Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, going into the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Fast Facts: Race #4 (Texas Motor Speedway)
The 2023 season marks the second-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Texas Motor Speedway (Race No. 30 of the season). Texas Motor Speedway is the seventh different track to host the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014), Talladega Superspeedway (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012), Auto Club Speedway (2009, 2010), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, 2016, 2017), Dover Motor Speedway (2018, 2019) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2020, 2021).The inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs was in 2004 and Texas Motor Speedway was added to the postseason schedule in 2005 — at the time replacing Darlington Raceway — and the 1.5-mile track has been hosting Playoff events ever since (2005-2022).Texas Motor Speedway has occupied three spots on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs schedule:From 2005 — 2020, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the eighth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 34).n 2021, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the seventh race in the Playoffs (Race No. 33).Since 2022, Texas Motor Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 30).A total of 15 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs., led by Jimmie Johnson with three postseason victories (2009, 2011, 2016). Joey Logano leads all active drivers with two wins (2014, 2015).Four of the 15 drivers that have won the fourth Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series are active in the postseason this weekend — Denny Hamlin (2021), Kyle Larson (2019), Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Tyler Reddick (2022).Fourth Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race WinnersTrackPlayoff Race WinnersDateTexasTyler ReddickSunday, September 25, 2022Las VegasDenny HamlinSunday, September 26, 2021Las VegasKurt BuschSunday, September 27, 2020DoverKyle LarsonSunday, October 6, 2019DoverChase ElliottSunday, October 7, 2018CharlotteMartin Truex JrSunday, October 8, 2017CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 9, 2016CharlotteJoey LoganoSunday, October 11, 2015KansasJoey LoganoSunday, October 5, 2014KansasKevin HarvickSunday, October 6, 2013TalladegaMatt KensethSunday, October 7, 2012KansasJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 9, 2011Auto ClubTony StewartSunday, October 10, 2010Auto ClubJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 11, 2009TalladegaTony StewartSunday, October 5, 2008TalladegaJeff GordonSunday, October 7, 2007TalladegaBrian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006KansasMark MartinSunday, October 9, 2005KansasJoe NemechekSunday, October 10, 2004A total of 10 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with five postseason victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) at the 1.5-mile track. Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with three Texas Playoff wins (2017-2019).Texas Motor Speedway Playoffs Race WinnersTrackPlayoff Race WinnersDateTexasCarl EdwardsSunday, November 6, 2005TexasTony StewartSunday, November 5, 2006TexasJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 4, 2007TexasCarl EdwardsSunday, November 2, 2008TexasKurt BuschSunday, November 8, 2009TexasDenny HamlinSunday, November 7, 2010TexasTony StewartSunday, November 6, 2011TexasJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 4, 2012TexasJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 3, 2013TexasJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 2, 2014TexasJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 8, 2015TexasCarl EdwardsSunday, November 6, 2016TexasKevin HarvickSunday, November 5, 2017TexasKevin HarvickSunday, November 4, 2018TexasKevin HarvickSunday, November 3, 2019TexasKyle BuschSunday, October 25, 2020TexasKyle LarsonSunday, October 17, 2021TexasTyler ReddickSunday, September 25, 2022Three times the winner of the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title in the same season: 2009, 2016 and 2017.In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title in the same season. The victory was his second of four wins during his postseason run that season.In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval) and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title that same season. The win was Johnson‘s first of three that postseason.In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title the same season. It was his first of three wins that postseason.Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has gone on to win the title later that same season:In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the eighth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title later that season. The Playoff win at Texas was his third of four consecutive victories in the 2007 Playoffs — the only driver to win four straight in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix). In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fifth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Stewart‘s fourth of his record setting five NASCAR Cup Series Playoff wins in a single postseason run in 2011 (Chicago, New Hampshire, Martinsville, Texas, Homestead-Miami).In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Johnson‘s second postseason victory (Dover, Texas) in 2013.Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2004, 2006, 2022.In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the victory.In 2006, Brian Vickers won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway, he was ranked 16th in points at the time of the victory.In 2022, Tyler Reddick won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Reddick had qualified for the postseason but was eliminated from the Playoffs in the Round of 16, he was ranked 13th in points at the time of the victory.Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Texas Motor Speedway: 2006, 2014, 2015, 2022.In 2006, Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in the point standings at the time of his Texas Playoff race win.In 2014, Jimmie Johnson was ranked 11th in points at the time of his Texas Playoff win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.In 2015, Jimmie Johnson was 12th in points at the time of the win at Texas. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2015, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.In 2022, Tyler Reddick was 13th in points at the time of the victory at Texas. Reddick had made the Playoffs in 2022, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.The worst finish by a driver in the fourth NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 24th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2006 at Talladega Superspeedway.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Kansas Speedway was 15th by Tony Stewart in 2011.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway was third by Jimmie Johnson in 2010.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Charlotte Motor Speedway was 20th by Kyle Busch in 2015.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Dover Motor Speedway was sixth by Kyle Busch in 2019.The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was 22nd by Chase Elliott in 2020.The worst finish by a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 38th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2009.Last season, Joey Logano finished runner-up in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win the title later that year.
