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Statistical Advance: Analyzing the NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500 At Phoenix

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona going into the Shriners Children’s 500 on Sunday, March 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

2025 Cup Series Points2025 Driver Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 3
RankDriverPtsLdr.RankDriverPointsWinsStagesPlayoff PtsPts From Cutoff
1William Byron11601Christopher Bell952010In On Wins
2Ryan Blaney114-22William Byron116105
3Tyler Reddick111-53Ryan Blaney11401147
4Christopher Bell95-214Tyler Reddick11100044
5Chase Elliott95-215Chase Elliott9500028
6Bubba Wallace94-226Bubba Wallace9401127
7Alex Bowman87-297Alex Bowman8700020
8Michael McDowell85-318Michael McDowell8500018
9Kyle Busch81-359Kyle Busch8100014
10Ricky Stenhouse Jr.80-3610Ricky Stenhouse Jr.8000013
11Austin Cindric80-3611Austin Cindric8000013
12Chris Buescher77-3912Chris Buescher7700010
13Joey Logano77-3913Joey Logano7701110
14John H. Nemechek76-4014John H. Nemechek760009
15Carson Hocevar72-4415Carson Hocevar720005
16Kyle Larson71-4516Kyle Larson710114
17Denny Hamlin67-4917Denny Hamlin67000-4
18Shane Van Gisbergen63-5318Shane Van Gisbergen63000-8
19Todd Gilliland63-5319Todd Gilliland63000-8
20Ross Chastain62-5420Ross Chastain62000-9
21Riley Herbst60-5621Riley Herbst60000-11
22Erik Jones56-6022Erik Jones56000-15
23Justin Haley52-6423Justin Haley52000-19
24Ty Dillon48-6824Ty Dillon48000-23
25AJ Allmendinger43-7325AJ Allmendinger43000-28
26Brad Keselowski43-7326Brad Keselowski43000-28
27Noah Gragson42-7427Noah Gragson42000-29
28Austin Dillon41-7528Austin Dillon41000-30
29Daniel Suarez38-7829Daniel Suarez38000-33
30Ryan Preece38-7830Ryan Preece38011-33
31Zane Smith35-8131Zane Smith35000-36
32Jimmie Johnson34-8232Josh Berry34011-37
33Josh Berry34-8233Cole Custer31000-40
34Cole Custer31-8534Ty Gibbs29000-42
35Ty Gibbs29-8735Cody Ware10000-61
36Corey Lajoie21-9536Chase Briscoe-2800-10-99
37Cody Ware10-10637Jimmie Johnson34000Ineligible for Playoffs – Not Fulltime
38JJ Yeley1-11538Corey Lajoie21000
39Martin Truex Jr.1-11539JJ Yeley1000
40Chase Briscoe-28-14440Martin Truex Jr.1000

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)

  • One win, two top fives, six top 10s
  • Average Finish of 14.300, 10th-best
  • Average Running Position of 13.261, 12th-best
  • Driver Rating of 90.1, 11th-best
  • 1,974 Laps in the Top 15 (63.1%), 12th-most

 

Ryan Blaney

(No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

  • Nine top fives, 13 top 10s; three poles
  • Average Finish of 10.444, series-best
  • Average Running Position of 9.180, second-best
  • Driver Rating of 100.2, third-best
  • 4,779 Laps in the Top 15 (84.7%), series-most

 

Chase Briscoe

(No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • One win, two top fives, four top 10s
  • Average Finish of 16.375, 12th-best
  • Average Running Position of 15.823, 13th-best
  • Driver Rating of 79.6, 13th-best
  • 1,293 Laps in the Top 15 (51.7%), 13th-most

 

Kyle Busch

(No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

  • Three wins, 12 top fives, 26 top 10s; four poles
  • Average Finish of 11.487, sixth-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.966, seventh-best
  • Driver Rating of 99.1, fourth-best
  • 9,573 Laps in the Top 15 (78.6%), fourth-most

 

William Byron

(No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, three top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
  • Average Finish of 11.143, fifth-best
  • Average Running Position of 9.564, third-best
  • Driver Rating of 95.2, seventh-best
  • 3,534 Laps in the Top 15 (80.7%), second-most

