Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee going into the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 28RankDriverPointsRace WinsStage WinsPlayoff Pts+ / – Cutoff1Kyle Larson (P)2,1173423In On Wins2Tyler Reddick (P)2,1112414In On Wins3Denny Hamlin (P)2,1052727494William Byron (P)2,0975836415Brad Keselowski (P)2,0890511336Ryan Blaney (P)2,081138257Kyle Busch (P)2,0803219248Ross Chastain (P)2,0741511189Chris Buescher (P)2,06931211310Christopher Bell (P)2,06912141311Joey Logano (P)2,0681381212Kevin Harvick (P)2,063014713Martin Truex Jr. (P)2,0563636-714Bubba Wallace (P)2,044000-1915Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P)2,041105-2216Michael McDowell (P)2,023127-40
BRISTOL-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
(Below are Loop Data stats from 2005-Present)
1 – Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.8
2023 Rundown:
Three wins, 12 top fives, 14 top 10s, two polesLed 778 lapsAverage Finish of 15.1
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One win, four top fives, nine top 10s, one poleAverage Finish of 12.786, second-bestAverage Running Position of 10.780, second-bestDriver Rating of 103.4, series-best590 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best5,282 Laps in the Top 15 (75.3%), ninth-most695 Quality Passes, ninth-most
2 – Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.8
2023 Rundown:
Two wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10s, one poleLed 404 lapsAverage Finish of 15.8
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One top five, one top 10Average Finish of 19.250, 21st-bestAverage Running Position of 19.631, 18th-bestDriver Rating of 67.6, 20th-best23 Fastest Laps Run, 23rd-best813 Laps in the Top 15 (40.6%), 23rd-most110 Quality Passes, 24th-most
3 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.6
2023 Rundown:
Two wins, 10 top fives, 13 top 10s, four polesLed 629 lapsAverage Finish of 12.4
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, nine top fives, 16 top 10s, four polesAverage Finish of 14.344, eighth-bestAverage Running Position of 13.430, eighth-bestDriver Rating of 92.6, fifth-best673 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-best10,616 Laps in the Top 15 (66.2%), fourth-most1,084 Quality Passes, second-most
4 – William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.5
2023 Rundown:
Five wins, 10 top fives, 14 top 10s, three polesLed 877 lapsAverage Finish of 12.6
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Two top fives, three top 10sAverage Finish of 16.250, 13th-bestAverage Running Position of 15.811, 14th-bestDriver Rating of 76.0, 15th-best62 Fastest Laps Run, 19th-best2,061 Laps in the Top 15 (51.5%), 18th-most339 Quality Passes, 18th-most
5 – Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 80.6
2023 Rundown:
Six top fives, 13 top 10sLed 282 lapsAverage Finish of 13.4
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Three wins, six top fives, eight top 10sAverage Finish of 16.667, 15th-bestAverage Running Position of 13.656, 10th-bestDriver Rating of 90.7, eighth-best496 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best7,882 Laps in the Top 15 (65.6%), eighth-most954 Quality Passes, eighth-most
6 – Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.9
2023 Rundown:
One win, four top fives, 13 top 10sLed 348 lapsAverage Finish of 15.5
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Two top fives, five top 10sAverage Finish of 19.538, 22nd-bestAverage Running Position of 13.974, 11th-bestDriver Rating of 89.0, 11th-best241 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-best4,132 Laps in the Top 15 (63.6%), 12th-most548 Quality Passes, 12th-most
7 – Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.8
2023 Rundown:
Three wins, eight top fives, 15 top 10s, one poleLed 233 lapsAverage Finish of 13.8
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Eight wins, 14 top fives, 19 top 10s, two polesAverage Finish of 13.667, sixth-bestAverage Running Position of 12.822, sixth-bestDriver Rating of 101.4, second-best1,170 Fastest Laps Run, series-best11,004 Laps in the Top 15 (66.6%), third-most1,018 Quality Passes, fifth-most
8 – Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 82.6
2023 Rundown:
One win, seven top fives, 10 top 10s, one poleLed 482 lapsAverage Finish of 14.9
