Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Playoff Outlook Following Race No. 9RankDriversPointsStartsWinsStagesPlayoff PtsPoints From Cutoff1Kyle Larson28592212In On Wins2William Byron208925103Christopher Bell30291054Tyler Reddick26591275Joey Logano25891166Kyle Busch25091057Ricky Stenhouse Jr.22391058Ross Chastain2979033979Kevin Harvick28790118710Martin Truex Jr.26690006611Denny Hamlin24790114712Ryan Blaney24190004113Alex Bowman237900-53714Brad Keselowski23590113515Chase Briscoe21090001016Chris Buescher2069000617Daniel Suarez2009000-618Michael McDowell2009000-619Austin Cindric1979011-920Ty Gibbs #1939000-1321Austin Dillon1829000-2422Bubba Wallace1759000-3123Corey LaJoie1739000-3324Todd Gilliland1629000-4425AJ Allmendinger1449000-6226Aric Almirola1439000-6327Ryan Preece1409011-6628Erik Jones1349000-7229Harrison Burton1149000-9230Noah Gragson #989000-10832Chase Elliott76*3000-13031Justin Haley70900-10-13632Ty Dillon589000-148Note: Must compete in every race of the season to be eligible for the Playoffs or be granted a waiver by NASCAR (*).
TALLADEGA-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
(Following driver statistics are Loop Data from 2005 — Present)
Aric Almirola (No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
One win, five top fives, nine top 10sAverage Finish of 15.962, fifth-bestAverage Running Position of 18.321, 14th-bestDriver Rating of 78.8, 12th-best80 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-best2,115 Laps in the Top 15 (43.4%), ninth-most4,338 Quality Passes, eighth-most
Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
Two wins, four top fives, six top 10sAverage Finish of 16.000, sixth-bestAverage Running Position of 12.153, second-bestDriver Rating of 91.7, series-best49 Fastest Laps Run, 16th-best2,225 Laps in the Top 15 (70.2%), eighth-most3,886 Quality Passes, ninth-most
Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)
One win, seven top fives, nine top 10sAverage Finish of 20.429, 13th-bestAverage Running Position of 17.061, eighth-bestDriver Rating of 81.5, ninth-best156 Fastest Laps Run, series-best3,664 Laps in the Top 15 (55.6%), series-most7,270 Quality Passes, series-most
William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Two top fives, two top 10sAverage Finish of 18.300, 11th-bestAverage Running Position of 12.505, third-bestDriver Rating of 86.2, fifth-best43 Fastest Laps Run, 20th-best1,200 Laps in the Top 15 (65.5%), 14th-most1,975 Quality Passes, 17th-most
Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s; two polesAverage Finish of 15.429, third-bestAverage Running Position of 11.505, series-bestDriver Rating of 91.3, second-best48 Fastest Laps Run, 18th-best1,878 Laps in the Top 15 (72.5%), 10th-most3,408 Quality Passes, 11th-most
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Two wins, ten top fives, 15 top 10sAverage Finish of 16.559, eighth-bestAverage Running Position of 17.114, ninth-bestDriver Rating of 83.6, seventh-best135 Fastest Laps Run, third-best3,220 Laps in the Top 15 (50.3%), fifth-most6,340 Quality Passes, fifth-most
Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
One win, eight top fives, 19 top 10s; two polesAverage Finish of 16.111, seventh-bestAverage Running Position of 16.404, seventh-bestDriver Rating of 81.5, eighth-best147 Fastest Laps Run, second-best3,574 Laps in the Top 15 (52.7%), second-most6,658 Quality Passes, fourth-most
Erik Jones (No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet)
Two top fives, six top 10sAverage Finish of 18.667, 12th-bestAverage Running Position of 17.448, 12th-bestDriver Rating of 78.9, 11th-best38 Fastest Laps Run, 23rd-best1,131 Laps in the Top 15 (51.2%), 16th-most2,064 Quality Passes, 16th-most
Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)
Six wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10sAverage Finish of 15.679, fourth-bestAverage Running Position of 14.571, fifth-bestDriver Rating of 89.5, third-best109 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best3,215 Laps in the Top 15 (61.1%), sixth-most6,056 Quality Passes, seventh-most
Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)
Three wins, nine top fives, 11 top 10sAverage Finish of 17.857, 10th-bestAverage Running Position of 14.350, fourth-bestDriver Rating of 89.2, fourth-best103 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-best3,290 Laps in the Top 15 (62.5%), fourth-most6,331 Quality Passes, sixth-most
Ryan Preece (No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
One top five, two top 10sAverage Finish of 15.333, series-bestAverage Running Position of 18.806, 18th-bestDriver Rating of 76.9, 13th-best32 Fastest Laps Run, 25th-best384 Laps in the Top 15 (35.7%), 26th-most865 Quality Passes, 25th-most
Ricky Stenhouse Jr (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet)
One win, six top fives, nine top 10s; one poleAverage Finish of 15.368, second-bestAverage Running Position of 17.218, 10th-bestDriver Rating of 79.8, 10th-best87 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best1,725 Laps in the Top 15 (48.7%), 11th-most3,745 Quality Passes, 10th-most
NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 16 in the Driver Standings at Talladega Superspeedway
RankDriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1Christopher Bell62011121.573.02Ross Chastain80122017.665.53Kevin Harvick4421819415.881.54Kyle Larson160013522.876.85Martin Truex Jr3610391321.276.36Tyler Reddick60002223.364.57Joey Logano2803911917.989.28Kyle Busch350179720.481.59Denny Hamlin34021015516.683.610Ryan Blaney17024641691.711Alex Bowman140014624.474.212Brad Keselowski2806913415.789.513Ricky Stenhouse Jr191169415.479.814Chase Briscoe40001118.061.015William Byron100022318.386.216Chris Buescher15000252167.1
* — Based on last 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 — 2022).
Talladega Qualifying / Race Data
Track qualifying record: Bill Elliott, Ford, 212.809 mph, 44.998 secs. April 30, 1987
Track race record: Mark Martin, Ford, 188.354 mph, (02:39:18), May 10, 1997
2022 pole winner: Christopher Bell, Toyota, 180.928 mph, 52.927 secs. April 23, 2022
2022 race winner: Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 148.637 mph, (03:21:52), April 24, 2022
Talladega Superspeedway Track Data:
Season Race #: 10 of 36 (04-23-23)
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 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 68 laps
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 Sept. 14, 1969. The race was won by Richard Brickhouse driving a Dodge for car owner Ray Nichels. The average speed of the first race was 153.778 mph.The name of the facility changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.In total, there have been 107 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one series event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.
STARTS
A total of 486 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 342 have competed in more than one Cup race at the track.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 Superspeedway with 44.A total of 72 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first career start at Talladega Superspeedway. The most recent 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 after starting 52nd 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 Pickett9/14/1969
Bobby Isaac leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega Superspeedway with a 3.625 in eight starts.Chase Elliott leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega Superspeedway with an 8.071 in 14 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Bobby Isaac3.62581Chase Elliott8.071142Davey Allison5.267152Brad Keselowski12.071283Pete Hamilton5.40053William Byron12.400104Sam Sommers6.33334Ryan Blaney12.412175David Pearson6.400255Christopher Bell12.83366Gordon Johncock7.50026Denny Hamlin15.265347Chase Elliott8.071147Austin Dillon15.474198Cale Yarborough8.088348Ricky Stenhouse Jr15.684199Rob Moroso9.50029Alex Bowman16.0001410Dale Earnhardt10.1824410Chase Briscoe16.0004
POLES
A total of 45 different drivers have won at least one pole at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; 24 of the 45 pole winners have won more than one.Six of the 45 Talladega NASCAR Cup Series pole winners are active this weekend.Active Pole Winners (6)PolesSeasonsChristopher Bell22022 sweepChase Elliott22019, 2016Kevin Harvick22018, 2005Austin Dillon12019Martin Truex Jr12016Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017
NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).Kevin Harvick (2005, 2018), Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) and Christopher Bell (2022 sweep) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Talladega with two each.Bobby Isaac won the inaugural 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, 1970 sweep.A total of 11 drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega — none are currently active. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega Superspeedway with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.Youngest Talladega Cup Series pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 — 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).Oldest Talladega Cup Series pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 — 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega Superspeedway.First-Time Pole Winners (6)DateBrian ScottMay 4, 2014Juan Pablo MontoyaApril 26, 2009Travis KvapilOctober 5, 2008David GillilandOctober 8, 2006Stacy ComptonApril 22, 2001Jeremy MayfieldJuly 28, 1996
A total of 30 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway.Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 poles among eight 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).A total of eight different manufacturers have won the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Speedway; led by Chevrolet with 37 poles; followed by Ford (29), Dodge (12), Toyota (five) Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), and Buick (two).