Texas Motor Speedway Stats & Tidbits
TRACK SPECIFICS
Season Race #: 30 of 36 (10-25-22)
The Purse: $8,455,617
Track Size: 1.5-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,250 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,330 feet
Race Length: 334 laps / 501 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 105 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 124 laps
QUALIFYING DATA
Track Qualifying Record:
Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, 200.915 mph, 26.877 secs., November 3, 2017
2022 Playoff Pole Winner:
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford, 188.990 mph, 28.573 secs., September 24, 2022
RACE DATA
Track Race Record:
Greg Biffle, RFK Racing Ford, 160.577 mph, (3:07:12), November 14, 2012
2022 Playoff Race Winner:
Tyler Reddick, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, 114.784 mph, (4:21:53), September 25, 2022
HISTORY
Construction on Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) began in 1995.The first NASCAR national series race at Texas Motor Speedway was a NASCAR Xfinity Series event on April 5, 1997. The first Xfinity Series race at Texas was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin driving an RFK Racing Ford (122.993 mph).The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was on April 6, 1997, and the race was won by Jeff Burton in a RFK Racing Ford (125.111 mph).Texas Motor Speedway underwent a repave between the 2001 and 2002 NASCAR Cup Series seasons.In 2011, the spring NASCAR Cup Series race was moved from Sunday to Saturday night under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway. The 2017 season marked the first year it was moved back to a Sunday afternoon race.Texas Motor Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on November 6, 2005 — won by RFK Racing driver Carl Edwards (151.055 mph)Texas Motor Speedway underwent its second repave between the 2016 and 2017 NASCAR Cup Series seasons. The renovation added a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement, an expansive French drainage system on the frontstretch and backstretch and reduced the banking in Turns 1 and 2 by four degrees (now 20 degrees).The 2021 season marked the first time the track hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race instead of the points-paying spring event. Texas Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race for in 2021 and in 2022.There have been 42 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races at Texas Motor Speedway, one event from 1997 – 2004 and two races per year from 2005-2020. In 2021 and 2022, the track hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race and one points-paying Playoff race. In 2023, the NASCAR Cup Series will only compete at Texas Motor Speedway once.
STARTS
A total of 184 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway; a 147 drivers have competed in more than one Cup race at Texas.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Texas Motor Speedway with 38 appearances.Seven drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Texas Motor Speedway; the most recent was John Hunter Nemechek in 2019.
