NEWSFEED
Statistical Advance: Analyzing the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA (September 19, 2023) – Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, going into the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Outlook Following Race No. 29 Rank Driver Points Race Wins Stage Wins Playoff Pts + / – Cutoff 1 William Byron (P) 3,036 5 8 36 25 2 Martin Truex Jr. (P) 3,036 3 6 36 25 3 Denny Hamlin (P) 3,032 3 7 32 21 4 Kyle Larson (P) 3,023 3 4 23 12 5 Chris Buescher (P) 3,021 3 1 21 10 6 Kyle Busch (P) 3,019 3 2 19 8 7 Christopher Bell (P) 3,016 1 4 16 5 8 Tyler Reddick (P) 3,014 2 4 14 3 9 Ross Chastain (P) 3,011 1 5 11 -3 10 Brad Keselowski (P) 3,011 0 5 11 -3 11 Ryan Blaney (P) 3,008 1 3 8 -6 12 Bubba Wallace (P) 3,000 0 0 0 -14 13 Joey Logano 2,071 1 3 8 Eliminated from the Playoffs 14 Kevin Harvick 2,071 0 1 4 15 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2,068 1 0 5 16 Michael McDowell 2,059 1 2 7
TEXAS-SPECIFIC LOOP DATA STATISTICS
(Driver stats in the below section are from 2005-Present)
1 – William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.5, second-best
2023 Rundown:
· Five wins, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s, three poles
· Led 877 laps
· Average Finish of 12.5, fourth-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· One top five, four top 10s
· Average Finish of 13.500, eighth-best
· Average Running Position of 11.093, series-best
· Driver Rating of 92.5, seventh-best
· 112 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-best
· 2,056 Laps in the Top 15 (76.9%), 15th-most
· 435 Quality Passes, 15th-most
2 – Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 94.5, third-best
2023 Rundown:
· Three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s, one pole
· Led 832 laps
· Average Finish of 12.7, fifth-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Five top fives, 17 top 10s, two poles
· Average Finish of 14.515, 11th-best
· Average Running Position of 12.229, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 93.5, sixth-best
· 384 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best
· 7,665 Laps in the Top 15 (69.6%), second-most
· 1,198 Quality Passes, fifth-most
3 – Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.8, series-best
2023 Rundown:
· Three wins, 11 top fives, 14 top 10s, four poles
· Led 771 laps
· Average Finish of 12.0, series-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Three wins, seven top fives, 15 top 10s
· Average Finish of 13.594, 10th-best
· Average Running Position of 14.103, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.9, 12th-best
· 280 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best
· 6,866 Laps in the Top 15 (64.3%), fifth-most
· 1,334 Quality Passes, second-most
4 – Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 94.3, fourth-best
2023 Rundown:
· Three wins, 13 top fives, 15 top 10s, two poles
· Led 798 laps
· Average Finish of 14.6, 10th-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· One win, four top fives, six top 10s
· Average Finish of 17.800, 17th-best
· Average Running Position of 13.952, 10th-best
· Driver Rating of 89.4, 11th-best
· 293 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
· 3,184 Laps in the Top 15 (63.9%), 10th-most
· 615 Quality Passes, ninth-most
5 – Chris Buescher (No. 17 RFK Racing Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 84.2, eighth-best
2023 Rundown:
· Three wins, eight top fives, 14 top 10s
· Led 232 laps
· Average Finish of 12.1, second-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· One top 15
· Average Finish of 23.308, 28th-best
· Average Running Position of 22.192, 27th-best
· Driver Rating of 59.3, 25th-best
· 39 Fastest Laps Run, 20th-best
· 858 Laps in the Top 15 (19.9%), 21st-most
· 260 Quality Passes, 20th-most
6 – Kyle Busch (No. 8 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.2, 10th-best
2023 Rundown:
· Three wins, eight top fives, 15 top 10s, one pole
· Led 233 laps
· Average Finish of 14.0, eighth-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Four wins, 14 top fives, 18 top 10s, one pole
· Average Finish of 11.656, fifth-best
· Average Running Position of 11.393, second-best
· Driver Rating of 101.1, series-best
· 672 Fastest Laps Run, second-best
· 7,636 Laps in the Top 15 (71.5%), third-most
· 1,230 Quality Passes, third-most
7 – Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.2, fifth-best
2023 Rundown:
· One win, seven top fives, 15 top 10s, five poles
· Led 501 laps
· Average Finish of 13.3, seventh-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Two top fives, two top 10s
· Average Finish of 15.250, 13th-best
