Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Talladega Qualifying / Race Data
Track qualifying record: Bill Elliott, Ford, 212.809 mph, 44.998 secs. April 30, 1987
Track race record: Mark Martin, Ford, 188.354 mph, (02:39:18), May 10, 1997
2021 pole winner: Due to the pandemic, Qualifying was not held. The starting lineups were set by Metric Qualifying. Denny Hamlin started from the first starting position.
2021 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Ford, 147.620 mph, (03:26:30), April 25, 2021
Talladega Superspeedway:
Season Race #: 10 of 36 (04-27-22)
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
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 Sept. 14, 1969. The race was won by Richard Brickhouse driving a Dodge for car owner Ray Nichels. The average speed of the first race was 153.778 mph.The name of the facility changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.In total, there have been 105 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one series event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.
STARTS
A total of 482 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 338 have competed in more than one Cup race at the track.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 NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Talladega Superspeedway with 42 each.A total of 72 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first career start at Talladega. The most recent was Harrison Burton on April 25, 2021.Of the 72 drivers to make their first career Cup start at Talladega, Dick Simon had the best finish with a seventh-place after starting 52nd on May 6, 1973.Three drivers entered this weekend will be making their series track debut at Talladega Superspeedway — Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson and 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric. Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega Superspeedway with a 3.625.Chase Elliott (12 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega Superspeedway with a 5.750.
Top 10 in Average Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Bobby Isaac3.62581Chase Elliott5.750122Davey Allison5.267152Ryan Blaney11.333153Pete Hamilton5.40053Brad Keselowski11.731264Chase Elliott5.800104William Byron13.37585Sam Sommers6.33335Daniel Suarez13.83356David Pearson6.400256Ricky Stenhouse Jr14.529187Gordon Johncock7.50027Alex Bowman15.154138Cale Yarborough8.088348Austin Dillon15.294179Rob Moroso9.50029Denny Hamlin15.9063210Dale Earnhardt10.1824410Joey Logano16.53826
POLES
A total of 44 different drivers have won at least one pole at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; 23 of the 44 pole winners have won more than one.Six of the 44 Talladega NASCAR Cup Series pole winners are active this weekend.
Active NASCAR Cup Series Pole Winners at Talladega Superspeedway
Pole Winners (6)PolesSeasonsChase Elliott22019, 2016Kevin Harvick22018, 2005Austin Dillon12019Kurt Busch12018Martin Truex Jr12016Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active drivers in poles at Talladega with two each.Bobby Isaac won the inaugural 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, 1970 sweep).A total of 11 drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega — none are currently active.NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega Superspeedway with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.Youngest Talladega Cup Series pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 — 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).Oldest Talladega Cup Series pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 — 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega Superspeedway.
First-Time Pole Winners at Talladega Superspeedway
First-Time Pole Winners (6)DateBrian ScottMay 4, 2014Juan Pablo MontoyaApril 26, 2009Travis KvapilOctober 5, 2008David GillilandOctober 8, 2006Stacy ComptonApril 22, 2001Jeremy MayfieldJuly 28, 1996A total of eight different manufacturers have won the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 37 poles; followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), Toyota (three) and Buick (two).
WINS
A total of 50 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 25 of the 49 have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.10 of the 50 NASCAR Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway race winners are active this weekend.
Active NASCAR Cup Series Race Winners at Talladega Superspeedway
Active Race Winners (10)WinsSeasonsBrad Keselowski62021, 2017, 2016. 2014, 2012, 2009Joey Logano32018, 2016, 2015Ryan Blaney22020, 2019Denny Hamlin22020, 2014Bubba Wallace12021Chase Elliott12019Aric Almirola12018Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Kevin Harvick12010Kyle Busch12008NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 10 victories (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep, 2000).Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021).Youngest Cup Series Talladega winner: Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986 — 22 years, 1 month, 22 days).Oldest Cup Series Talladega winner: Harry Gant (May 6, 1991 — 51 years, 3 months, 26 days).A total of 11 different drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega; two are active this weekend — Brad Keselowski (2009) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2017).
First-Time NASCAR Cup Series Winners at Talladega Superspeedway
First-Time Race Winners (11)DateBubba WallaceMonday, October 4, 2021Ricky 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, 1969Eight different drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway – Pete Hamilton (1970 sweep), Buddy Baker (1975 sweep, 1976), Darrell Waltrip (1982 sweep), Dale Earnhardt (1990, 1993-94, 1999 sweep), Sterling Marlin (1995-96), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2001-2003), Jeff Gordon (2007 sweep) and Ryan Blaney (2019-2020).NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds the record for the most consecutive races won at Talladega with four straight from 2001-2003.A total of 25 different starting positions in the field at Talladega Superspeedway have led to a win in the NASCAR Cup Series.The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega (19%).15 of the 105 (14.3%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin (October 4, 2020).The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by NASCAR Hall of Famer 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.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %11514.29%1410.95%22019.05%1521.90%376.67%1632.86%498.57%1710.95%554.76%1821.90%643.81%1921.90%732.86%2010.95%810.95%2221.90%965.71%2410.95%1043.81%2710.95%1143.81%3432.86%1232.86%3610.95%1343.81%Additional StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the first starting position:14.29%15Winning from the front row:33.33%35Winning from a top-five starting position:53.33%56Winning from a top-10 starting position:70.48%74Winning after starting outside the top-20:7.62%8Kevin Harvick (18), Aric Almirola (17), Denny Hamlin (16), Joey Logano (13) and Ryan Blaney (10) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Talladega.Kurt Busch leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega without visiting Victory Lane at 42; followed by Martin Truex Jr. with 34.A total of 30 different owners have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.
