Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders‘ statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the YellaWood 500 on October 1 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5 (Talladega Superspeedway)
The 2023 season marks the seventh consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2023) — Race No. 31 of the season.Talladega Superspeedway is the third different track to host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004 — 2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015 – 2016).Talladega Superspeedway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004 and has occupied five different spots on the postseason schedule; including the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004 — 2005); the fourth race (2006 — 2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017-2023); the sixth race (2011, 2013 — 2016); and the seventh race (2009 — 2010).A total of 15 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway.Brad Keselowski (2017, 2014), Clint Bowyer (2010-2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015-2016) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff wins at Talladega Superspeedway with two victories each.Seven of the 15 Talladega Playoff race winners are active this weekend and four of the seven are Playoff contenders this year — Bubba Wallace (2021), Denny Hamlin (2020), Ryan Blaney (2019), Brad Keselowski (2014, 2017).Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Race WinnersTrackRace WinnerDateTalladegaChase ElliottSunday, October 2, 2022TalladegaBubba WallaceMonday, October 4, 2021TalladegaDenny HamlinSunday, October 4, 2020TalladegaRyan BlaneySunday, October 13, 2019TalladegaAric AlmirolaSunday, October 14, 2018TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 15, 2017TalladegaJoey LoganoSunday, October 23, 2016TalladegaJoey LoganoSunday, October 25, 2015TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 19, 2014TalladegaJamie McMurraySunday, October 20, 2013TalladegaMatt KensethSunday, October 7, 2012TalladegaClint BowyerSunday, October 23, 2011TalladegaClint BowyerSunday, October 31, 2010TalladegaJamie McMurraySunday, November 1, 2009TalladegaTony StewartSunday, October 5, 2008TalladegaJeff GordonSunday, October 7, 2007TalladegaBrian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006TalladegaDale JarrettSunday, October 2, 2005TalladegaDale Earnhardt JrSunday, October 3, 2004During the Playoffs Era (2004-Present), the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race has never gone on to win the title in the same season.Twice the Talladega Playoff race winner has finished runner-up in the championship standings at the end of the season: Jeff Gordon (2007) and Joey Logano (2016). Last season‘s Talladega Playoff race winner — Chase Elliott finished the season fourth in the final standings.The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 37th by Kyle Larson in 2021.A total of 15 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series fifth race in the Playoffs; nine of the 15 are active this weekend and four are currently in the Playoffs — Bubba Wallace (2022 Talladega), Denny Hamlin (2021 Talladega), Ryan Blaney (2019 Talladega) and Brad Keselowski (2017 Talladega and 2013 Charlotte).Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 — all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).Brad Keselowski (2013 Charlotte and 2017 Talladega) and Kevin Harvick (2014 Charlotte and 2016 Kansas) lead all active drivers in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Serries Playoffs with two each.Playoff Race No. 5 — Race Winners (Race No. 31 of 36)TrackRace WinnerDateTalladegaChase ElliottSunday, October 2, 2022TalladegaBubba WallaceMonday, October 4, 2021TalladegaDenny HamlinSunday, October 4, 2020TalladegaRyan BlaneySunday, October 13, 2019TalladegaAric AlmirolaSunday, October 14, 2018TalladegaBrad KeselowskiSunday, October 15, 2017KansasKevin HarvickSunday, October 16, 2016KansasJoey LoganoSunday, October 18, 2015CharlotteKevin HarvickSaturday, October 11, 2014CharlotteBrad KeselowskiSaturday, October 12, 2013CharlotteClint BowyerSaturday, October 13, 2012CharlotteMatt KensethSaturday, October 15, 2011CharlotteJamie McMurraySaturday, October 16, 2010CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 17, 2009CharlotteJeff BurtonSaturday, October 11, 2008CharlotteJeff GordonSaturday, October 13, 2007CharlotteKasey KahneSaturday, October 14, 2006CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 15, 2005CharlotteJimmie JohnsonSaturday, October 16, 2004Twice the winner of the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the championship later that season; both times it occurred at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004-2014):In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title — it was his third of four wins in the 2009 postseason.In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the seventh starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series title — it was his first of three wins during the 2014 postseason.Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs:In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points.In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in pointsSix times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points.In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points.In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points.In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in points
NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega
RankDriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1William Byron110023317.384.92Denny Hamlin35121015516.683.73Chris Buescher160013519.966.74Christopher Bell72012119.672.95Martin Truex Jr3710391321.476.56Ross Chastain90122018.267.37Brad Keselowski29061014415.388.48Kyle Larson170013623.476.19Bubba Wallace110111319.776.210Tyler Reddick70002222.363.611Ryan Blaney180257415.292.812Kyle Busch3602810719.981.7
* — Based on last 37 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 — 2023).