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One top 10Average Finish of 23.333, 28th-bestAverage Running Position of 24.299, 31st-bestDriver Rating of 53.1, 29th-best12 Fastest Laps Run, 25th-best444 Laps in the Top 15 (14.8%), 29th-most74 Quality Passes, 26th-most
9 – Chris Buescher (No. 17 RFK Racing Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 83.5
2023 Rundown:
Three wins, seven top fives, 13 top 10sLed 231 lapsAverage Finish of 12.4
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One win, two top fives, three top 10sAverage Finish of 20.462, 24th-bestAverage Running Position of 21.076, 22nd-bestDriver Rating of 64.4, 23rd-best111 Fastest Laps Run, 17th-best1,791 Laps in the Top 15 (27.5%), 20th-most244 Quality Passes, 20th-most
10 – Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.7
2023 Rundown:
One win, six top fives, 14 top 10s, four polesLed 314 lapsAverage Finish of 13.7
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One top five, two top 10sAverage Finish of 17.500, 17th-bestAverage Running Position of 11.242, third-bestDriver Rating of 91.5, seventh-best111 Fastest Laps Run, 16th-best1,471 Laps in the Top 15 (73.6%), 21st-most223 Quality Passes, 21st-most
11 – Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.5
2023 Rundown:
One win, nine top fives, 14 top 10s, two polesLed 260 lapsAverage Finish of 14.7
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, six top fives, 10 top 10s, one poleAverage Finish of 15.423, ninth-bestAverage Running Position of 14.653, 12th-bestDriver Rating of 89.8, ninth-best429 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best7,957 Laps in the Top 15 (61.1%), seventh-most967 Quality Passes, seventh-most
12 – Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 82.5
2023 Rundown:
Six top fives, 12 top 10sLed 123 lapsAverage Finish of 13.9
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Three wins, 14 top fives, 22 top 10s, one poleAverage Finish of 13.941, seventh-bestAverage Running Position of 11.764, fourth-bestDriver Rating of 97.8, fourth-best1,068 Fastest Laps Run, second-best11,927 Laps in the Top 15 (70.0%), series-most1,098 Quality Passes, series-most
13 – Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 95.3
2023 Rundown:
Three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s, one poleLed 832 lapsAverage Finish of 12.5
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Two top fives, four top 10sAverage Finish of 20.781, 26th-bestAverage Running Position of 15.955, 15th-bestDriver Rating of 82.1, 13th-best543 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-best8,626 Laps in the Top 15 (53.8%), sixth-most1,007 Quality Passes, sixth-most
14 – Bubba Wallace (No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 77.7
2023 Rundown:
Four top fives, seven top 10sLed 162 lapsAverage Finish of 17.0
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One top 10Average Finish of 20.625, 25th-bestAverage Running Position of 20.312, 20th-bestDriver Rating of 64.0, 24th-best25 Fastest Laps Run, 22nd-best1,312 Laps in the Top 15 (32.8%), 23rd-most154 Quality Passes, 22nd-most
15 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 66.8
2023 Rundown:
One win, two top fives, seven top 10sLed 25 lapsAverage Finish of 16.9
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
Four top fives, six top 10sAverage Finish of 18.278, 20th-bestAverage Running Position of 19.639, 19th-bestDriver Rating of 71.2, 16th-best177 Fastest Laps Run, 13th-best3,493 Laps in the Top 15 (38.8%), 13th-most567 Quality Passes, 11th-most
16 – Michael McDowell (No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 67.6
2023 Rundown:
One win, two top fives, six top 10sLed 92 lapsAverage Finish of 19.2
Bristol Motor Speedway Outlook:
One top 10Average Finish of 28.826, 37th-bestAverage Running Position of 29.313, 35th-bestDriver Rating of 45.4, 33rd-best9 Fastest Laps Run, 26th-best593 Laps in the Top 15 (5.2%), 35th-most66 Quality Passes, 27th-most
NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Bristol Motor Speedway
DriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1Kyle Larson141149112.8103.42Tyler Reddick40011119.267.63Denny Hamlin3242916214.392.64William Byron80023116.276.05Brad Keselowski240368016.790.76Ryan Blaney130025219.589.07Kyle Busch33281419513.7101.48Ross Chastain60001123.353.19Chris Buescher130123220.564.410Christopher Bell40012017.591.511Joey Logano2612610215.489.812Kevin Harvick42131422413.197.813Martin Truex Jr320024520.882.114Bubba Wallace80001120.664.015Ricky Stenhouse Jr180046418.371.216Michael McDowell230001828.845.4
