Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders‘ statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the YellaWood 500 on October 3 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoffs Outlook Following Race No. 30RankDriverPointsRace WinsStage WinsPlayoff PtsPts From Cutoff1Denny Hamlin (P)3,08221030In On Wins2Kyle Larson (P)3,09661560573Kyle Busch (P)3,0742522354Martin Truex Jr. (P)3,0704529315Ryan Blaney (P)3,0633424246Chase Elliott (P)3,0612321227Joey Logano (P)3,045151368Brad Keselowski (P)3,04312849William Byron (P)3,0391314-410Kevin Harvick (P)3,036002-711Alex Bowman (P)3,0303015-1312Christopher Bell (P)3,018105-2513Tyler Reddick2,118033Eliminated from the Playoffs14Kurt Busch2,10413815Aric Almirola2,09310516Michael McDowell2,044105
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5: Talladega Superspeedway
The 2021 season marks the fifth consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway will host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2021) — Race No. 31 of the season.Talladega is the third different track to host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, joining: Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004 — 2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015 – 2016).Talladega Superspeedway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004 and has occupied five different spots on the postseason schedule.Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004 — 2005); the fourth race (2006 — 2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017-2021); the sixth race (2011, 2013 — 2016); and the seventh race (2009 — 2010).A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway; five of the 13 are active this weekend.Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Race WinnersTrackRace WinnerDateTalladegaDenny HamlinSunday, October 4, 2020TalladegaRyan BlaneySunday, October 13, 2019TalladegaAric AlmirolaSunday, October 14, 2018TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 15, 2017TalladegaJoey LoganoSunday, October 23, 2016TalladegaJoey LoganoSunday, October 25, 2015TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 19, 2014TalladegaJamie McMurraySunday, October 20, 2013TalladegaMatt KensethSunday, October 7, 2012TalladegaClint BowyerSunday, October 23, 2011TalladegaClint BowyerSunday, October 31, 2010TalladegaJamie McMurraySunday, November 1, 2009TalladegaTony StewartSunday, October 5, 2008TalladegaJeff GordonSunday, October 7, 2007TalladegaBrian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006TalladegaDale JarrettSunday, October 2, 2005TalladegaDale Earnhardt JrSunday, October 3, 2004Brad Keselowski (2017, 2014), Clint Bowyer (2010-2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015-2016) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff wins at Talladega with two victories each.During the Playoff Era (2004-Present), the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race has never gone on to win the title in the same season. But twice the Talladega Playoff race winner has finished runner-up in the championship standings at the end of the season: Jeff Gordon (2007) and Joey Logano (2016). Last season‘s Talladega Playoff race winner Denny Hamlin finished the season fourth in the final standings.A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series fifth race in the Playoffs; six of the 13 are active this weekend.Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins during the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 — all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 5 WinnersTrackRace WinnerDateTalladegaDenny HamlinSunday, October 4, 2020TalladegaRyan BlaneySunday, October 13, 2019TalladegaAric AlmirolaSunday, October 14, 2018TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 15, 2017KansasKevin HarvickSunday, October 16, 2016KansasJoey LoganoSunday, October 18, 2015CharlotteKevin HarvickSaturday, October 11, 2014CharlotteBrad KeselowskiSaturday, October 12, 2013CharlotteClint BowyerSaturday, October 13, 2012CharlotteMatt KensethSaturday, October 15, 2011CharlotteJamie McMurraySaturday, October 16, 2010CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 17, 2009CharlotteJeff BurtonSaturday, October 11, 2008CharlotteJeff GordonSaturday, October 13, 2007CharlotteKasey KahneSaturday, October 14, 2006CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 15, 2005CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 16, 2004Twice the winner of the fifth race in the Playoffs has gone on to win the title later that season; both happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004-2014):In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title — it was his third of four wins in the 2009 postseason.In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the seventh starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series title — it was his first of three wins during the 2014 postseason.The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.Last season‘s champ, Chase Elliott finished fifth in the fifth race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway.Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points.In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points.In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points.In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.Twice a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points.In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.
