Top five in Phoenix Starts (active): Denny Hamlin (41), Kyle Busch (41), Joey Logano (34), Brad Keselowski (33), Michael McDowell (30), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (26).
  • A total of 26 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway: (Listed in descending chronological order in the chart below).
Pos. Drivers Date of First Start Pos. Drivers Date of First Start
1 Katherine Legge Sunday, March 9, 2025 14 Ryan Newman Sunday, November 5, 2000
2 Bayley Currey Sunday, March 10, 2019 15 Jack Sprague Sunday, October 27, 1996
3 Quin Houff Sunday, March 10, 2019 16 Lance Hooper Sunday, October 27, 1996
4 Tanner Berryhill Sunday, November 11, 2018 17 Ernie Cope Sunday, October 29, 1995
5 D.J. Kennington Sunday, November 13, 2016 18 Rich Woodland Jr Sunday, October 31, 1993
6 Ryan Ellis Sunday, November 15, 2015 19 Wayne Jacks Sunday, October 31, 1993
7 Matt DiBenedetto Sunday, March 15, 2015 20 Jeff Davis Sunday, November 1, 1992
8 Cole Whitt Sunday, November 13, 2011 21 Mike Wallace Sunday, November 3, 1991
9 Sam Hornish Jr Sunday, November 11, 2007 22 Brent Kaeding Sunday, November 4, 1990
10 Brandon Whitt Sunday, November 12, 2006 23 Mark Reed Sunday, November 4, 1990
11 Jerry Robertson Sunday, November 13, 2005 24 Bill Sedgwick Sunday, November 5, 1989
12 Clint Bowyer Saturday, April 23, 2005 25 Bobby Hamilton Sunday, November 5, 1989
13 Christian Fittipaldi Sunday, November 10, 2002 26 Gary Collins Sunday, November 6, 1988
  • Of the 26 different drivers to make their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Phoenix Raceway, Clint Bowyer on April 23, 2005 posted the best finish in his series debut with a 22nd-place result.

Average Starting Position

  • Chase Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Phoenix Raceway with a 6.8 in 19 starts.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Chase Elliott 6.8 19 1 Chase Elliott 6.8 19
2 Kyle Larson 7.0 23 2 Kyle Larson 7.0 23
3 Ryan Blaney 7.4 20 3 Ryan Blaney 7.4 20
4 Rusty Wallace 8.1 19 4 William Byron 8.8 16
5 Alan Kulwicki 8.6 5 5 Denny Hamlin 9.2 41
6 William Byron 8.8 16 6 Joey Logano 10.4 34
7 Denny Hamlin 9.2 41 7 Christopher Bell 11.2 12
8 Joey Logano 10.4 34 8 Carson Hocevar 11.2 5
9 Jeff Gordon 10.8 34 9 Kyle Busch 11.8 41
10 Christopher Bell 11.2 12 10 Erik Jones 12.2 19

 

 

POLES

  • A total of 27 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Phoenix Raceway; 17 of the 27 have won multiple Cup poles at Phoenix.
  • Geoffrey Bodine won the first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 secs.) in a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
  • Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008), Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) and Denny Hamlin (2005, 2014, 2024, 2025) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with four poles each.
  • This weekend, 10 of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active:
Rank Active Phoenix Pole Winners Poles Seasons
1 Denny Hamlin 4 2025, 2024, 2014, 2005
2 Kyle Busch 4 2019. 2016, 2012, 2006
3 Ryan Blaney 3 2022, 2019, 2017
4 William Byron 2 2025, 2023
5 Kyle Larson 2 2023, 2021
6 Joey Logano 2 2022, 2017
7 Chase Elliott 1 2020
8 Alex Bowman 1 2016
9 Brad Keselowski 1 2014
10 AJ Allmendinger 1 2010
  • Youngest Phoenix Raceway Cup pole winner: Kyle Busch (April 22, 2006 – 20 years, 11 months, 20 days).
  • Oldest Phoenix Raceway Cup pole winner: Mark Martin (March 3, 2013 – 54 years, 1 month, 22 days).
  • Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles at Phoenix Raceway.

o   Newman won three-straight (2002-04)

o   Gordon won in the Fall of 2006 and the Spring of 2007

o   Edwards won in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011.

  • Four drivers have won their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway:

o   Casey Atwood (October 2001)

o   Denny Hamlin (November 2005)

o   A.J. Allmendinger (April 2010)

o   Alex Bowman (November 2016).

