Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Goodyear 400 At Darlington

Mike

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

2023 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 12
Rank Drivers Points Starts Wins Stages Playoff Pts Points From Cutoff
1 Kyle Larson 338 12 2 2 12 In On Wins
2 William Byron 331 12 2 6 11
3 Kyle Busch 308 12 2 0 10
4 Christopher Bell 373 12 1 0 5
5 Denny Hamlin 368 12 1 2 7
6 Martin Truex Jr. 368 12 1 0 5
7 Tyler Reddick 354 12 1 2 7
8 Joey Logano 315 12 1 2 7
9 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 295 12 1 0 5
10 Ross Chastain 404 12 0 4 4 Pts. Leader
11 Kevin Harvick 358 12 0 1 1 98
12 Ryan Blaney 350 12 0 0 0 89
13 Brad Keselowski 321 12 0 1 1 75
14 Chris Buescher 302 12 0 0 0 49
15 Daniel Suarez 259 12 0 0 0 22
16 Chase Briscoe 255 12 0 0 0 3
17 Bubba Wallace 253 12 0 0 0 -3
18 Ty Gibbs # 239 12 0 0 0 -7
19 Michael McDowell 237 12 0 0 0 -14
20 Austin Cindric 230 12 0 1 1 -15
21 Corey LaJoie 225 12 0 0 0 -23
22 Todd Gilliland 214 12 0 0 0 -30
23 Erik Jones 209 12 0 0 0 -45
24 Aric Almirola 205 12 0 1 1 -50
25 AJ Allmendinger 200 12 0 0 0 -54
26 Justin Haley 196 12 0 0 0 -60
27 Ryan Preece 179 12 0 1 1 -62
28 Chase Elliott 178 *6 0 1 1 -83
29 Austin Dillon 164 12 0 0 -5 -93
30 Harrison Burton 145 12 0 0 0 -98
31 Noah Gragson # 127 12 0 0 0 -120
32 Ty Dillon 100 12 0 0 0 -149
Note: Must compete in every race of the season to be eligible for the Playoffs or be granted a waiver by NASCAR (*).

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

Rank Driver Races Poles Wins Top Fives Top 10s DNFs Average Finish Driver Rating
1 Ross Chastain 7 0 0 1 1 1 21.9 70.3
2 Christopher Bell 7 0 0 1 2 0 16.3 79.7
3 Martin Truex Jr 21 0 2 4 10 2 12.4 103.3
4 Denny Hamlin 21 1 4 12 16 0 7.5 108.1
5 Kevin Harvick 30 2 3 13 18 2 12.8 101.6
6 Tyler Reddick 7 0 0 2 3 0 11.1 87.8
7 Ryan Blaney 12 0 0 0 1 0 18.6 77.1
8 Kyle Larson 10 0 0 5 7 1 9.2 105.9
9 William Byron 9 1 0 2 3 2 18.6 89.0
10 Brad Keselowski 18 1 1 5 9 1 12.1 90.8
11 Joey Logano 18 2 1 6 10 1 13 95.4
12 Kyle Busch 22 0 1 6 13 3 13.7 101.0
13 Chris Buescher 11 0 0 0 2 0 18.2 64.5
14 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 14 0 0 0 1 2 23.7 57.8
15 Alex Bowman 11 0 0 1 3 1 18.4 74.7
16 Daniel Suarez 10 0 0 0 1 1 21.9 60.3

* – 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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Fred Lorenzen 3.688 16 1 Denny Hamlin 8.421 19
2 David Pearson 6.277 47 2 Brad Keselowski 9.438 16
3 Frank Mundy 6.667 3 3 Kyle Larson 9.750 8
4 Fonty Flock 7.000 8 4 Joey Logano 10.500 16
5 Jeff Gordon 7.000 36 5 Ryan Blaney 10.800 10
6 Scott Pruett 7.000 2 6 Chase Elliott 11.100 10
7 Dick Hutcherson 7.200 5 7 Kurt Busch 11.643 28
8 Fireball Roberts 7.200 20 8 William Byron 12.143 7
9 Bob Burdick 7.500 2 9 Kevin Harvick 13.429 28
10 Pete Hamilton 7.600 5 10 Kyle Busch 13.850 20

 