 

Chase Elliott

(No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, five top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
  • Average Finish of 12.353, seventh-best
  • Average Running Position of 9.142, series-best
  • Driver Rating of 103.2, series-best
  • 4,222 Laps in the Top 15 (79.3%), third-most

 

Denny Hamlin

(No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • Two wins, 16 top fives, 22 top 10s; three poles
  • Average Finish of 10.821, second-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.674, sixth-best
  • Driver Rating of 98.5, fifth-best
  • 9,244 Laps in the Top 15 (75.9%), seventh-most

 

Erik Jones

(No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota)

  • One top five, four top 10s
  • Average Finish of 18.700, 14th-best
  • Average Running Position of 15.489, 13th-best
  • Driver Rating of 74.3, 14th-best
  • 2,865 Laps in the Top 15 (54.9%), 11th-most

 

Brad Keselowski

(No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)

  • Nine top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole
  • Average Finish of 13.645, ninth-best
  • Average Running Position of 12.459, ninth-best
  • Driver Rating of 91.2, ninth-best
  • 6,654 Laps in the Top 15 (68.7%), 10th-most

 

Kyle Larson

(No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, nine top fives, 13 top 10s; two poles
  • Average Finish of 11.048, fourth-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.502, fifth-best
  • Driver Rating of 97.6, sixth-best
  • 4,944 Laps in the Top 15 (76.3%), sixth-most

 

Joey Logano

(No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

  • Four wins, nine top fives, 17 top 10s; two poles
  • Average Finish of 13.094, eighth-best
  • Average Running Position of 11.552, eighth-best
  • Driver Rating of 94.7, eighth-best
  • 7,080 Laps in the Top 15 (70.9%), eighth-most

 

Tyler Reddick

(No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

  • Two top fives, four top 10s
  • Average Finish of 16.700, 13th-best
  • Average Running Position of 12.605, 10th-best
  • Driver Rating of 84.5, 12th-best
  • 2,066 Laps in the Top 15 (66.0%), 11th-most

The NASCAR Cup Series 2025 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Phoenix Raceway

 DriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating
1Ryan Blaney1830913210.4100.2
2William Byron141138011.195.2
3Austin Cindric6000012456.3
4Tyler Reddick100024116.784.5
5Alex Bowman191002321.969.0
6Chris Buescher180024119.361.5
7Erik Jones170014018.774.3
8Jimmie Johnson36341622210.7102.8
9John H. Nemechek50000026.654.0
10Chase Elliott171159112.4103.2
11Ty Dillon140000020.655.2
12Daniel Suarez160004118.165.3
13Michael McDowell280002728.447.2
14Ricky Stenhouse Jr24001242261.2
15Ty Gibbs4001112365.4
16Joey Logano3224917513.194.7

* – Based on last 40 races at Phoenix Raceway (2005 – 2024).

Phoenix Raceway – Key Statistics & Insights

 

RACE & TRACK DATA

Season Race #: 04 of 36 (March 9, 2025)

Purse: $11,055,250

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

2024 Pole Winner (Spring):

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

 

2023 Pole Winner (Spring):

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 130.237 mph, 27.642 secs., March 11, 2023

 

Track Race Record:

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

2024 Race Winner (Spring):

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

 

2023 Race Winner (Spring):

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 105.491 mph, (03:00:18), March 12, 2023

 

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 57 NASCAR Cup Series races, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.