  • A total of 17 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with 16 poles among 10 drivers: Geoff Bodine (1988), Ken Schrader (1989), Jeff Gordon (2005, 2006, 2007), Kyle Busch (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013, 2015), Mark Martin (2009), Alex Bowman (2016), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021, 2023) and William Byron (2023, 2025).

NASCAR Cup Series Organizations with poles at Phoenix Raceway

Rank Organizations Poles Seasons
1 Hendrick Motorsports 16 2025 ‘23 sweep, ’21, ’20, ’16, ’15, ’13, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06 sweep, ’05, ’89, ’88
2 Team Penske 11 2022 sweep, ’19, ’17, ’14, ’08, ’04, ’03, ’02, ’00, ’92
3 Joe Gibbs Racing 9 2025, ‘24 sweep, ‘19, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’05, ’96
4 RFK Racing 4 2011 sweep, ’10, ’07
5 Stewart-Haas Racing 2 2018, ’15
6 Michael Waltrip Racing 2 2013, ’12
7 Petty Enterprises 2 1999, ’97
8 Junior Johnson & Associates 2 1993, ’91
9 Furniture Row Racing 1 2018
10 Wood Brothers Racing 1 2017
11 Richard Petty Motorsports 1 2010
12 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing 1 2009
13 Evernham Motorsports 1 2001
14 Andy Petree Racing 1 1998
15 Elliott Racing 1 1995
16 Morgan-McClure Motorsports 1 1994
17 Blue Max Racing 1 1990
  • Team Penske (2002, 2003, 2004) and Hendrick Motorsports (2006 sweep, 2007) lead the Cup Series in the longest streaks of consecutive poles at Phoenix Raceway with three straight each.
  • Five different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, led by Chevrolet with 22 poles; followed by Ford (17), Toyota (10), Dodge (four) and Pontiac (four).
  • Chevrolet has won the most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Phoenix Raceway with five straight from 2005-2007.

 

WINS

  • A total of 32 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Phoenix Raceway.
  • A total of 14 of the 32 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Phoenix Raceway have won multiple times.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on November 6, 1988. Kulwicki performed his ‘Polish Victory Lap’ following the event.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race).
  • Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Phoenix Raceway with four (2016, 2020, 2022, 2024).
  • This weekend, 10 of the 32 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active:
Rank Active Phoenix Cup Winners Wins Seasons
1 Joey Logano 4 2024, 2022, 2020, 2016
2 Kyle Busch 3 2019, 2018, 2005
3 Christopher Bell 2 2025, 2024
4 Denny Hamlin 2 2019, 2012
5 Ryan Blaney 1 2025
6 Ross Chastain 1 2023
7 William Byron 1 2023
8 Chase Briscoe 1 2022
9 Kyle Larson 1 2021
10 Chase Elliott 1 2020
  • The 14 drivers with multiple Cup wins at Phoenix Raceway are Kevin Harvick (nine), Jimmie Johnson (four), Joey Logano (four), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (three), Kyle Busch (three), Davey Allison (two), Jeff Burton (two), Jeff Gordon (two) Carl Edwards (two), Mark Martin (two), Matt Kenseth (two), Ryan Newman (two), Denny Hamlin (two), Christopher Bell (two).
  • Six drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway:

o   Davey Allison (1991,1992)

o   Jeff Burton (2000, 2001)

o   Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2004)

o   Kevin Harvick (swept 2006, 2013 Playoff race, swept 2014 and 2015 spring race)

o   Jimmie Johnson (fall race of 2007, swept 2008)

o   Kyle Busch (2018 Playoff race, 2019)

  • Alan Kulwicki (November 6, 1988), Bobby Hamilton (October 29, 1996) and Chase Briscoe (March 13, 2022) are the only three drivers to post their first NASCAR Cup Series career win at Phoenix Raceway.
  • 30 of the 32 NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have won at Phoenix Raceway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane.
  • Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988) and Tony Stewart (11/7/1999) are the only two drivers to win at Phoenix in their first appearance.
  • Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano competed at Phoenix Raceway 16 times before winning; the longest span of any of the 32 winners.
  • Youngest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winner: Kyle Busch (November 13, 2005 – 20 years, 6 months, 11 days).
  • Oldest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winner: Mark Martin (April 18, 2009 – 50 years, 3 months, 9 days).
  • A total of 23 different positions on the starting grid have produced winners in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
  • The first and third starting positions are the two most proficient starting positions, producing more winners (eight each) than any other positions on the starting grid.
  • Eight of the 59 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the pole or first starting position (13.5%).
  • Eight Cup drivers have won from the pole at Phoenix Raceway: Jeff Gordon (Spring race of 2007), Jimmie Johnson (Playoff race of 2008), Mark Martin (Spring race of 2009), Carl Edwards (Playoff race of 2010), Kevin Harvick (Spring race of 2015), Chase Elliott (Championship finale 2020; started first due to Metric Qualifying), Kyle Larson (2021 Championship race) and Joey Logano (2022 Championship Race).
  • 12 of the 59 (20.3%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the front row: eight from the pole or first starting position and four from the second starting position.
  • Ricky Rudd won the 1995 Phoenix Raceway race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest back a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the 1-mile raceway.
  • Kyle Busch won the 2005 Phoenix Raceway race from the 15th-place starting position, the furthest back an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Phoenix.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Phoenix Raceway