First-Time Starters in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway
DriversDateJohn H. NemechekSunday, November 3, 2019Parker KligermanSunday, November 3, 2013David StarrSaturday, April 9, 2011Trevor BayneSunday, November 7, 2010Brad KeselowskiSunday, November 2, 2008Jay SauterMonday, April 8, 2002Adam PettySunday, April 2, 2000Of the seven drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Texas Motor Speedway, Trevor Bayne posted the best finish in his series debut, with a 17th-place finish on November 7, 2010.Steve Park leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 8.0 in five starts.Ryan Blaney (13 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 9.0; followed by Joey Logano with a 11.6 in 27 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Steve Park8.00051Ryan Blaney9.000142Ryan Blaney9.000142Joey Logano11.630273Kenny Irwin Jr10.66733Denny Hamlin12.750324Jimmie Johnson10.714354Chase Elliott13.250125Daniel Hemric11.50025William Byron13.25086Joey Logano11.630276Brad Keselowski13.556277Daniel Suarez11.66767Kyle Busch13.594328Jeff Gordon12.033308Tyler Reddick14.00049Carl Edwards12.333249Martin Truex Jr14.1213310Denny Hamlin12.7503210Kyle Larson15.06715
POLES
A total of 25 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Texas Motor Speedway; 11 of the 25 drivers have won multiple poles at the 1.5-mile speedway.Six of the 25 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway pole winners are active this weekend.Active Texas Pole Winners (6)PolesSeasonBrad Keselowski22022, ’15Kevin Harvick22019, ’17Martin Truex Jr22012, ’07Ryan Blaney12018Austin Dillon12016Kyle Busch12013Kurt Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Texas Motor Speedway with three (Spring 2015, Playoffs 2017, Spring 2018).Brad Keselowski (2015, 2022), Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019) and Martin Truex Jr. (2007, 2012) lead all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series poles at Texas Motor Speedway.The inaugural Pole Qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway in 1997 was cancelled due to weather conditions — NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett started the race from the first starting position. He finished the race runner-up.Jeremy Mayfield was the first NASCAR Cup Series pole winner at Texas Motor Speedway in 1998 with a speed of 185.906 mph, driving the Team Penske No. 12 Ford.Three drivers have won consecutive poles at Texas Motor Speedway: Bobby Labonte (2003 and 2004), Ryan Newman (2005 sweep) and Kurt Busch (2017 and 2018).Youngest Texas Cup Series pole winner: Brian Vickers (Nov. 5, 2006 — 23 years, 0 months, 12 days).Oldest Texas Cup Series pole winner: Bill Elliott (April 8, 2002 — 46 years, 6 months, 0 days).David Ragan (April 9, 2011) and Martin Truex Jr. (November 4, 2007) are the only two drivers who have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Texas Motor Speedway.Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series most poles at Texas Motor Speedway with seven each:Hendrick Motorsports (seven poles among five drivers) — Terry Labonte (2000), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2008), Jeff Gordon (2008, 2009), Jimmie Johnson (2012, 2019).Stewart-Haas Racing (seven poles among three drivers) — Tony Stewart (2010, 2014), Kurt Busch (2015, 2017, 2018), Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019).Four different manufacturers have won a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Texas Motor Speedway; led by Chevrolet (15 poles), and followed by Ford (13), Toyota (five) and Dodge (four).
WINS
A total of 22 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Texas Motor Speedway, and nine of the 22 have won multiple times at the 1.5-mile track.Seven of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway race winners are active this weekend.Active Texas Race Winners (7)WinsSeasonsKyle Busch42020, ’18, ’16, ’13Denny Hamlin32019, ’10 sweepKevin Harvick32019, ’18, ’17Tyler Reddick12022Kyle Larson12021Austin Dillon12020Joey Logano12014Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with seven victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 sweep and 2017) in 35 starts.Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with four victories (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).Three NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted consecutive wins at Texas Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2014 Playoff race and 2015 sweep), Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep).Youngest Cup Series Texas winner: Joey Logano (April 7, 2014 — 23 years, 10 months, 14 days).Oldest Cup Series Texas winner: Dale Jarrett (April 1, 2001 — 44 years, 4 months, 6 days).Jeff Burton (April 6, 1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (April 2, 2000) are the only two drivers to win in their first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.Five of the seven active winning drivers made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Texas Motor Speedway: Kevin Harvick (29), Kyle Busch (15) Austin Dillon (15) Kyle Larson (13) and Joey Logano (11).Martin Truex Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 33 starts; followed by Brad Keselowski (27 starts) and Michael McDowell (24 starts).A total of 18 different starting positions on the grid have led to victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.The third starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, producing more wins (eight) than any other starting position (19.05%) — most recently: Kevin Harvick‘s win in the 2018 Playoff race.Five of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races (11.9%) at Texas Motor Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position: Kasey Kahne (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2012), Kyle Busch (2013), Kevin Harvick (2019) and Kyle Larson (2021).Eight of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races (19.05%) at Texas Motor Speedway have been won from the front row: five from first starting position and three from the second starting position.