Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, going into the AdventHealth 400 on Sunday, May 15 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Kansas Speedway Data
Season Race #: 13 of 36 (05-15-22)
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,685 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,207 feet
Race Length: 267 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 Length: 80 laps
Stage 2 Length: 85 laps
Final Stage Length: 102 laps
Kansas Qualifying Record Data
Track Qualifying Record:
Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 197.773 mph, 27.304 secs., October 3, 2014
2021 Pole Winner:
Starting lineup was determined by Metric Qualifying. Brad Keselowski started from the first position.
Kansas Race Record Data
Track Race Record:
Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 152.057 mph (2:38:02); Oct. 21, 2018
2021 race winner:
Kyle Busch, Toyota, 129.647 mph, (03:05:21), May 2, 2021
Kansas Speedway Stats & Tidbits:
HISTORY
Groundbreaking for Kansas Speedway was held on May 25, 1999.The official opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA Menards Series race and a ARCA Menards Series West race on the same day — June 2.The first NASCAR Cup Series race was on September 30, 2001. The event was won by Hendrick Motorsport‘s driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet).During the 2012 season, between the April and October events, the 1.5-mile track underwent a repave, adding variable banking in the corners (17-20 degrees).There have been 32 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, one event from 2001 – 2010 and two races per year since 2011.
STARTS
A total of 160 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway; 126 drivers have competed in more than one Cup Series race at Kansas.Three drivers have started all 32 NASCAR Cup Series races and lead the series in starts at Kansas Speedway — Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman. Five drivers all-time have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Kansas Speedway:DriversStart FinishDateMatt Mills3938Sunday, May 2, 2021Erik Jones1240Saturday, May 9, 2015Ryan Blaney2127Saturday, May 10, 2014Austin Dillon2626Sunday, October 9, 2011Denny Hamlin732Sunday, October 9, 2005Of the five drivers that have made their first career Cup start at Kansas, Austin Dillon posted the best finish in his series debut with a 26th-place result.Jason Leffler leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas Speedway with a 3.5 in three starts.Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Kansas with a 10.227 in 22 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Jason Leffler3.50031Brad Keselowski9.542242Daniel Hemric9.00022Ryan Blaney9.857143Brad Keselowski9.542243Martin Truex Jr10.926274Ryan Blaney9.857144Joey Logano11.320255Martin Truex Jr10.926275William Byron11.75086Joey Logano11.320256Denny Hamlin12.296277William Byron11.75087Kyle Busch12.321288Brian Vickers11.818128Kevin Harvick13.125329Denny Hamlin12.296279Chase Elliott13.3331210Kyle Busch12.3212810Daniel Suarez14.0006
POLES
A total of 16 different drivers have won the pole at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Six of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners are active this weekend.Active Kansas Pole Winners (6)PolesSeasonsKevin Harvick52019, 2018, 2014 sweep, 2013Joey Logano22018, 2015Martin Truex Jr22017, 2016Ryan Blaney12017Brad Keselowski12015Kurt Busch12011Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Kansas Speedway with five (fall 2013, 2014 sweep, spring 2018, spring 2019).Jason Leffler won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway in 2001 with a speed of 176.499 mph (Dodge) driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.Jason Leffler (2001), Ryan Blaney (2017) and Daniel Hemric (2019) are the only drivers to post their first-career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway.Jimmie Johnson (2007-2008) and Kevin Harvick (three-straight: fall of 2013-2014 sweep) are the only two drivers to win consecutive poles at Kansas Speedway.Youngest series Kansas pole winner: Ryan Blaney (May 13, 2017 — 23 years, 2 months, 43 days).Oldest series Kansas pole winner: Mark Martin (October 4, 2009 — 50 years, 8 months, 25 days).Four manufacturers have won poles at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Chevrolet with 11; followed by Ford (nine), Toyota and Dodge (four each).