* — Based on last 34 races at Bristol Motor Speedway (2005 — 2022).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts: Race #3 (Bristol)
Round of 16 Elimination Race
The 2023 season marks the fourth-time Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2023) has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and just the fourth Cup Series postseason event (all-time) at the 0.533-mile track. From 2004-2019 Bristol Motor Speedway was scheduled as the 24th race of the regular season.Bristol Motor Speedway is the fifth different track in NASCAR Cup Series history to host the third race of the Playoffs; alongside Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005), Kansas Speedway (2006—2010), Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2018-2019).A total of 15 different drivers have won the third race of the Playoffs, led by Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013), Greg Biffle (2007, 2010), Tony Stewart (2006, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2015, 2020) with two wins each.Four times non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Seris Playoffs. No non-Playoff driver has won the third NASCAR Cup Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) or at Dover Motor Speedway (2011 — 2017).One non-Playoff driver has won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005) — NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett was 14th in points when he won the 2005 race.Two non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway (2006 – 2010): Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in points when he won the 2006 Kansas Playoff race and Greg Biffle was ranked 14th in points when he won the 2007 Kansas Playoff race.One non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway (2020 – 2022): Chris Buescher (2022) was ranked 21st in points when he won last season.
Third Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race WinnersTrackPlayoff Race WinnersDateBristolChris BuescherSaturday, September 17, 2022BristolKyle LarsonSaturday, September 18, 2021BristolKevin HarvickSunday, September 19, 2020Charlotte RCChase ElliottSunday, September 29, 2019Charlotte RCRyan BlaneySunday, September 30, 2018DoverKyle BuschSunday, October 1, 2017DoverMartin Truex JrSunday, October 2, 2016DoverKevin HarvickSunday, October 4, 2015DoverJeff GordonSunday, September 28, 2014DoverJimmie JohnsonSunday, September 29, 2013DoverBrad KeselowskiSunday, September 30, 2012DoverKurt BuschSunday, October 2, 2011KansasGreg BiffleSunday, October 3, 2010KansasTony StewartSunday, October 4, 2009KansasJimmie JohnsonSunday, September 28, 2008KansasGreg BiffleSunday, September 30, 2007KansasTony StewartSunday, October 1, 2006TalladegaDale JarrettSunday, October 2, 2005TalladegaDale Earnhardt JrSunday, October 3, 2004In total, the winner of the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the championship four times; en yet it has only happened once since the elimination-style format was instituted in 2014.In 2021, Kyle Larson won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway and went on to win his first series title. His Bristol Playoff victory was the first of a record tying five postseason wins in a single season (Bristol, Charlotte RC, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix) — tying NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart (five Playoff wins in 2011).When the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2018-2019), none of the event winners went on to win the title in the same season.When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2011-2017), two drivers won the event and went on to win the title in the same season.
o In 2012, Brad Keselowski won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover, and went on to win his first series title. It was Keselowski‘s lone win during the 2012 Playoffs.
o In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover, and went on to win his sixth series title. It was his first of two Playoff wins that season (Dover-2, Texas-2).
When Kansas Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2006-2010), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title in the same season.
o In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Kansas, and went on to win his third consecutive title. It was his first of three Playoff wins that season (Kansas, Martinsville-2, Phoenix-2).