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Texas Motor Speedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %1511.90%1012.38%237.14%1512.38%3819.05%1612.38%449.52%1912.38%549.52%2112.38%612.38%2412.38%712.38%2912.38%849.52%3024.76%924.76%3112.38%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:11.90%5Winning from the Front Row:19.05%8Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:57.14%24Winning After Starting Inside the Top 10:78.57%33Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:14.29%6
The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Texas Motor Speedway is 31st, by Matt Kenseth in 2002.Two NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Texas Motor Speedway in two different manufacturers: Jeff Burton (1997 — Ford; 2007 — Chevrolet) and Carl Edwards (2005, 2008 sweep — Ford; 2016 — Toyota)A total of nine different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.OrganizationsWinsSeasonsHendrick Motorsports102021, ’17, ’15 sweep, ’14, ’13, ’12, ’09, ’07, 1999Joe Gibbs Racing92020, ’19, ’18, ’16 sweep, ’13, ’10 sweep, ’06RFK Racing92012, ’11, ’08 sweep, ’05 sweep, ’02, 1998, ’97Stewart-Haas Racing42019, ’18, ’17, ’11Team Penske32014, ’09, ’03Richard Childress Racing32022, ’20, ’07Robert Yates Racing22004, ’01Dale Earnhardt Inc.12000Evernham Motorsports12006Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with 10 victories among four drivers: Terry Labonte (Spring 1999), Jeff Gordon (Spring 2009), Jimmie Johnson (Playoffs 2007, Playoffs 2012, Playoffs 2013, Playoffs 2014, Spring 2015, Playoffs 2015, Spring 2017) and Kyle Larson (2021).Four different manufacturers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Chevrolet with 16 wins; followed by Ford (15), Toyota (eight) and Dodge (three).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 23 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with five second-place finishes.Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. lead all active drivers in runner-up finishes at Texas with three each.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Jimmie Johnson51Kevin Harvick32Matt Kenseth4 Martin Truex Jr33Dale Earnhardt Jr33Brad Keselowski2Jeff Gordon3 Joey Logano2Kevin Harvick35Aric Almirola1Martin Truex Jr3 Denny Hamlin1 Kyle Larson1 Ryan Blaney1 Tyler Reddick1 William Byron1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 51 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Texas Motor Speedway.Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 16 top fives.Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Texas with 14.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Jimmie Johnson161Kyle Busch142Kyle Busch142Kevin Harvick133Matt Kenseth143Joey Logano124Kevin Harvick134Denny Hamlin75Joey Logano125Brad Keselowski6
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 70 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Texas Motor Speedway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 24 top 10s.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Kevin Harvick241Kevin Harvick242Kurt Busch232Kyle Busch183Jimmie Johnson223Martin Truex Jr174Matt Kenseth194Denny Hamlin155Dale Earnhardt Jr18Joey Logano15Kyle Busch18
Average Finish:
Tyler Reddick (four starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 6.750.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Tyler Reddick6.75041Tyler Reddick6.75042Chase Briscoe10.00022Chase Briscoe10.00023Steve Grissom10.00023Erik Jones10.091114Erik Jones10.091114Kevin Harvick10.474385Kevin Harvick10.474385Kyle Busch11.656326Matt Kenseth10.656326Chase Elliott13.250127Jimmie Johnson11.571357William Byron13.50088Kyle Busch11.656328Joey Logano13.593279Rusty Wallace13.100109Denny Hamlin13.5943210Chase Elliott13.2501210Martin Truex Jr14.51533
LAP LEADERS
A total of 89 different drivers have led at least one lap at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Jimmie Johnson (35 starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Texas Motor Speedway with 1,152 laps led.Kyle Busch (32 starts), second-most all-time, leads all active series drivers in laps led at Texas Motor Speedway with 1,069 laps led.The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas by the race winner is 278 of the scheduled 339 laps (82%) by Tony Stewart on November 5, 2006 — he started eighth and won.The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas is 312 of the scheduled 334 laps (93.4%) by Brad Keselowski on November 8, 2015; he started from the pole and finished second.The fewest laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas by the race winner is one lap, the final lap of the scheduled 334 by Jeff Burton on April 15, 2007 — he started second and won.