 

STARTS

  • In total 246 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway.
  • 191 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 (39), Kurt Busch (39), Kyle 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 39 starts each.
  • Top five in Phoenix Starts (active): Denny Hamlin (39), Kyle Busch (39), Joey Logano (32), Brad Keselowski (31), Michael McDowell (28), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (24).
  • Kevin Harvick also leads all drivers in NASCAR national series starts at Phoenix Raceaay with 75; followed by Kyle Busch with 71 and Brad Keselowski with 54.
  • A total of 25 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway: (Listed in descending chronological order in the chart below).
Pos.DriversDate of First StartPos.DriversDate of First Start
1Bayley CurreySunday, March 10, 201914Jack SpragueSunday, October 27, 1996
2Quin HouffSunday, March 10, 201915Lance HooperSunday, October 27, 1996
3Tanner BerryhillSunday, November 11, 201816Ernie CopeSunday, October 29, 1995
4D.J. KenningtonSunday, November 13, 201617Rich Woodland JrSunday, October 31, 1993
5Ryan EllisSunday, November 15, 201518Wayne JacksSunday, October 31, 1993
6Matt DiBenedettoSunday, March 15, 201519Jeff DavisSunday, November 1, 1992
7Cole WhittSunday, November 13, 201120Mike WallaceSunday, November 3, 1991
8Sam Hornish JrSunday, November 11, 200721Brent KaedingSunday, November 4, 1990
9Brandon WhittSunday, November 12, 200622Mark ReedSunday, November 4, 1990
10Jerry RobertsonSunday, November 13, 200523Bill SedgwickSunday, November 5, 1989
11Clint BowyerSaturday, April 23, 200524Bobby HamiltonSunday, November 5, 1989
12Christian FittipaldiSunday, November 10, 200225Gary CollinsSunday, November 6, 1988
13Ryan NewmanSunday, November 5, 2000
  • Of the 25 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 6.235 in 17 starts.

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

RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces
1Chase Elliott6.235171Chase Elliott6.23517
2Kyle Larson6.667212Kyle Larson6.66721
3Ryan Blaney7.278183Ryan Blaney7.27818
4Rusty Wallace8.053194Ty Gibbs8.2504
5Ty Gibbs8.25045Denny Hamlin9.38539
6Alan Kulwicki8.60056William Byron9.85714
7Denny Hamlin9.385397Christopher Bell10.30010
8William Byron9.857148Joey Logano10.62532
9Christopher Bell10.300109Kyle Busch11.74439
10Joey Logano10.6253210Erik Jones12.41217

 

POLES

  • A total of 27 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Phoenix Raceway; 16 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) and Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with four each.
  • This weekend, 10 of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active:
RankActive Phoenix Pole WinnersPolesSeasons
1Kyle Busch42019. 2016, 2012, 2006
2Denny Hamlin32024, 2014, 2005
3Ryan Blaney32022, 2019, 2017
4Kyle Larson22023, 2021
5Joey Logano22022, 2017
6William Byron12023
7Chase Elliott12020
8Alex Bowman12016
9Brad Keselowski12014
10AJ Allmendinger12010
  • 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 15 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).