When Talladega Superspeedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2005), no drivers that won the event went on to win the title later that season.The worst finish by a driver in the third Playoff race that went on to win the series title was:At Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2022): In 2022, Joey Logano finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third race of the Playoffs, and went on to win the title later that season.At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019): In 2019, Kyle Busch finished 37th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course — the third race of the Playoffs — and went on to win the title later that season.At Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017): In 2011, Tony Stewart finished 25th at Dover Motor Speedway — the third race of the Playoffs — and went on to win the title later that season.At Kansas Speedway (2006-2010): In 2006, Jimmie Johnson finished 14th at Kansas Speedway — the third race of the Playoffs — and went on to win the title later that season.At Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005): In 2004, Kurt Busch finished fifth at Talladega Superspeedway — the third race of the Playoffs — and went on to win the title later that season.
At Bristol Motor Speedway: Stats & Tidbits
Season Race #: 29 of 36 (09-16-23)
The Purse: $8,805,799
Track Size: 0.533-miles
Banking/Turns: 24-28 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 4-8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 4-8 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 650 feet
Backstretch Length: 650 feet
Race Length: 500 laps / 266.5 miles
Stages 1 & 2 Length: 125 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 250 laps
Track Qualifying Record:
Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 131.713 mph, 14.568 secs., April 5, 2019
2022 Bristol Playoff Race Pole Winner
Aric Almirola, Ford, 128.382 mph, 14.946 secs., September 16, 2022
Track Race Record:
Charlie Glotzbach, Chevrolet, 101.074 mph, (2:38:12), July 11, 1971
2022 Bristol Playoff Race Winner
Chris Buescher, Ford, 88.286 mph, (3:01:07), September 17, 2022
HISTORY
Groundbreaking for Bristol International Speedway, as Bristol Motor Speedway was originally known, took place in 1960. The track was an exact half-mile.The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was on July 30, 1961, and the inaugural event was won by Jack Smith with relief from Johnny Allen.All of the NASCAR Cup Series races have been scheduled for 500 laps, except for both races in 1976 and the second in 1977, which were 400 laps each.In the fall of 1969, the track was reshaped and re-measured to .533-miles.The name changed to Bristol International Raceway in 1978.The first night race was held in the fall of 1978.The surface was changed from asphalt to concrete in 1992.The name changed to Bristol Motor Speedway in May, 1996.The track was resurfaced between races in 2007, and the turns were ground down in 2012 to eliminate part of the progressive banking.In 2020, Bristol Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Open and All-Star Race for the first-time.There have been 122 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races at Bristol Motor Speedway since the first race in 1961, two races each season until 2021 when the track replaced their spring date with the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt track.
STARTS
A total of 478 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway; 337 have competed in more than one.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Bristol with 60.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Bristol with 42 starts.Thirty-four drivers have made their first series career start at Bristol Motor Speedway; the most recent was Chad Finchum (April 16, 2018). First-Time DriversDate First-Time DriversDate1Chad Finchum4/16/201818Bobby Watson4/5/19702Ryan Truex8/24/201319Bob Burcham7/21/19683Terry Cook3/21/201020Ervin Pruitt7/21/19684AJ Allmendinger3/25/200721Joe Edd Neubert3/19/19675Regan Smith3/25/200722Buzz Gregory7/24/19666Dave Mader III8/27/198823Bill Seifert3/20/19667Rick Mast8/27/198824Sonny Lamphear3/20/19668Butch Miller4/6/198625Walter Wallace3/20/19669Brad Teague3/14/198226Joe Bill Adams5/2/196510John McFadden3/14/198227Wayne Smith5/2/196511Ron Bouchard3/29/198128Darrell Bryant7/26/196412Bobby Sands8/23/198029Doug Wilson7/26/196413Melvin Revis8/25/197930Gene Hobby3/22/196414Mike Potter4/1/197931Allan Harley7/29/196215Bill Green8/26/197832Ralph Smith7/29/196216Lynn Carroll4/2/197833Bill Latham10/22/196117Paul Tyler3/28/197134Dub Utsman7/30/1961
Of the 34 drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Bristol, Bill Seifert posted the best finish — finishing seventh on March 20, 1966.NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen (12 starts) and driver Charlie Glotzbach (four starts) are tied for the all-time series lead in average starting position at Bristol with a 3.25 each.Chase Elliott leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in average starting position at Bristol with a 7.917 in 12 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Positions at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Charlie Glotzbach3.25041Chase Elliott7.917122Fred Lorenzen3.250122Joey Logano7.962263Marvin Panch3.75083Ryan Blaney8.769134Fireball Roberts4.28674Brad Keselowski9.583245Junior Johnson4.400105Chase Briscoe11.00026Cale Yarborough4.552296William Byron12.12587Dick Hutcherson6.00057Kyle Larson12.286148Tim Richmond6.273118Denny Hamlin12.594329Benny Parsons6.370279Ryan Newman13.0003910David Pearson6.5502010Erik Jones13.60010
POLES
A total of 52 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway.Nine of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Motor Speedway pole winners are entered this weekend.