Talladega Superspeedway Stats & Tidbits:
TRACK DATA
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-01-23)
The Purse: $8,806,315
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 4,300 feet
Backstretch Length: 4,000 feet
Race Length: 188 laps / 500.08 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 68 laps
QUALIFYING & RACE DATA
Track Qualifying Record:
Bill Elliott, Melling Racing Ford, 212.809 mph, 44.998 secs., April 30, 1987
2022 Playoff Pole Winner:
Christpher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 180.591 mph, 53.026 secs., September 1, 2022
Track Race Record:
Mark Martin, RFK Racing Ford, 188.354 mph, (02:39:18), May 10, 1997
2022 Playoff Race Winner:
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 153.569 mph, (03:15:23), October 2, 2022
HISTORY
Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on September 14, 1969; the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on July 25, 1992; the event was won by Ernie Irvan (Chevrolet).The first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on October 7, 2006; the event was won by Mark Martin (Ford).The name of the track changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.The track completed its fourth repaving on September 19, 2006.In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.There have been 108 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.
STARTS
A total of 489 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 343 have competed in more than one.Dave Marcis and Terry Labonte lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Talladega with 61 starts each.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Talladega with 45.A total of 72 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first career start at Talladega Superspeedway.The most recent driver to make their first Cup start at Talladega was Harrison Burton on April 25, 2021.Justin Haley (4/28/19) is the only other active driver to make his first career Cup start at Talladega.Of the 72 drivers to make their first career Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, Dick Simon had the best finish with a seventh-place result after starting in 52nd-place on May 6, 1973.RankDriversDateRankDriversDateRankDriversDate1Harrison Burton4/25/202125Harry Dinwiddie8/3/198049Harry Gailey8/22/19712Justin Haley4/28/201926Gary Baker5/4/198050Johnny Barnes8/22/19713Timothy Peters4/29/201827Kyle Petty8/5/197951Rolf Stommelen8/22/19714Ryan Reed10/23/201628Kevin Housby5/6/197952David Sisco5/16/19715Robert Richardson11/1/200929Wayne Broome5/6/197953Doc Faustina5/16/19716Jacques Villeneuve10/7/200730Frank Hill5/14/197854George Altheide5/16/19717Eric McClure4/25/200431Jim Raptis8/7/197755Roy Mulligan5/16/19718Jason Jarrett9/28/200332Steve Moore8/7/197756Alton Jones4/12/19709Jamie McMurray10/6/200233Peter Knab5/1/197757Al Straub9/14/196910Dennis Setzer4/26/199834Jeff Handy8/17/197558Amos Johnson9/14/196911Ritchie Petty5/2/199335Harold Miller5/4/197559Bill Ward9/14/196912Stan Fox7/26/199236Tom Williams5/4/197560Billy Hagan9/14/196913T.W. Taylor7/26/199237A.J. Reno8/11/197461Bobby Brewer9/14/196914Stanley Smith7/29/199038Jerry Hansen8/11/197462Bobby Fleming9/14/196915Bill Ingram7/30/198939Jerry Schild5/5/197463C.B. Gwynn9/14/196916Ed Pimm5/3/198740Johnny Ray5/5/197464Dick Lawrence9/14/196917Davey Allison7/28/198541Neil Bonnett5/5/197465Doug Easton9/14/196918Phil Barkdoll5/6/198442Terry Link5/5/197466Earle Canavan9/14/196919Bob Slawinski8/1/198243Bob Davis8/12/197367Ernie Shaw9/14/196920Bill Scott5/2/198244Dick Simon5/6/197368J.W. King9/14/196921David Simko5/2/198245Slick Gardner5/6/197369Larry Bock9/14/196922L.W. Wright5/2/198246Clarence Lovell5/7/197270Richard Childress9/14/196923Philip Duffie5/2/198247Darrell Waltrip5/7/197271Stan Starr9/14/196924Terry Herman8/2/198148Robert Wales5/7/197272Wilbur Pickett9/14/1969Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.Chase Elliott (13 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 7.462.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Bobby Isaac3.62581Ty Gibbs6.50022Davey Allison5.267152Chase Elliott9.467153Pete Hamilton5.40053Christopher Bell11.85774Sam Sommers6.33334Ryan Blaney12.000185David Pearson6.400255Brad Keselowski12.345296Ty Gibbs6.50026William Byron12.909117Gordon Johncock7.50027Chase Briscoe13.60058Cale Yarborough8.088348Denny Hamlin14.857359Chase Elliott9.467159Austin Dillon15.4002010Rob Moroso9.500210Tyler Reddick15.7147
POLES