  • 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.
  First-Time Driver Date   First-Time Driver Date   First-Time Driver Date   First-Time Driver Date
1 T.J. Bell 5/7/2011 32 Roz Howard 9/3/1956 63 Matt Gowan 9/7/1953 94 Bill Henson 9/4/1950
2 Ed Berrier 9/3/1995 33 Tom Lupo 9/3/1956 64 Slim Rominger 9/7/1953 95 Bill Osborne 9/4/1950
3 Pancho Carter 9/1/1985 34 Bud Rackley 9/5/1955 65 Tyre Rakestraw 9/7/1953 96 Bill Widenhouse 9/4/1950
4 Eldon Dotson 4/14/1985 35 Curley Hatfield 9/5/1955 66 Al Conroy 9/1/1952 97 Bub King 9/4/1950
5 Billy Smith 9/3/1979 36 Dick Beaty 9/5/1955 67 Al Fleming 9/1/1952 98 Byron Beatty 9/4/1950
6 Terry Labonte 9/4/1978 37 Don Duckworth 9/5/1955 68 Banjo Matthews 9/1/1952 99 Carson Dyer 9/4/1950
7 Richie Panch 4/15/1973 38 Doug Cox 9/5/1955 69 Herb Fry 9/1/1952 100 Charles Tidwell 9/4/1950
8 J.C. Spradley 9/1/1969 39 Ed Bergin 9/5/1955 70 Joe Weatherly 9/1/1952 101 Dick Soper 9/4/1950
9 Bob Ashbrook 5/10/1969 40 Jim Thompson 9/5/1955 71 Johnny Bridgers 9/1/1952 102 Gene Comstock 9/4/1950
10 Gerald Chamberlain 5/10/1969 41 Jimmy Roland 9/5/1955 72 Johnny Gouveia 9/1/1952 103 Gene Darragh 9/4/1950
11 Roy Trantham 9/2/1968 42 Larry Flynn 9/5/1955 73 Keith Hamner 9/1/1952 104 Hershel McGriff 9/4/1950
12 Lennie Waldo 5/11/1968 43 Ray Platte 9/5/1955 74 Pete Kelly 9/1/1952 105 Hub McBride 9/4/1950
13 Bobby Mausgrover 9/4/1967 44 Russ Graham 9/5/1955 75 Possum Jones 9/1/1952 106 J.E. Hardie 9/4/1950
14 Armond Holley 5/13/1967 45 Tojo Stephens 9/5/1955 76 Tony Bonadies 9/1/1952 107 Jack Carr 9/4/1950
15 Walter Ballard 4/30/1966 46 Charles Brinkley 9/6/1954 77 W.H. Baker 9/1/1952 108 Jack Yardley 9/4/1950
16 Bobby Wawak 9/6/1965 47 Elmo Langley 9/6/1954 78 Billy Tibbett 9/3/1951 109 Jerry Kemp 9/4/1950
17 Pee Wee Ellwanger 5/8/1965 48 Hassell Reid 9/6/1954 79 Bob Johnson 9/3/1951 110 Jesse James Taylor 9/4/1950
18 Don Hume 9/7/1964 49 Jim Gillette 9/6/1954 80 Bob Pronger 9/3/1951 111 Joe Eubanks 9/4/1950
19 J.T. Putney 5/9/1964 50 Joe Sheppard 9/6/1954 81 Buck Baity 9/3/1951 112 John DuBoise 9/4/1950
20 Gary Sain 9/3/1962 51 Van Van Wey 9/6/1954 82 Dave Anderson 9/3/1951 113 Johnny Grubb 9/4/1950
21 Matt DeMatthews 9/3/1962 52 Walt Harvey 9/6/1954 83 Frank Gise 9/3/1951 114 Lee Morgan 9/4/1950
22 Clem Proctor 9/5/1960 53 Bob Hunter 9/7/1953 84 Fred Moore 9/3/1951 115 Murrace Walker 9/4/1950
23 T.C. Hunt 9/5/1960 54 Bob Weatherly 9/7/1953 85 Gwyn Staley 9/3/1951 116 P.E. Godfrey 9/4/1950
24 Don Kimberling 9/1/1958 55 Elmer Cooper 9/7/1953 86 Herb Trimble 9/3/1951 117 Pete Keller 9/4/1950
25 G.C. Spencer 9/1/1958 56 Emory Lewis 9/7/1953 87 Jimmy Warden 9/3/1951 118 Rollin Smith 9/4/1950
26 Cale Yarborough 9/2/1957 57 George Osborne 9/7/1953 88 Johnny Yountz 9/3/1951 119 Roy Bentley 9/4/1950
27 Joe Caspolich 9/2/1957 58 Junior Johnson 9/7/1953 89 Lee Connell 9/3/1951 120 Shorty York 9/4/1950
28 Bill Brown 9/3/1956 59 Lacy Jackson 9/7/1953 90 Oliver Dial 9/3/1951 121 Tex Keene 9/4/1950
29 Gene Bergin 9/3/1956 60 Laird Bruner 9/7/1953 91 Rudy Hires 9/3/1951 122 Virgil Livengood 9/4/1950
30 Judge Rider 9/3/1956 61 Lloyd Hulette 9/7/1953 92 Sandy Lynch 9/3/1951 123 Walt Crawford 9/4/1950
31 Ray Hendrick 9/3/1956 62 Lonnie Bragg 9/7/1953 93 Barney Smith 9/4/1950 124 Weldon Adams 9/4/1950