Active Bristol Pole Winners (9)PolesSeasonsDenny Hamlin42019, ’15, ’14, ’13Ryan Newman32011, ’04, ’03Kyle Busch22018, ’13Aric Almirola12022Chase Elliott12019Kyle Larson12018Erik Jones12017Kevin Harvick12014Joey Logano12010
NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin (1989, 1993, 1995 sweep, 1996 sweep, 2001, 2009 sweep) and Cale Yarborough (1969, 1970, 1973 sweep, 1975, 1977 sweep, 1980 sweep) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with nine poles each.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with four (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019).NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen won the inaugural pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series with a speed of 79.225 mph in a Ford.12 different drivers have posted consecutive poles at Bristol; Mark Martin is the only driver to win four consecutive:
o Fireball Roberts (swept 1962),
o Fred Lorenzen (swept 1963),
o Richard Petty (1967-‘68),
o Bobby Allison (swept 1972),
o Cale Yarborough (swept 1973; swept 1977; swept 1980),
o Darrell Waltrip (swept 1981, spring 1982),
o Geoff Bodine (swept 1986),
o Mark Martin (swept 1995-1996— all four races; and swept 2009);
o Rusty Wallace (swept 1998, spring 1999),
o Jeff Gordon (swept 2002),
o Denny Hamlin (fall 2013, spring 2014)
o Carl Edwards (2016 sweep).
Eight different drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Bristol Motor Speedway.First-Time Pole Winners at BristolDateTim RichmondSaturday, August 28, 1982Rick WilsonSunday, April 10, 1988Ernie IrvanSunday, April 8, 1990Chuck BownSunday, April 10, 1994Steve ParkSunday, March 26, 2000Jeff GreenSaturday, August 25, 2001Joey LoganoSunday, March 21, 2010Erik JonesSaturday, August 19, 2017Joey Logano (March 10, 2010) and Erik Jones (August 19, 2017) are the only active drivers to win their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Bristol Motor Speedway.Youngest Bristol pole winner: Joey Logano (March 21, 2010 — 19 years, 9 months, 25 days) — his first NASCAR Cup Series career pole.Oldest Bristol pole winner: Harry Gant (August 27, 1994 — 54 years, 7 months, 17 days) — his last NASCAR Cup Series career pole.A total of 35 different organizations have won a pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with 12 poles among five drivers: Geoff Bodine (1984, 1986 sweep), Jeff Gordon (2002 sweep, 2003, 2004, 2007), Mark Martin (2009 sweep), Jimmie Johnson (2010) and Chase Elliott (2019).A total of nine different manufacturers have won poles at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by Chevrolet (39) and followed by Ford (37), Toyota (11), Dodge (8), Pontiac (7), Buick (4), Plymouth (4), Oldsmobile (3) and Mercury (2).