A total of 46 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 24 of the 46 have multiple poles at Talladega.Seven of the 46 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.Active Talladega Pole WinnersPolesSeasonsChristopher Bell22022 sweepChase Elliott22019, ’16Kevin Harvick22018, ’05Denny Hamlin12023Austin Dillon12019Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Martin Truex Jr12016NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).Christopher Bell (2022 sweep), Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with two each.Bobby Isaac won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega Superspeedway in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph. In fact, Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway (1969 and 1970 sweep).A total of 12 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series; Christopher Bell (2022 sweep) is the only of the 12 that is currently active.Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Cup poles at Talladega with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega:Brian Scott (May 4, 2014)Juan Pablo Montoya (April 26, 2009)Travis Kvapil (October 5, 2008)David Gilliland (October 8, 2006)Stacy Compton (April 22, 2001)Jeremy Mayfield (September 28, 1996)Youngest series Talladega pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 — 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).Oldest series Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 — 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 among eight different drivers — Darrell Waltrip (1988), Terry Labonte (1995), Jimmie Johnson (2002), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015 sweep), Mark Martin (2011), Kasey Kahne (2012), Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2017).Eight different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway; led by Chevrolet with 37 and followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Toyota (six), Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), and Buick (two).
WINS
A total of 51 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 25 of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Talladega have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.Eleven of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Talladega Superspeedway are active this weekend.Active Talladega Race WinnersWinsSeasonsBrad Keselowski62021, ’17, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’09Joey Logano32018, ’16, ’15Kyle Busch22023, ’08Chase Elliott22022, ’19Denny Hamlin22020, ’14Ryan Blaney22020, ’19Ross Chastain12022Bubba Wallace12021Aric Almirola12018Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Kevin Harvick12010NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 10 victories (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep and 2000).Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021); followed by Joey Logano with three wins (2015, 2016, 2018).Nine different drivers have won consecutive series races at Talladega; led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with four-straight victories from 2001-2003. Ryan Blaney is the most recent driver to win consecutive races at Talladega (2019-2020).Youngest series Talladega winner is Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986) at the age of 22 years, 1 month, 22 days.Oldest series Talladega winner is Harry Gant (May 6, 1991) at the age of 51 years, 3 months, 26 days.A total of 25 different starting positions have produced race winners in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.15 of the 108 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.8%) at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position — the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin on October 4, 2020.A total of 13 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway from the pole or first starting position.DriversWins From Pole or First Starting PositionSeasonsBill Elliott21987, ’85Cale Yarborough21984, ’78Denny Hamlin12020Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Jeff Gordon12007Bobby Labonte11998Sterling Marlin11995Dale Earnhardt11990Bobby Allison11981Dave Marcis11976Buddy Baker11975David Pearson11974Donnie Allison11971The outside front row (second starting position) is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. The most recent driver to win from the second starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2011.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %11513.89%1410.93%22018.52%1521.85%376.48%1643.70%498.33%1721.85%554.63%1821.85%643.70%1932.78%732.78%2010.93%810.93%2221.85%965.56%2410.93%1043.70%2710.93%1143.70%3432.78%1232.78%3610.93%1343.70% Stats Winning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:14.15%15Winning from the Front Row:33.02%35Winning from a top-five Starting Position:52.83%56Winning from a top-10 Starting Position:69.81%74Winning After Starting Outside the top 20:8.49%9The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race.The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race.A total of 12 drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway:First-Time Race WinnersDateBubba WallaceMonday, October 4, 2021Ricky Stenhouse JrSunday, May 7, 2017Brad KeselowskiSunday, April 26, 2009Brian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006Ken SchraderSunday, July 31, 1988Phil ParsonsSunday, May 1, 1988Davey AllisonSunday, May 3, 1987Bobby Hillin JrSunday, July 27, 1986Ron BouchardSunday, August 2, 1981Lennie PondSunday, August 6, 1978Dick BrooksSunday, August 12, 1973Richard BrickhouseSunday, September 14, 1969Martin Truex Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 37; followed by Michael McDowell with 25.A total of 31 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, nine of the 31 are active this weekend:Active Winning Organizations at TalladegaWinsHendrick Motorsports14Richard Childress Racing13Team Penske10Joe Gibbs Racing5Wood Brothers Racing5Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing5Stewart-Haas Racing123XI Racing1Trackhouse Racing1Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 14 victories among seven different drivers – Ken Schrader (1988), Jeff Gordon (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007 sweep), Terry Labonte (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2011), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015) and Chase Elliott (2019, 2022).Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 44 victories; followed by Ford (31), Mercury (seven), Buick (six), Oldsmobile (six), Toyota (five), Dodge (four), Plymouth (three) and Pontiac (two).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 54 different drivers have finished runner-up at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway with six second-place finishes each.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three runners-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Buddy Baker61Kevin Harvick32Tony Stewart62Kyle Busch23Dale Earnhardt Jr53Ryan Blaney24Dale Jarrett54Alex Bowman15Darrell Waltrip5 Austin Dillon1 Brad Keselowski1 Erik Jones1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr1 William Byron1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 125 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top fives at Talladega with 10 each.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Dale Earnhardt231Brad Keselowski102Jeff Gordon16 Denny Hamlin103Buddy Baker153Joey Logano94Cale Yarborough144Kevin Harvick8Darrell Waltrip14 Kyle Busch8Terry Labonte14
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 211 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top 10s with 27 top-10 finishes.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 19.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Dale Earnhardt271Kevin Harvick192Mark Martin242Denny Hamlin153Terry Labonte233Brad Keselowski144Bill Elliott224Joey Logano115Kurt Busch215Kyle Busch10
Average Finish:
Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.Chase Elliott (15 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 14.067.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Pete Hamilton5.60051Chase Elliott14.067152John H. Nemechek8.00022Ty Dillon15.091113Bruce Jacobi10.00023Chase Briscoe15.20054Anthony Alfredo11.00024Ryan Blaney15.222185Bobby Isaac12.37585Brad Keselowski15.310296Dale Earnhardt12.409446Ricky Stenhouse Jr15.350207David Ray Boggs12.50027Kevin Harvick15.867458Davey Allison12.667158Aric Almirola16.185279Billy Hagan13.50029Denny Hamlin16.5713510Chase Elliott14.0671510William Byron17.27311
LAP LEADERS
A total of 210 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega with 431 in 35 starts.
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt1377719919%1Denny Hamlin43162219%2Buddy Baker1137616118%2Joey Logano42050956%3Dale Earnhardt Jr967613416%3Brad Keselowski31553064%4Jeff Gordon902796311%4Kevin Harvick30380444%5Bobby Allison703526713%5Ryan Blaney27532037%6Darrell Waltrip66680718%6Kyle Busch26963477%7Cale Yarborough593473113%7Chase Elliott20127013%8Bill Elliott52695945%8Aric Almirola11848576%9Matt Kenseth52468368%9Ricky Stenhouse Jr10434311%10Jimmie Johnson47467777%10William Byron9619772%The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by the race winner was 153 of the scheduled 188 laps (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970 — he started the race in the fourth position.The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that did not win the race was 142 of the scheduled 192 laps (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013 — he started the race in the sixth position and finished eighth.Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only one lap — the final lap:Jeff Gordon in 2007, started 34th and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson to the line by 0.66-second.Brad Keselowski in 2009, started ninth and led just the final lap to win the race beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the line by 0.175-second.Aric Almirola in 2018, started fourth and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Clint Bowyer by 0.105-second.Brad Keselowski earlier this season, started 10th and led just the final lap to win the race beating William Byron to the line by 0.102-second.
TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
There have been 18 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega (the most of any track):DateScheduled Actual OvertimeRace WinnersSunday, April 23, 20231881968Kyle BuschSunday, April 25, 20211881913Brad KeselowskiSunday, October 4, 202018820012Denny HamlinMonday, June 22, 20201881913Ryan BlaneySunday, October 14, 20181881935Aric AlmirolaSunday, May 7, 20171881913Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Sunday, October 23, 20161881924Joey LoganoSunday, October 25, 20151881968Joey LoganoSunday, October 19, 20141881946Brad KeselowskiSunday, May 5, 20131881924David RaganSunday, October 7, 20121881891Matt KensethSunday, May 6, 20121881946Brad KeselowskiSunday, April 25, 201018820012Kevin HarvickSunday, November 1, 20091881913Jamie McMurraySunday, October 5, 20081881902Tony StewartSunday, April 29, 20071881924Jeff GordonSunday, October 2, 20051881902Dale JarrettSunday, May 1, 20051881946Jeff GordonThree of the 108 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduled Actual FewerRace WinnersSunday, July 28, 1996188129-59Jeff GordonThursday, April 30, 1987188178-10Davey AllisonMonday, October 4, 2021188117-71Bubba WallaceQualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway eight times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall), 2020 (Playoffs — Metric Qualifying), 2021 (April – Metric Qualifying) and 2021 (Playoffs — Metric Qualifying).Three times the NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was not run on its originally scheduled date:The April 27, 1997 race was postponed due to inclement weather to May 10, 1997 — Mark Martin won the event.The April 26, 2020 race was postponed to June 22, 2020 due to the stoppage in sports as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — Ryan Blaney won the event.The October 3, 2021 race was postponed to Oct. 4, 2021 (Monday) due to weather.Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway is the April 17, 2011 race won by Jimmie Johnson over second-place Clint Bowyer with a Margin of Victory of 0.002 second — the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series using electronic scoring.
Top Five NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Talladega Superspeedway
RankRace WinnerRunner-UpMargin of VictoryDate1Jimmie JohnsonClint Bowyer0.002Sunday, April 17, 20112Dale EarnhardtErnie Irvan0.005Sunday, July 25, 19933Ryan BlaneyRicky Stenhouse Jr.0.007Monday, June 22, 20204Ryan BlaneyRyan Newman0.007Sunday, October 13, 20195Kevin HarvickJamie McMurray0.011Sunday, April 25, 2010
FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS
Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateDanica Patrick1321Sunday, October 15, 2017Danica Patrick3138Sunday, May 7, 2017Danica Patrick3020Sunday, October 23, 2016Danica Patrick3724Sunday, May 1, 2016Danica Patrick2027Sunday, October 25, 2015Danica Patrick2521Sunday, May 3, 2015Danica Patrick2719Sunday, October 19, 2014Danica Patrick722Sunday, May 4, 2014Danica Patrick2333Sunday, October 20, 2013Danica Patrick2333Sunday, May 5, 2013DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDatePatty Moise3633Sunday, July 30, 1989DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie1229Sunday, August 6, 1978Janet Guthrie934Sunday, August 7, 1977Janet Guthrie1332Sunday, May 1, 1977
NASCAR IN ALABAMA
There have been 179 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:NASCAR Tracks In AlabamaCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedYearsTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega10835171601969Birmingham International RacewayBirmingham80081958Chisholm SpeedwayMontgomery10011956Dixie SpeedwayBirmingham10011960Huntsville SpeedwayHuntsville10011962Lakeview SpeedwayMobile20021951Montgomery Motor SpeedwayMontgomery60061955Totals1273517179The very first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Alabama was a NASCAR Cup Series event held at Lakeview Speedway (Mobile) in 1951 — the race was won by Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 — the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
ALABAMA DRIVERS IN NASCAR
A total of 76 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Alabama.11 drivers from Alabama have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series; seven have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison (Hueytown) is the winningest driver from Alabama posting the fourth most NASCAR Cup Series wins all-time at 84.Race Winners From AlabamaCupXfinityTruckCombinedBobby Allison842086Tim Flock390039Davey Allison190019Neil Bonnett181019Donnie Allison100010Red Byron2002Bubba Wallace2068Steve Grissom011011Grant Enfinger001010Rick Crawford0055Cale Gale0011Totals1741422210
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