 

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.
Active Darlington Pole Winners Poles Seasons
Joey Logano 2 2022 sweep
Kevin Harvick 2 2017, 2014
William Byron 1 2019
Denny Hamlin 1 2018
Brad Keselowski 1 2015
Ryan Newman 1 2003

 

  • 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.
First-Time Pole Winners Season Driver’s Age
Clint Bowyer 2007 27
Elliott Sadler 2003 27
Kurt Busch 2001 23
John Andretti 1995 32
Ken Schrader 1987 31
Bill Elliott 1981 25
Fred Lorenzen 1961 26
Cotton Owens 1957 33
  • 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).
Active Organizations Poles Seasons
Wood Brothers Racing 12 1978, 1977, 1976 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1973 sweep, 1972, 1971, 1969 sweep
Hendrick Motorsports 8 2019, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1988, 1986 sweep
RFK Racing 6 2012, 2008, 2001, 1998, 1989
Team Penske 4 2022 sweep, 2015, 2003
Joe Gibbs Racing 2 2018, 1997
Stewart-Haas Racing 2 2017, 2014
Richard Childress Racing 2 2007, 1990
  • 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.
Active Darlington Race Winners Wins Seasons
Denny Hamlin 4 2021, 2020, 2017, 2010
Kevin Harvick 3 2020, 2020, 2014
Erik Jones 2 2022, 2019
Martin Truex Jr 2 2021, 2016
Joey Logano 1 2022
Brad Keselowski 1 2018
Kyle Busch 1 2008
  • 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:
First-Time Winners at Darlington Date
Regan Smith Saturday, May 7, 2011
Lake Speed Sunday, March 27, 1988
Terry Labonte Monday, September 1, 1980
Larry Frank Monday, September 3, 1962
Nelson Stacy Monday, September 4, 1961
Johnny Mantz Monday, September 4, 1950
  • 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.
Darlington Winners From Pole Wins Seasons
David Pearson 4 1976 sweep, 1973, 1972
Bill Elliott 3 1988, 1985 sweep
Dale Earnhardt 2 1993, 1990
Bobby Allison 2 1972, 1971
Richard Petty 2 1967, 1966
Fred Lorenzen 2 1964, 1961
Joey Logano 1 2022
Kevin Harvick 1 2014
Dale Jarrett 1 1997
Tim Richmond 1 1986
Harry Gant 1 1984
Fonty Flock 1 1952
  • 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

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 21 17.07% 11 3 2.44%
2 18 14.63% 12 1 0.81%
3 13 10.57% 13 3 2.44%
4 9 7.32% 14 2 1.63%
5 12 9.76% 15 4 3.25%
6 5 4.07% 16 1 0.81%
7 4 3.25% 23 2 1.63%
8 7 5.69% 31 1 0.81%
9 8 6.50% 37 2 1.63%
10 6 4.88% 43 1 0.81%
Additional Statistics Winning % Wins
Winning from the first Starting Position: 17.07% 21
Winning from the Front Row: 31.71% 39
Winning from a top-five Starting Position: 59.35% 73
Winning from a top-10 Starting Position: 83.74% 103
Winning after Starting Outside the top 20: 4.88% 6
  • 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.
Rank Wins Active Organizations Seasons
1 14 Hendrick Motorsports 2012, ’09, ’07, ’04 sweep, ’03, ’02, 1998, ’97, ’96 sweep, ’95, ’91, ’86
2 10 Joe Gibbs Racing 2021 sweep, ‘20, ’19, ’17, ’15, ’13, ’10, ’08, ’00
3 8 Wood Brothers Racing 1981, ’77, ’76 sweep, ’74, ’73, ’72, ’68
4 8 Richard Childress Racing 1994, ’93, ’90 sweep, ’89, ’87 sweep, ’86
5 5 RFK Racing 2006, ’05, 1999 sweep, ’93
6 4 Team Penske 2022, 2018, 1975 sweep
7 3 Stewart-Haas Racing 2020, ’20, ’14
8 1 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB 2022
  • 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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups
1 Darrell Waltrip 8 1 Denny Hamlin 4
Richard Petty 8 2 Kyle Larson 3
3 David Pearson 7 3 Kevin Harvick 2
4 Mark Martin 6 Kyle Busch 2
5 Denny Hamlin 4 5 Austin Dillon 1
Fireball Roberts 4 Brad Keselowski 1
Jeff Gordon 4 Joey Logano 1
Ryan Newman 1
Tyler Reddick 1

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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Richard Petty 25 1 Kevin Harvick 13
2 David Pearson 24 2 Denny Hamlin 12
3 Bill Elliott 22 3 Ryan Newman 7
4 Dale Earnhardt 19 4 Joey Logano 6
Jeff Gordon 19 5 Kyle Busch 6

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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Bill Elliott 35 1 Kevin Harvick 18
2 Richard Petty 34 2 Denny Hamlin 16
3 David Pearson 30 3 Ryan Newman 14
4 Bobby Allison 26 4 Kyle Busch 13
Mark Martin 26 5 Joey Logano 10
Martin Truex Jr 10

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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races
1 Bob Burdick 3.000 2 1 Denny Hamlin 7.476 21
2 Denny Hamlin 7.476 21 2 Kyle Larson 9.200 10
3 Marty Robbins 8.000 2 3 Erik Jones 10.700 10
4 Shorty Rollins 9.000 2 4 Tyler Reddick 11.143 7
5 Kyle Larson 9.200 10 5 Brad Keselowski 12.111 18
6 Bill Elliott 9.365 52 6 Austin Dillon 12.308 13
7 Herb Thomas 10.429 7 7 Martin Truex Jr 12.381 21
8 Nelson Stacy 10.500 6 8 Kevin Harvick 12.767 30
9 Erik Jones 10.700 10 9 Ryan Newman 12.769 26
10 Tyler Reddick 11.143 7 10 Joey Logano 13.000 18

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

Margin Of Victory Date Race Winner Runner-Up
0.002 Sunday, March 16, 2003 Ricky Craven Kurt Busch
0.132 Sunday, March 21, 2004 Jimmie Johnson Bobby Labonte
0.144 Sunday, August 31, 1997 Jeff Gordon Jeff Burton
0.169 Sunday, March 23, 1997 Dale Jarrett Ted Musgrave

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

Margin Of Victory Date Race Winner Runner-Up
7.400 Sunday, March 27, 1994 Dale Earnhardt Mark Martin
6.390 Sunday, September 4, 1994 Bill Elliott Dale Earnhardt
5.230 Sunday, September 1, 1996 Jeff Gordon Hut Stricklin
4.058 Sunday, September 1, 2019 Erik Jones Kyle Larson
3.631 Sunday, September 6, 1998 Jeff Gordon Jeff Burton
  • NASCAR Overtime: Four NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted in a Overtime finish at Darlington Raceway:
Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Overtime Laps Race Winner Date
367 374 7 Kevin Harvick Saturday, April 12, 2014
367 368 1 Jimmie Johnson Saturday, May 12, 2012
367 370 3 Regan Smith Saturday, May 7, 2011
367 370 3 Greg Biffle Saturday, May 7, 2005

 

  • 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.
Date Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Fewer Laps Race Winner
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 228 208 20 Denny Hamlin
Sunday, September 3, 2000 367 328 39 Bobby Labonte
Sunday, September 5, 1999 367 270 97 Jeff Burton
Sunday, March 21, 1999 293 164 129 Jeff Burton
Sunday, September 5, 1993 367 351 16 Mark Martin
Sunday, September 6, 1992 367 298 69 Darrell Waltrip
Sunday, September 6, 1987 367 202 165 Dale Earnhardt
Sunday, April 13, 1980 367 189 178 David Pearson
Monday, September 1, 1969 367 230 137 LeeRoy Yarbrough
Monday, September 1, 1958 367 364 3 Fireball Roberts
  • 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).
Mother’s Day Race Winners Date Track Holiday
Joey Logano Sunday, May 8, 2022 Darlington Raceway Mother’s Day
Martin Truex Jr. Sunday, May 9, 2021 Darlington Raceway Mother’s Day
Jeff Gordon Sunday, May 13, 2007 Darlington Raceway Mother’s Day
Cale Yarborough Sunday, May 14, 1978 Talladega Superspeedway Mother’s Day
Benny Parsons Sunday, May 9, 1971 South Boston Speedway Mother’s Day
Bob Welborn Sunday, May 11, 1958 Greensboro Fairgrounds Mother’s Day
Buck Baker Sunday, May 13, 1956 Orange Speedway Mother’s Day
Tim Flock Sunday, May 8, 1955 Arizona State Fairgrounds Mother’s Day
Buck Baker Sunday, May 9, 1954 Wilson Speedway Mother’s Day

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)

Rank All-Time Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Dale Earnhardt 44 2,648 14,011 19%
2 Richard Petty 65 2,391 17,120 14%
3 David Pearson 47 2,116 12,536 17%
4 Jeff Gordon 36 1,744 11,458 15%
5 Darrell Waltrip 55 1,723 16,395 11%
6 Cale Yarborough 49 1,647 12,959 13%
7 Bobby Allison 45 1,601 12,630 13%
8 Harry Gant 31 1,088 9,144 12%
9 Bill Elliott 52 980 17,477 6%
10 Fireball Roberts 20 916 4,572 20%
Rank Active Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Kyle Busch 22 899 7,222 12%
2 Kevin Harvick 30 813 9,937 8%
3 Denny Hamlin 21 792 7,325 11%
4 Martin Truex Jr 21 769 7,270 11%
5 Kyle Larson 10 686 3,347 20%
6 Brad Keselowski 18 395 6,096 6%
7 Ryan Newman 26 339 8,904 4%
8 Joey Logano 18 293 6,160 5%
9 Chase Elliott 12 151 3,578 4%
10 Erik Jones 10 132 3,153 4%

 

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Three female drivers have competed at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series – Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson.
Drivers Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Danica Patrick 33 26 9/3/2017
Danica Patrick 25 24 9/4/2016
Danica Patrick 30 42 9/6/2015
Danica Patrick 33 22 4/12/2014
Danica Patrick 40 28 5/11/2013
Danica Patrick 38 31 5/12/2012
Averages 33.2 28.8
       
Janet Guthrie 26 16 9/5/1977
Shawna Robinson 42 42 3/17/2002

NASCAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA

  • South Carolina has hosted a total of 318 NASCAR national series races among 10 different tracks.
Track Name City Cup Xfinity Truck Combined First Year
Darlington Raceway Darlington 123 65 10 198 1950
Coastal Speedway Myrtle Beach 2 0 0 2 1956
Columbia Speedway Columbia 43 0 0 43 1951
Gamecock Speedway Sumter 1 0 0 1 1960
Greenville-Pickens Speedway Greenville 29 2 0 31 1951
Hartsville Speedway Hartsville 1 0 0 1 1961
Lancaster Speedway Lancaster 2 0 0 2 1957
Newberry Speedway Newberry 1 0 0 1 1957
Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds Spartanburg 22 0 0 22 1953
Rambi Race Track Myrtle Beach 9 13 0 22 1958
Totals 233 80 10 323
  • 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.
Winners From South Carolina Cup Xfinity Truck
David Pearson 105 1 0
Cale Yarborough 83 0 0
Cotton Owens 9 0 0
Tiny Lund 5 0 0
James Hylton 2 0 0
Johnny Allen 1 0 0
Joe Eubanks 1 0 0
Larry Pearson 0 15 0
Jason Keller 0 10 0
Butch Lindley 0 6 0
Jeremy Clements 0 2 0
Totals 206 34 0
Total Page Visits: 287 - Today Page Visits: 1
Logo

Related posts