WINS
A total of 44 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Bristol Motor Speedway; 21 of the 44 Bristol winners have won multiple times at the half-mile track.Seven of the 44 NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Motor Speedway race winners are entered this weekend.Active Bristol Winners (7)WinsSeasonsKyle Busch82019, ’18, ’17, ’11, ’10, ’09 sweep, ’07Brad Keselowski32020, ’12, ’11Kevin Harvick32020, ’16, ’05Denny Hamlin22019, ’12Joey Logano22015, ’14Chris Buescher12022Kyle Larson12021
NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 12 victories in 52 starts; including eight straight (1978, 1979, 1981 sweep, 1982 sweep, 1983 sweep, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1992).Kyle Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers in wins at Bristol with eight victories in 33 starts (Spring 2007, 2009 sweep, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019).Jack Smith (with relief from Johnny Allen) won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 30, 1961 in a Pontiac.12 drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol; led by Darrell Waltrip with eight consecutive victories from 1979-1984.Fred Lorenzen (1963-1964 sweep)David Pearson (1968 sweep)Bobby Allison (1972 sweep)Cale Yarborough did it twice (1974 sweep and four straight from 1976-1977)Richard Petty (1975 sweep)Dale Earnhardt also did twice (1985 sweep and 1987 sweep)Alan Kulwicki (1992 sweep)Rusty Wallace (2000 sweep)Kurt Busch (2003 sweep and 2004 Spring race)Kyle Busch (2009 sweep and Fall 2017-Spring 2018)Brad Keselowski (Fall 2011-Spring 2012)Youngest Bristol Cup race winner: Kyle Busch (March 25, 2007 — 21 years, 10 months, 23 days).Oldest Bristol Cup race winner: Dale Earnhardt (August 28, 1999 — 48 years, 3 months, 30 days).Five drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series career win at Bristol Motor Speedway:Dale Earnhardt (April 1, 1979)Rusty Wallace (April 6, 1986)Ernie Irvan (March 25, 1990)Elliott Sadler (March 25, 2001)Kurt Busch (March 24, 2002)A total of 24 different starting positons have produced at least one NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway.The race winner has started from the pole or first starting position 27 times (22.13%) – the most productive starting position in the field.A total of 16 different drivers have won from the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway. The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Brad Keselowski on March 31, 2020.
DriversWins From Pole or First Starting PositionSeasonsRusty Wallace42000, 1999, 1993, 1991Cale Yarborough41980, 1977 sweep, 1973Darrell Waltrip31982, 1981 sweepCarl Edwards22016, 2008Matt Kenseth22015, 2005Bobby Allison21972 sweepBrad Keselowski12020Denny Hamlin12019Kyle Busch12018Jeff Gordon12002Mark Martin11993Alan Kulwicki11992Dale Earnhardt11985David Pearson11971Richard Petty11967Fred Lorenzen11963
Six drivers have won from the pole position or first starting position multiple times: Bobby Allison (1972 twice), Cale Yarborough (1973, 1977 twice, 1980), Darrell Waltrip (1981 twice, 1982), Rusty Wallace (1991, 1993, 1999, 2000), Matt Kenseth (2005, 2015) and Carl Edwards (2008, 2016).More than half (70 wins, 57.38%) of the NASCAR Cup Series winners at Bristol Motor Speedway have started in the top-five.The deepest in the field that a race winner has started is 38th, by Elliott Sadler in 2001.The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started is 24th, by Kevin Harvick in 2002.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Bristol Motor Speedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %12722.13%1343.28%21310.66%1421.64%397.38%1510.82%4108.20%1710.82%5119.02%1821.64%697.38%1932.46%710.82%2021.64%875.74%2421.64%964.92%2610.82%1021.64%2710.82%1110.82%3010.82%1254.10%3810.82%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:22.13%27Winning from the Front Row:32.79%40Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:57.38%70Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:77.87%95Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:4.92%6