NASCAR Cup Series 2021 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega
RankDriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1Kyle Larson130002523.573.92Denny Hamlin3102913517.283.83Kyle Busch320168720.881.54Martin Truex Jr3310281321.876.25Ryan Blaney140235417.491.16Chase Elliott112145315.788.17Joey Logano2503810817.590.98Brad Keselowski2506812415.691.09William Byron70022217.185.710Kevin Harvick4121817415.880.511Alex Bowman120013524.673.112Christopher Bell30000128.360.8
* — Based on last 33 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 — 2021).
Talladega Superspeedway:
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-03-21)
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 4,300 feet
Backstretch Length: 4,000 feet
Race Length: 188 laps / 500 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 68 laps
QUALIFYING & RACE DATA
Track qualifying record:
Bill Elliott
Melling Racing Ford
212.809 mph, 44.998 secs.
April 30, 1987
2020 Playoff pole winner:
Qualifying was cancelled due to the Pandemic
Starting Lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying
Denny Hamlin (Toyota) started in the first position
2019 Playoff pole winner:
Chase Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
192.707 mph, 49.692 secs.
October 12, 2019
Track race record:
Mark Martin
Roush Fenway Racing Ford
188.354 mph, (02:39:18)
May 10, 1997
2020 Playoff race winner:
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
129.774 mph, (04:05:58)
October 4, 2020
2019 Playoff race winner:
Ryan Blaney
Team Penske Ford
136.644 mph, (03:39:35),
October 14, 2019
HISTORY
Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on September 14, 1969; the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on July 25, 1992; the event was won by Ernie Irvan (Chevrolet).The first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega was held on October 7, 2006; the event was won by Mark Martin (Ford).The name of the track changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.The track completed its fourth repaving on September 19, 2006.In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.There have been 104 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970. Among the 104 events, the track has hosted 17 Playoff races in the NASCAR Cup Series.
STARTS
A total of 481 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 332 have competed in more than one.Dave Marcis and Terry Labonte lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Talladega with 61 starts each.Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active Cup drivers in starts at Talladega with 41 each.A total of 72 drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega; the three most recent were Harrison Burton (April 25, 2021), Justin Haley (April 28, 2019) and Timothy Peters (April 29, 2018).Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.Chase Elliott (11 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 6.000.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Bobby Isaac3.62581Chase Elliott6.000112Davey Allison5.267152Ryan Blaney11.857143Pete Hamilton5.40053Brad Keselowski11.920254Chase Elliott6.000114William Byron13.85775Sam Sommers6.33335Ricky Stenhouse Jr14.125176David Pearson6.400256Austin Dillon15.250167Gordon Johncock7.50027Ryan Newman15.308398Cale Yarborough8.088348Alex Bowman15.500129Rob Moroso9.50029Denny Hamlin16.3873110Dale Earnhardt10.1824410Joey Logano16.88025
POLES
A total of 44 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 23 of the 44 have done it multiple times.Six of the 44 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.Active Pole WinnersPolesSeasonsChase Elliott22019, ’16Kevin Harvick22018, ’05Austin Dillon12019Kurt Busch12018Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Martin Truex Jr12016NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Talladega with two each.Bobby Isaac won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph. In fact, Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway (1969 and 1970 sweep).A total of 11 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series; none of the 11 are currently active — most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Jeff Gordon in 2015 (sweep).Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Cup poles at Talladega with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega:Brian Scott (May 4, 2014)Juan Pablo Montoya (April 26, 2009)Travis Kvapil (October 5, 2008)David Gilliland (October 8, 2006)Stacy Compton (April 22, 2001)Jeremy Mayfield (September 28, 1996)Youngest series Talladega pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 — 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).Oldest series Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 — 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 among eight different drivers — Darrell Waltrip (1988), Terry Labonte (1995), Jimmie Johnson (2002), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015 sweep), Mark Martin (2011), Kasey Kahne (2012), Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2017).Eight different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway; led by Chevrolet with 37 and followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), Toyota (three) and Buick (two).