WINS
A total of 51 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 26 of the 51 have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.A total of 11 of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series Talladega Superspeedway race winners are active this weekend.Active Race Winners (11)WinsSeasonsBrad Keselowski62021, 2017, 2016. 2014, 2012, 2009Joey Logano32018, 2016, 2015Chase Elliott22022, 2019Ryan Blaney22020, 2019Denny Hamlin22020, 2014Ross Chastain12022Bubba Wallace12021Aric Almirola12018Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Kevin Harvick12010Kyle Busch12008
NASCAR 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, 2000).Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021).Youngest Cup Series Talladega winner: Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986 — 22 years, 1 month, 22 days).Oldest Cup Series Talladega winner: Harry Gant (May 6, 1991 — 51 years, 3 months, 26 days).A total of 12 different drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Speedway; three are active this weekend — Brad Keselowski (2009), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2017) and Bubba Wallace (2021).First-Time Race Winners (12)DateBubba 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, 1969
Eight different drivers have won consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway – Pete Hamilton (1970 sweep), Buddy Baker (1975 sweep, 1976), Darrell Waltrip (1982 sweep), Dale Earnhardt (1990, 1993-94, 1999 sweep), Sterling Marlin (1995-96), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2001-2003), Jeff Gordon (2007 sweep) and Ryan Blaney (2019-2020).NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds the record for the most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races won at Talladega Superspeedway with four straight from 2001-2003.A total of 25 different starting positions in the field at Talladega Superspeedway have led to a win in the NASCAR Cup Series.A total of 15 of the 107 (14.3%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin (October 4, 2020).Race WinnersWins From The PoleSeasonsBill Elliott21987, 1985Cale Yarborough21984, 1978Denny Hamlin12020Ricky Stenhouse Jr12017Jeff Gordon12007Bobby Labonte11998Sterling Marlin11995Dale Earnhardt11990Bobby Allison11981Dave Marcis11976Buddy Baker11975David Pearson11974Donnie Allison11971The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega (18.69%).
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %11514.02%1410.93%22018.69%1521.87%376.54%1643.74%498.41%1710.93%554.67%1821.87%643.74%1932.80%732.80%2010.93%810.93%2221.87%965.61%2410.93%1043.74%2710.93%1143.74%3432.80%1232.80%3610.93%1343.74%Additional StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the first starting position:14.02%15Winning from the front row:32.71%35Winning from a top-five starting position:52.34%56Winning from a top-10 starting position:69.16%74Winning after starting outside the top-20:7.48%8The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race.The deepest in the field that an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race. Kevin Harvick (18), Aric Almirola (17), Denny Hamlin (16), Joey Logano (13) and Ryan Blaney (10) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Talladega.Martin Truex Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 36; followed by Michael McDowell with 24 and Austin Dillon with 19.A total of 32 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway; 10 of the 32 are active this weekend.
Active Organizations with Wins At Talladega Superspeedway
RankWinsOrganizations114Hendrick Motorsports212Richard Childress Racing310Team Penske45Wood Brothers Racing55Joe Gibbs Racing65RFK Racing71Front Row Motorsports81Trackhouse Racing9123XI Racing101Stewart-Haas RacingHendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins by an organization at Talladega Speedway with 14 victories among seven different drivers.Hendrick Motorsports Winning DriversDateChase ElliottSunday, October 2, 2022Chase ElliottSunday, April 28, 2019Dale Earnhardt JrSunday, May 3, 2015Jimmie JohnsonSunday, April 17, 2011Jeff GordonSunday, October 7, 2007Jeff GordonSunday, April 29, 2007Brian VickersSunday, October 8, 2006Jimmie JohnsonMonday, May 1, 2006Jeff GordonSunday, May 1, 2005Jeff GordonSunday, April 25, 2004Jeff GordonSunday, April 16, 2000Terry LabonteSunday, October 12, 1997Jeff GordonSunday, July 28, 1996Ken SchraderSunday, July 31, 1988Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, led by Chevrolet with 43 wins.Manufacturers (9)Talladega WinsChevrolet43Ford31Mercury7Buick6Oldsmobile6Toyota5Dodge4Plymouth3Pontiac2Chevrolet also leads the NASCAR Cup Series in consecutive wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 13 straight victories among five drivers from April 25, 1999 to May 1, 2005.