WINS
A total of 16 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Kansas Speedway.Eight of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series winners are active this weekend at Kansas Speedway.Active Kansas Race Winners (8)WinsSeasonsDenny Hamlin32020, 2019, 2012Joey Logano32020, 2015, 2014Kevin Harvick32018, 2016, 2013Kyle Busch22021, 2016Brad Keselowski22019, 2011Martin Truex Jr22017 sweepKyle Larson12021Chase Elliott12018Jeff Gordon (2001, 2002, 2014), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2011, 2015), Kevin Harvick (2013, 2016, 2018), Joey Logano (2014, 2015, 2020) and Denny Hamlin (2012, 2019, 2020) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Kansas Speedway with three victories each.NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on September 30, 2001. Gordon actually won the first two NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway (2001, 2002).Youngest series Kansas winner: Chase Elliott (October 21, 2018 — 22 years, 10 months, 23 days).Oldest series Kansas winner: Mark Martin (October 9, 2005 — 46 years, 9 months, 0 days).NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon is the only series driver to win at Kansas in his first appearance (2001).No NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won their first career race at Kansas Speedway.Jeff Gordon (2001, 2002), Matt Kenseth (2012, 2013), Martin Truex Jr. (2017 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2019, 2020) are the four NASCAR Cup Series drivers that have posted consecutive wins at Kansas Speedway.A total of 17 different starting positions on the grid have led to victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.The first starting position is the most proficient starting spot in the field producing more winners (seven) than any other starting position on the grid: Joe Nemechek (2004), Jimmie Johnson (2008), Matt Kenseth (spring 2013), Kevin Harvick (Playoffs 2013), Martin Truex Jr. (Playoffs 2017), Kevin Harvick (spring 2018), Kyle Larson (Playoffs 2021).A total of six of the 30 (20%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Kevin Harvick (May 12, 2018).
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Kansas Speedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %1721.9%1126.25%226.3%1213.13%313.1%1326.25%439.4%1413.13%526.3%1939.38%613.1%2113.13%713.1%2313.13%913.1%2513.13%1026.3%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:21.9%7Winning from the Front Row:28.1%9Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:46.9%15Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:62.5%20Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:9.4%3The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kansas Speedway is 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.Martin Truex Jr. (17), Kyle Busch (16) and Kevin Harvick (15) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Kansas Speedway.Kurt Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most starts at Kansas Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 32; followed by Michael McDowell (21 starts), Aric Almirola (20) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (18).A total of eight different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.OrganizationsWinsSeasonsHendrick Motorsports82021, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2008, 2002, 2001Joe Gibbs Racing72021, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2006Team Penske62020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2003RFK Racing42012, 2010, 2007, 2005Stewart-Haas Racing32018, 2016, 2009Furniture Row Racing22017 sweepRichard Childress Racing12013MB2 Motorsports12004Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Kansas Speedway with eight victories among four drivers: Jeff Gordon (three: 2001, 2002 and 2014), Jimmie Johnson (three: 2008, 2011 and 2015), Chase Elliott (one: Playoffs 2018) and Kyle Larson (one: Playoffs 2021).Four manufacturers have won at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet with 13 victories, Ford with nine, Toyota has eight and Dodge has two.
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 20 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Kansas Speedway with five second-place finishes (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021).
Top Five in Second-Place Finishes at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Kevin Harvick51Kevin Harvick52Martin Truex Jr32Martin Truex Jr33Brad Keselowski23Brad Keselowski2 Carl Edwards2 Chase Elliott2Chase Elliott2 Kurt Busch2 Kasey Kahne2 Kurt Busch2 Ryan Newman2
Top Five Finishes:
A total of 37 different drivers have finished in the top-five in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kanas Speedway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Kansas Speedway with 12 top fives.
Top Five in Top Fives at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Kevin Harvick121Kevin Harvick122Jeff Gordon112Denny Hamlin93Denny Hamlin9 Kyle Busch9 Jimmie Johnson9 Martin Truex Jr9Kyle Busch95Joey Logano8 Martin Truex Jr9
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 56 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have posted top-10 finishes at Kansas.Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick leads the series in top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway with 19 top 10s each.
Top Five in Top 10s at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Jimmie Johnson191Kevin Harvick192Kevin Harvick192Martin Truex Jr143Jeff Gordon143Brad Keselowski134Martin Truex Jr144Kurt Busch135Brad Keselowski135Kyle Busch13 Carl Edwards13 Kurt Busch13 Kyle Busch13 Matt Kenseth13
Average Finish
NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace leads the series in average finish at Kansas Speedway with an 8.2 in five starts.Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway with an average finishing position with a 8.906 in 32 starts.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Kansas Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Rusty Wallace8.20051Kevin Harvick8.906322Ricky Rudd8.80052Chase Elliott9.750123Kevin Harvick8.906323Brad Keselowski11.500244Chase Elliott9.750124Martin Truex Jr12.741275Jeff Gordon9.950205Denny Hamlin14.074276Brendan Gaughan10.00026Tyler Reddick15.20057Carl Edwards10.158197Kurt Busch15.500328Brad Keselowski11.500248Kyle Larson15.500149Jimmie Johnson11.793299Kyle Busch15.6072810Greg Biffle12.7142110Cole Custer15.7504
LAP LEADERS
A total of 76 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Kansas Speedway with 949 in 32 starts.