WINS
A total of 49 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway.Nine of the 49 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.Active Race WinnersWinsSeasonsBrad Keselowski62021, ’17, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’09Joey Logano32018, ’16, ’15Denny Hamlin22020, ’14Ryan Blaney22020, ’19Chase Elliott12019Aric Almirola12018Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Kevin Harvick12010Kyle Busch12008NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in wins at Talladega with 10 victories (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep and 2000).Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021); followed by Joey Logano with three wins (2015, 2016, 2018).25 of the 49 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Talladega have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.Nine different drivers have won consecutive series races at Talladega; led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with four-straight victories from 2001-2003. Ryan Blaney is the most recent driver to win consecutive races at Talladega (2019-2020).Youngest series Talladega winner is Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986) at the age of 22 years, 1 month, 22 days.Oldest series Talladega winner is Harry Gant (May 6, 1991) at the age of 51 years, 3 months, 26 days.A total of 25 different starting positions have produced race winners in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.15 of the 104 NASCAR Cup Series races (14.4%) at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position — the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin on October 4, 2020.The outside front row (second starting position) is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. The most recent driver to win from the second starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2011
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %11514.42%1410.96%22019.23%1521.92%376.73%1632.88%498.65%1710.96%554.81%1821.92%643.85%1910.96%732.88%2010.96%810.96%2221.92%965.77%2410.96%1043.85%2710.96%1143.85%3432.88%1232.88%3610.96%1343.85%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:14.42%15Winning from the Front Row:33.65%35Winning from a top-five Starting Position:53.85%56Winning from a top-10 Starting Position:71.15%74Winning After Starting Outside the top 20:7.69%8The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race.The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race.A total of 11 drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway:First-Time Race WinnersDateRicky Stenhouse JrSunday, May 7, 2017Brad KeselowskiSunday, April 26, 2009Brian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006Ken SchraderSunday, July 31, 1988Phil ParsonsSunday, May 1, 1988Davey AllisonSunday, May 3, 1987Bobby Hillin JrSunday, July 27, 1986Ron BouchardSunday, August 2, 1981Lennie PondSunday, August 6, 1978Dick BrooksSunday, August 12, 1973Richard BrickhouseSunday, September 14, 1969Kurt Busch leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 41; followed by Ryan Newman with 39 and Martin Truex Jr. at 33.A total of 29 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, eight of the 29 are active this weekend:Active Winning Organizations at TalladegaWinsHendrick Motorsports13Richard Childress Racing12Team Penske10Joe Gibbs Racing5Wood Brothers Racing5Roush Fenway Racing5Chip Ganassi Racing1Stewart-Haas Racing1Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 victories among seven different drivers – Ken Schrader (1988), Jeff Gordon (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007 sweep), Terry Labonte (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2011), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015) and Chase Elliott (2019).Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 41 victories; followed by Ford (31), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (four), Toyota (four), Plymouth (three) and Pontiac (two).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 51 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart lead the series in runner-up finishes with six second-place finishes each at Talladega Superspeedway.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three runners-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Buddy Baker61Kevin Harvick32Tony Stewart62Kyle Busch23Dale Earnhardt Jr53Ryan Newman24Dale Jarrett54Alex Bowman15Darrell Waltrip5Erik Jones1 Kurt Busch1Ricky Stenhouse Jr1 William Byron1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 119 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in top fives at Talladega with nine.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Dale Earnhardt231Denny Hamlin92Jeff Gordon162Brad Keselowski83Buddy Baker15Joey Logano84Cale Yarborough14 Kevin Harvick8Darrell Waltrip14Kurt Busch8 Terry Labonte14
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 203 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top 10s with 27 top-10 finishes.Kurt Busch leads all active drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 21.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Dale Earnhardt271Kurt Busch212Mark Martin242Kevin Harvick173Terry Labonte233Ryan Newman164Bill Elliott224Denny Hamlin135Kurt Busch215Brad Keselowski12
Average Finish:
Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.Tyler Reddick (three starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 11.33.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Pete Hamilton5.60051Tyler Reddick11.33332John H. Nemechek8.00022Ryan Preece12.00053Bruce Jacobi10.00023Ricky Stenhouse Jr14.000174Tyler Reddick11.33334Brad Keselowski15.600255Ryan Preece12.00055Chase Elliott15.727116Ty Dillon12.00086Aric Almirola15.739247Bobby Isaac12.37587Kevin Harvick15.756418Dale Earnhardt12.409448Kurt Busch16.244419David Ray Boggs12.50029William Byron17.143710Davey Allison12.6671510Denny Hamlin17.19431
LAP LEADERS
A total of 200 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega with 407 in 25 starts.