· Average Running Position of 18.621, 20th-best
· Driver Rating of 74.6, 14th-best
· 35 Fastest Laps Run, 22nd-best
· 579 Laps in the Top 15 (43.3%), 23rd-most
· 148 Quality Passes, 23rd-most
8 – Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.3, sixth-best
2023 Rundown:
· Two wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10s, one pole
· Led 404 laps
· Average Finish of 15.8, 14th-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· One win, two top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 6.750, series-best
· Average Running Position of 11.606, third-best
· Driver Rating of 99.8, third-best
· 70 Fastest Laps Run, 17th-best
· 937 Laps in the Top 15 (70.1%), 20th-most
· 211 Quality Passes, 21st-most
9 – Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.8, ninth-best
2023 Rundown:
· One win, seven top fives, 10 top 10s, one pole
· Led 482 laps
· Average Finish of 15.2, 11th-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Average Finish of 25.167, 31st-best
· Average Running Position of 26.959, 33rd-best
· Driver Rating of 49.3, 32nd-best
· 8 Fastest Laps Run, 28th-best
· 275 Laps in the Top 15 (13.7%), 27th-most
· 60 Quality Passes, 29th-most
10 – Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 80.9, 12th-best
2023 Rundown:
· Six top fives, 14 top 10s
· Led 282 laps
· Average Finish of 13.2, sixth-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Six top fives, 12 top 10s, two poles
· Average Finish of 16.074, 15th-best
· Average Running Position of 15.725, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 86.8, 13th-best
· 389 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-best
· 5,042 Laps in the Top 15 (56.1%), seventh-most
· 924 Quality Passes, sixth-most
11 – Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 85.1, seventh-best
2023 Rundown:
· One win, four top fives, 13 top 10s
· Led 348 laps
· Average Finish of 15.7, 13th-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· Four top fives, eight top 10s, one pole
· Average Finish of 15.500, 14th-best
· Average Running Position of 13.859, ninth-best
· Driver Rating of 95.8, fifth-best
· 302 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-best
· 3,238 Laps in the Top 15 (69.8%), ninth-most
· 602 Quality Passes, 10th-most
12 – Bubba Wallace (No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 77.8, 16th-best
2023 Rundown:
· Four top fives, seven top 10s
· Led 162 laps
· Average Finish of 16.9, 17th-best
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
· One top 10
· Average Finish of 23.625, 29th-best
· Average Running Position of 23.352, 28th-best
· Driver Rating of 56.8, 29th-best
· 13 Fastest Laps Run, 24th-best
· 468 Laps in the Top 15 (17.5%), 24th-most
· 145 Quality Passes, 24th-most
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Fast Facts: Race #4 (Texas Motor Speedway)
· The 2023 season marks the second-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 has opened at Texas Motor Speedway (Race No. 30 of the season).
· Texas Motor Speedway is the seventh different track to host the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Kansas Speedway (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014), Talladega Superspeedway (2006, 2007, 2008, 2012), Auto Club Speedway (2009, 2010), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2015, 2016, 2017), Dover Motor Speedway (2018, 2019) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2020, 2021).
· The inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs was in 2004 and Texas Motor Speedway was added to the postseason schedule in 2005 – at the time replacing Darlington Raceway – and the 1.5-mile track has been hosting Playoff events ever since (2005-2022).
· Texas Motor Speedway has occupied three spots on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs schedule:
o From 2005 – 2020, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the eighth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 34).
o In 2021, Texas Motor Speedway hosted the seventh race in the Playoffs (Race No. 33).
o Since 2022, Texas Motor Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the Playoffs (Race No. 30).
· A total of 15 different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs., led by Jimmie Johnson with three postseason victories (2009, 2011, 2016). Joey Logano leads all active drivers with two wins (2014, 2015).
· Four of the 15 drivers that have won the fourth Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series are active in the postseason this weekend – Denny Hamlin (2021), Kyle Larson (2019), Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Tyler Reddick(2022).