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes
A total of 54 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, and 25 of the 54 have finished runner-up multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famers Buddy Baker (1973, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1984) and Tony Stewart (April 2001, Oct. 2001, 2002, May 2005, Oct. 2005, 2006) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Talladega with six second-place finishes each.Kevin Harvick leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three runners-up finishes at Talladega (2003, 2004, 2010).
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Buddy Baker61Kevin Harvick3Tony Stewart62Kyle Busch23Dale Earnhardt Jr53Alex Bowman1Dale Jarrett5Austin Dillon1Darrell Waltrip5Brad Keselowski1Erik Jones1Ricky Stenhouse Jr1Ryan Blaney1William Byron1
Top-Five Finishes
A total of 123 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished in the top-five at Talladega, and 82 of the 123 have finished in the top-five multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top fives at Talladega with 23 top-five finishes.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top fives at Talladega with 10.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Dale Earnhardt231Denny Hamlin102Jeff Gordon162Brad Keselowski93Buddy Baker153Joey Logano94Cale Yarborough144Kevin Harvick85Darrell Waltrip145Kyle Busch7Terry Labonte14
Top-10 Finishes
A total of 211 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega, and 131 of the 211 have finished in the top-10 multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top 10s at Talladega with 27.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 Keselowski134Bill Elliott224Joey Logano11Kurt Busch225Aric Almirola9Kyle Busch9Martin Truex Jr9Ricky Stenhouse Jr9
Average Finishes
Pete Hamilton leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega Superspeedway with a 5.600 in five career starts.Chase Elliott leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega Superspeedway with a 14.2 in 14 career starts.
Top 20 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Pete Hamilton5.60051Chase Elliott14.214142John H. Nemechek8.00022Austin Cindric15.00023Bruce Jacobi10.00023Ty Dillon15.200104Anthony Alfredo11.00024Ryan Preece15.33365Bobby Isaac12.37585Ricky Stenhouse Jr15.368196Dale Earnhardt12.409446Brad Keselowski15.679287David Ray Boggs12.50027Kevin Harvick15.750448Davey Allison12.667158Aric Almirola15.962269Billy Hagan13.50029Ryan Blaney16.0001710Chase Elliott14.2141410Denny Hamlin16.5593411Austin Cindric15.000211Ross Chastain17.625812Tim Richmond15.1541312Austin Dillon17.7371913Ty Dillon15.2001013Joey Logano17.8572814Ryan Preece15.333614Chase Briscoe18.000415Ricky Stenhouse Jr15.3681915William Byron18.3001016Dale Earnhardt Jr15.3713516Erik Jones18.6671217Skip Manning15.429717Bubba Wallace18.9001018Jackie Rogers15.500418Noah Gragson19.500219Brad Keselowski15.6792819Justin Haley20.000620Bill Elliott15.7025720Kyle Busch20.42935
LAPS LEADERS
A total of 207 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 career starts.Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega Superspeedway with 424 in 34 career starts.The most laps led by the race winner at Talladega Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series event was 153 laps of the scheduled 188 (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970. He started the race from the fourth position.The most laps led by a driver that did not win the race at Talladega Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series event was 142 laps of the scheduled 192 (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013. He started the race from the sixth position and finished eighth.Five times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only the final lap (one lap) — April 25, 2021 (Winner: Brad Keselowski), October 14, 2018 (Aric Almirola), April 26, 2009 (Brad Keselowski), October 7, 2009 (Jeff Gordon) and April 24, 2022 (Ross Chastain).