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 8 13.56% 13 6 10.17%
2 4 6.78% 14 2 3.39%
3 8 13.56% 15 3 5.08%
4 2 3.39% 17 1 1.69%
5 2 3.39% 18 1 1.69%
6 4 6.78% 19 2 3.39%
7 2 3.39% 20 1 1.69%
8 1 1.69% 21 1 1.69%
9 2 3.39% 22 1 1.69%
10 2 3.39% 28 1 1.69%
11 3 5.08% 29 1 1.69%
12 1 1.69%
Stats Winning % Wins
Winning from the Pole: 13.56% 8
Winning from the Front Row: 20.34% 12
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 40.68% 24
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position: 59.32% 35
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 10: 40.68% 24
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 6.78% 4
  • A total of 14 different organizations have won a race in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
Rank Organizations Wins Seasons
1 Hendrick Motorsports 13 2023, ’21, ’20, ’15, ’11, ’09 sweep, ’08 sweep, ’07 sweep, ’05, 94
2 Joe Gibbs Racing 9 2025, ‘24, ’21, ’19 sweep, ’18, ’17, ’12, ’99
3 Stewart-Haas Racing 7 2022, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14 sweep, ’10
4 RFK Racing 7 2013, ’10, ’05, ’02, ’01, ’00, ’93
5 Team Penske 6 2025, ’24, ’22, ’20, ’16, ’98
6 Richard Childress Racing 6 2017, ’13, ’12, ’06 sweep, ’90
7 Robert Yates Racing 3 1997, ’92, ’91
8 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 2 2004, ’03
9 Trackhouse Racing 1 2023
10 Red Bull Racing 1 2011
11 Petty Enterprises 1 1996
12 Rudd Performance Motorsports 1 1995
13 Melling Racing 1 1989
14 AK Racing 1 1988
  • Hendrick Motorsports, with 13 victories among nine drivers, leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway – Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021) and William Byron (2023).
  • Hendrick Motorsports has also won the most consecutive Cup races at Phoenix Raceway with six straight victories from 2007-2009.
  • Four different manufacturers have won at least one race in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, led by Chevrolet with 27 victories; followed by Ford (21), Toyota (nine) and Pontiac (two).
  • Chevrolet has won the most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway taking 10 straight wins from 2005-2010.
  • Of the 13 drivers with multiple Cup wins at Phoenix Raceway, four drivers have won in multiple manufacturers:

o   Mark Martin – Ford (1993) and Chevrolet (2009).

o   Kevin Harvick – Chevrolet (2006 sweep, 2012, 2013, 2014 sweep, 2015, 2016) and Ford (2018)

o   Kyle Busch – Chevrolet (2005) and Toyota (2018, 2019)

o   Matt Kenseth – Ford (2002) and Toyota (2017)

 

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes

  • A total of 33 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Phoenix Raceway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Phoenix Raceway with five second-place finishes.
  • Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers at Phoenix Raceway with four second-place finishes each.

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

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

Top-Five Finishes

  • A total of 59 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-five at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 20 top fives.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 17 top-five finishes.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Kevin Harvick 20 1 Denny Hamlin 17
2 Denny Hamlin 17 2 Kyle Busch 13
3 Jimmie Johnson 16 3 Kyle Larson 11
4 Kyle Busch 13 4 Brad Keselowski 10
5 Jeff Gordon 12 5 Joey Logano 10
Mark Martin 12 Ryan Blaney 10

Top-10 Finishes

  • A total of 96 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-10 at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 31 top 10s.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 28 top 10s.

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Kevin Harvick 31 1 Kyle Busch 28
2 Kyle Busch 28 2 Denny Hamlin 24
3 Denny Hamlin 24 3 Joey Logano 18
4 Jeff Gordon 24 4 Brad Keselowski 15
5 Jimmie Johnson 22 5 Kyle Larson 15

Average Finishing Position

  • Alan Kulwicki (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.200.
  • Ryan Blaney (18 starts) leads all active Cup drivers in average finishing position at Phoenix with a 10.444.