Top 15 All-Time Laps Leaders in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive driversLedCompleted% Led1Jimmie Johnson1,15211,10610.4%1Kyle Busch1,06910,30110.4%2Kyle Busch1,06910,30110.4%2Kevin Harvick69112,3515.6%3Matt Kenseth88310,3448.5%3Martin Truex Jr68910,3806.6%4Tony Stewart8018,9439.0%4Brad Keselowski6858,3968.2%5Greg Biffle7338,2628.9%5Joey Logano4808,7935.5%6Carl Edwards6917,5949.1%6Ryan Blaney4323,95410.9%7Jeff Gordon6918,9987.7%7Kyle Larson3494,5057.7%8Kevin Harvick69112,3515.6%8Denny Hamlin29210,4602.8%9Martin Truex Jr68910,3806.6%9William Byron1212,5924.7%10Brad Keselowski6858,3968.2%10Erik Jones1133,6753.1%11Joey Logano4808,7935.5%11Aric Almirola1017,1471.4%12Dale Earnhardt Jr4519,4864.8%12Chase Elliott883,7962.3%13Ryan Blaney4323,95410.9%13Tyler Reddick751,3365.6%14Dale Jarrett4074,5029.0%14Alex Bowman573,7551.5%15Kyle Larson3494,5057.7%15Austin Dillon375,9000.6%
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Two female drivers have made NASCAR Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway: Shawna Robinson and Danica PatrickDanica Patrick holds the series record for best finish at Texas Motor Speedway by a female competitor with a 16th-place finish (twice: Spring 2015, Playoffs 2015).DateDriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDriver RatingSunday, November 5, 2017Danica Patrick141767.3Sunday, April 9, 2017Danica Patrick192459.5Sunday, November 6, 2016Danica Patrick222455.1Monday, April 11, 2016Danica Patrick262157.7Sunday, November 8, 2015Danica Patrick111669.6Saturday, April 11, 2015Danica Patrick211674.9Sunday, November 2, 2014Danica Patrick273642.4Monday, April 7, 2014Danica Patrick242753.2Sunday, November 3, 2013Danica Patrick302549.2Saturday, April 13, 2013Danica Patrick422842.9Sunday, November 4, 2012Danica Patrick322461.4Averages24.423.557.6DateDriverStarting PositionFinishing Position Monday, April 8, 2002Shawna Robinson1636
TRACK / EVENT STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway was the April 4, 2004 race won by Elliott Sadler with a margin of victory of 0.028-second over second-place Kasey Kahne.
Top Five Closest Margin of Victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas:
Margin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate0.028Elliott SadlerKasey KahneSunday, April 4, 20040.149Austin DillonTyler ReddickSunday, July 19, 20200.152Denny HamlinJimmie JohnsonMonday, April 19, 20100.272Tony StewartJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 5, 20060.300Kyle BuschKevin HarvickSunday, April 8, 2018Six NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas have resulted with NASCAR Overtime:DateScheduledActualOvertimeWinner Runner-UpSunday, November 4, 20183343373Kevin HarvickRyan BlaneySunday, November 2, 20143343417Jimmie JohnsonKevin HarvickMonday, April 7, 20143343406Joey LoganoJeff GordonSunday, November 4, 20123343351Jimmie JohnsonBrad KeselowskiSunday, April 6, 20083343395Carl EdwardsJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 5, 20063343395Tony StewartJimmie JohnsonOf the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, only one has been shortened from its originally scheduled distance due to weather:DateScheduledActualFewer LapsWinner Runner-UpSunday, November 6, 2016334293-41Carl EdwardsJoey LoganoWeather has postponed the NASCAR Cup Series Texas race to another date three times:Scheduled DateActual DateRace WinnerSunday, October 25, 2020Wednesday, October 28, 2020Kyle BuschSunday, April 6, 2014Monday, April 7, 2014Joey LoganoSunday, April 18, 2010Monday, April 19, 2010Denny HamlinQualifying has been cancelled five times in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas for the reasons indicated:Race DateDriver That Started FirstReasonsSunday, April 6, 1997Dale JarrettWeatherSunday, April 15, 2007Jeff GordonWeatherSunday, July 19, 2020Aric AlmirolaPandemicWednesday, October 28, 2020Kevin HarvickPandemicSunday, October 17, 2021Kyle LarsonPandemic
NASCAR IN TEXAS
There have been 153 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Texas.NASCAR Tracks in TexasCityCupXFINITYTruckCombinedFirst YearTexas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth4244491351995Circuit of The AmericasAustin33392021Texas World SpeedwayCollege Station80081969Meyer SpeedwayHouston10011971Totals544752153The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Texas was a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. The event was held on December 7, 1969 and it was won by Bobby Isaac (Dodge).
TEXANS IN NASCAR
A total of 97 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Texas.A total of 10 different drivers from Texas have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte leads all Texas drivers with 34 NASCAR national series wins.
Winners from Texas:
Race Winners From TexasCupXfinityTruckCombinedTerry Labonte2211134Bobby Labonte2110132A.J. Foyt7007Chris Buescher5308Billy Wade4004Bobby Hillin Jr1203Johnny Rutherford1001James Buescher0167David Starr0044Colin Braun0011Totals612713101
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