Top 10 Series Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Dale Earnhardt441,3777,19919%2Buddy Baker431,1376,16118%3Dale Earnhardt Jr359676,13416%4Jeff Gordon469027,96311%5Bobby Allison377035,26713%6Darrell Waltrip556668,0718%7Cale Yarborough345934,73113%8Bill Elliott575269,5945%9Matt Kenseth385246,8368%10Jimmie Johnson384746,7777%
RankActive DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Denny Hamlin344246,0257%2Joey Logano284174,9009%3Brad Keselowski283135,1106%4Kevin Harvick442927,8484%5Kyle Busch352666,1514%6Ryan Blaney172283,0078%7Chase Elliott141832,5057%8Aric Almirola261074,6612%9Ricky Stenhouse Jr191043,2353%10William Byron10951,7815%
TRACK/EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway nine times.DateDriver That Started FirstReason For Qualifying CancelledMonday, October 4, 2021Denny HamlinPandemicSunday, April 25, 2021Denny HamlinPandemicSunday, October 4, 2020Denny HamlinPandemicMonday, June 22, 2020Martin Truex JrPandemicSunday, October 20, 2013Aric AlmirolaWeatherSunday, May 5, 2013Carl EdwardsWeatherSunday, April 25, 2010Jimmie JohnsonWeatherSunday, November 1, 2009Jimmie JohnsonWeatherSunday, October 6, 2002Jimmie JohnsonWeatherThree NASCAR Cup Series races held at Talladega Superspeedway were not run on their 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 rescheduled due to the pandemic to June 22, 2020 — Ryan Blaney won the race.The October 3, 2021, race was postponed due to inclement weather to October 4, 2021 — Bubba Wallace won the event.There have been 17 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega:DateScheduledActualOvertimeRace WinnersSunday, 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 GordonSince the advent of electronic scoring 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 Margin of Victory is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the series using electronic scoring.
Top 10 Closest Margin of Victory in the NCS at Talladega Superspeedway
RankMargin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate10.002Jimmie JohnsonClint BowyerSunday, April 17, 201120.005Dale EarnhardtErnie IrvanSunday, July 25, 199330.007Ryan BlaneyRyan NewmanSunday, October 13, 201940.007Ryan BlaneyRicky Stenhouse Jr.Monday, June 22, 202050.011Kevin HarvickJamie McMurraySunday, April 25, 201060.018Clint BowyerJeff BurtonSunday, October 23, 201170.025Jimmy SpencerBill ElliottSunday, July 24, 199480.046Chase ElliottRyan BlaneySunday, October 2, 202290.050Sterling MarlinDale JarrettSunday, July 23, 1995100.052Tony StewartPaul MenardSunday, October 5, 2008Only three of the 105 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega have been shortened due to weather conditions:DateScheduled LapsActual LapsFewer LapsRace WinnersMonday, October 4, 2021188117-71Bubba WallaceSunday, July 28, 1996188129-59Jeff GordonThursday, April 30, 1987188178-10Davey Allison
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 Patrick132110/15/2017Danica Patrick31385/7/2017Danica Patrick302010/23/2016Danica Patrick37245/1/2016Danica Patrick202710/25/2015Danica Patrick25215/3/2015Danica Patrick271910/19/2014Danica Patrick7225/4/2014Danica Patrick233310/20/2013Danica Patrick23335/5/2013DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDatePatty Moise36337/30/1989DriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDateJanet Guthrie12298/6/1978Janet Guthrie9348/7/1977Janet Guthrie13325/1/1977
NASCAR IN ALABAMA
There have been 177 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks.
Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega10734171581969Birmingham International RacewayBirmingham80081958Chisholm SpeedwayMontgomery10011956Dixie SpeedwayBirmingham10011960Huntsville SpeedwayHuntsville10011962Lakeview SpeedwayMobile20021951Montgomery Motor SpeedwayMontgomery60061955Totals1263417177The 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 Alabama native Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 — the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
ALABAMA 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 combining to a total of 207 victories; seven of the 11 winners have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.Drivers From AlabamaCupXfinityTruckCombinedBobby Allison842086Tim Flock390039Davey Allison190019Neil Bonnett181019Donnie Allison100010Red Byron2002Bubba Wallace2068Steve Grissom011011Grant Enfinger0077Rick Crawford0055Cale Gale0011Totals1741419207Bubba Wallace became the sixth different driver from the state of Alabama to win at a track in Alabama; joining Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Davey Allison, Neil Bonnett and Tim Flock. Track in AlabamaRace Winners from AlabamaDriver‘s HometownBIRBobby AllisonHueytownMontgomeryBobby AllisonHueytownTalladegaBobby AllisonHueytownTalladegaBubba WallaceMobileTalladegaDavey AllisonHueytownTalladegaDonnie AllisonHueytownTalladegaNeil BonnettBessemerLakeviewTim FlockFort PayneMontgomeryTim FlockFort Payne
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