Editorials NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR: Daytona 500 Preview

Posted by AR1 staff

Already riding a wave of positive momentum and international attention Sunday’s 63rd Annual Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX) is again shaping up to be one of the most high-profile, highly-competitive events as it ushers in the 2022 season.

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will start his No. 5 Chevrolet from the pole position alongside Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet – leading a field of 40 cars that includes six past Daytona 500 winners, eight former series champions and even a past Formula One world champion in NASCAR’s newest generation of race cars.

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Chevy. Photo by Getty Images for NASCAR

The Chevrolets, Fords and Toyotas – aptly referred to as the Next Gen cars – will feature different technical modifications and aesthetic enhancements – from the sequential shifter and 670 horsepower to single center-lock wheel nuts, rearview camera mirror and car numbers now placed behind the front wheels.

The response for the new cars and the sport in general has already benefitted from a successful debut at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum two weeks ago. The non-points Busch Light Clash was a nearly sold-out show with some estimates that 70 percent of the crowd were first-time NASCAR race attendees.

The diehards and first-timers paying attention this week at the sold-out annual season-opener at Daytona are expected to be treated to a highly competitive race.

Although Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets have won the pole position in seven of the last eight Daytona races, the multi-championship organization hasn’t won a Daytona 500 since Jimmie Johnson did so in 2014.

The last time a Daytona 500 polesitter won the race was 22-years ago when Dale Jarrett won the 2000 edition. The team’s former champion driver-turned-team executive Jeff Gordon won from pole in 1999.

More often, this race has come down to the final thrilling laps. That was certainly the case last February when Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell earned his career first NASCAR win taking the checkered flag by inches – credited with leading only the last lap.  That scenario has played out frequently in recent years with race winners Austin Dillon (2018) and veteran Kurt Busch (2017) also capturing the win leading only the final lap.

Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

There is only one multi-time winner in Sunday’s race – three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Adding to the drama in 2022 are several new team/driver combinations. Busch is now driving a second car for the second-year 23XI Racing Toyota team owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. His former teammate at Chip Ganassi Racing, Ross Chastain has similarly joined a new team. He’ll team with Daniel Suarez in the No. 1 Chevrolet fielded by TrackHouse Racing, which is co-owned by former driver Justin Marks and musical superstar Pitbull.

Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Advent Health Chevrolet, speaks to the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Former series champion Brad Keselowski has expanded his presence in the sport and now co-owns the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing two-car team. His involvement with the RFK team – as owner and driver of the No. 6 Ford – has already resulted in two trophies. Keselowski (Duel 1) and Chris Buescher (Duel 2) helped RFK Racing to a sweep of Thursday’s Daytona qualifying races the first time a team accomplished a the feat since 2015.

Brad Keselowski celebrates Duel 1 win at Daytona. Getty Images for NASCAR

Kaulig Racing added to its championship-caliber NASCAR Xfinity Series program with a fulltime NASCAR Cup Series car driven by Justin Haley in 2022 and a second car that will be shared by three drivers. Erik Jones – a former summer race winner at Daytona – will team with Ty Dillon in the newly formed Petty GMS Motorsports organization.

And first-year NASCAR Cup Series drivers – former NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric (Team Penske) and second-generation NASCAR drivers Harrison Burton (Wood Brothers Racing) and Todd Gilliland (Front Row Motorsports) will compete for top rookie honors.

Cindric has the top starting position (fifth) among rookies. The defending Daytona 500 winner McDowell will start sixth after an impressive run in Thursday’s qualifying race. And the 2015 Daytona 500 winner Logano will start last in the field after having to go to a back-up No. 22 Team Penske Ford after an accident in his Duel 150 qualifying race.

Former Formula One champion and 1995 Indy 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve, 50, and current Xfinity Series title contender Noah Gragson raced their way into the Daytona 500 starting field in qualifying. It will be the first start in this race for both.

Kaz Grala qualified for the Daytona 500 starting field with a dramatic last lap pass to claim an “open” position available to non-chartered teams based on their Duel race result. Greg Biffle, 52, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series champion and perennial Cup Series title contender from 2003 -2016, earned the other 500 position with his finish in the second Duel.

Overall, the qualifying races were run with rave reviews. And the car manufacturers said they have high expectations for Sunday’s race.

As is customary just prior to the season-opening Daytona 500, executives from all three NASCAR manufacturers – Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota – spoke to the media on Friday. All reported being greatly satisfied with the racing to date at Daytona, yet cautioning there is a lot to be learned about the cars and the way they race. Inventory counts remain conservative but all three makes expect that to be changing in the upcoming months.

“For the next few weeks we’ll have to be mindful and make good decisions,” Toyota Racing Development’s David Wilson said. “What we can’t do is ask a driver once he pulls that visor down to mitigate his performance based on concerns about parts. That’s not racing.”

They also pointed to pit strategy as playing a greater role in the race. That was certainly the case in the qualifying races with the Ford contingent taking only two tires on its pit stop to get back out on track in front of the Chevrolets, which all serviced four tires on their pit stop.