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt1,3777,19919%1Joey Logano4074,5069%2Buddy Baker1,1376,16118%2Denny Hamlin3895,5327%3Dale Earnhardt Jr9676,13416%3Brad Keselowski3004,6186%4Jeff Gordon9027,96311%4Kurt Busch2827,4004%5Bobby Allison7035,26713%5Kevin Harvick2767,3564%6Darrell Waltrip6668,0718%6Kyle Busch2565,6585%7Cale Yarborough5934,73113%7Ryan Blaney1742,5147%8Bill Elliott5269,5945%8Chase Elliott1732,0129%9Matt Kenseth5246,8368%9Ricky Stenhouse Jr942,8353%10Jimmie Johnson4746,7777%10Ryan Newman916,6871%The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by the race winner was 153 of the scheduled 188 laps (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970 — he started the race in the fourth position.The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that did not win the race was 142 of the scheduled 192 laps (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013 — he started the race in the sixth position and finished eighth.Four times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only one lap — the final lap:Jeff Gordon in 2007, started 34th and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Hendrick Motorsport‘s teammate Jimmie Johnson to the line by 0.66-second.Brad Keselowski in 2009, started ninth and led just the final lap to win the race beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the line by 0.175-second.Aric Almirola in 2018, started fourth and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Clint Bowyer by 0.105-second.Brad Keselowski earlier this season, started 10th and led just the final lap to win the race beating William Byron to the line by 0.102-second.
TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
There have been 17 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega (the most of any track):DateScheduled Actual OvertimeRace WinnersSunday, April 25, 20211881913Brad KeselowskiSunday, October 4, 202018820012Denny HamlinMonday, June 22, 20201881913Ryan BlaneySunday, October 14, 20181881935Aric AlmirolaSunday, May 7, 20171881913Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Sunday, October 23, 20161881924Joey LoganoSunday, October 25, 20151881968Joey LoganoSunday, October 19, 20141881946Brad KeselowskiSunday, May 5, 20131881924David RaganSunday, October 7, 20121881891Matt KensethSunday, May 6, 20121881946Brad KeselowskiSunday, April 25, 201018820012Kevin HarvickSunday, November 1, 20091881913Jamie McMurraySunday, October 5, 20081881902Tony StewartSunday, April 29, 20071881924Jeff GordonSunday, October 2, 20051881902Dale JarrettSunday, May 1, 20051881946Jeff GordonTwo of the 104 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduled Actual FewerRace WinnersSunday, July 28, 1996188129-59Jeff GordonThursday, April 30, 1987188178-10Davey AllisonQualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway eight times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall), 2020 (Playoffs — Metric Qualifying), 2021 (April – Metric Qualifying) and 2021 (Playoffs — Metric Qualifying).Twice the NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was not run on its originally scheduled date:The April 27, 1997 race was postponed due to inclement weather to May 10, 1997 — Mark Martin won the event.The April 26, 2020 race was postponed to June 22, 2020 due to the stoppage in sports as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — Ryan Blaney won the event.Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway is the April 17, 2011 race won by Jimmie Johnson over second-place Clint Bowyer with a Margin of Victory of 0.002 second — the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series using electronic scoring.