Fourth Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race Winners Track Playoff Race Winners Date Texas Tyler Reddick Sunday, September 25, 2022 Las Vegas Denny Hamlin Sunday, September 26, 2021 Las Vegas Kurt Busch Sunday, September 27, 2020 Dover Kyle Larson Sunday, October 6, 2019 Dover Chase Elliott Sunday, October 7, 2018 Charlotte Martin Truex Jr Sunday, October 8, 2017 Charlotte Jimmie Johnson Sunday, October 9, 2016 Charlotte Joey Logano Sunday, October 11, 2015 Kansas Joey Logano Sunday, October 5, 2014 Kansas Kevin Harvick Sunday, October 6, 2013 Talladega Matt Kenseth Sunday, October 7, 2012 Kansas Jimmie Johnson Sunday, October 9, 2011 Auto Club Tony Stewart Sunday, October 10, 2010 Auto Club Jimmie Johnson Sunday, October 11, 2009 Talladega Tony Stewart Sunday, October 5, 2008 Talladega Jeff Gordon Sunday, October 7, 2007 Talladega Brian Vickers Sunday, October 8, 2006 Kansas Mark Martin Sunday, October 9, 2005 Kansas Joe Nemechek Sunday, October 10, 2004
· A total of 10 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Jimmie Johnson with five postseason victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) at the 1.5-mile track. Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers with three Texas Playoff wins (2017-2019).
| Texas Motor Speedway Playoffs Race Winners | ||
| Track | Playoff Race Winners | Date |
| Texas | Carl Edwards | Sunday, November 6, 2005 |
| Texas | Tony Stewart | Sunday, November 5, 2006 |
| Texas | Jimmie Johnson | Sunday, November 4, 2007 |
| Texas | Carl Edwards | Sunday, November 2, 2008 |
| Texas | Kurt Busch | Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
| Texas | Denny Hamlin | Sunday, November 7, 2010 |
| Texas | Tony Stewart | Sunday, November 6, 2011 |
| Texas | Jimmie Johnson | Sunday, November 4, 2012 |
| Texas | Jimmie Johnson | Sunday, November 3, 2013 |
| Texas | Jimmie Johnson | Sunday, November 2, 2014 |
| Texas | Jimmie Johnson | Sunday, November 8, 2015 |
| Texas | Carl Edwards | Sunday, November 6, 2016 |
| Texas | Kevin Harvick | Sunday, November 5, 2017 |
| Texas | Kevin Harvick | Sunday, November 4, 2018 |
| Texas | Kevin Harvick | Sunday, November 3, 2019 |
| Texas | Kyle Busch | Sunday, October 25, 2020 |
| Texas | Kyle Larson | Sunday, October 17, 2021 |
| Texas | Tyler Reddick | Sunday, September 25, 2022 |
· Three times the winner of the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title in the same season: 2009, 2016 and 2017.
o In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fourth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win his fourth-straight series title in the same season. The victory was his second of four wins during his postseason run that season.
o In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval) and went on to win his record tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series title that same season. The win was Johnson’s first of three that postseason.
o In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win the series title the same season. It was his first of three wins that postseason.
· Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race has gone on to win the title later that same season:
o In 2007, Jimmie Johnson won from the eighth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title later that season. The Playoff win at Texas was his third of four consecutive victories in the 2007 Playoffs – the only driver to win four straight in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason (Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix).
o In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the fifth starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his third NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Stewart’s fourth of his record setting five NASCAR Cup Series Playoff wins in a single postseason run in 2011 (Chicago, New Hampshire, Martinsville, Texas, Homestead-Miami).
o In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won from the third starting position at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win his sixth NASCAR Cup Series championship later that season. The Texas Playoff win was Johnson’s second postseason victory (Dover, Texas) in 2013.
· Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2004, 2006, 2022.
o In 2004, Joe Nemechek won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he was ranked 21st in the point standings at the time of the victory.
o In 2006, Brian Vickers won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway, he was ranked 16th in points at the time of the victory.
o In 2022, Tyler Reddick won the fourth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway. Reddick had qualified for the postseason but was eliminated from the Playoffs in the Round of 16, he was ranked 13th in points at the time of the victory.
· Four times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Texas Motor Speedway: 2006, 2014, 2015, 2022.
o In 2006, Tony Stewart was ranked 11th in the point standings at the time of his Texas Playoff race win.
o In 2014, Jimmie Johnson was ranked 11th in points at the time of his Texas Playoff win. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2014 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
o In 2015, Jimmie Johnson was 12th in points at the time of the win at Texas. Johnson had made the Playoffs in 2015, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.
o In 2022, Tyler Reddick was 13th in points at the time of the victory at Texas. Reddick had made the Playoffs in 2022, but was eliminated in the Round of 16.