A total of 30 different organizations have visited Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway.Junior Johnson & Associates leads the NASCAR Cup Series in organization wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 16 victories among thre drivers: Cale Yarborough (seven wins: 1974, 1976 sweep, 1977 sweep, 1978, 1980), Darrell Waltrip (eight wins: 1981 sweep, 1982 sweep, 1983 sweep, 1984, 1986) and Junior Johnson (1965).Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing lead all active NASCAR Cup Series organizations in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 13 victories each; followed by Hendrick Motorsports with and RFK Racing with 12 each.Eight different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series 122 races at Bristol Motor Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 46 victories (37.7% winning percentage); followed by Ford (40 wins), Toyota (12), Dodge (8), Pontiac (8), Buick (4), Plymouth (3) and Oldsmobile (1).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONs
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Bristol Motor Speedway, 26 of the 54 have posed more than one runner-up finish.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes with 10 second-place finishes.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in runner-up finishes at Bristol with six.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Richard Petty101Kevin Harvick62Rusty Wallace72Kyle Busch43Bobby Allison63Kyle Larson24Dale Earnhardt6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr25Kevin Harvick65Brad Keselowski1Mark Martin6 Chase Elliott1 Denny Hamlin1 Erik Jones1 Martin Truex Jr1 Ryan Newman1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 120 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Bristol, led by NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty with 26 top-five finishes each.Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway with 14 top-five finishes each.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Darrell Waltrip261Kevin Harvick14Richard Petty26 Kyle Busch143Bobby Allison233Denny Hamlin94Rusty Wallace224Brad Keselowski65Dale Earnhardt20 Joey Logano6
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 207 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished inside the top-10 at Bristol Motor Speedway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 37 top-10 finishes.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers in top-10 finishes at Bristol with 22.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Richard Petty371Kevin Harvick222Terry Labonte332Kyle Busch193Darrell Waltrip323Ryan Newman194Ricky Rudd314Denny Hamlin165Dale Earnhardt305Joey Logano10
Average Finishes:
Dick Hutcherson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing postion with a 2.4 in five starts.Chase Elliott leads the series among active drivers in average finishing position at Bristol with a 12.3 in 12 starts.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Dick Hutcherson2.40051Chase Elliott12.333122Junior Spencer5.50022Kyle Larson12.786143Jimmy Hensley6.50023Kevin Harvick13.095424Joe Weatherly6.66764Erik Jones13.300105Janet Guthrie8.50025Chase Briscoe13.50026Benny Parsons8.630276Kyle Busch13.667337Gene Black9.00037Denny Hamlin14.344328Dale Earnhardt9.256438Joey Logano15.423269Rusty Wallace9.568449Ryan Newman16.1793910Cale Yarborough10.4832910Ryan Preece16.2005
LAP LEADERS
A total of 134 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the series in laps led at Bristol with 4,305 laps led in 29 starts.Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Bristol with 2,593 in 33 starts.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is 500 laps led by Cale Yarborough on March 25, 1973 — he won the event starting from the pole position and led every lap.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway by a driver that did not win the event was 442 laps led by Richard Petty who finished second on July 26, 1964 — he started first.The fewest laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway by the race winner was one lap, the final lap, by Fred Lorenzen – who passed Richard Petty to win on July 26, 1964 — Lorenzen started eighth.
Top 10 Laps Leaders at Bristol Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriverLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriverLedCompleted% Led1Cale Yarborough4,30510,87840%1Kyle Busch2,59315,51117%2Dale Earnhardt3,75120,03819%2Kevin Harvick1,20920,4016%3Rusty Wallace3,74320,47418%3Brad Keselowski1,01311,6919%4Darrell Waltrip3,43622,96415%4Denny Hamlin89415,3306%5Jeff Gordon2,73022,52512%5Kyle Larson8506,82612%6Kyle Busch2,59315,51117%6Joey Logano76612,8476%7Bobby Allison2,31617,25313%7Ryan Blaney4935,5369%8Richard Petty2,21223,8159%8Chase Elliott4395,9687%9David Pearson1,6166,66024%9Erik Jones2934,9776%10Matt Kenseth1,58318,0569%10Martin Truex Jr28715,2942%
