Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Goodyear 400 At Darlington

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 9, 2023) – Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina going into the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 14 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

Courtesy of NASCAR Media

DARLINGTON-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

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

Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• One top five, two top 10s
• Average Finish of 16.286, 11th-best
• Average Running Position of 14.340, 13th-best
• Driver Rating of 79.7, 13th-best
• 50 Fastest Laps Run, 20th-best
• 1,237 Laps in the Top 15 (56.5%), 18th-most
• 223 Quality Passes, 17th-most

Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

• One win, six top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average Finish of 13.727, ninth-best
• Average Running Position of 10.146, third-best
• Driver Rating of 101.0, fifth-best
• 403 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-best
• 6,288 Laps in the Top 15 (81.6%), second-most
• 752 Quality Passes, second-most

William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Two top fives, three top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 18.556, 12th-best
• Average Running Position of 12.604, ninth-best
• Driver Rating of 89.0, 10th-best
• 68 Fastest Laps Run, 13th-best
• 2,166 Laps in the Top 15 (74.1%), 11th-most
• 319 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Three top fives, five top 10s
• Average Finish of 18.917, 13th-best
• Average Running Position of 13.357, 11th-best
• Driver Rating of 85.1, 12th-best
• 139 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-best
• 2,812 Laps in the Top 15 (69.9%), eighth-most
• 470 Quality Passes, seventh-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Four wins, 12 top fives, 16 top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 7.476, series-best
• Average Running Position of 7.481, series-best
• Driver Rating of 108.1, series-best
• 420 Fastest Laps Run, second-best
• 6,616 Laps in the Top 15 (90.2%), series-most
• 777 Quality Passes, series-most

Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)

• Three wins, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s; two poles
• Average Finish of 10.909, fourth-best
• Average Running Position of 11.020, sixth-best
• Driver Rating of 101.6, third-best
• 412 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-best
• 6,072 Laps in the Top 15 (78.8%), third-most
• 730 Quality Passes, third-most

Erik Jones (No. 43 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Chevrolet)

• Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s
• Average Finish of 10.700, third-best
• Average Running Position of 11.459, seventh-best
• Driver Rating of 93.6, eighth-best
• 121 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-best
• 2,561 Laps in the Top 15 (77.9%), 10th-most
• 370 Quality Passes, ninth-most

Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)

• One win, five top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
• Average Finish of 12.111, sixth-best
• Average Running Position of 13.201, 10th-best
• Driver Rating of 90.8, ninth-best
• 230 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
• 3,927 Laps in the Top 15 (63.0%), seventh-most
• 459 Quality Passes, eighth-most

Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Five top fives, seven top 10s
• Average Finish of 9.200, second-best
• Average Running Position of 10.354, fourth-best
• Driver Rating of 105.9, second-best
• 338 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best
• 2,772 Laps in the Top 15 (78.5%), ninth-most
• 340 Quality Passes, 10th-most

Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

• One win, six top fives, ten top 10s; two poles
• Average Finish of 13.000, eighth-best
• Average Running Position of 11.010, fifth-best
• Driver Rating of 95.4, sixth-best
• 158 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best
• 4,815 Laps in the Top 15 (77.2%), fifth-most
• 633 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

• Two top fives, three top 10s
• Average Finish of 11.143, fifth-best
• Average Running Position of 12.364, eighth-best
• Driver Rating of 87.8, 11th-best
• 64 Fastest Laps Run, 15th-best
• 1,572 Laps in the Top 15 (71.8%), 16th-most
• 288 Quality Passes, 14th-most

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

• Two wins, four top fives, 10 top 10s
• Average Finish of 12.381, seventh-best
• Average Running Position of 9.889, second-best
• Driver Rating of 103.3, third-best
• 523 Fastest Laps Run, series-best
• 5,532 Laps in the Top 15 (75.4%), fourth-most
• 710 Quality Passes, fourth-most

The NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Darlington Raceway

* – Based on last 22 races at Darlington Raceway (2005 – 2022).

Darlington Raceway – Qualifying / Race Data

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

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

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

2022 Pole Winner: Joey Logano, Ford, 170.720 mph, 28.805 secs. May, 7, 2022

2022 Race Winner: Joey Logano, Ford, 119.158 mph, (03:21:32), May 8, 2022

At Darlington Raceway Stats & Tidbits:

HISTORY

• Darlington Raceway was originally built as a 1.25-mile paved superspeedway in 1949-1950.
• Darlington Raceway hosted the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt on September 4, 1950 – 75 cars competed in the event. Curtis Turner won the pole at 82.034 mph, and the race was won by Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph). The race to 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete.
• The track was re-measured to 1.375 miles in 1953.
• The track was re-configured to 1.366 miles following the spring race in 1970.
• The track was repaved in 1995.
• The 2005 race was the first Saturday night race at Darlington Raceway.
• The track was repaved again prior to the 2008 season.
• There have been 123 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. From 1960 – 2004 the track hosted two Cup Series races per year.