Top Five in Organization Wins At Talladega Superspeedway
RankWinning Car OwnersWins1Hendrick Motorsports132Richard Childress Racing123Team Penske104Dale Earnhardt Inc.6Ranier Racing6Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins by an organization at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series with 13 victories among seven different drivers.Hendrick Motorsports Winning DriversDateChase ElliottSunday, April 28, 2019Dale Earnhardt JrSunday, May 3, 2015Jimmie JohnsonSunday, April 17, 2011Jeff GordonSunday, October 7, 2007Jeff GordonSunday, April 29, 2007Brian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006Jimmie JohnsonMonday, May 1, 2006Jeff GordonSunday, May 1, 2005Jeff GordonSunday, April 25, 2004Jeff GordonSunday, April 16, 2000Terry LabonteSunday, October 12, 1997Jeff GordonSunday, July 28, 1996Ken SchraderSunday, July 31, 1988Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.Manufacturers (9)Talladega WinsChevrolet41Ford31Mercury7Buick6Oldsmobile6Toyota5Dodge4Plymouth3Pontiac2Chevrolet also leads the NASCAR Cup Series in consecutive wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 straight victories among five drivers from April 25, 1999 to May 1, 2005.
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes
A total of 52 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.NASCAR Hall of Famers Buddy Baker (1973, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1984) and Tony Stewart (April 2001, Oct. 2001, 2002, May 2005, Oct. 2005, 2006) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Talladega with six second-place finishes each.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three runners-up finishes at Talladega (2003, 2004, 2010).
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Buddy Baker61Kevin Harvick3 Tony Stewart62Kyle Busch23Dale Earnhardt Jr53Alex Bowman1 Dale Jarrett5 Brad Keselowski1Darrell Waltrip5Erik Jones1 Kurt Busch1Ricky Stenhouse Jr1 William Byron1
Top-Five Finishes
A total of 121 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-five at Talladega.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top fives at Talladega with 23 top-five finishes.Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Kurt Busch lead all active series drivers in top fives at Talladega with nine each.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Dale Earnhardt231Brad Keselowski92Jeff Gordon16 Denny Hamlin93Buddy Baker15Joey Logano94Cale Yarborough14 Kurt Busch9Darrell Waltrip145Kevin Harvick8 Terry Labonte14
Top-10 Finishes
A total of 206 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top 10s at Talladega with 27.Kurt Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 22.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Dale Earnhardt271Kurt Busch222Mark Martin242Kevin Harvick183Terry Labonte233Denny Hamlin144Bill Elliott224Brad Keselowski13Kurt Busch225Joey Logano11
Average Finishes
Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.600.Ty Dillon (eight starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 12.0.
Top 20 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Pete Hamilton5.60051Ty Dillon12.00082John H. Nemechek8.00022Chase Briscoe12.50023Bruce Jacobi10.00023Daniel Hemric13.00024Anthony Alfredo11.00024Ricky Stenhouse Jr14.118185Ty Dillon12.00085Brad Keselowski15.077266Bobby Isaac12.37586Kevin Harvick15.571427Dale Earnhardt12.409447Chase Elliott15.917128Chase Briscoe12.50028Kurt Busch15.952429David Ray Boggs12.50029Aric Almirola16.1672510Davey Allison12.6671510Denny Hamlin16.8753211Daniel Hemric13.000211Joey Logano16.9622612Billy Hagan13.500212Ryan Blaney17.2671513Ricky Stenhouse Jr14.1181813Daniel Suarez17.333614Brad Keselowski15.0772614Tyler Reddick18.250415Tim Richmond15.1541315Austin Dillon18.9411716Ryan Preece15.333616Cole Custer19.000417Dale Earnhardt Jr15.3713517Chris Buescher19.3851318Skip Manning15.429718Bubba Wallace19.500819Jackie Rogers15.500419William Byron19.500820Kevin Harvick15.5714220Corey Lajoie20.6258
LAPS LEADERS
A total of 203 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup 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 416 in 26 starts.The most laps led by the race winner at Talladega Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series event was 153 laps of the scheduled 188 (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970. He started the race from the fourth position.The most laps led by a driver that did not win the race at Talladega Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series event was 142 laps of the scheduled 192 (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013. He started the race from the sixth position and finished eighth.Four times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only the final lap (one lap) — April 25, 2021 (Winner: Brad Keselowski), October 14, 2018 (Aric Almirola), April 26, 2009 (Brad Keselowski), October 7, 2009 (Jeff Gordon).