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Two female drivers have made NASCAR Cup Series starts at Bristol: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick.DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDriver RatingDateDanica Patrick242544.58/19/2017Danica Patrick293638.54/24/2017Danica Patrick292243.38/20/2016Danica Patrick332745.74/17/2016Danica Patrick322755.88/22/2015Danica Patrick26972.64/19/2015Danica Patrick242745.28/23/2014Danica Patrick361855.63/16/2014Danica Patrick222646.28/24/2013Danica Patrick412841.43/17/2013Danica Patrick432946.38/25/2012Averages30.824.948.6DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie968/28/1977Janet Guthrie21114/17/1977Averages158.5
TRACK/EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring (1993) the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway is the March 25, 2007 race won by Kyle Busch with a margin of victory of 0.064 second over Jeff Burton.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol:
RankMargin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate10.064Kyle BuschJeff BurtonSunday, March 25, 200720.098Kyle BuschMark MartinSaturday, August 22, 200930.102Dale JarrettMark MartinSaturday, August 23, 199740.14Mark MartinRusty WallaceSaturday, August 28, 199350.16Rusty WallaceMark MartinSaturday, August 27, 19940.16Terry LabonteDale EarnhardtSaturday, August 26, 1995
Two of the 122 NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.Scheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnerDate500342158Jeff GordonSunday, March 31, 199650041981Darrell WaltripSaturday, August 27, 1983Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway seven times.No.Reason for CancellationDateStarted First1WeatherSunday, March 26, 2006Tony Stewart2WeatherSunday, March 16, 2008Jimmie Johnson3WeatherSaturday, August 25, 2012Casey Mears4WeatherMonday, April 24, 2017Kyle Larson5PandemicSunday, May 31, 2020Brad Keselowski6PandemicSaturday, September 19, 2020Brad Keselowski7PandemicSaturday, September 18, 2021Martin Truex Jr.There have been five NASCAR Overtime finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway:Scheduled LapsActual LapsOvertime LapsRace WinnerDate50051111Matt KensethSunday, April 19, 20155005033Carl EdwardsSunday, March 16, 20145005033Kyle BuschSunday, March 22, 20095005066Jeff BurtonSunday, March 16, 20085005044Kyle BuschSunday, March 25, 2007
Additional Event Statisics at Bristol Motor Speedway:
Previous RacesLast RaceMost/LargestFewest/SmallestCars:3644 (07/29/1962)23 (03/16/1975)Lead Changes:1240 (04/14/1991)0 (03/25/1973)Leaders:616 (04/09/1989)1 (03/25/1973)Cautions:1120 – 3 Times (08/23/2003)0 (07/11/1971)Caution Laps:80167 (07/25/1965)0 (07/11/1971)Lead Lap Finish:1225 (03/25/2001)1 – 22 Times (08/22/1981)Running at Finish:2742 (03/16/2008)7 (03/20/1966)Laps Led (Winner):169500 (03/25/1973)1 (07/26/1964)Margin of Victory*:0.4587.63 (04/10/1994)0.064 (03/25/2007)* Since 1993 (advent of digital timing and scoring); does not include races completed under caution
NASCAR IN TENNESSEE
A total of 373 NASCAR national series races among nine tracks have been held in the state of Tennessee.Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearBristol Motor SpeedwayBristol12279252261961Bristol Motor Speedway DirtBristol30362021Nashville SuperspeedwayNashville32416432001Chattanooga International RacewayChattanooga20021962Kingsport SpeedwayKingsport30031969Memphis Motorsports ParkMemphis01112231998Nashville SpeedwayLebanon4295561958Smokey Mountain RacewayMaryville1200121965Tennessee-Carolina SpeedwayNewport20021956Totals18912361373The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in Tennessee was at Tennessee-Carolina Speedway on October 7, 1956 and won by Fireball Roberts.
TENNESSEE DRIVERS IN NASCAR
A total of 109 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Tennessee.15 drivers from Tennessee have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series; totaling 155 wins across all three series.
Tenessee Drivers In NASCAR with Wins
Winners From TennesseeCupXfinityTruckCombinedDarrell Waltrip8413097Sterling Marlin102012Bobby Hamilton411015Joe Lee Johnson2002Trevor Bayne1203Paul Lewis1001Josh Berry0505Bobby Hamilton Jr0505Jeff Purvis0404L.D. Ottinger0303Mike Alexander0202Casey Atwood0202Brad Teague0101Chad Chaffin0022John King0011Totals1024013155Darrell Waltrip, from Franklin, Tennessee, was inducted into the 2012 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Waltrip is the only Tennessee native driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship.Only two of the 15 drivers from Tennessee have won at least one race in the NASCAR Cup Series at a track located in the state of Tennessee: Darrell Waltrip (Bristol, 12 wins; Nashville, eight wins) and Joe Lee Johnson (Nashville, one win).
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