NASCAR Cup Series Organizations with poles at Phoenix Raceway

RankOrganizationsPolesSeasons
1Hendrick Motorsports152023 sweep, ’21, ’20, ’16, ’15, ’13, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06 sweep, ’05, ’89, ’88
2Team Penske112022 sweep, ’19, ’17, ’14, ’08, ’04, ’03, ’02, ’00, ’92
3Joe Gibbs Racing82024 sweep, ‘19, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’05, ’96
4RFK Racing42011 sweep, ’10, ’07
5Stewart-Haas Racing22018, ’15
6Michael Waltrip Racing22013, ’12
7Petty Enterprises21999, ’97
8Junior Johnson & Associates21993, ’91
9Furniture Row Racing12018
10Wood Brothers Racing12017
11Richard Petty Motorsports12010
12Earnhardt Ganassi Racing12009
13Evernham Motorsports12001
14Andy Petree Racing11998
15Elliott Racing11995
16Morgan-McClure Motorsports11994
17Blue Max Racing11990
  • 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 21 poles; followed by Ford (17), Toyota (nine), 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 31 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Phoenix Raceway.
  • Thirteen of the 31 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, nine of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active:
RankActive Phoenix Cup WinnersWinsSeasons
1Joey Logano42024, 2022, 2020, 2016
2Kyle Busch32019, 2018, 2005
3Denny Hamlin22019, 2012
4Christopher Bell12024
5Ross Chastain12023
6William Byron12023
7Chase Briscoe12022
8Kyle Larson12021
9Chase Elliott12020
  • The 13 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).
  • 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.
  • 29 of the 31 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 the 30 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 57 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the pole or first starting position (14.04%): 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).
  • 11 of the 57 (21.05%) 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 PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %
1814.04%13610.53%
247.02%1423.51%
3814.04%1535.26%
423.51%1711.75%
511.75%1811.75%
647.02%1923.51%
723.51%2011.75%
811.75%2111.75%
923.51%2211.75%
1023.51%2811.75%
1123.51%2911.75%
1211.75%
StatsWinning %Wins
Winning from the Pole:14.04%8
Winning from the Front Row:21.05%12
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:40.35%23
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:59.65%34
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 10:40.35%23
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:7.02%4
  • A total of 14 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
RankOrganizationsWinsSeasons
1Hendrick Motorsports132023, ’21, ’20, ’15, ’11, ’09 sweep, ’08 sweep, ’07 sweep, ’05, 94
2Joe Gibbs Racing82024, ’21, ’19 sweep, ’18, ’17, ’12, ’99
3Stewart-Haas Racing72022, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14 sweep, ’10
4RFK Racing72013, ’10, ’05, ’02, ’01, ’00, ’93
5Richard Childress Racing62017, ’13, ’12, ’06 sweep, ’90
6Team Penske52024, ’22, ’20, ’16, ’98
7Robert Yates Racing31997, ’92, ’91
8Dale Earnhardt, Inc.22004, ’03
9Trackhouse Racing12023
10Red Bull Racing12011
11Petty Enterprises11996
12Rudd Performance Motorsports11995
13Melling Racing11989
14AK Racing11988
  • 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 (20), Toyota (eight) 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)

RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups
1Mark Martin51Kyle Busch4
2Kyle Busch4Ryan Blaney4
Ryan Blaney43Brad Keselowski2
4Jimmie Johnson34Chase Elliott1
Kevin Harvick3Chris Buescher1
Tony Stewart3Denny Hamlin1
Joey Logano1
Kyle Larson1
Ross Chastain1

Top-Five Finishes

  • A total of 58 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 16 top-five finishes.

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

RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives
1Kevin Harvick201Denny Hamlin16
2Denny Hamlin162Kyle Busch12
Jimmie Johnson163Brad Keselowski9
4Jeff Gordon12Joey Logano9
Kyle Busch12Kyle Larson9
Mark Martin12Ryan Blaney9

Top-10 Finishes

  • A total of 94 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 26 top 10s.

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

RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s
1Kevin Harvick311Kyle Busch26
2Kyle Busch262Denny Hamlin22
3Jeff Gordon243Joey Logano17
4Denny Hamlin224Brad Keselowski14
Jimmie Johnson225Kyle Larson13
Ryan Blaney13

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)

RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces
1Alan Kulwicki5.20051Ryan Blaney10.44418
2Kevin Harvick8.524422Denny Hamlin10.82139
3Dale Earnhardt9.538133Kyle Larson11.04821
4Mark Martin9.588344William Byron11.14314
5Ryan Blaney10.444185Kyle Busch11.48739
6Jimmie Johnson10.667366Chase Elliott12.35317
7Jeff Gordon10.765347Joey Logano13.09432
8Denny Hamlin10.821398Brad Keselowski13.64531
9Davey Allison11.00059Christopher Bell14.30010
10Kyle Larson11.0482110Chase Briscoe16.3758

LAP LEADERS & LEAD CHANGES

  • A total of 100 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 (39 starts) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Phoenix Raceway with 1,190 laps led out of 11,971 laps completed (10%).
  • 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

RankAll-Time DriversRacesLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led
1Kevin Harvick421,72213,09513%1Kyle Busch391,19011,97110%
2Kyle Busch391,19011,97110%2Joey Logano321,0159,54711%
3Joey Logano321,0159,54711%3Denny Hamlin3993612,1148%
4Jimmie Johnson3699810,9299%4Chase Elliott175535,17111%
5Denny Hamlin3993612,1148%5Ryan Blaney184435,3138%
6Mark Martin3491110,4779%6Kyle Larson213956,2006%
7Rusty Wallace198675,40616%7Brad Keselowski312849,3013%
8Kurt Busch3981812,0947%8William Byron142054,3745%
9Dale Earnhardt Jr305698,7347%9Alex Bowman191965,6033%
10Tony Stewart285558,6906%10Christopher Bell101932,9227%

Leaders

  • The most different 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. Last season’s March Phoenix race produced eight lap leaders.
  • 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 nine.