“On the surface, I don’t envision 40 cars lined up three by three heading to the finish line. I just don’t think that’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “There’s the potential for more cars to go a lap down or two, but strategy, communication, teamwork are going to be absolutely critical to whomever wins that race on Sunday afternoon.”

There were 34 cars that participated in Friday evening’s hour-long practice with defending Daytona 500 winner McDowell turning in the fastest lap (192.678 mph) in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola ran the most laps of the session (33).

Eight of the 10 fastest cars were Fords. Bubba Wallace was the fastest Toyota in the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota car and Noah Gragson was the fastest Chevrolet with a 10th-best lap.

Final Daytona 500 practice is Saturday (today) at 10:30 a.m. ET.

 

 

DAYTONA-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

(Driver loop stats in the below section are from 2005-Present)

Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • One top 15
  • Average finish of 20.750, 11th-best
  • Average Running Position of 13.922, third-best
  • Driver Rating of 81.5, eighth-best
  • 29 Fastest Laps Run, 25th-best
  • 444 Laps in the Top 15 (60.2%), 25th-most
  • 652 Quality Passes, 26th-most

Greg Biffle (No. 44 NY Race Team Chevrolet)

  • One win, three top fives, nine top 10s; two poles
  • Average finish of 19.875, 10th-best
  • Average Running Position of 17.579, 10th-best
  • Driver Rating of 78.7, 13th-best
  • 100 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best
  • 2,129 Laps in the Top 15 (49.8%), eighth-most
  • 2,655 Quality Passes, eighth-most

Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

  • One win, three top fives, five top 10s
  • Average finish of 19.462, eighth-best
  • Average Running Position of 14.764, fifth-best
  • Driver Rating of 84.9, sixth-best
  • 36 Fastest Laps Run, 21st-best
  • 1,492 Laps in the Top 15 (62.8%), 11th-most
  • 2,324 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • One win, eight top fives, nine top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 19.727, ninth-best
  • Average Running Position of 13.682, second-best
  • Driver Rating of 91.9, series-best
  • 119 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best
  • 3,898 Laps in the Top 15 (66.3%), series-most
  • 4,445 Quality Passes, second-most

Kurt Busch (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

  • One win, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s
  • Average finish of 17.970, sixth-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.666, ninth-best
  • Driver Rating of 85.1, fifth-best
  • 135 Fastest Laps Run, second-best
  • 3,275 Laps in the Top 15 (55.7%), third-most
  • 4,634 Quality Passes, series-most

William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • One win, two top fives, two top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 22.875, 13th-best
  • Average Running Position of 18.594, 13th-best
  • Driver Rating of 79.7, 11th-best
  • 25 Fastest Laps Run, 26th-best
  • 593 Laps in the Top 15 (41.0%), 22nd-most
  • 766 Quality Passes, 24th-most

Austin Cindric (No. 2 Team Penske Ford)

  • One top 15
  • Average finish of 15.000, third-best
  • Average Running Position of 10.345, series-best
  • Driver Rating of 91.5, second-best
  • 8 Fastest Laps Run, 37th-best
  • 166 Laps in the Top 15 (83.0%), 33rd-most
  • 74 Quality Passes, 36th-most

Austin Dillon (No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

  • One win, three top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 14.941, second-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.602, eighth-best
  • Driver Rating of 79.8, 10th-best
  • 70 Fastest Laps Run, 14th-best
  • 1,535 Laps in the Top 15 (50.4%), 10th-most
  • 1,957 Quality Passes, 12th-most

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

  • Two top fives, three top 10s; three poles
  • Average finish of 21.167, 12th-best
  • Average Running Position of 16.167, seventh-best
  • Driver Rating of 80.3, ninth-best
  • 55 Fastest Laps Run, 16th-best
  • 1,277 Laps in the Top 15 (58.8%), 13th-most
  • 1,811 Quality Passes, 14th-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

  • Three wins, 11 top fives, 12 top 10s
  • Average finish of 15.906, fourth-best
  • Average Running Position of 14.377, fourth-best
  • Driver Rating of 89.8, third-best
  • 128 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-best
  • 3,470 Laps in the Top 15 (60.7%), second-most
  • 4,437 Quality Passes, third-most

Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)

  • Two wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s; one pole
  • Average finish of 17.706, fifth-best
  • Average Running Position of 18.391, 12th-best
  • Driver Rating of 82.3, seventh-best
  • 130 Fastest Laps Run, third-best
  • 3,105 Laps in the Top 15 (51.0%), fourth-most
  • 4,094 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

  • One win, six top fives, nine top 10s
  • Average finish of 18.154, seventh-best
  • Average Running Position of 15.212, sixth-best
  • Driver Rating of 88.0, fourth-best
  • 100 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
  • 2,837 Laps in the Top 15 (61.2%), sixth-most
  • 4,134 Quality Passes, fourth-most

