Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina going into the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
2024 Top 34 In Points2024 Driver Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 12RankDriverPtsLdr.RankDriverPointsWinsStagesPlayoff PtsPts From Cutoff1Kyle Larson46701Denny Hamlin4113318In On Wins2Martin Truex Jr.438-292William Byron36230153Chase Elliott412-553Kyle Larson46726164Denny Hamlin411-564Chase Elliott4121165Tyler Reddick374-935Tyler Reddick3741166Ryan Blaney367-1006Christopher Bell2961277William Byron362-1057Daniel Suarez2501058Ty Gibbs338-1298Martin Truex Jr.4380221559Alex Bowman336-1319Ryan Blaney3670118410Ross Chastain331-13610Ty Gibbs3380225511Chris Buescher316-15111Alex Bowman3360005312Kyle Busch314-15312Ross Chastain3310114813Christopher Bell296-17113Chris Buescher3160113314Chase Briscoe290-17714Kyle Busch3140003115Brad Keselowski287-18015Chase Briscoe290000716Bubba Wallace283-18416Brad Keselowski287000417Joey Logano269-19817Bubba Wallace283000-418Daniel Suarez250-21718Joey Logano269011-1819Noah Gragson216-25119Noah Gragson216000-7120Austin Cindric215-25220Austin Cindric215022-7221John H. Nemechek205-26221John Hunter Nemechek205000-8222Carson Hocevar #200-26722Carson Hocevar #200000-8723Josh Berry #196-27123Josh Berry #196000-9124Todd Gilliland190-27724Todd Gilliland190000-9725Ricky Stenhouse Jr.186-28125Ricky Stenhouse Jr.186000-10126Michael McDowell185-28226Michael McDowell185011-10227Erik Jones181-28627Erik Jones181000-10628Daniel Hemric175-29228Daniel Hemric175000-11229Ryan Preece172-29529Ryan Preece172000-11530Corey LaJoie166-30130Corey LaJoie166000-12131Austin Dillon158-30931Austin Dillon158000-12932Justin Haley134-33332Justin Haley134000-15333Harrison Burton129-33833Harrison Burton129000-15834Zane Smith #107-36034Zane Smith #107000-180
DARLINGTON-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
(Driver stats below are during the Loop Data Era: 2005 to Present)
Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
One top five, two top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 16.778, 11th-bestAverage Running Position of 13.981, 12th-bestDriver Rating of 80.0, 12th-best1,664 Laps in the Top 15 (58.4%), 12th-most
Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
Three top 10sAverage Finish of 17.214, 13th-bestAverage Running Position of 16.448, 13th-bestDriver Rating of 79.2, 13th-best2,238 Laps in the Top 15 (47.8%), 13th-most
Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)
One win, six top fives, 14 top 10sAverage Finish of 13.333, seventh-bestAverage Running Position of 10.157, third-bestDriver Rating of 100.2, fourth-best6,792 Laps in the Top 15 (81.2%), second-most
William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
One win, four top fives, five top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 15.636, 10th-bestAverage Running Position of 11.467, seventh-bestDriver Rating of 93.6, sixth-best2,714 Laps in the Top 15 (75.7%), fifth-most
Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Four top fives, seven top 10sAverage Finish of 17.000, 12th-bestAverage Running Position of 13.142, 10th-bestDriver Rating of 85.5, 11th-best3,394 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), ninth-most
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Four wins, 12 top fives, 16 top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 8.435, series-bestAverage Running Position of 7.778, series-bestDriver Rating of 107.2, series-best7,043 Laps in the Top 15 (88.0%), series-most
Erik Jones (No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota)
Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10sAverage Finish of 11.833, fifth-bestAverage Running Position of 12.114, eighth-bestDriver Rating of 90.6, 10th-best2,950 Laps in the Top 15 (74.7%), seventh-most
Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)
One win, six top fives, 11 top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 11.400, fourth-bestAverage Running Position of 12.642, ninth-bestDriver Rating of 92.0, eighth-best4,567 Laps in the Top 15 (66.2%), 11th-most
Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
One win, six top fives, eight top 10sAverage Finish of 9.417, second-bestAverage Running Position of 9.706, second-bestDriver Rating of 106.7, second-best3,373 Laps in the Top 15 (80.5%), third-most
Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)
One win, six top fives, 10 top 10s; two polesAverage Finish of 13.200, sixth-bestAverage Running Position of 11.398, sixth-bestDriver Rating of 93.4, seventh-best5,174 Laps in the Top 15 (75.0%), sixth-most
Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)
Three top fives, four top 10sAverage Finish of 11.333, third-bestAverage Running Position of 11.133, fifth-bestDriver Rating of 90.8, ninth-best2,208 Laps in the Top 15 (77.5%), fourth-most
Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Two wins, four top fives, 10 top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 13.435, eighth-bestAverage Running Position of 10.230, fourth-bestDriver Rating of 101.9, third-best5,868 Laps in the Top 15 (73.4%), eighth-most
The NASCAR Cup Series 2024 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Darlington Raceway
RankDriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1Kyle Larson12016819.4106.72Martin Truex Jr2312410313.4101.93Chase Elliott140047417.085.54Denny Hamlin2314121608.4107.25Tyler Reddick90034011.390.86Ryan Blaney140003017.279.27William Byron111145215.693.68Ty Gibbs30000017.363.79Alex Bowman120013219.673.710Ross Chastain90022220.875.211Chris Buescher130014016.467.612Kyle Busch2401614313.3100.213Christopher Bell91012016.880.014Chase Briscoe60000018.256.115Brad Keselowski2011611111.492.016Bubba Wallace110013219.567.5
* — Based on last 24 races at Darlington Raceway (2005 — 2023).
Darlington Raceway – Qualifying / Race Data
Track Qualifying Record: Aric Almirola, Ford, 184.145 MPH, 26.705 secs. April 11, 2014
Track Race Record (500 miles): Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 141.383 MPH, (03:32:45), May 11, 2013
Track Race Record (400 miles): David Pearson, Ford, 132.703 MPH, (03:00:54), May 11, 1968
2023 Pole Winner: Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 169.409 MPH, 29.028 secs. May 13, 2023
2023 Race Winner: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 118.880 MPH, (03:23:23), May 14, 2023
At Darlington Raceway Stats & Tidbits:
HISTORY
Darlington Raceway was originally built as a 1.25-mile paved superspeedway in 1949-1950.Darlington Raceway hosted the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first on asphalt on September 4, 1950 — 75 cars competed in the event.For the first NASCAR cup Series race at Darlington, Curtis Turner won the pole at 82.034 mph, and the race was won by Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph). The race to 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete.The track was re-measured to 1.375 miles in 1953.The track was re-configured to the 1.366 miles it is today following the spring race in 1970.The track was repaved in 1995.The 2005 race was the first Saturday night race at Darlington Raceway.The track was again repaved prior to the 2008 season.There have been 125 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. From 1960 — 2004 the track hosted two Cup Series races per year and from 2005 — 2019 it was just one race per season. The series returned to multiple races per season in 2020.
STARTS
A total of 752 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway; 472 drivers have competed in more than one race at Darlington.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Darlington Raceway with 65.Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Darlington Raceway with 24.Fred Lorenzen leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Darlington with a 3.7 in 16 starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the series in average starting position at Darlington with an 8.8 in 23 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Darlington Raceway (All-Time and Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Fred Lorenzen3.688161Denny Hamlin8.826232David Pearson6.277472Kyle Larson9.333123Frank Mundy6.66733Joey Logano9.550204Fonty Flock7.00084Ryan Blaney9.929145Jeff Gordon7.000365Brad Keselowski10.700206Dick Hutcherson7.20056William Byron11.273117Fireball Roberts7.200207Tyler Reddick12.22298Bob Burdick7.50028Kyle Busch12.917249Pete Hamilton7.60059Christopher Bell14.333910Nelson Stacy7.667610Chase Elliott14.42914
A total of 124 different drivers have made their NASCAR Cup Series career debut at Darlington Raceway; the most recent was T.J. Bell (May 7, 2011).
The best finish by a driver making their Cup Series debut at Darlington Raceway, was fourth-place by NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte on September 4, 1978.
First-Time DriverDate First-Time DriverDate First-Time DriverDate First-Time DriverDate1T.J. Bell5/7/201132Roz Howard9/3/195663Matt Gowan9/7/195394Bill Henson9/4/19502Ed Berrier9/3/199533Tom Lupo9/3/195664Slim Rominger9/7/195395Bill Osborne9/4/19503Pancho Carter9/1/198534Bud Rackley9/5/195565Tyre Rakestraw9/7/195396Bill Widenhouse9/4/19504Eldon Dotson4/14/198535Curley Hatfield9/5/195566Al Conroy9/1/195297Bub King9/4/19505Billy Smith9/3/197936Dick Beaty9/5/195567Al Fleming9/1/195298Byron Beatty9/4/19506Terry Labonte9/4/197837Don Duckworth9/5/195568Banjo Matthews9/1/195299Carson Dyer9/4/19507Richie Panch4/15/197338Doug Cox9/5/195569Herb Fry9/1/1952100Charles Tidwell9/4/19508J.C. Spradley9/1/196939Ed Bergin9/5/195570Joe Weatherly9/1/1952101Dick Soper9/4/19509Bob Ashbrook5/10/196940Jim Thompson9/5/195571Johnny Bridgers9/1/1952102Gene Comstock9/4/195010Gerald Chamberlain5/10/196941Jimmy Roland9/5/195572Johnny Gouveia9/1/1952103Gene Darragh9/4/195011Roy Trantham9/2/196842Larry Flynn9/5/195573Keith Hamner9/1/1952104Hershel McGriff9/4/195012Lennie Waldo5/11/196843Ray Platte9/5/195574Pete Kelly9/1/1952105Hub McBride9/4/195013Bobby Mausgrover9/4/196744Russ Graham9/5/195575Possum Jones9/1/1952106J.E. Hardie9/4/195014Armond Holley5/13/196745Tojo Stephens9/5/195576Tony Bonadies9/1/1952107Jack Carr9/4/195015Walter Ballard4/30/196646Charles Brinkley9/6/195477W.H. Baker9/1/1952108Jack Yardley9/4/195016Bobby Wawak9/6/196547Elmo Langley9/6/195478Billy Tibbett9/3/1951109Jerry Kemp9/4/195017Pee Wee Ellwanger5/8/196548Hassell Reid9/6/195479Bob Johnson9/3/1951110Jesse James Taylor9/4/195018Don Hume9/7/196449Jim Gillette9/6/195480Bob Pronger9/3/1951111Joe Eubanks9/4/195019J.T. Putney5/9/196450Joe Sheppard9/6/195481Buck Baity9/3/1951112John DuBoise9/4/195020Gary Sain9/3/196251Van Van Wey9/6/195482Dave Anderson9/3/1951113Johnny Grubb9/4/195021Matt DeMatthews9/3/196252Walt Harvey9/6/195483Frank Gise9/3/1951114Lee Morgan9/4/195022Clem Proctor9/5/196053Bob Hunter9/7/195384Fred Moore9/3/1951115Murrace Walker9/4/195023T.C. Hunt9/5/196054Bob Weatherly9/7/195385Gwyn Staley9/3/1951116P.E. Godfrey9/4/195024Don Kimberling9/1/195855Elmer Cooper9/7/195386Herb Trimble9/3/1951117Pete Keller9/4/195025G.C. Spencer9/1/195856Emory Lewis9/7/195387Jimmy Warden9/3/1951118Rollin Smith9/4/195026Cale Yarborough9/2/195757George Osborne9/7/195388Johnny Yountz9/3/1951119Roy Bentley9/4/195027Joe Caspolich9/2/195758Junior Johnson9/7/195389Lee Connell9/3/1951120Shorty York9/4/195028Bill Brown9/3/195659Lacy Jackson9/7/195390Oliver Dial9/3/1951121Tex Keene9/4/195029Gene Bergin9/3/195660Laird Bruner9/7/195391Rudy Hires9/3/1951122Virgil Livengood9/4/195030Judge Rider9/3/195661Lloyd Hulette9/7/195392Sandy Lynch9/3/1951123Walt Crawford9/4/195031Ray Hendrick9/3/195662Lonnie Bragg9/7/195393Barney Smith9/4/1950124Weldon Adams9/4/1950
POLES
A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at least one pole at Darlington Raceway; 27 of the 54 different drivers have won multiple poles at the 1.366-mile track.Curtis Turner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway in 1950 in an Oldsmobile with a speed of 82.034 mph.Of the 54 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway pole winners all-time, six are active this weekend.Active Darlington Pole WinnerPolesSeasonsJoey Logano22022 sweepChristopher Bell12023Martin Truex Jr12023William Byron12019Denny Hamlin12018Brad Keselowski12015NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 12 – (1967, ‘70, ‘72, ‘73 sweep, ‘75 sweep, ‘76 sweep, ‘77, ‘78 and ‘82)Pearson‘s 12 Darlington poles are tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough (12 poles at Daytona) for the second-most poles all-time at a single track in the NASCAR Cup Series. Pearson also holds the series‘ record for most poles at a single track with 14 poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Darlington Raceway with two (2022 sweep).In total, 10 drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway — Joey Logano (2022 sweep), Kasey Kahne (2004, 2005-2006), Dale Jarrett (1996-1997), Sterling Marlin (1992 sweep), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), David Pearson (1975-1977 and 1973 sweep), Cale Yarborough (1969 sweep), Fred Lorenzen (1963 sweep and 1964), Fireball Roberts (1959, 1960 sweep), Fonty Flock (1952-1953).David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Darlington Raceway with five straight from 1975 – 1977.Eight drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Darlington Raceway.First-Time Pole WinnersSeasonDriver’s AgeClint Bowyer200727Elliott Sadler200327Kurt Busch200123John Andretti199532Ken Schrader198731Bill Elliott198125Fred Lorenzen196126Cotton Owens195733Youngest Darlington pole winner: William Byron (Sept. 1, 2019 — 21 years, 8 months, 3 days).Oldest Darlington pole winner: David Pearson (Sept. 6, 1982 — 47 years, 8 months, 15 days).A total of 46 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.Wood Brothers Racing lead all organizations in the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 12 among three different drivers: David Pearson (1978, 1977, 1976 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1973 sweep, 1972), Donnie Allison (1971) and Cale Yarborough (1969 sweep).This weekend, seven organizations that have previously won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway will be active.Active OrganizationsPolesSeasonsWood Brothers Racing121978, 1977, 1976 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1973 sweep, 1972, 1971, 1969 sweepHendrick Motorsports82019, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1988, 1986 sweepRFK Racing62012, 2008, 2001, 1998, 1989Team Penske42022 sweep, 2015, 2003Joe Gibbs Racing42023 sweep, 2018, 1997Stewart-Haas Racing22017, 2014Richard Childress Racing22007, 1990A total of 12 different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway — most different OEMs to win a pole at a single track in the series.Ford leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Darlington Raceway with 45 poles; followed by Chevrolet (22), Mercury (13), Pontiac (10), Dodge (8), Toyota (4), Buick (3), Oldsmobile (3), Plymouth (3), Chrysler (1), Hudson (1) and Studebaker (1).
WINS
A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Darlington Raceway all-time; 29 of the 54 drivers have won multiple times.Johnny Mantz (Plymouth, 75.250 mph) won the first NASCAR Cup Series race held at Darlington Raceway on September 4, 1950. The race took 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds to complete.Of the 54 NASCAR Cup Series Darlington Raceway winners, eight will be active this weekend.Active Darlington Race WinnersWinsSeasonsDenny Hamlin42021, 2020, 2017, 2010Erik Jones22022, 2019Martin Truex Jr22021, 2016William Byron12023Kyle Larson12023Joey Logano12022Brad Keselowski12018Kyle Busch12008NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Darlington Raceway with 10 wins (1968, ‘70, ‘72, ‘73, ‘74, ‘76 sweep, ‘77, ‘79, 80); followed by Dale Earnhardt with nine and Jeff Gordon with seven.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in victories at Darlington Raceway with four (2021, 2020, 2017, 2010).Dale Earnhardt (1989-1990) and Jeff Gordon (1995-1996) are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series most consecutive wins at Darlington Raceway with three consecutive victories each.A total of 13 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Darlington — Greg Biffle (2005-2006), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep), Jeff Burton (1999 sweep), Jeff Gordon (1995-1996), Dale Earnhardt (1989-1990 and 1987 sweep), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), David Pearson (1976 sweep, 1979-1980), Bobby Allison (1975 sweep), Buddy Baker (1970-1971), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969 sweep), Richard Petty (1967 sweep), Nelson Stacy (1961-1962), Herb Thomas (1954-1955).Youngest Cup Series Darlington winner: Kyle Busch (May 10, 2008 — 23 years, 0 months, 8 days).Oldest Cup Series Darlington winner: Harry Gant (Sept. 1, 1991 — 51 years, 7 months, 22 days).Six drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:First-Time Winners at DarlingtonDateRegan SmithSaturday, May 7, 2011Lake SpeedSunday, March 27, 1988Terry LabonteMonday, September 1, 1980Larry FrankMonday, September 3, 1962Nelson StacyMonday, September 4, 1961Johnny MantzMonday, September 4, 1950A total of 21 different starting positions have led to wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.Of the 125 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, 21 have been won from the pole; the most recent was Joey Logano in 2022.The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (21) than any other starting position at Darlington (16.80%).The outside front row (second starting position) has produced the second-most wins at 18 (14.40%)A total of 12 different drivers have won from the pole or first starting position at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series; led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with four wins from the pole (1971, 1972, 1976 sweep).Joey Logano (2022) is the only active driver to win from the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington.Darlington Winners From PoleWinsSeasonsDavid Pearson41976 sweep, 1973, 1972Bill Elliott31988, 1985 sweepDale Earnhardt21993, 1990Bobby Allison21972, 1971Richard Petty21967, 1966Fred Lorenzen21964, 1961Joey Logano12022Kevin Harvick12014Dale Jarrett11997Tim Richmond11986Harry Gant11984Fonty Flock11952The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Darlington is 43rd by Johnny Mantz in 1950 — the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event held at the historic raceway.The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Darlington is 18th by Kyle Larson on Sept. 3, 2023.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Darlington Raceway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %12116.80%1210.80%21814.40%1332.40%31310.40%1421.60%4108.00%1543.20%5129.60%1610.80%654.00%1810.80%743.20%2321.60%875.60%3110.80%986.40%3721.60%1064.80%4310.80%1132.40%Additional StatisticsWinning % WinsWinning from the first Starting Position:16.80%21Winning from the Front Row:31.20%39Winning from a top-five Starting Position:59.20%74Winning from a top-10 Starting Position:83.20%104Winning after Starting Outside the top 20:4.80%6Michael McDowell leads the Cup Series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington without visiting Victory Lane at 17 starts.A total of 46 different organizations have won a race in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway. This weekend eight of the 46 organizations that have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway will be active.Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins by an organization at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series with 16 victories among eight drivers — Tim Richmond (1986), Ricky Rudd (1991), Jeff Gordon (1995, ‘96 sweep, ‘97, ‘98, ‘02, ‘07), Terry Labonte (2003), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep and 2012), Mark Martin (2009), William Byron (2023) and Kyle Larson (2023).Active OrganizationsWinsSeasonsHendrick Motorsports162023 sweep, ’12, ’09, ’07, ’04 sweep, ’03, ’02, 1998, ’97, ’96 sweep, ’95, ’91, ’86Joe Gibbs Racing102021 sweep, ‘20, ’19, ’17, ’15, ’13, ’10, ’08, ’00Wood Brothers Racing81981, ’77, ’76 sweep, ’74, ’73, ’72, ’68Richard Childress Racing81994, ’93, ’90 sweep, ’89, ’87 sweep, ’86RFK Racing52006, ’05, 1999 sweep, ’93Team Penske42022, 2018, 1975 sweepStewart-Haas Racing32020, ’20, ’14Legacy Motor Club12022A total of 11 different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway.Chevrolet leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Darlington Raceway with 44 victories; followed by Ford (32), Mercury (10), Toyota (10), Oldsmobile (six), Dodge (five), Pontiac (five), Buick (four), Plymouth (four), Hudson (three) and American Motor Company (two).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 63 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty with eight second-place finishes each.Denny Hamlin (2007, 2012, 2013, 2022) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in second-place finishes at Darlington Raceway with four.
Top Five In Runner-Up Finishes at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Darrell Waltrip81Denny Hamlin42Richard Petty82Kyle Larson33David Pearson73Kyle Busch24Mark Martin64Tyler Reddick25Denny Hamlin45Alex Bowman1Fireball Roberts4Austin Dillon1Jeff Gordon4Brad Keselowski1Joey Logano1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 147 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 25 top-five finishes.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Darlington with 12 top fives.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Richard Petty251Denny Hamlin122David Pearson242Brad Keselowski63Bill Elliott22Joey Logano6Dale Earnhardt19Kyle Busch65Jeff Gordon19Kyle Larson6
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 241 different Cup Series drivers have posted top-10 finishes at Darlington Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott with 35 top 10s.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at Darlington with 16 top 10s.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Bill Elliott351Denny Hamlin162Richard Petty342Kyle Busch143David Pearson303Brad Keselowski114Bobby Allison264Joey Logano105Mark Martin265Martin Truex Jr10
Average Finishing Position:
Bob Burdick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with a 3.0 in two starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Darlington Raceway with an 8.435 in 23 starts.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Bob Burdick3.00021Denny Hamlin8.435232Marty Robbins8.00022Kyle Larson9.417123Denny Hamlin8.435233Tyler Reddick11.33394Shorty Rollins9.00024Brad Keselowski11.400205Bill Elliott9.365525Erik Jones11.833126Kyle Larson9.417126Joey Logano13.200207Herb Thomas10.42977Kyle Busch13.333248Nelson Stacy10.50068Martin Truex Jr13.435239Buddy Shuman11.33339Austin Dillon14.3331510Tyler Reddick11.333910William Byron15.63611
LAP LEADERS
In total 177 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Darlington Raceway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Darlington Raceway with 2,648 laps led in 44 series starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 978 laps led in 23 starts at Darlington.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was 351 laps of the scheduled 400 laps (87%) by Johnny Mantz on September 4, 1950. He started the race from the 43rd position.The most laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by a driver that did not win the race was 284 laps of the scheduled 367 laps (77%) by Kyle Larson on September 2, 2018. He started the race from the second position and finished third.The fewest laps led in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway by the race winner was just the final lap by Ricky Craven on March 16, 2003. He started the race from the 31st position.
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Darlington Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt442,64814,01119%2Richard Petty652,39117,12014%3David Pearson472,11612,53617%4Jeff Gordon361,74411,45815%5Darrell Waltrip551,72316,39511%6Cale Yarborough491,64712,95913%7Bobby Allison451,60112,63013%8Harry Gant311,0889,14412%9Bill Elliott5298017,4776%10Denny Hamlin239787,98612%RankActive DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Denny Hamlin239787,98612%2Martin Truex Jr239147,91712%3Kyle Busch248997,88411%4Kyle Larson127704,00919%5Brad Keselowski203956,7586%6Joey Logano202936,8224%7Chase Elliott141514,2404%8Erik Jones121323,8133%9Ross Chastain91312,9534%10Tyler Reddick91022,8474%
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Three female drivers have competed at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series — Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson.DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateDanica Patrick33269/3/2017Danica Patrick25249/4/2016Danica Patrick30429/6/2015Danica Patrick33224/12/2014Danica Patrick40285/11/2013Danica Patrick38315/12/2012Averages33.228.8 Janet Guthrie26169/5/1977Shawna Robinson42423/17/2002
TRACK / EVENT STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway is the March 16, 2003 race won by Ricky Craven with a margin of victory of 0.002 second over Kurt Busch.Darlington‘s 0.002 sec. margin of victory is tied with the 2011 Spring Talladega race as the second-closest finishes in the series using electronic scoring.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway
Margin Of VictoryDateRace WinnerRunner-Up0.002Sunday, March 16, 2003Ricky CravenKurt Busch0.132Sunday, March 21, 2004Jimmie JohnsonBobby Labonte0.144Sunday, August 31, 1997Jeff GordonJeff Burton0.169Sunday, March 23, 1997Dale JarrettTed Musgrave
Top Five Largest Margins of Victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway
Margin Of VictoryDateRace WinnerRunner-Up7.400Sunday, March 27, 1994Dale EarnhardtMark Martin6.390Sunday, September 4, 1994Bill ElliottDale Earnhardt5.230Sunday, September 1, 1996Jeff GordonHut Stricklin4.058Sunday, September 1, 2019Erik JonesKyle Larson3.631Sunday, September 6, 1998Jeff GordonJeff BurtonNASCAR Overtime: Four NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted in an Overtime finish at Darlington Raceway:Scheduled LapsActual LapsOvertime LapsRace WinnerDate2932952William ByronSunday, May 14, 20233673747Kevin HarvickSaturday, April 12, 20143673681Jimmie JohnsonSaturday, May 12, 20123673703Regan SmithSaturday, May 7, 20113673703Greg BiffleSaturday, May 7, 2005
A total of 10 of the 125 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway have been shortened from their scheduled number of laps; the most recent was in 2020.
DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnerWednesday, May 20, 202022820820Denny HamlinSunday, September 3, 200036732839Bobby LabonteSunday, September 5, 199936727097Jeff BurtonSunday, March 21, 1999293164129Jeff BurtonSunday, September 5, 199336735116Mark MartinSunday, September 6, 199236729869Darrell WaltripSunday, September 6, 1987367202165Dale EarnhardtSunday, April 13, 1980367189178David PearsonMonday, September 1, 1969367230137LeeRoy YarbroughMonday, September 1, 19583673643Fireball RobertsQualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway six times: 1952, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2016.Five NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington from 2020-2021 did not hold qualifying due to the COVID-19 pandemic/restrictions: In 2020, the May 17 race (random draw), May 20 (inverted field), Sept. 6 (metric qualifying). In 2021 both races were by metric qualifying – May 9 and Sept. 5.NASCAR Cup Series has held 10 races on Mother‘s Day producing nine different winners.Last season‘s race at Darlington Raceway, won by Hendrick Motorsports‘ William Byron was the most recent Cup race on the holiday Mother‘s Day.Buck Baker has won the most NASCAR Cup Series races on Mother‘s Day — twice (1956, 1954).Mother’s Day Race WinnersDateTrackHolidayWilliam ByronSunday, May 14, 2023Darlington RacewayMother‘s DayJoey LoganoSunday, May 8, 2022Darlington RacewayMother‘s DayMartin Truex Jr.Sunday, May 9, 2021Darlington RacewayMother‘s DayJeff GordonSunday, May 13, 2007Darlington RacewayMother’s DayCale YarboroughSunday, May 14, 1978Talladega SuperspeedwayMother’s DayBenny ParsonsSunday, May 9, 1971South Boston SpeedwayMother’s DayBob WelbornSunday, May 11, 1958Greensboro FairgroundsMother’s DayBuck BakerSunday, May 13, 1956Orange SpeedwayMother’s DayTim FlockSunday, May 8, 1955Arizona State FairgroundsMother’s DayBuck BakerSunday, May 9, 1954Wilson SpeedwayMother’s Day
NASCAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina has hosted a total of 328 NASCAR national series races among 10 different tracks.NASCAR Tracks in South CarolinaTrack NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearDarlington RacewayDarlington12567112031950Columbia SpeedwayColumbia4300431951Greenville-Pickens SpeedwayGreenville2920311951Piedmont Interstate FairgroundsSpartanburg2200221953Rambi Race TrackMyrtle Beach9130221958Coastal SpeedwayMyrtle Beach20021956Lancaster SpeedwayLancaster20021957Gamecock SpeedwaySumter10011960Hartsville SpeedwayHartsville10011961Newberry SpeedwayNewberry10011957Totals2358211328The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of South Carolina was at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 4, 1950 — the event was won by Johnny Mantz in a Plymouth.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN NASCAR
A total of 140 different drivers have made at least one NASCAR national series start with their home state recorded as South Carolina.James Hylton leads all NASCAR drivers from South Carolina with the most NASCAR national series starts with 607.Three drivers from South Carolina have been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame — David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, and Cotton Owens.11 drivers from South Carolina have won at least one race in NASCAR‘s three national series totaling 240 victories; seven have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.NASCAR Winners From South CarolinaCupXfinityTruckCombinedDavid Pearson10510106Cale Yarborough830083Cotton Owens9009Tiny Lund5005James Hylton2002Johnny Allen1001Joe Eubanks1001Larry Pearson015015Jason Keller010010Butch Lindley0606Jeremy Clements0202Totals206340240
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