Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, going into the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 29 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 9 Fast Facts: Martinsville Speedway
The 2023 season marks the 20th year Martinsville Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race, and the fourth-time the track has hosted the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — the Round of 8 elimination race (Race No. 9 of 10).Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, Martinsville Speedway has occupied three different positions on the postseason schedule:From 2004 — 2010 (seven seasons): Martinsville Speedway hosted the sixth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.From 2011 — 2019 (nine seasons): Martinsville Speedway hosted the seventh race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — From 2014-2019 (six seasons) in the elimination-style format the seventh race of the Playoffs is the Round of 8 opener.From 2020-Present (four seasons): Martinsville Speedway has hosted the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — the Round of 8 elimination race.Martinsville Speedway is the third different track to host the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Darlington Raceway (one race: 2004) and Phoenix Raceway (15 races: 2005-2019).A total of 11 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway.Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in postseason wins at Martinsville Speedway with six Playoff victories (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2016).Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in postseason wins at Martinsville Speedway with two Playoff victories (2009, 2010).NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway Playoff Race WinnersTrackPlayoff Race WinnerDateRace No.MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 24, 200432MartinsvilleJeff GordonSunday, October 23, 200532MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 22, 200632MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 21, 200732MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 19, 200832MartinsvilleDenny HamlinSunday, October 25, 200932MartinsvilleDenny HamlinSunday, October 24, 201032MartinsvilleTony StewartSunday, October 30, 201133MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 28, 201233MartinsvilleJeff GordonSunday, October 27, 201333MartinsvilleDale Earnhardt JrSunday, October 26, 201433MartinsvilleJeff GordonSunday, November 1, 201533MartinsvilleJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 30, 201633MartinsvilleKyle BuschSunday, October 29, 201733MartinsvilleJoey LoganoSunday, October 28, 201833MartinsvilleMartin Truex JrSunday, October 27, 201933MartinsvilleChase ElliottSunday, November 1, 202035MartinsvilleAlex BowmanSunday, October 31, 202135MartinsvilleChristopher BellSunday, October 30, 202235A total of 12 different drivers have won the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (Race 35 of 36).Jimmie Johnson (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2006, 2012, 2013, 2014) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the ninth race of the postseason with four victories each.NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race No. 9 – Race WinnersTrackRace WinnersDateRace No.DarlingtonJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 14, 200435PhoenixKyle BuschSunday, November 13, 200535PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 12, 200635PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 11, 200735PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 9, 200835PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 15, 200935PhoenixCarl EdwardsSunday, November 14, 201035PhoenixKasey KahneSunday, November 13, 201135PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 11, 201235PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 10, 201335PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 9, 201435PhoenixDale Earnhardt JrSunday, November 15, 201535PhoenixJoey LoganoSunday, November 13, 201635PhoenixMatt KensethSunday, November 12, 201735PhoenixKyle BuschSunday, November 11, 201835PhoenixDenny HamlinSunday, November 10, 201935MartinsvilleChase ElliottSunday, November 1, 202035MartinsvilleAlex BowmanSunday, October 31, 202135MartinsvilleChristopher BellSunday, October 30, 202235Seven times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway has gone on to win the title that same season (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2020) — tied with Homestead-Miami Speedway for series-most.In 2006, Jimmie Johnson won from the ninth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first of seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. It was his only win during the 2006 Playoffs.In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship that same season. The Playoff victory was the first of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the first starting position at Martinsville Speedway (Qualifying was cancelled), then the sixth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fourth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was one of a single season record setting five Playoff victories for Stewart during the 2011 postseason.In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2016 postseason.In 2018, Joey Logano won from the 10th starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the seventh race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his first of two Playoff victories during the 2018 postseason.In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race in the Playoffs, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his second of three victories during the 2020 postseason.Five times the winner of the ninth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title that same season: (2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2020).In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the sixth starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The Playoff victory was the fourth of a record setting four straight postseason wins during the 2007 Playoffs (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix).In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won from the pole at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The win was his third of three victories during the 2008 Playoffs.In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship. The victory was his fourth of four wins during the 2009 postseason.In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the third starting position at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. Harvick faced elimination from the Playoffs heading into this race and become the first to clinch his spot in the Championship 4 by winning the Round of 8 elimination race. The win was also his second of three Playoff victories during the 2014 postseason.In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position at Martinsville Speedway, then the ninth race of the postseason, and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. With the win Elliott became the second driver to earn a spot in the Championship 4 Round by winning the Round of 8 elimination race – joining Kevin Harvick (2014). The win was his second of three Playoff victories during the 2020 postseason.The worst finish in a Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 33rd by Kevin Harvick in 2014 — that season Martinsville Speedway was the seventh race in the Playoffs.The worst finish in the ninth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by a driver that went on to win the title that same season:At Phoenix, 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016.At Darlington, sixth by Kurt Busch in 2004.At Martinsville, 14th by Kyle Larson in 2021.Three times non-Playoff drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Martinsville Speedway: (2005, 2014, 2021).In 2005, Jeff Gordon was ranked 15th in the points at the time of his Playoff win at Martinsville.In 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 11th in points at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of the win at Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the postseason. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.Five times non-Playoff drivers have won the ninth Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason: (2005, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2021).In 2005, Kyle Busch was ranked 19th in the points at the time of the win at Phoenix.In 2011, Kasey Kahne was ranked 14th in the points at the time of the win at Phoenix.In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was seventh in points at the time of the win at Phoenix. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.In 2017, Matt Kenseth was seventh in points at the time of the win at Phoenix. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.In 2021, Alex Bowman was 14th in points at the time of the win at Martinsville Speedway, the ninth race of the postseason. Bowman had made the Playoffs in 2021 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.Since the inception of the elimination-style format in the Playoffs in 2014 (last nine seasons), six of the last nine winners have earned a spot in to the Championship 4 Round with their victory (66.7%) in the ninth race of the Playoffs – Kevin Harvick (2014, Phoenix), Joey Logano (2016, Phoenix), Kyle Busch (2018, Phoenix), Denny Hamlin (2019, Phoenix), Chase Elliott (2020, Martinsville) and Christopher Bell (2022, Martinsville).
Martinsville Speedway Track Data:
Season Race #: 35 of 36 (10-29-23)
The Purse: $8,587,800
Track Size: 0.526-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 12 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 12 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 0 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 0 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 800 feet
Backstretch Length: 800 feet
Race Length: 500 laps / 263 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 130 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 240 laps
MARTINSVILLE QUALIFYING / RACE DATA
Track Qualifying Record:
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, 100.201 mph, 18.898 secs., March 28, 2014
2022 Playoff Race Pole Winner:
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 96.078 mph, 19.709 secs., October 29, 2022
Track Race Record:
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 82.223 mph, (3:11:55), September 22, 2006
2022 Playoff Race Winner:
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 77.239 mph, (03:24:18), October 30, 2022
HISTORY
Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville Speedway, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville Speedway was on July 4, 1948.The first NASCAR Cup Series race was on September 25, 1949 and the race was won by Red Byron in Raymond Park‘s 1949 Oldsmobile.The track was paved in 1955 and the first 500-lap event at Martinsville Speedway was in 1956.Concrete corners were added atop the asphalt in 1976.The track added LED lighting during the 2016-2017 off season.There have been 149 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one race in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.
STARTS
A total of 651 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway; 424 have competed in more than one.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Martinsville Speedway with 67; followed by Dave Marcis and Ricky Rudd with 55 each.Kevin Harvick leads the series in starts among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway with 44; followed by Kyle Busch with 36 starts.In total, 62 drivers have made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway.Chase Elliott (03/29/2015) and Michael McDowell (3/30/2008) are the only active drivers who have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Martinsville Speedway.Of the 62 drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway, Clyde Minter posted the best finish in his series debut with a fourth-place finish in 1949. First-Time DriversDate First-Time DriversDate1Al Wagoner9/25/194932Terry Murchison4/25/19652Clyde Minter9/25/194933Ed Jordan4/24/19663Kenneth Wagner9/25/194934Johnny Wynn4/24/19664Bill Holluck5/6/195135Jimmy Trull9/25/19665Bill Lawrence5/6/195136Paul Radford4/23/19676Jack Wade10/14/195137Tommy Ingram4/23/19677Bob Welborn10/19/195238Buddy Young4/27/19698Julian Petty10/19/195239Dave Alonzo9/28/19699Gordon Smith5/15/195540Jimmy Hensley4/30/197210Jimmy Pardue10/16/195541Satch Worley9/29/197411Bob Duell5/20/195642Bruce Blodgett4/25/197612George Cork5/20/195643Butch Lindley9/23/197913Jim Rhoades5/20/195644Bob McElee9/27/198114Reitzel Darner5/20/195645Dale Jarrett4/29/198415Sherman Utsman5/20/195646Sam Ard9/23/198416Bill Lutz10/28/195647Jerry Cranmer4/27/198617Bill Poor10/28/195648Mike Skinner4/27/198618Bun Emery10/28/195649Tony Spanos4/26/198719Larry Frank10/28/195650Jeff Purvis4/29/199020Larry Odo10/28/195651Elton Sawyer4/23/199521Norman Schihl10/28/195652Stacy Compton4/21/199622Barney Oldfield5/19/195753Mike Bliss9/27/199823Ben Benz4/20/195854Chad Chaffin10/24/200424Erwin Carpenter9/27/195955Mario Gosselin10/24/200425Jerry Smith9/27/195956Travis Kvapil10/24/200426Ernie Gahan4/10/196057Michael McDowell3/30/200827Pat Moore4/10/196058Scott Speed10/19/200828Allen Franklin4/30/196159Kyle Fowler10/26/2014 13:3029Art Malone9/24/196160Chase Elliott3/29/2015 13:0030Wayne Lambath9/24/196161Gray Gaulding10/30/2016 13:0031Ronnie Croy9/27/196462Kyle Weatherman10/29/2017 15:00Fonty Flock (nine starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Martinsville Speedway with a 3.125.Joey Logano (29 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Martinsville Speedway with a 8.172.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Fonty Flock3.12591Joey Logano8.172292Fred Lorenzen4.294172Denny Hamlin8.943353Frankie Schneider5.00033Chase Elliott9.313164Tim Flock5.889114Ryan Blaney9.333155Cale Yarborough5.935315Kyle Busch11.139366Johnny Patterson6.00036Brad Keselowski11.444277Bobby Isaac6.067157Kyle Larson11.824178Dick Hutcherson6.20058Kevin Harvick13.182449Joe Millikan6.20059Martin Truex Jr13.3713510David Pearson6.5712810Todd Gilliland14.0003
POLES
In total 63 different drivers have won at least one pole at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, and 29 of the 63 have won multiple poles.Eight of the 63 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway pole winners are active this weekend.Active Martinsville Pole Winners (8)PolesSeasonsJoey Logano52019, ’17, ’16, ’15 sweepDenny Hamlin42019, ’13, ’10, ’07Ryan Newman32009, ’04, ’02Kyle Busch22018, ’14Ryan Preece12023Kyle Larson12022Chase Elliott12022Martin Truex Jr12016NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Martinsville Speedway with eight poles (1979, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1992).Joey Logano leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most poles at Martinsville Speedway with five — 2015 sweep, spring 2016, fall 2017, spring 2019.Curtis Turner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway in 1949 driving an Oldsmobile for car owner Frank Christian.Youngest Cup Series Martinsville pole winner: Ricky Rudd (April 26, 1981 — 24 years, 7 months, 14 days).Oldest Cup Series Martinsville pole winner: Morgan Shepherd (April 26, 1987 — 45 years, 6 months, 14 days).A total of 13 different drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway; most recently it was Ryan Preece earlier this season (April 16, 2023).First-Time Pole Winners (13)DateCurtis TurnerSunday, September 25, 1949Buck BakerSunday, May 21, 1950Fonty FlockSunday, October 15, 1950Perk BrownSunday, October 19, 1952Glen WoodSunday, October 12, 1958Bobby JohnsSunday, May 3, 1959Lennie PondSunday, April 23, 1978Ricky RuddSunday, April 26, 1981Ricky CravenSunday, April 21, 1996Kenny WallaceSunday, April 20, 1997Tony StewartSunday, April 18, 1999Scott RiggsSunday, April 10, 2005Ryan PreeceSunday, April 16, 2023A total of 13 different drivers have won two or more consecutive poles at Martinsville Speedway; the most recent was Joey Logano who won three consecutive poles at Martinsville from 2015-2016.Five drivers have won three or more consecutive poles at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series: Glen Wood (fall of 1959 and 1960 sweep), Darrell Waltrip (1979 sweep and spring 1980), Mark Martin (fall of 1990 and 1991 sweep), Jeff Gordon (2003 sweep and spring 2004), Joey Logano (2015 sweep, 2016 spring).Six active organizations have won a pole at the Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Hendrick Motorsports with 19 poles.OrganizationsPolesSeasonsHendrick Motorsports192022 sweep, ’13, ’12, ’08, ’07, ’06, ’04, ’03 sweep, ’02, ’01, ’89, ’87, ’86 sweep, ’85, ’84Joe Gibbs Racing102019, ’18, ’14, ’13, ’10, ’07, ’05, ’00, ’99, ’95Team Penske102019, ’17, ’16, ’15 sweep, ’06, ’04, ’02, ’00, ’94RFK Racing41994, ’91 sweep, ’90Richard Childress Racing31989, ’83, ’82Stewart-Haas Racing22023, ’09A total of 11 different manufacturers have won at least one NASCAR Cup Series pole at Martinsville Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 55 poles and followed by Ford (35), Dodge (10), Pontiac (9), Toyota (6), Buick (4), Hudson (4), Oldsmobile (4), Mercury (3), Chrysler (2), Plymouth (2).
WINS
A total of 58 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Martinsville Speedway, and 27 of the 58 different NASCAR Cup Series winners at Martinsville Speedway have won multiple times.Twelve of the 58 NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway race winners are active this weekend.Active Martinsville Winners (12)WinsSeasonsDenny Hamlin52015, ’10 sweep, ’09, ’08Martin Truex Jr32021, ’20, ’19Brad Keselowski22019, ’17Kyle Busch22017, ’16Kyle Larson12023Christopher Bell12022William Byron12022Alex Bowman12021Chase Elliott12020Joey Logano12018Ryan Newman12012Kevin Harvick12011NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 15 victories (1960, 1962, 1963, 1967 sweep, 1968, 1969 sweep, 1970, 1971, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1975, 1979).Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins among active drivers at Martinsville Speedway with five victories (2008, 2009, 2010 sweep, 2015).The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway was on Sept. 25, 1949 — the race was won by Red Byron in Raymond Park‘s 1949 Oldsmobile.A total of 12 NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted consecutive wins at Martinsville Speedway.Fred Lorenzen won four straight NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville from the fall of 1963 through the spring of 1965 — the series-most consecutive wins at Martinsville.Martin Truex Jr. is the most recent driver to win consecutive races at Martinsville (2019 Playoff race / spring of 2020).A total of 12 different drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway; the most recent was Ricky Craven (10/15/2001).First-Time Race WinnersDateStarting PositionRicky CravenMonday, October 15, 20016Geoff BodineSunday, April 29, 19846Harry GantSunday, April 25, 19823Morgan ShepherdSunday, April 26, 198112Dave MarcisSunday, September 28, 19757Earl RossSunday, September 29, 197411Fred LorenzenSunday, April 9, 19612Bob WelbornSunday, October 6, 19572Jack SmithSunday, October 28, 195623Jim PaschalSunday, October 18, 1953N/ADick RathmannSunday, April 6, 19529Herb ThomasSunday, October 15, 195019Youngest series Martinsville winner: Richard Petty (April 10, 1960 — 22 years, 9 months, 8 days).Oldest series Martinsville winner: Harry Gant (September 22, 1991 — 51 years, 8 months, 12 days).A total of 25 different starting positions on the grid in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway have resulted in victories.Note: In four of the early races at Martinsville Speedway (1950, Spring 1953, Fall 1953 and Spring 1954), the starting positions were not provided on the official race reports.21 of the 149 NASCAR Cup Series races (14.09%) at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position. The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2013.The first starting position is the most proficient starting spot in the field at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, producing more wins than any other starting position (21 victories – a winning percentage of 14.6%).36 of the 149 (25.17%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway have been won from the front row: 21 from the first starting position and 15 from the second starting position.The deepest in the field that a race winner has started in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is 36th, by Kurt Busch in the fall of 2002.The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is 20th, by Christoher Bell last season.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Martinsville Speedway
Note: In four of the early races at Martinsville Speedway (1950, Spring 1953, Fall 1953 and Spring 1954), the starting positions were not provided on the official race reports; therefore, the below chart lists those starting positions as N/A.
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %12114.09%1464.03%21510.07%1542.68%31711.41%1610.67%4149.40%1742.68%596.04%1810.67%685.37%1932.01%796.04%2042.68%832.01%2121.34%964.03%2210.67%1053.36%2321.34%1121.34%2410.67%1232.01%3610.67%1332.01%N/A42.68%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the First Starting Position:14.09%21Winning from the Front Row:24.16%36Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:51.01%76Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:71.81%107Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:4.70%7In total 39 different car owners have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway (1949-2023).Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Martinsville Speedway with 28 victories — Jeff Gordon (nine: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003 sweep, 2005 sweep, 2013, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (nine: 2004, 2006, 2007 sweep, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016), Darrell Waltrip (four: 1987, 1988, 1989 sweep), Geoffrey Bodine (one: 1984), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (one: 2014), Chase Elliott (one: 2020), Alex Bowman (one: 2021), William Byron (one: 2022), Kyle Larson (one: 2023).
Active NASCAR Cup Series organizations with wins at Martinsville Speedway
RankActive OrganizationsWins1Hendrick Motorsports282Joe Gibbs Racing143Team Penske94Richard Childress Racing75RFK Racing46Stewart-Haas Racing47Wood Brothers Racing2A total of 11 manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 60 victories, followed by Ford (30), Plymouth (12), Toyota (11), Dodge (10), Oldsmobile (8), Pontiac (8), Buick (3), Chrysler (3), Hudson (2) and Mercury (2).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 70 NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Martinsville Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series with seven runner-up finishes at Martinsville Speedway, followed by Bobby Allison and Lee Petty with six each.Kyle Busch leads all active series drivers with four runner-up finishes at Martinsville; followed by Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano with three each.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Dale Earnhardt71Kyle Busch42Bobby Allison62Denny Hamlin3Lee Petty6 Joey Logano34Cale Yarborough54AJ Allmendinger2Jeff Gordon5 Brad Keselowski2Richard Petty5 Chase Elliott2 Ryan Blaney2
Top-Five Finishes
A total of 157 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Martinsville Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 30; followed by Jeff Gordon with 29.Kyle Busch leads all active Cup drivers with 17 top-five finishes at Martinsville Speedway.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Richard Petty301Kyle Busch172Jeff Gordon292Brad Keselowski123Darrell Waltrip273Joey Logano104Jimmie Johnson19 Martin Truex Jr105Dale Earnhardt185Ryan Newman8Denny Hamlin18
Top-10 Finishes
A total of 269 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Martinsville Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Martinsville Speedway with 38 top 10s; followed by Richard Petty with 37 and Darrell Waltrip with 31.Denny Hamlin leads all active Cup drivers in top 10s at Martinsville with 24; followed by Kyle Busch with 21 and Kevin Harvick with 20.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Jeff Gordon381Denny Hamlin242Richard Petty372Kyle Busch213Darrell Waltrip313Kevin Harvick204Bobby Allison284Brad Keselowski175Terry Labonte27 Joey Logano17 Ryan Newman17
Average Finish:
Dick Hutcherson (five starts) leads the series in average finishing position at Martinsville Speedway with a 3.8 average finish.Ryan Blaney (15 starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers in average finishing positions at Martinsville Speedway with a 9.533; followed by Denny Hamlin with a 10.343 (35 starts).
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriverAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriverAvg FinishRaces1Dick Hutcherson3.80051Ryan Blaney9.533152Frank Mundy4.00032Denny Hamlin10.343353Bill Amick4.50023Joey Logano11.138294Bill Snowden5.00024Kyle Busch12.417365Bud Moore5.00025Brad Keselowski12.481276Lee Petty5.542246Chase Elliott13.000167Swede Savage6.50027Chase Briscoe14.40058Jeff Gordon6.745478Kevin Harvick14.841449Dick Rathmann7.00059Christopher Bell14.857710Glenn Dunaway8.667310William Byron15.09111
TRACK EVENT STATS
Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions 10 times in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway:No. Date of RaceDrivers That Started FirstReason1Sunday, May 17, 1953Joe EubanksWeather2Sunday, May 16, 1954Ralph LiguoriWeather3Sunday, October 16, 1955Gwyn StaleyWeather4Sunday, September 24, 1995Jeff GordonWeather5Sunday, October 19, 2008Jimmie JohnsonWeather6Sunday, March 29, 2009Jeff GordonWeather7Monday, March 29, 2010Kevin HarvickWeather8Sunday, October 30, 2011Carl EdwardsWeather9Sunday, April 2, 2017Kyle LarsonWeather10Monday, March 26, 2018Martin Truex JrWeather11Wednesday, June 10, 2020Ryan BlaneyPandemic12Sunday, November 1, 2020Brad KeselowskiPandemic13Saturday, April 10, 2021Joey LoganoPandemic14Sunday, October 31, 2021Kyle LarsonPandemicEight NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway have been shortened due to weather:DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnerRunner-up4/23/1995500356144Rusty WallaceTed Musgrave4/24/1977500384116Cale YarboroughBenny Parsons9/26/1976500340160Cale YarboroughDarrell Waltrip9/30/197350048020Richard PettyCale Yarborough5/31/1970500377123Bobby IsaacBobby Allison4/9/1961500149351Fred LorenzenRex White10/12/1958500350150Fireball RobertsSpeedy Thompson10/17/195420016535Lee PettyHershel McGriff
Six NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Speedway races have ended in NASCAR Overtime:
DateScheduledActualOvertimeRace WinnerRunner-upSaturday, April 9, 20224004033William ByronJoey LoganoSunday, October 31, 20215005011Alex BowmanKyle BuschSunday, October 29, 20175005055Kyle BuschMartin Truex Jr.Sunday, April 1, 201250051515Ryan NewmanAJ AllmendingerMonday, March 29, 20105005088Denny HamlinJoey LoganoSunday, October 25, 20095005011Denny HamlinJimmie JohnsonSunday, October 19, 20085005044Jimmie JohnsonDale Earnhardt JrSunday, October 21, 20075005066Jimmie JohnsonRyan NewmanSince the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway is the April 1, 2007 race won by Jimmie Johnson with a margin of victory of 0.065 second over second-place Jeff Gordon.
Top Five Closest NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Martinsville Speedway
Margin of VictoryDateRace WinnerRunner-Up0.065Sunday, April 1, 2007Jimmie JohnsonJeff Gordon0.107Sunday, October 28, 2018Joey LoganoDenny Hamlin0.141Sunday, October 29, 2017Kyle BuschMartin Truex Jr0.141Monday, October 15, 2001Ricky CravenDale Jarrett0.170Sunday, October 30, 2011Tony StewartJimmie Johnson
LAP LEADERS
A total of 160 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Martinsville Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Martinsville Speedway with 3,851 laps led in 31 starts (28.8% of his laps completed at the track).Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Martinsville Speedway with 1,884 laps led in 31 starts (12.5% of his laps completed at the track).
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Martinsville Speedway (All-Time)
RankAll-Time DriversRaceLedCompleted% Led1Cale Yarborough3138511339228.8%2Jeff Gordon4737792326916.2%3Rusty Wallace4436321982918.3%4Darrell Waltrip5236172372715.2%5Richard Petty6729642789110.6%6Jimmie Johnson3829321876515.6%7Fred Lorenzen172731663841.1%8Denny Hamlin3522261682413.2%9Bobby Allison4419861827110.9%10Dale Earnhardt4419471890710.3%
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Martinsville Speedway (Active)
RankActive DriversRaceLedCompleted% Led1Denny Hamlin3522261682413.2%2Kyle Busch361429174868.2%3Joey Logano291123142807.9%4Martin Truex Jr351016167926.1%5Chase Elliott16957767812.5%6Brad Keselowski27898131466.8%7Kevin Harvick44648214993.0%8Ryan Blaney1537773055.2%9William Byron1122151034.3%10Kyle Larson1721076402.7%The most laps led all-time by a NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was 493 of the scheduled 500 laps (98.6%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen on September 27, 1964 — he started from the pole.The most laps led by an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was 464 of the scheduled 500 laps (92.8%) by Martin Truex Jr. in the 2019 Playoff race (Oct. 27, 2019) — he started from third.The most laps led all-time by a NASCAR Cup Series driver at Martinsville Speedway that did not win was 432 of the scheduled 500 laps (86.4%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison on September 24, 1972 — he started from the pole but finished runner-up to Richard Petty.The most laps led by an active NASCAR Cup Series driver at Martinsville Speedway that did not win was 296 of the scheduled 500 laps (59.2%) by Denny Hamlin on March 29, 2009 — he started from the eighth starting position but finished runner-up to Jimmie Johnson.The fewest laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Martinsville Speedway was four laps of the scheduled 500 (0.8%) by John Andretti on his way to victory on April 18, 1999.
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Danica Patrick is the only female driver to compete at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. Below are Patrick‘s stats at Martinsville.DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateDriver RatingDanica Patrick231710/29/201761.7Danica Patrick29234/2/201754.2Danica Patrick242410/30/201653.2Danica Patrick28164/3/201669.2Danica Patrick164011/1/201549.8Danica Patrick1673/29/201586.9Danica Patrick303410/26/201461.3Danica Patrick10323/30/201452.4Danica Patrick411710/27/201364.7Danica Patrick32124/7/201372.6Averages24.922.2 62.6
NASCAR IN VIRGINIA
There have been 545 NASCAR national series races among 10 tracks in the state of Virginia.Martinsville Speedway hosted the very first NASCAR national series race in the state of Virginia on Sept. 25, 1949 — the NASCAR Cup Series event was won by Red Byron (Oldsmobile).
NASCAR Tracks in Virginia
NASCAR Tracks In VirginiaCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearMartinsville SpeedwayMartinsville14940462351949Richmond RacewayRichmond13477152261953Langley Field SpeedwayHampton9140231964New River Valley SpeedwayDublin04041989Norfolk SpeedwayNorfolk20021956Old Dominion SpeedwayManassas70071958Princess Anne SpeedwayNorfolk10011953South Boston SpeedwaySouth Boston10353481960Southside SpeedwayRichmond40041961Starkey SpeedwayRoanoke40041958Totals32017064554
VIRGINIA IN NASCAR
A total of 188 different drivers that have made at least one start in a NASCAR national series race have their home state recorded as Virginia.20 drivers from Virginia have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series totaling 268 victories.
Virginia Drivers With NASCAR Wins
NASCAR Drivers From VirginiaCupXfinityTruckCombinedDenny Hamlin5118271Joe Weatherly250025Ricky Rudd231024Jeff Burton2127048Curtis Turner170017Ward Burton5409Glen Wood4004Elliott Sadler313117Emanuel Zervakis2002Lennie Pond1001Wendell Scott1001Tommy Ellis022022Jimmy Hensley09211Rick Mast0909Jeb Burton0213Hermie Sadler0202Elton Sawyer0202Brandon Brown0101Stacy Compton0022Jon Wood0022Totals15311010273
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