Lead Changes

  • The most lead changes at Phoenix Raceway in a NASCAR Cup Series race were 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 10 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 VictoryRace WinnerRunner-UpDate
0.010Kevin HarvickCarl EdwardsSunday, March 13, 2016
0.130Ryan NewmanJeff GordonSaturday, April 10, 2010
0.170Mark MartinErnie IrvanSunday, October 31, 1993
0.250Kevin HarvickJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 12, 2006
0.276Joey LoganoKevin HarvickSunday, 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 VictoryRace WinnerRunner-UpDate
7.315Denny HamlinKevin HarvickSunday, March 4, 2012
7.002Jimmie JohnsonClint BowyerSaturday, April 12, 2008
5.465Christopher BellChris BuescherSunday, March 10, 2024
4.770Carl EdwardsRyan NewmanSunday, November 14, 2010
3.090Terry LabonteMark MartinSunday, October 30, 1994
  • A total of 10 of the 57 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have ended with NASCAR Overtime (17.5%):
DateScheduledActualOvertimeWinnerRunner-Up
Sunday, March 12, 20233123175William ByronRyan Blaney
Sunday, March 8, 20203123164Joey LoganoKevin Harvick
Sunday, March 19, 20173123142Ryan NewmanKyle Larson
Sunday, November 13, 201631232412Joey LoganoKyle Busch
Sunday, March 13, 20163123131Kevin HarvickCarl Edwards
Sunday, March 3, 20133123164Carl EdwardsJimmie Johnson
Sunday, November 11, 20123123197Kevin HarvickDenny Hamlin
Saturday, April 10, 20103753783Ryan NewmanJeff Gordon
Sunday, November 9, 20083123131Jimmie JohnsonKurt Busch
Sunday, November 7, 20043123153Dale Earnhardt JrRyan 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 57 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been shortened due to weather:
DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsWinnerRunner-Up
Sunday, November 15, 2015312219-93Dale Earnhardt JrKevin Harvick
Sunday, October 25, 1998312257-55Rusty WallaceMark Martin

Cautions

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

Cautions Laps

  • The most caution laps in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 73 on March 8, 2020.
  • The fewest caution laps in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 10 on November 7, 1999.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Danica Patrick is the only female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to compete at Phoenix Raceway. She made 11 starts at Phoenix Raceway in her Cup Series career posting a best finish of 16th in 2015.
DateDriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDriver Rating
Sunday, November 12, 2017Danica Patrick242548.2
Monday, March 13, 2017Danica Patrick262252.8
Sunday, November 13, 2016Danica Patrick162948.9
Sunday, March 13, 2016Danica Patrick361960.3
Sunday, November 15, 2015Danica Patrick211666.4
Sunday, March 15, 2015Danica Patrick232659.6
Sunday, November 9, 2014Danica Patrick322260.5
Sunday, March 2, 2014Danica Patrick333651.7
Sunday, November 10, 2013Danica Patrick323333.2
Sunday, March 3, 2013Danica Patrick403944.2
Sunday, November 11, 2012Danica Patrick371758.0
AVERAGES29.125.853.1

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

  • There have been 145 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 ArizonaCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst Year
Phoenix RacewayAvondale5746341371988
Arizona State FairgroundsPhoenix40041951
Tucson Raceway ParkTucson00331995
Tucson Rodeo GroundsTucson10011955
Totals624637145

ARIZONA DRIVERS IN NASCAR

  • A total of 35 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.
  • Of the 35 Arizona drivers, only two have won a NASCAR national series race.
Arizona NASCAR WinnersCupXfinityTruckCombined
Alex Bowman8109
Michael McDowell2103
Totals102012