STARTS

• A total of 749 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway; 471 drivers have competed in more than one race at Darlington.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Darlington Raceway with 65.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Darlington Raceway with 30.
• Fred Lorenzen (16 starts) leads the series in average starting position at Darlington with a 3.688.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the series in average starting position at Darlington with an 8.4 in 19 starts.

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

• A total of 124 different drivers have made their NASCAR Cup Series career debut at Darlington Raceway; the most recent was T.J. Bell (May 7, 2011).
• The best finish by a driver making their series debut at Darlington was fourth-place by NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte on September 4, 1978.

POLES

• A total of 52 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at least one pole at Darlington Raceway; 26 of the 52 different drivers have won multiple poles at the 1.366-mile track (50%).
• Six of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway pole winners are active this weekend.

• NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 12 – (1967, ’70, ’72, ’73 sweep, ’75 sweep, ’76 sweep, ’77, ’78 and ’82)
• Pearson’s 12 Darlington poles are tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough (12 poles at Daytona) for the second-most poles all-time at a single track in the NASCAR Cup Series. Pearson also holds the series’ record for most poles at a single track with 14 poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Joey Logano (2022 sweep) and Kevin Harvick (2014, 2017) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Darlington Raceway with two each.
• Curtis Turner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway in 1950 in an Oldsmobile with a speed of 82.034 mph.
• David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway with five straight from 1975 – 1977.
• In total, 10 drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway – Joey Logano (2022 sweep), Kasey Kahne (2004, 2005-2006), Dale Jarrett (1996-1997), Sterling Marlin (1992 sweep), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), David Pearson (1975-1977 and 1973 sweep), Cale Yarborough (1969 sweep), Fred Lorenzen (1963 sweep and 1964), Fireball Roberts (1959, 1960 sweep), Fonty Flock (1952-1953).
• Eight drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway.

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

• A total of 12 different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• Ford leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 45 poles; followed by Chevrolet (22), Mercury (13), Pontiac (10), Dodge (8), Buick (3), Oldsmobile (3), Plymouth (3), Toyota (2), Chrysler (1), Hudson (1) and Studebaker (1).

WINS

• A total of 52 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Darlington Raceway all-time; 29 of the 52 drivers have won multiple times (55.7%).
• Seven of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway winners are active this weekend.

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

• A total of 20 different starting positions have led to wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• 21 of the 123 (17.07%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway have been won from the pole; the most recent was Joey Logano in 2022.
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (21) than any other starting position at Darlington. The outside front row (second-place) has produced the second-most wins (18).
• A total of 12 different drivers have won from the pole or first starting position at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with four wins from the pole (1971, 1972, 1976 sweep). Kevin Harvick (2014) and Joey Logano (2022) are the only active drivers to win from the pole at Darlington.

• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Darlington is 43rd by Johnny Mantz in 1950 – the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event held at the historic raceway.
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Darlington is 16th by Denny Hamlin on May 20, 2020.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Darlington Raceway

• Ryan Newman leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington without visiting Victory Lane at 26 starts.
• Eight active organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.

• Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins by an organization at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series with 14 victories – Tim Richmond (1986), Ricky Rudd (1991), Jeff Gordon (1995, ’96 sweep, ’97, ’98, ’02, ’07), Terry Labonte (2003), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep and 2012) and Mark Martin (2009).
• A total of 11 different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.
• Chevrolet leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Darlington Raceway with 42 victories; followed by Ford (32), Mercury (10), Toyota (10), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (five), Pontiac (five), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Hudson (three) and American Motor Company (two).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

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

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

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 145 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 25 top-five finishes.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Darlington with 13 top fives.

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

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 240 different series drivers have posted top-10 finishes at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott with 35.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at Darlington with 18 top 10s.

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

Average Finishing Position:

• Bob Burdick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with a 3.0 in two starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with a 7.476 in 21 starts.

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

TRACK / EVENT STATS

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

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

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

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

• A total of 10 of the 123 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway have been shortened from their scheduled number of laps; the most recent was in 2020.

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

LAP LEADERS

• In total 177 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Darlington Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Darlington Raceway with 2,648 laps led in 44 series starts.
• Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 899 laps led in 22 starts at Darlington.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was 351 laps of the scheduled 400 laps (87%) by Johnny Mantz on September 4, 1950. He started the race from the 43rd position.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by a driver that did not win the race was 284 laps of the scheduled 367 laps (77%) by Kyle Larson on September 2, 2018. He started the race from the second position.
• The fewest laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was just the final lap by Ricky Craven on March 16, 2003. He started the race from the 31st position.

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

FEMALE COMPETITORS

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

NASCAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA

• South Carolina has hosted a total of 318 NASCAR national series races among 10 different tracks.

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

SOUTH CAROLINA IN NASCAR

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