Top 10 NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Talladega Superspeedway
RankRace WinnerRunner-UpMargin of VictoryDate1Jimmie JohnsonClint Bowyer0.002Sunday, April 17, 20112Dale EarnhardtErnie Irvan0.005Sunday, July 25, 19933Ryan BlaneyRicky Stenhouse Jr.0.007Monday, June 22, 20204Ryan BlaneyRyan Newman0.007Sunday, October 13, 20195Kevin HarvickJamie McMurray0.011Sunday, April 25, 20106Clint BowyerJeff Burton0.018Sunday, October 23, 20117Jimmy SpencerBill Elliott0.025Sunday, July 24, 19948Sterling MarlinDale Jarrett0.050Sunday, July 23, 19959Tony StewartPaul Menard0.052Sunday, October 5, 200810Dale Earnhardt Jr.Michael Waltrip0.060Sunday, April 21, 2002Dale EarnhardtErnie Irvan0.060Sunday, May 1, 1994Additional NASCAR Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway event stats:CategoriesLast RaceMost/LargestFewest/SmallestCars:4060 (05/06/1973)36 (09/14/1969)Lead Changes:3588 – 2 Times (04/17/2011)13 (05/06/1973)Leaders:1929 (04/25/2010)4 (05/16/1971)Cautions:813 (10/04/2020)0 – 3 Times (10/06/2002)Caution Laps:3362 (05/07/1972)0 – 3 Times (10/06/2002)Lead Lap Finish:2434 (10/23/2016)1 – 2 Times (05/06/1979)Running at Finish:3540 (04/22/2001)14 – 2 Times (10/15/2017)Laps Led (Winner)1153 (08/23/1970)1 – 4 Times (04/25/2021)
FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS
Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateDanica Patrick1321Sunday, October 15, 2017Danica Patrick3138Sunday, May 7, 2017Danica Patrick3020Sunday, October 23, 2016Danica Patrick3724Sunday, May 1, 2016Danica Patrick2027Sunday, October 25, 2015Danica Patrick2521Sunday, May 3, 2015Danica Patrick2719Sunday, October 19, 2014Danica Patrick722Sunday, May 4, 2014Danica Patrick2333Sunday, October 20, 2013Danica Patrick2333Sunday, May 5, 2013DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDatePatty Moise3633Sunday, July 30, 1989DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie1229Sunday, August 6, 1978Janet Guthrie934Sunday, August 7, 1977Janet Guthrie1332Sunday, May 1, 1977
NASCAR IN ALABAMA
There have been 169 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega10431151501969Birmingham International RacewayBirmingham80081958Montgomery Motor SpeedwayMontgomery60061955Lakeview SpeedwayMobile20021951Chisholm SpeedwayMontgomery10011956Dixie SpeedwayBirmingham10011960Huntsville SpeedwayHuntsville10011962Totals1233115169The very first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Alabama was a NASCAR Cup Series event held at Lakeview Speedway (Mobile) in 1951 — the race was won by Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 — the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
ALABAMA DRIVERS IN NASCAR
A total of 75 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Alabama.11 drivers from Alabama have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series; six have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison (Hueytown) is the winningest driver from Alabama posting the fourth most NASCAR Cup Series wins all-time at 84.Bubba Wallace from Mobile, Alabama became the second African American in NASCAR national series history to win a NASCAR national series race (six Camping World Truck wins) joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott (one NASCAR Cup Series win).Alabama driver Bubba Wallace also holds the record for best finish by an African American in the NASCAR Cup Series in the Daytona 500 with his runner-up finish in 2018.Race Winners From AlabamaCupXfinityTruckCombinedBobby Allison842086Tim Flock390039Davey Allison190019Neil Bonnett181019Donnie Allison100010Red Byron2002Steve Grissom011011Grant Enfinger0066Bubba Wallace0066Rick Crawford0055Cale Gale0011Totals1721418204
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