 

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

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races
1 Alan Kulwicki 5.2 5 1 Kyle Larson 10.3 23
2 Kevin Harvick 8.5 42 2 Denny Hamlin 10.5 41
3 Dale Earnhardt 9.5 13 3 Ryan Blaney 10.9 20
4 Mark Martin 9.6 34 4 Kyle Busch 11.2 41
5 Kyle Larson 10.3 23 5 Chase Elliott 12.1 19
6 Denny Hamlin 10.5 41 6 William Byron 12.2 16
7 Jimmie Johnson 10.7 36 7 Joey Logano 12.8 34
8 Jeff Gordon 10.8 34 8 Christopher Bell 12.9 12
9 Ryan Blaney 10.9 20 9 Brad Keselowski 13.9 33
10 Davey Allison 11.0 5 10 Josh Berry 14.2 5

LAP LEADERS & LEAD CHANGES

  • A total of 102 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Kevin Harvick (42 starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Phoenix Raceway with 1,722 laps led out of 13,095 laps completed (13%).
  • Kyle Busch (41 starts) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Phoenix Raceway with 1,190 laps led out of 12,602 laps completed (9%).
  • The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 264 of the scheduled 312 laps (84.6%) by Kevin Harvick in November of 2014. He started third and won the event.
  • The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway by a driver that did not win was 237 of the scheduled 319 laps (74.3%) by Kyle Busch in November of 2012. He started first and finished third in the event.
  • The fewest laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway by the race winning driver was four laps of the scheduled 378 laps (1.05%) by Ryan Newman in April of 2010. He started 14th and won the event.

Top 10 All-Time & Active Cup Series Lap Leaders at Phoenix Raceway

Rank All-Time Drivers Races Led Completed % Led Rank Active Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Kevin Harvick 42 1,722 13,095 13% 1 Kyle Busch 41 1,190 12,602 9%
2 Kyle Busch 41 1,190 12,602 9% 2 Denny Hamlin 41 1,147 12,745 9%
3 Denny Hamlin 41 1,147 12,745 9% 3 Joey Logano 34 1,096 10,178 11%
4 Joey Logano 34 1,096 10,178 11% 4 Chase Elliott 19 583 5,802 10%
5 Jimmie Johnson 36 998 10,929 9% 5 Ryan Blaney 20 463 5,921 8%
6 Mark Martin 34 911 10,477 9% 6 Kyle Larson 23 395 6,831 6%
7 Rusty Wallace 19 867 5,406 16% 7 William Byron 16 340 5,003 7%
8 Kurt Busch 39 818 12,094 7% 8 Christopher Bell 12 298 3,553 8%
9 Chase Elliott 19 583 5,802 10% 9 Brad Keselowski 33 290 9,719 3%
10 Dale Earnhardt Jr 30 569 8,734 7% 10 Alex Bowman 21 196 6,234 3%

Leaders

  • The most leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway were 15 on March 4, 2012.
  • Five other Cup Series Phoenix races have produced the second-most lap leaders with 13 each – 1991, 1993, 2000, 2010 and 2013.
  • The fewest leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was two on November 4, 1990.
  • Last season’s Spring Phoenix race produced six leaders, and the Playoff race produced six.

Lead Changes

  • The most lead changes at Phoenix Raceway in a NASCAR Cup Series race is 28 on February 27, 2011.
  • The fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix was one lead change on November 4, 1990.
  • Last season’s Spring Phoenix race produced 17 lead changes, and the Playoff race produced 16.

 

TRACK & EVENT STATS

Closest Margin Finishes

  • Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway was produced by the race on March 13, 2016, when Kevin Harvick beat Carl Edwards to the line by 0.010-second.

Top Five Closest Cup Series Margins of Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Margin of Victory Race Winner Runner-Up Date
0.010 Kevin Harvick Carl Edwards Sunday, March 13, 2016
0.049 Christopher Bell Denny Hamlin Sunday, March 9, 2025
0.130 Ryan Newman Jeff Gordon Saturday, April 10, 2010
0.170 Mark Martin Ernie Irvan Sunday, October 31, 1993
0.250 Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 12, 2006
0.276 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick Sunday, March 8, 2020

Largest Margin Finishes

  • Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the largest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway was produced by the race on March 4, 2012, when Denny Hamlin beat Kevin Harvick to the line by 7.315-seconds.