Bubba Wallace (No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota)

  • Three top fives, three top 10s
  • Average finish of 13.778, series-best
  • Average Running Position of 18.114, 11th-best
  • Driver Rating of 78.9, 12th-best
  • 46 Fastest Laps Run, 20th-best
  • 711 Laps in the Top 15 (44.2%), 20th-most
  • 1,042 Quality Passes, 19th-most

 

Daytona International Speedway Track / Event Data

Race #: 1 of 36 (2-20-22)

Track Size: 2.5 miles

Banking/Corners: 31 degrees

Banking/Straights: 3 degrees

Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees

Total Race Length: 500 miles (200 laps)

Stage 1 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)

Stage 2 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)

Final Stage Length: 175 miles (70 laps)

Daytona 500 Qualifying / Race Data

Daytona 500 Qualifying record:

Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird

Melling Racing

Crew Chief: Ernie Elliott

(210.364 mph, 42.783 secs., 02-09-1987)

2021 pole winner:

Alex Bowman, Chevrolet Camaro

Hendrick Motorsports

Crew Chief: Greg Ives

(191.261 mph, 47.056 secs., 02-10-2021)

2020 pole winner:

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet Camaro

JTG Daugherty Racing

Crew Chief: Brian Pattie

(194.582 mph, 46.253 secs., 02-09-2020)

Daytona 500 Race record:

Buddy Baker, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

Ranier Racing

Crew Chief: Waddell Wilson

(177.602 mph, 02:48:55, 02-17-1980)

2021 race winner:

Michael McDowell, Ford Mustang

Front Row Motorsports

Crew Chief: Luke Lambert

(144.416 mph, 03:27:44, 02-14-2021)

2020 race winner:

Denny Hamlin, Toyota Camry

Joe Gibbs Racing

Crew Chief: Chris Gabehart

(141.110 mph, 03:42:10, 02-17-2020)

 Daytona 500 – Stats & Tidbits

  • The 2022 edition will be the 64th running of the Daytona 500 (1959-2022).
  • Although the first Daytona 500 was held in 1959, it has been the season-opener only since 1982.
  • Bob Welborn won the first NASCAR Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway, a qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on February 20, 1959.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on February 22, 1959.

STARTS

  • A total of 566 different drivers have competed in at least one Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway; 343 have competed in more than one Daytona 500.
  • Dave Marcis leads the NASCAR Cup Series all-time in Daytona 500 starts with 33 starts; followed by NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty (32), Terry Labonte (32) and Michael Waltrip (30).
  • Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Daytona 500 starts with 20 each.
  • A total of 65 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start in the Daytona 500; the most recent were Anthony Alfredo, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe in 2021.
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series (all-time) in average starting position in the Daytona 500 with a 5.667 (18 starts).
  • Alex Bowman leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position in the Daytona 500 with a 8.500 (five starts).

Top 10 in Average Starting Position for the Daytona 500 (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg. Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg. Start Races
1 Dale Earnhardt Jr 5.667 18 1 Alex Bowman 7.000 6
2 Cotton Owens 5.750 4 2 Bubba Wallace 9.250 4
3 Paul Goldsmith 6.857 7 3 William Byron 10.000 4
4 Alex Bowman 7.000 6 4 Chase Elliott 10.167 6
5 Bobby Isaac 7.300 10 5 Christopher Bell 11.000 2
6 Davey Allison 7.714 7 6 Austin Dillon 13.444 9
7 Pete Hamilton 7.750 4 7 Joey Logano 13.615 13
8 Dale Earnhardt 8.609 23 8 Kyle Busch 14.813 16
9 Joe Weatherly 9.200 5 9 Kevin Harvick 15.050 20
10 Bubba Wallace 9.250 4 10 Kurt Busch 15.750 20

POLES

  • A total of 43 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won a pole for the Daytona 500.
  • Six of the 43 Daytona 500 pole winners are active this weekend:
Rank Active Pole Winners Daytona 500 Poles Seasons
1 Alex Bowman 2 2018, 2021
2 Chase Elliott 2 2016, 2017
3 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 1 2020
4 William Byron 1 2019
5 Austin Dillon 1 2014
6 Martin Truex Jr 1 2009
  • Bill Elliott (1985-87, 2001), Cale Yarborough (1968, ’70, ’78, ’84) and Buddy Baker (1969, ’73, ’79, ’80) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Daytona 500 poles with four each.
  • Bob Welborn won the first Daytona 500 pole on 1959 with a speed of 140.121 mph.
  • Hendrick Motorsport’s Alex Bowman won the pole for the 2021 Daytona 500 with a speed of 191.262 mph.
  • A total of 11 drivers have posted multiple poles for the Daytona 500; Alex Bowman (two) and Chase Elliott (two) are the only active drivers with more than one Daytona 500 pole.
  • Five drivers have won consecutive Daytona 500 poles – Fireball Roberts (1961-1963), Buddy Baker (1979-1980), