Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida going into the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on August 26 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio — the finale race in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.
2023 Playoff Clinch Scenarios — Daytona International Speedway
Already Clinched
The following 15 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael McDowell.
Can Clinch Via Points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 4th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Brad Keselowski or Kevin Harvick.
Bubba Wallace: Would clinch with 24 pointsTy Gibbs: Could only clinch with helpDaniel Suarez: Could only clinch with help
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, Daniel Suarez, AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, Aric Almirola, Todd Gilliland, Corey LaJoie, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe, Ty Dillon
Can Clinch Regular Season Championship
Additionally, the Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:
Martin Truex Jr.: Would clinch with 22 pointsDenny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
Clinch History: Last Four Regular Season Finales
2022 Season — Heading into the final race of the regular season at Daytona International Speedway, the 2022 season had produced 15 different winners clinching their spots leaving just one position still available to make the Playoffs, and it was Team Penske‘s Ryan Blaney in 16th and Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Martin Truex Jr. in 17th battling it out for the final postseason position. The two drivers were separated by 25 points heading into the race. It was also announced Kurt Busch would forgo his Playoff position as he was still recovering from injury. Ultimately, Truex would finish eighth and Blaney would finish 15th, the Team Penske driver earned enough points to hold onto one of the two open Playoff spots on points. But it was Richard Childress Racing‘s Austin Dillon, who came into the Daytona weekend ranked 20th in the Playoff outlook standings (-255 points behind the postseason cutline), that won the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, clinching the final spot in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs on wins — the second driver to win his way into the Playoffs in the regular season finale; joining William Byron (2020). Hendrick Motorsport‘s driver Chase Elliott clinched the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship.
2021 Season — Heading into the final race of the regular season at Daytona International Speedway, the 2021 season had produced 14 different winners with two additional drivers clinching their spots on points leaving just one spot still available to make the Playoffs, and it was Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick battling it out for the final postseason position. Ultimately, Ryan Blaney won the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, but he had already clinched his spot in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs earlier in the season. Because of the repeat winner, the 16th and final Playoff spot was earned by points, and it was Tyler Reddick‘s fifth-place finish to Austin Dillon‘s 17th at Daytona that earned him enough points to advance for the first-time in his career to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Hendrick Motorsport‘s driver Kyle Larson clinched the Regular Season Championship in 2021.
2020 Season — Heading into the last race of the regular season at Daytona International Speedway in 2020, six spots were still up for grabs in the Playoffs. Ultimately, William Byron won the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway to clinch his spot in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — the first driver since ‘Win & You‘re In‘ was introduced in the series to win his way into the postseason in the final race. The other five Playoff spots were clinched on points. Kevin Harvick clinched the Regular Season Championship in 2020.
2019 Season – Heading into the last race of the regular season at Indianapolis in 2019, just two spots were still up for grabs in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and three drivers were vying for the spots — Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman. Ultimately, Kevin Harvick won the regular season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but he had already clinched his spot in the Playoffs earlier in the season. Clint Bowyer (fifth-place finish) and Ryan Newman (eighth-place) raced their way into the postseason clinching the last two spots on points. Kyle Busch clinched the Regular Season Championship in 2019 for the second-time in his career (2018, 2019).
Daytona International Speedway Stats & Tidbits:
EVENT SPECIFICS
Season Race #: 26 of 36 (08-26-23)
The Purse: $8,778,583
Track Size: 2.5-mile
Banking/Turns: 31 degrees
Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,800 feet
Backstretch Length: 3,000 feet
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stage 1 Length: 35 laps (Ends on Lap 35)
Stage 2 Length: 60 laps (Ends on Lap 95)
Final Stage Length: 65 laps (Ends on Lap 160)
QUALIFYING & RACE RECORDS
Track qualifying record (Summer race): Cale Yarborough, Ford, 203.519 mph, 44.222 secs., July 2, 1986
Track race record (Summer race): Bobby Allison, Mercury, 173.473 mph, (02:18:21), July 4, 1980
2022 Summer Daytona pole winner: Qualifying was cancelled due to weather. Starting Lineups were determined by Metric Qualifying and as a result Kyle Larson started in the first position (August 26, 2022).
2022 Summer Daytona race winner: Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 138.942 mph, (02:52:44), August 27, 2022
HISTORY
Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was November 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.The track is located in the heart of Daytona Beach, Florida and stretches a total 2.5-miles with 31 degrees of banking in the four turns and 18 degrees of banking in the tri-oval where the start/finish line is located.The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on February 20, 1959 — the race was won by Bob Welborn.The first summer race at Daytona International Speedway was held on July 4, 1959 — won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts (140.581 mph) driving a 1959 Pontiac for car owner Jim Stephens. The race was just 250 miles in length. The first 400-mile summer Daytona event was on July 4, 1963, also won by Fireball Roberts. NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona International Speedway — a record for wins in the NASCAR Cup Series to this day.Lights were installed in the spring of 1998 at the track. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second Daytona race has been held under the lights ever since.The Daytona International Speedway underwent a repave in 2010.The 2016 season marked the next phase in the existence of Daytona International Speedway as the DAYTONA Rising project was completed, ushering in the first ‘motorsports stadium,‘ a 400-million-dollar project.There have been 152 NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 65 have been 500 miles, 60 were 400 miles and four were 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.
STARTS
A total of 704 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway; 538 have competed in more than one.A total of 491 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series summer race at Daytona International Speedway; 311 have competed in more than one.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Daytona International Speedway with 74 starts.Kevin Harvick leads all active series drivers in Daytona starts with 44 starts each.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in summer race starts at Daytona with 32.Kevin Harvick leads all active series drivers in summer Daytona starts with 22 starts each.A total of 187 different drivers have made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Daytona International Speedway — the most recent are Riley Herbst (2/19/2023) and Travis Pastrana (2/19/2023).Of the 187 drivers that made their first start at Daytona, 19 made it during the summer Daytona races.
Drivers that made their first career Cup start in the Summer race at Daytona
Drivers (19)DateDan PardusSaturday, October 17, 1998Loy Allen JrSaturday, July 3, 1993Larry MoyerSaturday, July 2, 1988Dave PletcherSaturday, July 4, 1987Greg SacksMonday, July 4, 1983Rick WilsonFriday, July 4, 1980Paul FessTuesday, July 4, 1978Christine BeckersMonday, July 4, 1977Lella LombardiMonday, July 4, 1977Bobby BrackSunday, July 4, 1971Gary DuPuisSaturday, July 4, 1970Joe LeonardFriday, July 4, 1969Eddie MacDonaldMonday, July 4, 1966Ken WhiteSunday, July 4, 1965Lionel JohnsonSunday, July 4, 1965Rodney WilliamsSaturday, July 4, 1964Jim BennettTuesday, July 4, 1961Jim AustinSaturday, July 4, 1959John PaschallSaturday, July 4, 1959Of the 19 drivers that made their first start during the summer Daytona races, Lionel Johnson posted the best finish of 10th after starting 30th on July 4, 1965. Johnson was driving a 1964 Ford for car owner Clay Eastridge.Eight active series drivers have made their first career start at Daytona International Speedway, though none were during the summer races:RankFirst-Time Active DriversStartFinishDate1Todd Gilliland2933Sunday, February 20, 20222Austin Cindric3915Sunday, February 14, 20213Chase Briscoe3019Sunday, February 14, 20214Christopher Bell1721Monday, February 17, 20205Tyler Reddick3927Sunday, February 17, 20196William Byron3323Sunday, February 18, 20187Daniel Suarez1929Sunday, February 26, 20178Alex Bowman2923Sunday, February 23, 2014 NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Daytona International Speedway with a 5.412 in 17 starts.Chase Elliott leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Daytona International Speedway with a 9.867 in 15 total starts.Fireball Roberts also leads the series in average starting position in the Daytona summer races with a 2.200 in five starts.Chase Elliott also leads the series in average starting position in the Summer races at Daytona with a 9.174 in seven starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Fireball Roberts5.412171Chase Elliott9.867152Pete Hamilton5.900102Alex Bowman11.571143Davey Allison6.500143Christopher Bell11.57174Donald Tucker7.00024Ryan Blaney12.563165Paul Goldsmith7.105195William Byron12.636116Don White7.40056Kevin Harvick14.045447Andy Houston7.50027Joey Logano14.828298Earl Balmer7.57178Kyle Busch15.167369Joe Weatherly7.867159Kyle Larson15.6111810Bobby Isaac7.8892710Austin Cindric16.0004
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Daytona Summer Races (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Fireball Roberts2.20051Chase Elliott9.71472Boris Said4.00032Ryan Blaney10.57173Banjo Matthews4.66733William Byron11.00054Davey Allison5.28674Kevin Harvick12.818225Pete Hamilton6.00035Tyler Reddick13.66736Cale Yarborough6.455226Christopher Bell14.00037Earl Balmer6.66737Kyle Busch14.611188Casey Atwood7.00028Kyle Larson14.75089Dick Hutcherson7.00029Ricky Stenhouse Jr15.3001010Fred Lorenzen7.000810Austin Dillon15.6679
POLES
A total of 63 different drivers have won the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway; 25 drivers have won more than one pole at Daytona.Nine of the 63 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona pole winners are active this weekend.RankActive Pole WinnersPolesSeasons1Chase Elliott32018 (July), 2017 (Feb.), 2016 (Feb.)2Alex Bowman32023 (Feb.), 2021 (Feb.), 2018 (Feb.)3Kyle Larson12022 (Feb.)4Ricky Stenhouse Jr12020 (Feb.)5William Byron12019 (Feb.)6Austin Dillon12014 (Feb.)7Kyle Busch12013 (July)8Martin Truex Jr12009 (Feb.)9Kevin Harvick12002 (July)A total of 41 different drivers have won the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series Summer races at Daytona; eight drivers have won multiple summer race poles at Daytona in the Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Daytona with 12 (Feb. 1968, July 1969, 1970 sweep, 1978 sweep, July 1980, July 1981, July 1983, 1984 sweep, July 1986).Eight of Cale Yarborough‘s 12 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona poles are from the summer race, which is also the series-most for that event (1969, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986).Only three active Daytona summer race pole winners are entered this weekend: Chase Elliott (2018), Kyle Busch (2013) and Kevin Harvick (2002).Chase Elliott leads all active series drivers in poles at Daytona with three (Feb. 2016, Feb. 2017, and July 2018).Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole for the summer races at Daytona International Speedway in 1959 with a speed of 144.997 mph driving a 1959 Pontiac.Three drivers have won consecutive poles for the summer race at Daytona: Cale Yarborough (1969-‘70; 1980-‘81, 1983-‘84), Sterling Marlin (1991-‘92) and Dale Earnhardt (1994-‘95).Youngest Cup summer Daytona race pole winner: Chase Elliott (July 7, 2018 — 22 years, 7 months, 9 days); the all-time track record is also held by Chase Elliott (February 21, 2016 — 20 years, 2 months, 24 days).Oldest Cup summer Daytona race pole winner: Mark Martin (July 2, 2011 — 52 years, 5 months, 23 days).A total of 17 different drivers have posted their first series career pole at Daytona International Speedway — 10 during Speedweeks in February and seven during the races held in the Summer months.First-Time Pole Winners (Daytona Summer Races)DatePaul MenardSaturday, July 5, 2008Kevin HarvickSaturday, July 6, 2002Sterling MarlinSaturday, July 6, 1991Greg SacksSaturday, July 7, 1990Geoff BodineSunday, July 4, 1982Charlie GlotzbachThursday, July 4, 1968Darel DieringerSaturday, July 4, 1964Hendrick Motorsports leads all organizations in poles at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series with 23 poles — 16 DAYTONA 500 poles and seven summer race poles.Hendrick Motorsports has seven summer race Daytona poles (series-most) among six drivers: Darrell Waltrip (7/2/88), Greg sacks (7/7/90), Jeff Gordon (7/6/96 and 7/3/04), Mark Martin (7/2/11), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (7/1/17), Chase Elliott (7/7/2018).Nine different manufacturers have won the pole at Daytona, led by Chevrolet (53) and followed by Ford (25), Pontiac (15), Mercury (10), Dodge (nine), Oldsmobile (six), Plymouth (two), Toyota (one) and Buick (one).Eight different manufacturers have won the pole for the summer races at Daytona, led by Chevrolet (22), and followed by Ford (13), Pontiac (six), Dodge (five), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (three), Toyota (one) and Buick (one).
WINS
A total of 69 different drivers have posted at least one NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway; 31 drivers have multiple Cup Series wins at Daytona.Of the 69 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona winners, 41 of them have won the Summer race (59.4%).NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Daytona International Speedway with 10 wins (Feb. 1964, Feb. 1966, Feb. 1971, Feb. 1973, Feb. 1974, July 1975, July 1977, Feb. 1979, Feb. 1981, July 1984).Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Daytona wins with three (Feb. 2016, Feb. 2019, Feb. 2020).NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in summer race victories at Daytona with five wins (1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978).Of the 69 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona winners, 16 are active this weekend; 10 of the 16 have won the Summer event.RankActive Daytona Race WinnersWinsSeasons1Denny Hamlin32020 (Feb.), 2019 (Feb.), 2016 (Feb.)2Ricky Stenhouse Jr22023 (Feb.), 2017 (July)3Kevin Harvick22010 (July), 2007 (Feb.)4Austin Cindric12022 (Feb.)5Ryan Blaney12021 (Aug.)6Michael McDowell12021 (Feb.)7William Byron12020 (Aug.)8Justin Haley12019 (July)9Erik Jones12018 (July)10Austin Dillon12018 (Feb.)11Brad Keselowski12016 (July)12Joey Logano12015 (Feb.)13Aric Almirola12014 (July)14Kyle Busch12008 (July)Youngest Daytona Summer race winner: Justin Haley (07/07/2019 — 20 years, 2 months, 9 days); the all-time track record is held by Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 — 20 years, 0 months, 1 day).Oldest Daytona Summer race winner: Bobby Allison (07/04/1987 — 49 years, 7 months, 1 day); the all-time track record is held by Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 — 50 years, 5 months, 23 days).Five drivers have posted consecutive summer race wins at Daytona International Speedway: Fireball Roberts (1962-1963), J. Foyt (1964-1965), Cale Yarborough (1967-1968) David Pearson (three: 1972-1974) and Tony Stewart (2005-2006). None of the active drivers have multiple summer race Daytona wins.Five drivers have swept both NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona in a single season — the DAYTONA 500 and the summer race:Fireball Roberts — 1962 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 250);Cale Yarborough — 1968 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400);LeeRoy Yarborough — 1969 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400);Bobbie Allison — 1982 (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400);Jimmie Johnson — 2013 (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola)A total of 23 different drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona International Speedway; 11 of the 23 drivers posted their first win in the summer race — the most recent summer race first-time winner is William Byron, from the August race in 2020.Of the 23 different drivers that posted their first NASCAR Cup Series career win at Daytona International Speedway; Justin Haley started the deepest in the field at Daytona to win his first race, with a 34th-place starting position.
NASCAR Cup Series First-Time Winners at Daytona International Speedway (All-Time)
First-Time Race Winners (23) DateDriver’s AgeAustin Cindric5Sunday, February 20, 202223Michael McDowell17Sunday, February 14, 202136William Byron6Saturday, August 29, 202022Justin Haley34Sunday, July 7, 201920Erik Jones29Saturday, July 7, 201822Aric Almirola15Sunday, July 6, 201430David Ragan5Saturday, July 2, 201125Trevor Bayne32Sunday, February 20, 201120Greg Biffle30Saturday, July 5, 200333Michael Waltrip19Sunday, February 18, 200137John Andretti3Saturday, July 5, 199734Jimmy Spencer3Saturday, July 2, 199437Sterling Marlin4Sunday, February 20, 199436Derrike Cope12Sunday, February 18, 199031Greg Sacks9Thursday, July 4, 198532Pete Hamilton9Sunday, February 22, 197027Mario Andretti12Sunday, February 26, 196726Sam McQuagg4Monday, July 4, 196628Earl Balmer6Friday, February 25, 196630A.J. Foyt19Saturday, July 4, 196429Bobby Isaac4Friday, February 21, 196431Tiny Lund12Sunday, February 24, 196333Johnny Rutherford9Friday, February 22, 196324Four of the last eight races in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway have produced first-time winners in the series — Justin Haley (2019-2), William Byron (2020-2), Michael McDowell (2021-1) and Austin Cindric (2022-1).A total of 26 of the 152 NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position (17.1%).Nine of the 64 summer Daytona International Speedway races (14.1%) in the NASCAR Cup Series have been won from the pole or first starting position – six were from the pole and three were from the first starting position when qualifying was cancelled.Winners From 1st Starting PositionDatePole WinnerDale Earnhardt JrSunday, July 5, 2015Qualifying CancelledKevin HarvickSaturday, July 3, 2010Qualifying CancelledTony StewartSaturday, July 4, 2009Qualifying CancelledTony StewartSaturday, July 2, 2005Tony StewartJeff GordonSaturday, July 3, 2004Jeff GordonCale YarboroughSaturday, July 4, 1981Cale YarboroughDavid PearsonThursday, July 4, 1974David PearsonJack SmithMonday, July 4, 1960Jack SmithFireball RobertsSaturday, July 4, 1959Fireball RobertsThe youngest driver to win from the pole or first starting position at Daytona in the summer races was Fireball Roberts at the age of 30 years, 5 months and 3 days and did so on July 4, 1959.The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series was NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the 2015 July race (Qualifying was cancelled for this event).A total of 22 different starting positions have produced winners in the NASCAR Cup Series 64 summer races at Daytona International Speedway.The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (nine) than any other starting position in the Summer race at Daytona International Speedway (14.06%).
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Daytona (64 Summer Races)
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %1914.06%1211.56%2710.94%1323.13%369.38%1411.56%434.69%1534.69%546.25%1911.56%669.38%2123.13%711.56%2911.56%846.25%3011.56%969.38%3411.56%1011.56%3811.56%1123.13%4211.56%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:14.06%9Winning from the Front Row:25.00%16Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:45.31%29Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:73.44%47Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:10.94%7The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Daytona is 42nd, by Tony Stewart in the 2012 July race.Martin Truex Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona without visiting Victory Lane at 36; followed by AJ Allmendinger with 20.Wood Brothers Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series with 15 victories each; both have done it with seven different winning drivers.
Wood Brothers Racing Wins at Daytona
OrganizationWinning DriversDateWood Brothers RacingTrevor BayneFebruary 20, 2011Wood Brothers RacingBuddy BakerJuly 4, 1983Wood Brothers RacingNeil BonnettJuly 4, 1979Wood Brothers RacingDavid PearsonJuly 4, 1978Wood Brothers RacingDavid PearsonFebruary 15, 1976Wood Brothers RacingDavid PearsonJuly 4, 1974Wood Brothers RacingDavid PearsonJuly 4, 1973Wood Brothers RacingDavid PearsonJuly 4, 1972Wood Brothers RacingA.J. FoytFebruary 20, 1972Wood Brothers RacingCale YarboroughFebruary 19, 1970Wood Brothers RacingCale YarboroughJuly 4, 1968Wood Brothers RacingCale YarboroughFebruary 25, 1968Wood Brothers RacingCale YarboroughJuly 4, 1967Wood Brothers RacingA.J. FoytJuly 4, 1965Wood Brothers RacingTiny LundFebruary 24, 1963
Hendrick Motorsports Wins at Daytona
OrganizationWinning DriversDateHendrick MotorsportsWilliam ByronAugust 29, 2020Hendrick MotorsportsDale Earnhardt JrJuly 5, 2015Hendrick MotorsportsDale Earnhardt JrFebruary 23, 2014Hendrick MotorsportsJimmie JohnsonJuly 6, 2013Hendrick MotorsportsJimmie JohnsonFebruary 24, 2013Hendrick MotorsportsJimmie JohnsonFebruary 19, 2006Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonFebruary 20, 2005Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonJuly 3, 2004Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonFebruary 14, 1999Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonOctober 17, 1998Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonFebruary 16, 1997Hendrick MotorsportsJeff GordonJuly 1, 1995Hendrick MotorsportsDarrell WaltripFebruary 19, 1989Hendrick MotorsportsTim RichmondJuly 4, 1986Hendrick MotorsportsGeoff BodineFebruary 16, 1986Nine different manufacturers have won points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, led by Chevrolet with 50, followed by Ford (40), Dodge (15), Pontiac (14), Mercury (13), Buick (6), Plymouth (6), Toyota (5), Oldsmobile (3).Eight different manufacturers have won points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona from the pole or first starting position, led by Pontiac and Chevrolet with seven wins each, followed by Ford (four), Mercury (four), Dodge (one), Buick (one), Plymouth (one) and Oldsmobile (one).Seven different manufacturers have won the summer races in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, led by Chevrolet with 22, followed by Ford (20), Mercury (seven), Dodge (five), Pontiac (five), Buick (three) and Toyota (2).Four different manufacturers have won the summer races in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona from the pole or first starting position, led by Chevrolet with five, followed by Pontiac (two), Mercury (one) and Buick (one).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 71 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished runner-up at Daytona.Buddy Baker leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Daytona with eight second-place finishes.Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes at Daytona with four (2019, 2016, 2007, 2006).A total of 43 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished runner-up at Daytona in the summer races.Buddy Baker leads the series in runner-up finishes at Daytona in the summer races with five second-place finishes (1965, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1987).Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes in the summer race at Daytona with three (2016, ‘07, ‘06).
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes in the Summer Race at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Buddy Baker51Kyle Busch32Richard Petty42Chase Elliott13Sterling Marlin4 Martin Truex Jr14Jimmie Johnson3 William Byron15Kyle Busch3 Bubba Wallace1 Tyler Reddick1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 164 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-five at Daytona.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in top-five finishes at Daytona with 28 top fives.Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick leads all active Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Daytona with 11 each.A total of 119 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-five in the summer race at Daytona.NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in top-five finishes at Daytona in the Summer race with 13.Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in top-five finishes in the Summer race at Daytona with five.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes in the Summer Race at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1David Pearson131Kyle Busch52Richard Petty122Denny Hamlin33Buddy Baker11 Joey Logano34Dale Earnhardt10 Kevin Harvick35Bobby Allison85Austin Dillon2Darrell Waltrip8 Bubba Wallace2Sterling Marlin8 Martin Truex Jr2 Ricky Stenhouse Jr2 Tyler Reddick2 William Byron2
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 282 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-10 at Daytona.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Daytona with 37 top 10s.Kevin Harvick leads all active Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at Daytona with 16.A total of 195 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-10 in the Summer race at Daytona.NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in top-10 finishes in the Summer Daytona race with 19 top 10s.Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch lead all active drivers in top-10 finishes in the Summer race at Daytona with six top 10s each.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes in the Summer Race at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1David Pearson191Kevin Harvick62Dale Earnhardt18 Kyle Busch63Buddy Baker153Austin Dillon54Terry Labonte144Denny Hamlin45Richard Petty135AJ Allmendinger3 Alex Bowman3 Brad Keselowski3 Chris Buescher3 Joey Logano3 Martin Truex Jr3 Michael McDowell3
Average Finish:
Vic Parsons leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona with an 8.5 in two starts.Austin Cindric leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona with a 10.5 in four starts.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg. FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg. FinishRaces1Vic Parsons8.50021Austin Cindric10.50042Darel Dieringer8.545222Bubba Wallace13.000123Dave MacDonald9.50023Austin Dillon15.600204Donald Tucker9.50024Denny Hamlin16.771355Richard Brickhouse9.50065Alex Bowman16.786146Bud Burdick10.00026Kevin Harvick17.409447Fred Lorenzen10.240257Joey Logano17.448298Lee Petty10.28678Ryan Blaney17.500169Joe Weatherly10.467159Corey Lajoie18.7691310Austin Cindric10.500410Ty Gibbs19.0002Cotton Owen leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona in the Summer races with an 5.0 in two starts.Bubba Wallace leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona in the Summer races with a 10.333 in six starts.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position in the Summer Race at Daytona (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg. FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg. FinishRaces1Cotton Owens5.00021Bubba Wallace10.33362David Pearson6.435232Justin Haley11.66733Fireball Roberts7.80053Tyler Reddick12.00034Darel Dieringer8.75084Ty Dillon13.20055Jack Smith8.80055Alex Bowman13.71476Jim Hurtubise10.00036Austin Dillon15.55697Marvin Panch10.00077Erik Jones16.00068Bubba Wallace10.33368Kyle Busch17.889189Dale Earnhardt10.478239Kevin Harvick18.9092210Dick Hutcherson10.500210Corey Lajoie19.1676
LAP LEADERS
All Races at Daytona:
A total of 204 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Daytona with 1,286 laps led out of 7,485 laps completed (17.1%) in 46 starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active series drivers in laps led at Daytona with 654 laps led out of 5,922 laps completed (11.1%) in 35 starts — he is ranked 10th on the all-time list.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway by the race winner is 184 of the scheduled 200 laps (92%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty in the 1964 Daytona 500.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway by a driver that did not win the race is 170 of the 187 scheduled laps (90.9%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts in the 1961 Daytona 500 – he finished 20th in the event.Eight times the NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Daytona International Speedway has led just the final lap; most recent was the 2021 Daytona 500:Race WinnersDateLaps LedMichael McDowellSunday, February 14, 20211Erik JonesSaturday, July 7, 20181Austin DillonSunday, February 18, 20181Kurt BuschSunday, February 26, 20171Jimmy SpencerSaturday, July 2, 19941Earl BalmerFriday, February 25, 19661Bobby IsaacFriday, February 21, 19641Junior JohnsonFriday, February 21, 19641
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Daytona races (All-time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt1286748517.2%1Denny Hamlin654592211.0%2Richard Petty1276941713.5%2Kyle Busch51459728.6%3Cale Yarborough1252628419.9%3Brad Keselowski33943647.8%4Buddy Baker1125731815.4%4Kevin Harvick28470424.0%5Bobby Allison848709412.0%5Joey Logano24648275.1%6Jeff Gordon71076949.2%6Ryan Blaney19225777.5%7Fireball Roberts699139950.0%7Chase Elliott15723026.8%8David Pearson67469909.6%8Ricky Stenhouse Jr14737843.9%9Tony Stewart669543812.3%9Martin Truex Jr14459722.4%10Denny Hamlin654592211.0%10William Byron9415166.2%
Summer Races at Daytona:
A total of 151 different drivers have led laps in the summer Cup races at Daytona International Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led in the summer Daytona races with 644 laps led out of 2,245 laps completed (28.7%) in 22 starts.Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led in the Summer Daytona races with 184 laps led out of 2,622 laps completed (7.0%) in 18 starts.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series summer race at Daytona International Speedway by the race winner is 151 of scheduled 160 laps (94%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart in the 2005 event.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway by a driver that did not win the race is 118 of 160 scheduled laps (74%) by Buddy Baker in the 1975 summer race – he ultimately finished second.The fewest laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series summer race at Daytona International Speedway by the race winner is just the final lap, and it has occurred twice in the Summer races — July 2018 (Erik Jones) and July 1994 (Jimmy Spencer).
Top 10 Lap Leaders at the Summer Daytona Races (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversLedCompleted% Led1Cale Yarborough644224528.7%1Kyle Busch18426227.0%2Dale Earnhardt600330618.1%2Denny Hamlin17424497.1%3Buddy Baker445330313.5%3Brad Keselowski16218318.8%4Richard Petty423413510.2%4Kevin Harvick15532404.8%5Bobby Allison405306713.2%5Joey Logano13319067.0%6David Pearson381342911.1%6Chase Elliott859139.3%7Tony Stewart370268113.8%7Martin Truex Jr7024002.9%8Dale Earnhardt Jr340268812.6%8Ricky Stenhouse Jr7014324.9%9Jeff Gordon31835898.9%9Austin Dillon6712755.3%10Ernie Irvan293154619.0%10William Byron496028.1%
TRACK / EVENT STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway for the Summer race is the July 7, 2007 event won by Jamie McMurray over Kyle Busch with a margin of victory of 0.005 second.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Summer Race at Daytona
Margin of VictoryDateWinnerRunner-Up0.0057/7/2007Jamie McMurrayKyle Busch0.0087/2/1994Jimmy SpencerErnie Irvan0.0297/5/1997John AndrettiTerry Labonte0.0927/3/2010Kevin HarvickKasey Kahne0.1047/6/1996Sterling MarlinTerry Labonte10 of the 64 NASCAR Cup Series summer races at Daytona have resulted with Overtime finishes:DateScheduledActual Overtime WinnerSaturday, August 28, 20211601655Ryan BlaneySaturday, August 29, 20201601644William ByronSaturday, July 7, 20181601611Erik JonesSaturday, July 1, 20171601633Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Saturday, July 2, 20161601611Brad KeselowskiSunday, July 5, 20151601611Dale Earnhardt JrSaturday, July 6, 20131601611Jimmie JohnsonSaturday, July 2, 201116017010David RaganSaturday, July 3, 20101601666Kevin HarvickSaturday, July 5, 20081601622Kyle BuschThree of the 64 NASCAR Cup Series Summer races at Daytona International Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduledActualFewer LapsWinnerSunday, July 7, 2019160127-33Justin HaleySunday, July 6, 2014160112-48Aric AlmirolaSaturday, July 6, 1996160117-43Sterling MarlinQualifying for the summer race has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway six times: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2022.Qualifying for the summer races at Daytona were also cancelled due to the pandemic restrictions — starting lineups were set by Metric Qualifying in 2020 and 2021.The largest number of different leaders in the summer Daytona race in the NASCAR Cup Series is 25 set in 2011; David Ragan won the 2011 July race.The largest number of lead changes in the summer Daytona race in the NASCAR Cup Series is 57 set in 2011; David Ragan won the 2011 July race.
FEMALE COMPETITORS
A total of six female drivers have competed in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona – Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie, Christine Beckers, Lella Lombardi, Patty Moise and Shawna Robinson. All six have competed in the July race.Janet Guthrie was the first female competitor to race at Daytona International Speedway in 1976. She started 33rd and raced her way up to a 15th-place finish.The best finish by a female driver in the NACAR Cup Series in the summer race at Daytona was Danica Patrick‘s eighth-place finish in 2014.DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDriver RatingDateDanica Patrick102560.17/1/2017Danica Patrick222744.77/2/2016Danica Patrick273550.57/5/2015Danica Patrick29886.87/6/2014Danica Patrick111480.97/6/2013Averages19.821.864.6DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateShawna Robinson27407/6/2002DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDatePatty Moise35397/1/1989Patty Moise33267/2/1988Averages3432.5DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie36117/4/1978Janet Guthrie20407/4/1977Janet Guthrie33157/4/1976Averages29.722DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateChristine Beckers37377/4/1977DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateLella Lombardi29317/4/1977
NASCAR IN FLORIDA
A total of 356 NASCAR national series points-paying races have been held in the state of Florida among 11 different tracks.Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearDaytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach15263242391959Homestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead242926791995Daytona Beach & Road CourseDaytona Beach1000101949DAYTONA Road CourseDaytona Beach22262020Palm Beach SpeedwayW. Palm Beach70071952Speedway ParkJacksonville60061951Volusia County SpeedwayBarberville04041989Walt Disney World SpeedwayOrlando00221997Five Flags SpeedwayPensacola10011953Golden Gate SpeedwayTampa10011963Titusville-Cocoa SpeedwayTitusville10011957Totals2049854356The first NASCAR Cup Series race in the state of Florida was held at the Daytona Beach & Road Course on July 10, 1949 — the inaugural season for the series. The 40-lap event was won by Red Byron (Oldsmobile, 80.883 mph).
FLORIDA IN NASCAR
A total of 197 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Florida.12 of the 197 have recorded at least one victory in NASCAR national series competition.Nine Florida drivers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Fireball Roberts with 33 victories.Of the nine Florida native drivers who have won in the NASCAR Cup Series, only Fireball Roberts, LeeRoy Yarborough and Aric Almirola have won the summer race at Daytona.NASCAR Winners From FloridaCup WinsXfinity WinsTruck WinsCombinedFireball Roberts330033LeeRoy Yarbrough140014Marshall Teague7007Joe Nemechek416020Aric Almirola3429Ross Chastain3249Bobby Johns2002David Reutimann2114Shorty Rollins1001Rick Wilson0202Joey Coulter0011Ben Kennedy0011Totals69259103
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