Top Five Largest Cup Series Margins of Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Margin of Victory Race Winner Runner-Up Date
7.315 Denny Hamlin Kevin Harvick Sunday, March 4, 2012
7.002 Jimmie Johnson Clint Bowyer Saturday, April 12, 2008
5.465 Christopher Bell Chris Buescher Sunday, March 10, 2024
4.770 Carl Edwards Ryan Newman Sunday, November 14, 2010
3.090 Terry Labonte Mark Martin Sunday, October 30, 1994
  • A total of 11 of the 59 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have ended with NASCAR Overtime (18.6%):
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Winner Runner-Up
Sunday, November 2, 2025 312 319 7 Ryan Blaney Brad Keselowski
Sunday, March 12, 2023 312 317 5 William Byron Ryan Blaney
Sunday, March 8, 2020 312 316 4 Joey Logano Kevin Harvick
Sunday, March 19, 2017 312 314 2 Ryan Newman Kyle Larson
Sunday, November 13, 2016 312 324 12 Joey Logano Kyle Busch
Sunday, March 13, 2016 312 313 1 Kevin Harvick Carl Edwards
Sunday, March 3, 2013 312 316 4 Carl Edwards Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, November 11, 2012 312 319 7 Kevin Harvick Denny Hamlin
Saturday, April 10, 2010 375 378 3 Ryan Newman Jeff Gordon
Sunday, November 9, 2008 312 313 1 Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch
Sunday, November 7, 2004 312 315 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr Ryan Newman

Weather/Postponements

  • Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Qualifying has been cancelled twice due to the pandemic – The 2020 season finale and the 2021 Spring race at Phoenix Raceway had the starting lineups decided by Metric Qualifying due to pandemic restrictions.
  • Only two of the 59 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been shortened due to weather:
Date Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Fewer Laps Winner Runner-Up
Sunday, November 15, 2015 312 219 -93 Dale Earnhardt Jr Kevin Harvick
Sunday, October 25, 1998 312 257 -55 Rusty Wallace Mark Martin

Cautions & Caution Laps

  • The most cautions in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 12 – and it has happened twice – March 8, 2020 and November 9, 2014.
  • The fewest cautions in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was two – and it has happened twice – November 7, 1999 and November 15, 2015.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Last season, Katherin Legge joined Danica Patrick as just the second female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to compete at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Danica Patrick made 11 starts at Phoenix Raceway in her Cup Series career posting a best finish of 16th in 2015.
Date Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Driver Rating
Sunday, November 12, 2017 Danica Patrick 24 25 48.2
Monday, March 13, 2017 Danica Patrick 26 22 52.8
Sunday, November 13, 2016 Danica Patrick 16 29 48.9
Sunday, March 13, 2016 Danica Patrick 36 19 60.3
Sunday, November 15, 2015 Danica Patrick 21 16 66.4
Sunday, March 15, 2015 Danica Patrick 23 26 59.6
Sunday, November 9, 2014 Danica Patrick 32 22 60.5
Sunday, March 2, 2014 Danica Patrick 33 36 51.7
Sunday, November 10, 2013 Danica Patrick 32 33 33.2
Sunday, March 3, 2013 Danica Patrick 40 39 44.2
Sunday, November 11, 2012 Danica Patrick 37 17 58.0
AVERAGES 29.1 25.8 53.1
Date Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Driver Rating
3/9/2025 Katherine Legge 30 37 30.8

 

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

  • There have been 150 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Arizona dating as far back as 1951.
  • The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Arizona was a NASCAR Cup Series race at Arizona State Fairgrounds in 1951.
  • Arizona State Fairgrounds is a 1-mile dirt track. The race was 150 laps and had 33 entries. Marshall Teague won the race in a 1951 Hudson.
NASCAR Tracks in Arizona City Cup O’Reilly Craftsman Combined First Year
Phoenix Raceway Avondale 59 48 35 142 1988
Arizona State Fairgrounds Phoenix 4 0 0 4 1951
Tucson Raceway Park Tucson 0 0 3 3 1995
Tucson Rodeo Grounds Tucson 1 0 0 1 1955
Totals 64 48 38 150

ARIZONA DRIVERS IN NASCAR

  • A total of 36 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.
  • Of the 36 Arizona drivers, only two have won a NASCAR national series race.
NASCAR Winners From Arizona Cup Wins O’Reilly Wins Truck Wins Combined
Alex Bowman 8 1 0 9
Michael McDowell 2 1 0 3
Totals 10 2 0 12

— NASCAR —