· The worst finish by a driver in the fourth NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 24th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2006 at Talladega Superspeedway.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Kansas Speedway was 15th by Tony Stewart in 2011.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway was 24th by Jimmie Johnson in 2006.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Auto Club Speedway was third by Jimmie Johnson in 2010.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Charlotte Motor Speedway was 20th by Kyle Busch in 2015.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Dover Motor Speedway was sixth by Kyle Busch in 2019.
o The worst finish by the eventual champion in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was 22nd by Chase Elliott in 2020.
· The worst finish by a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway Playoff race that later went on to win the title that same season was a 38th-place finish by Jimmie Johnson in 2009.
· Last season, Joey Logano finished runner-up in the fourth race of the Playoffs at Texas Motor Speedway and went on to win the title later that year.
NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Texas Motor Speedway
Rank Driver Races Poles Wins Top Fives Top 10s DNFs Average Finish Driver Rating 1 William Byron 8 0 0 1 4 1 13.5 92.5 2 Martin Truex Jr 33 2 0 5 17 6 14.5 93.5 3 Denny Hamlin 32 0 3 7 15 1 13.6 88.9 4 Kyle Larson 15 0 1 4 6 4 17.8 89.4 5 Chris Buescher 13 0 0 0 0 2 23.3 59.3 6 Kyle Busch 32 1 4 14 18 1 11.7 101.1 7 Christopher Bell 4 0 0 2 2 1 15.2 74.6 8 Tyler Reddick 4 0 1 2 3 0 6.8 99.8 9 Ross Chastain 6 0 0 0 0 0 25.2 49.3 10 Brad Keselowski 27 2 0 6 12 2 16.1 86.8 11 Ryan Blaney 14 1 0 4 8 3 15.5 95.8 12 Bubba Wallace 8 0 0 0 1 2 23.6 56.8
* – Based on last 34 races at Texas Motor Speedway (2005 – 2022).
Texas Motor Speedway Stats & Tidbits
TRACK SPECIFICS
Season Race #: 30 of 36 (10-24-23)
The Purse: $8,955,060
Track Size: 1.5-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,250 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,330 feet
Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 107 laps
QUALIFYING DATA
Track Qualifying Record:
Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, 200.915 mph, 26.877 secs., November 3, 2017
2022 Playoff Pole Winner:
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford, 188.990 mph, 28.573 secs., September 24, 2022
RACE DATA
Track Race Record:
Greg Biffle, RFK Racing Ford, 160.577 mph, (3:07:12), November 14, 2012
2022 Playoff Race Winner:
Tyler Reddick, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, 114.784 mph, (4:21:53), September 25, 2022
HISTORY
· Construction on Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) began in 1995.
· The first NASCAR national series race at Texas Motor Speedway was a NASCAR Xfinity Series event on April 5, 1997. The first Xfinity Series race at Texas was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin driving an RFK Racing Ford (122.993 mph).
· The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was on April 6, 1997, and the race was won by Jeff Burton in a RFK Racing Ford (125.111 mph).
· Texas Motor Speedway underwent a repave between the 2001 and 2002 NASCAR Cup Series seasons.
· In 2011, the spring NASCAR Cup Series race was moved from Sunday to Saturday night under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway. The 2017 season marked the first year it was moved back to a Sunday afternoon race.
· Texas Motor Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on November 6, 2005 – won by RFK Racing driver Carl Edwards (151.055 mph)
· Texas Motor Speedway underwent its second repave between the 2016 and 2017 NASCAR Cup Series seasons. The renovation added a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement, an expansive French drainage system on the frontstretch and backstretch and reduced the banking in Turns 1 and 2 by four degrees (now 20 degrees).
· The 2021 season marked the first time the track hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race instead of the points-paying spring event. Texas Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race for in 2021 and in 2022.
· There have been 42 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races at Texas Motor Speedway, one event from 1997 – 2004 and two races per year from 2005-2020. In 2021 and 2022, the track hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race and one points-paying Playoff race. In 2023, the NASCAR Cup Series will only compete at Texas Motor Speedway once.
STARTS
· A total of 184 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway; a 147 drivers have competed in more than one Cup race at Texas.
· Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Texas Motor Speedway with 38 appearances.
· Seven drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Texas Motor Speedway; the most recent was John Hunter Nemechek in 2019.
First-Time Starters in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway
Drivers Date John H. Nemechek Sunday, November 3, 2019 Parker Kligerman Sunday, November 3, 2013 David Starr Saturday, April 9, 2011 Trevor Bayne Sunday, November 7, 2010 Brad Keselowski Sunday, November 2, 2008 Jay Sauter Monday, April 8, 2002 Adam Petty Sunday, April 2, 2000
· Of the seven drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Texas Motor Speedway, Trevor Bayne posted the best finish in his series debut, with a 17th-place finish on November 7, 2010.
· Steve Park leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 8.0 in five starts.
· Ryan Blaney (13 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 9.0; followed by Joey Logano with a 11.6 in 27 starts.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas (All-Time & Active)
| Rank | All-Time Drivers | Avg Start | Races | Rank | Active Drivers | Avg Start | Races |
| 1 | Steve Park | 8.000 | 5 | 1 | Ryan Blaney | 9.000 | 14 |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | 9.000 | 14 | 2 | Joey Logano | 11.630 | 27 |
| 3 | Kenny Irwin Jr | 10.667 | 3 | 3 | Denny Hamlin | 12.750 | 32 |
| 4 | Jimmie Johnson | 10.714 | 35 | 4 | Chase Elliott | 13.250 | 12 |
| 5 | Daniel Hemric | 11.500 | 2 | 5 | William Byron | 13.250 | 8 |
| 6 | Joey Logano | 11.630 | 27 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | 13.556 | 27 |
| 7 | Daniel Suarez | 11.667 | 6 | 7 | Kyle Busch | 13.594 | 32 |
| 8 | Jeff Gordon | 12.033 | 30 | 8 | Tyler Reddick | 14.000 | 4 |
| 9 | Carl Edwards | 12.333 | 24 | 9 | Martin Truex Jr | 14.121 | 33 |
| 10 | Denny Hamlin | 12.750 | 32 | 10 | Kyle Larson | 15.067 | 15 |
POLES
· A total of 25 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Texas Motor Speedway; 11 of the 25 drivers have won multiple poles at the 1.5-mile speedway.
· Six of the 25 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway pole winners are active this weekend.
Active Texas Pole Winners (6) Poles Season Brad Keselowski 2 2022, ’15 Kevin Harvick 2 2019, ’17 Martin Truex Jr 2 2012, ’07 Ryan Blaney 1 2018 Austin Dillon 1 2016 Kyle Busch 1 2013
· Kurt Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Texas Motor Speedway with three (Spring 2015, Playoffs 2017, Spring 2018).
· Brad Keselowski (2015, 2022), Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019) and Martin Truex Jr. (2007, 2012) lead all active drivers in NASCAR Cup Series poles at Texas Motor Speedway.
· The inaugural Pole Qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway in 1997 was cancelled due to weather conditions – NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett started the race from the first starting position. He finished the race runner-up.
· Jeremy Mayfield was the first NASCAR Cup Series pole winner at Texas Motor Speedway in 1998 with a speed of 185.906 mph, driving the Team Penske No. 12 Ford.
· Three drivers have won consecutive poles at Texas Motor Speedway: Bobby Labonte (2003 and 2004), Ryan Newman (2005 sweep) and Kurt Busch (2017 and 2018).
· Youngest Texas Cup Series pole winner: Brian Vickers (Nov. 5, 2006 – 23 years, 0 months, 12 days).
· Oldest Texas Cup Series pole winner: Bill Elliott (April 8, 2002 – 46 years, 6 months, 0 days).
· David Ragan (April 9, 2011) and Martin Truex Jr. (November 4, 2007) are the only two drivers who have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series most poles at Texas Motor Speedway with seven each:
o Hendrick Motorsports (seven poles among five drivers) – Terry Labonte (2000), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2008), Jeff Gordon (2008, 2009), Jimmie Johnson (2012, 2019).
o Stewart-Haas Racing (seven poles among three drivers) – Tony Stewart (2010, 2014), Kurt Busch (2015, 2017, 2018), Kevin Harvick (2017, 2019).
· Four different manufacturers have won a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Texas Motor Speedway; led by Chevrolet (15 poles), and followed by Ford (13), Toyota (five) and Dodge (four).
WINS
· A total of 22 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Texas Motor Speedway, and nine of the 22 have won multiple times at the 1.5-mile track.
· Seven of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series Texas Motor Speedway race winners are active this weekend.
Active Texas Race Winners (7) Wins Seasons Kyle Busch 4 2020, ’18, ’16, ’13 Denny Hamlin 3 2019, ’10 sweep Kevin Harvick 3 2019, ’18, ’17 Tyler Reddick 1 2022 Kyle Larson 1 2021 Austin Dillon 1 2020 Joey Logano 1 2014
· Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with seven victories (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 sweep and 2017) in 35 starts.
· Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with four victories (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020).
· Three NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted consecutive wins at Texas Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson(2014 Playoff race and 2015 sweep), Carl Edwards (2008 sweep) and Denny Hamlin (2010 sweep).
· Youngest Cup Series Texas winner: Joey Logano (April 7, 2014 – 23 years, 10 months, 14 days).
· Oldest Cup Series Texas winner: Dale Jarrett (April 1, 2001 – 44 years, 4 months, 6 days).
· Jeff Burton (April 6, 1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (April 2, 2000) are the only two drivers to win in their first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Five of the seven active winning drivers made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Texas Motor Speedway: Kevin Harvick (29), Kyle Busch (15) Austin Dillon (15) Kyle Larson (13) and Joey Logano (11).
· Martin Truex Jr. leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway without visiting Victory Lane at 33 starts; followed by Brad Keselowski (27 starts) and Michael McDowell (24 starts).
· A total of 18 different starting positions on the grid have led to victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.
· The third starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, producing more wins (eight) than any other starting position (19.05%) – most recently: Kevin Harvick’s win in the 2018 Playoff race.
· Five of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races (11.9%) at Texas Motor Speedway have been won from the pole or first starting position: Kasey Kahne (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2012), Kyle Busch (2013), Kevin Harvick (2019) and Kyle Larson (2021).
· Eight of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races (19.05%) at Texas Motor Speedway have been won from the front row: five from first starting position and three from the second starting position.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Texas Motor Speedway
Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning % 1 5 11.90% 10 1 2.38% 2 3 7.14% 15 1 2.38% 3 8 19.05% 16 1 2.38% 4 4 9.52% 19 1 2.38% 5 4 9.52% 21 1 2.38% 6 1 2.38% 24 1 2.38% 7 1 2.38% 29 1 2.38% 8 4 9.52% 30 2 4.76% 9 2 4.76% 31 1 2.38% Stats Winning % Wins Winning from the First Starting Position: 11.90% 5 Winning from the Front Row: 19.05% 8 Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 57.14% 24 Winning After Starting Inside the Top 10: 78.57% 33 Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 14.29% 6
· The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Texas Motor Speedway is 31st, by Matt Kenseth in 2002.
· Two NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Texas Motor Speedway in two different manufacturers: Jeff Burton (1997 – Ford; 2007 – Chevrolet) and Carl Edwards (2005, 2008 sweep – Ford; 2016 – Toyota)
· A total of nine different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.
Organizations Wins Seasons Hendrick Motorsports 10 2021, ’17, ’15 sweep, ’14, ’13, ’12, ’09, ’07, 1999 Joe Gibbs Racing 9 2020, ’19, ’18, ’16 sweep, ’13, ’10 sweep, ’06 RFK Racing 9 2012, ’11, ’08 sweep, ’05 sweep, ’02, 1998, ’97 Stewart-Haas Racing 4 2019, ’18, ’17, ’11 Team Penske 3 2014, ’09, ’03 Richard Childress Racing 3 2022, ’20, ’07 Robert Yates Racing 2 2004, ’01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. 1 2000 Evernham Motorsports 1 2006
· Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Texas Motor Speedway with 10 victories among four drivers: Terry Labonte (Spring 1999), Jeff Gordon (Spring 2009), Jimmie Johnson (Playoffs 2007, Playoffs 2012, Playoffs 2013, Playoffs 2014, Spring 2015, Playoffs 2015, Spring 2017) and Kyle Larson (2021).
· Four different manufacturers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, led by Chevrolet with 16 wins; followed by Ford (15), Toyota (eight) and Dodge (three).
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
· A total of 23 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Jimmie Johnson leads the series in runner-up finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with five second-place finishes.
· Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. lead all active drivers in runner-up finishes at Texas with three each.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank All-Time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups 1 Jimmie Johnson 5 1 Kevin Harvick 3 2 Matt Kenseth 4 Martin Truex Jr 3 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr 3 3 Brad Keselowski 2 Jeff Gordon 3 Joey Logano 2 Kevin Harvick 3 5 Aric Almirola 1 Martin Truex Jr 3 Denny Hamlin 1 Kyle Larson 1 Ryan Blaney 1 Tyler Reddick 1 William Byron 1
Top-Five Finishes:
· A total of 51 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 16 top fives.
· Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-five finishes at Texas with 14.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives 1 Jimmie Johnson 16 1 Kyle Busch 14 2 Kyle Busch 14 2 Kevin Harvick 13 3 Matt Kenseth 14 3 Joey Logano 12 4 Kevin Harvick 13 4 Denny Hamlin 7 5 Joey Logano 12 5 Brad Keselowski 6
Top-10 Finishes:
· A total of 70 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Texas Motor Speedway.
· Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway with 24 top 10s.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s 1 Kevin Harvick 24 1 Kevin Harvick 24 2 Kurt Busch 23 2 Kyle Busch 18 3 Jimmie Johnson 22 3 Martin Truex Jr 17 4 Matt Kenseth 19 4 Denny Hamlin 15 5 Dale Earnhardt Jr 18 Joey Logano 15 Kyle Busch 18
Average Finish:
· Tyler Reddick (four starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Texas Motor Speedway with an 6.750.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Texas Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races 1 Tyler Reddick 6.750 4 1 Tyler Reddick 6.750 4 2 Chase Briscoe 10.000 2 2 Chase Briscoe 10.000 2 3 Steve Grissom 10.000 2 3 Erik Jones 10.091 11 4 Erik Jones 10.091 11 4 Kevin Harvick 10.474 38 5 Kevin Harvick 10.474 38 5 Kyle Busch 11.656 32 6 Matt Kenseth 10.656 32 6 Chase Elliott 13.250 12 7 Jimmie Johnson 11.571 35 7 William Byron 13.500 8 8 Kyle Busch 11.656 32 8 Joey Logano 13.593 27 9 Rusty Wallace 13.100 10 9 Denny Hamlin 13.594 32 10 Chase Elliott 13.250 12 10 Martin Truex Jr 14.515 33
LAP LEADERS
· A total of 89 different drivers have led at least one lap at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
· Jimmie Johnson (35 starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Texas Motor Speedway with 1,152 laps led.
· Kyle Busch (32 starts), second-most all-time, leads all active series drivers in laps led at Texas Motor Speedway with 1,069 laps led.
· The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas by the race winner is 278 of the scheduled 339 laps (82%) by Tony Stewart on November 5, 2006 – he started eighth and won.
· The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas is 312 of the scheduled 334 laps (93.4%) by Brad Keselowski on November 8, 2015; he started from the pole and finished second.
· The fewest laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas by the race winner is one lap, the final lap of the scheduled 334 by Jeff Burton on April 15, 2007 – he started second and won.
Top 15 All-Time Laps Leaders in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas
Rank All-Time Drivers Led Completed % Led Rank Active drivers Led Completed % Led 1 Jimmie Johnson 1,152 11,106 10.4% 1 Kyle Busch 1,069 10,301 10.4% 2 Kyle Busch 1,069 10,301 10.4% 2 Kevin Harvick 691 12,351 5.6% 3 Matt Kenseth 883 10,344 8.5% 3 Martin Truex Jr 689 10,380 6.6% 4 Tony Stewart 801 8,943 9.0% 4 Brad Keselowski 685 8,396 8.2% 5 Greg Biffle 733 8,262 8.9% 5 Joey Logano 480 8,793 5.5% 6 Carl Edwards 691 7,594 9.1% 6 Ryan Blaney 432 3,954 10.9% 7 Jeff Gordon 691 8,998 7.7% 7 Kyle Larson 349 4,505 7.7% 8 Kevin Harvick 691 12,351 5.6% 8 Denny Hamlin 292 10,460 2.8% 9 Martin Truex Jr 689 10,380 6.6% 9 William Byron 121 2,592 4.7% 10 Brad Keselowski 685 8,396 8.2% 10 Erik Jones 113 3,675 3.1% 11 Joey Logano 480 8,793 5.5% 11 Aric Almirola 101 7,147 1.4% 12 Dale Earnhardt Jr 451 9,486 4.8% 12 Chase Elliott 88 3,796 2.3% 13 Ryan Blaney 432 3,954 10.9% 13 Tyler Reddick 75 1,336 5.6% 14 Dale Jarrett 407 4,502 9.0% 14 Alex Bowman 57 3,755 1.5% 15 Kyle Larson 349 4,505 7.7% 15 Austin Dillon 37 5,900 0.6%
FEMALE COMPETITORS
· Two female drivers have made NASCAR Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway: Shawna Robinson and Danica Patrick
· Danica Patrick holds the series record for best finish at Texas Motor Speedway by a female competitor with a 16th-place finish (twice: Spring 2015, Playoffs 2015).