Top 10 Series Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt441,3777,19919%2Buddy Baker431,1376,16118%3Dale Earnhardt Jr359676,13416%4Jeff Gordon469027,96311%5Bobby Allison377035,26713%6Darrell Waltrip566668,0718%7Cale Yarborough345934,73113%8Bill Elliott575269,5945%9Matt Kenseth395246,8368%10Jimmie Johnson384746,7777%
RankActive DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Joey Logano264164,6239%2Denny Hamlin323955,6497%3Brad Keselowski263134,7357%4Kevin Harvick422927,4734%5Kurt Busch422917,5174%6Kyle Busch332605,7755%7Ryan Blaney151742,6317%8Chase Elliott121732,1298%9Ricky Stenhouse Jr181042,9524%10Martin Truex Jr34755,8311%
TRACK/EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway nine times.DateDriver That Started FirstReason For Qualifying CancelledMonday, October 4, 2021Denny HamlinPandemicSunday, April 25, 2021Denny HamlinPandemicSunday, October 4, 2020Denny HamlinPandemicMonday, June 22, 2020Martin Truex JrPandemicSunday, October 20, 2013Aric AlmirolaWeatherSunday, May 5, 2013Carl EdwardsWeatherSunday, April 25, 2010Jimmie JohnsonWeatherSunday, November 1, 2009Jimmie JohnsonWeatherSunday, October 6, 2002Jimmie JohnsonWeatherThree NASCAR Cup Series races held at Talladega Superspeedway were not run on their 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 rescheduled due to the pandemic to June 22, 2020 — Ryan Blaney won the race. The October 3, 2021, race was postponed due to inclement weather to October 4, 2021 — Bubba Wallace won the event.There have been 17 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega:DateScheduled ActualOvertimeRace 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 GordonSince the advent of electronic scoring 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 Margin of Victory is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the series using electronic scoring.
Top 10 Closest Margin of Victory in the NCS at Talladega Superspeedway
RankMargin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate10.002Jimmie JohnsonClint BowyerSunday, April 17, 201120.005Dale EarnhardtErnie IrvanSunday, July 25, 199330.007Ryan BlaneyRyan NewmanSunday, October 13, 201940.007Ryan BlaneyRicky Stenhouse Jr.Monday, June 22, 202050.011Kevin HarvickJamie McMurraySunday, April 25, 201060.018Clint BowyerJeff BurtonSunday, October 23, 201170.025Jimmy SpencerBill ElliottSunday, July 24, 199480.050Sterling MarlinDale JarrettSunday, July 23, 199590.052Tony StewartPaul MenardSunday, October 5, 2008100.060Dale EarnhardtErnie IrvanSunday, May 1, 19940.060Dale Earnhardt Jr.Michael WaltripSunday, April 21, 2002Only three of the 105 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnersMonday, October 4, 2021188117-71Bubba WallaceSunday, July 28, 1996188129-59Jeff GordonThursday, April 30, 1987188178-10Davey Allison
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 Patrick132110/15/2017Danica Patrick31385/7/2017Danica Patrick302010/23/2016Danica Patrick37245/1/2016Danica Patrick202710/25/2015Danica Patrick25215/3/2015Danica Patrick271910/19/2014Danica Patrick7225/4/2014Danica Patrick233310/20/2013Danica Patrick23335/5/2013DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDatePatty Moise36337/30/1989DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie12298/6/1978Janet Guthrie9348/7/1977Janet Guthrie13325/1/1977
NASCAR IN ALABAMA
There have been 167 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks.Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckTotalYearsTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega10532161531969Birmingham International RacewayBirmingham80081958Montgomery Motor SpeedwayMontgomery60061955Lakeview SpeedwayMobile20021951Chisholm SpeedwayMontgomery10011956Dixie SpeedwayBirmingham10011960Huntsville SpeedwayHuntsville10011962Totals1243216172The 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 Alabama native Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 — the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
ALABAMA 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 combining to a total of 205 victories; seven of the 11 winners have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.DriverCupXfinityTruckCombinedBobby Allison842086Tim Flock390039Davey Allison190019Neil Bonnett181019Donnie Allison100010Red Byron2002Bubba Wallace1067Steve Grissom011011Grant Enfinger0066Rick Crawford0055Cale Gale0011Totals1731418205Bubba Wallace became the sixth different driver from the state of Alabama to win at a track in Alabama; joining Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Davey Allison, Neil Bonnett and Tim Flock. Track in AlabamaRace Winners from AlabamaDriver‘s HometownBIRBobby AllisonHueytownMontgomeryBobby AllisonHueytownTalladegaBobby AllisonHueytownTalladegaBubba WallaceMobileTalladegaDavey AllisonHueytownTalladegaDonnie AllisonHueytownTalladegaNeil BonnettBessemerLakeviewTim FlockFort PayneMontgomeryTim FlockFort Payne
— NASCAR —-