Top 15 Lap Leaders in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway
RankAll-Time Lap LeadersRacesLaps LedCompleted% Led1Kevin Harvick329498,39711.3%2Martin Truex Jr278037,06611.4%3Matt Kenseth277746,73511.5%4Jimmie Johnson296017,5138.0%5Joey Logano255006,3357.9%6Kyle Larson144263,53912.0%7Kyle Busch284046,9335.8%8Denny Hamlin273497,0774.9%9Greg Biffle213465,3196.5%10Brad Keselowski243276,3055.2%11Kurt Busch322768,0873.4%12Jeff Gordon202185,2504.2%13Mark Martin162124,1885.1%14Chase Elliott121873,2065.8%15Carl Edwards191764,9933.5%The most laps led by the winner of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was 197 of the scheduled 272 laps (72.4%) on October 9, 2011 by Jimmie Johnson. He started the race in 19th.The most laps led by a driver that did not win a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was 173 of the scheduled 267 (64.7%) on April 22, 2012 by Martin Truex Jr.; he ultimately finished the race runner-up after Denny Hamlin passed Truex with 37 laps to go and went on to win.The fewest laps led by the winner of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway was five laps of the scheduled 267 on October 1, 2006 by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart. He took the lead over Jimmie Johnson on Lap 263 and led the final five laps to win.
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Danica Patrick is the only female driver that has competed at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series:DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateDanica Patrick223810/22/2017Danica Patrick24365/13/2017Danica Patrick191810/16/2016Danica Patrick23205/7/2016Danica Patrick292210/18/2015Danica Patrick27275/9/2015Danica Patrick291610/5/2014Danica Patrick975/10/2014Danica Patrick294310/6/2013Danica Patrick25254/21/2013Danica Patrick403210/21/2012Averages25.125.8Danica Patrick‘s seventh-place finish (2014) at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series is the third-highest finish by a female driver in series history. Patrick‘s series career-best finish is sixth (Atlanta).The best finish by a female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series is Sarah Christian‘s fifth-place finish (Heidelberg) in 1949.
TRACK & EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway is 0.081-second. The race was held on October 10, 2004 – the inaugural series event – Joe Nemechek beat Ricky Rudd.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory at Kansas Speedway
Margin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate0.081Joe NemechekRicky RuddSunday, October 10, 20040.112Jeff GordonKevin HarvickSaturday, May 10, 20140.128Denny HamlinChase ElliottSunday, October 20, 20190.150Matt KensethKasey KahneSunday, April 21, 20130.205Brad KeselowskiAlex BowmanSaturday, May 11, 2019
Top Five Largest Margins of Victory at Kansas Speedway
Margin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate12.422Tony StewartCasey MearsSunday, October 1, 20067.638Greg BiffleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 3, 20103.619Kyle LarsonChase ElliottSunday, October 24, 20212.813Brad KeselowskiDale Earnhardt JrSunday, June 5, 20112.284Martin Truex JrKurt BuschSunday, October 22, 2017In the 32 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, only four have resulted in NASCAR Overtime (12.5%):DateScheduled LapsActual LapsOvertimeRace WinnersSunday, October 18, 20152672692Joey LoganoSunday, October 9, 20112672725Jimmie JohnsonSaturday, May 11, 20192672714Brad KeselowskiSunday, October 20, 201926727710Denny HamlinOnly one of the 32 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnerSunday, September 30, 2007267210-57Greg BiffleOf the 32 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Kansas Speedway, only the Sept. 30, 2007 event has ended under caution — weather — Greg Biffle won the event.Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series events from 2019-2021 have had their qualifying sessions cancelled due to the pandemic.The NASCAR Cup Series Kansas race has never been postponed to another date due to weather conditions.The most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas was 26 on October 4, 2009.The most leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas was 14 on October 4, 2009.
NASCAR IN KANSAS
There has been a total of 82 NASCAR national series races among two tracks held in the state of Kansas.Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckTotal RacesFirst YearKansas SpeedwayKansas City322223772001Heartland Park TopekaTopeka00551995Totals32222882The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Kansas was on July 29, 1995 at Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kansas. The event was a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, and it was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. (Chevrolet) driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc.
KANSAS DRIVERS IN NASCAR
A total of 17 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Kansas.Of the 17 Kansas drivers, only two of them have won a NASCAR national series race; both have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.Kansas Race WinnersCupXfinityTruckCombinedClint Bowyer108321Jim Roper1001Totals118322
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