| Date | Driver | Starting Position | Finishing Position | Driver Rating |
| Sunday, November 5, 2017 | Danica Patrick | 14 | 17 | 67.3 |
| Sunday, April 9, 2017 | Danica Patrick | 19 | 24 | 59.5 |
| Sunday, November 6, 2016 | Danica Patrick | 22 | 24 | 55.1 |
| Monday, April 11, 2016 | Danica Patrick | 26 | 21 | 57.7 |
| Sunday, November 8, 2015 | Danica Patrick | 11 | 16 | 69.6 |
| Saturday, April 11, 2015 | Danica Patrick | 21 | 16 | 74.9 |
| Sunday, November 2, 2014 | Danica Patrick | 27 | 36 | 42.4 |
| Monday, April 7, 2014 | Danica Patrick | 24 | 27 | 53.2 |
| Sunday, November 3, 2013 | Danica Patrick | 30 | 25 | 49.2 |
| Saturday, April 13, 2013 | Danica Patrick | 42 | 28 | 42.9 |
| Sunday, November 4, 2012 | Danica Patrick | 32 | 24 | 61.4 |
| Averages | 24.4 | 23.5 | 57.6 | |
| Date | Driver | Starting Position | Finishing Position | |
| Monday, April 8, 2002 | Shawna Robinson | 16 | 36 |
TRACK / EVENT STATS
· Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway was the April 4, 2004 race won by Elliott Sadler with a margin of victory of 0.028-second over second-place Kasey Kahne.
Top Five Closest Margin of Victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas:
Margin of Victory Winner Runner-Up Date 0.028 Elliott Sadler Kasey Kahne Sunday, April 4, 2004 0.149 Austin Dillon Tyler Reddick Sunday, July 19, 2020 0.152 Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson Monday, April 19, 2010 0.272 Tony Stewart Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 5, 2006 0.300 Kyle Busch Kevin Harvick Sunday, April 8, 2018
· Six NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas have resulted with NASCAR Overtime:
Date Scheduled Actual Overtime Winner Runner-Up Sunday, November 4, 2018 334 337 3 Kevin Harvick Ryan Blaney Sunday, November 2, 2014 334 341 7 Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Monday, April 7, 2014 334 340 6 Joey Logano Jeff Gordon Sunday, November 4, 2012 334 335 1 Jimmie Johnson Brad Keselowski Sunday, April 6, 2008 334 339 5 Carl Edwards Jimmie Johnson Sunday, November 5, 2006 334 339 5 Tony Stewart Jimmie Johnson
· Of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, only one has been shortened from its originally scheduled distance due to weather:
| Date | Scheduled | Actual | Fewer Laps | Winner | Runner-Up |
| Sunday, November 6, 2016 | 334 | 293 | -41 | Carl Edwards | Joey Logano |
· Weather has postponed the NASCAR Cup Series Texas race to another date three times:
Scheduled Date Actual Date Race Winner Sunday, October 25, 2020 Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Kyle Busch Sunday, April 6, 2014 Monday, April 7, 2014 Joey Logano Sunday, April 18, 2010 Monday, April 19, 2010 Denny Hamlin
· Qualifying has been cancelled five times in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas for the reasons indicated:
Race Date Driver That Started First Reasons Sunday, April 6, 1997 Dale Jarrett Weather Sunday, April 15, 2007 Jeff Gordon Weather Sunday, July 19, 2020 Aric Almirola Pandemic Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Kevin Harvick Pandemic Sunday, October 17, 2021 Kyle Larson Pandemic
NASCAR IN TEXAS
· There have been 153 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Texas.
NASCAR Tracks in Texas City Cup XFINITY Truck Combined First Year Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth 42 44 49 135 1995 Circuit of The Americas Austin 3 3 3 9 2021 Texas World Speedway College Station 8 0 0 8 1969 Meyer Speedway Houston 1 0 0 1 1971 Totals 54 47 52 153
· The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Texas was a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. The event was held on December 7, 1969 and it was won by Bobby Isaac(Dodge).
TEXANS IN NASCAR
· A total of 97 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Texas.
· A total of 10 different drivers from Texas have won at least one race in NASCAR’s three national series.
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte leads all Texas drivers with 34 NASCAR national series wins.
Winners from Texas:
| Race Winners From Texas | Cup | Xfinity | Truck | Combined |
| Terry Labonte | 22 | 11 | 1 | 34 |
| Bobby Labonte | 21 | 10 | 1 | 32 |
| A.J. Foyt | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chris Buescher | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Billy Wade | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bobby Hillin Jr | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Johnny Rutherford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| James Buescher | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| David Starr | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Colin Braun | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 61 | 27 | 13 | 101 |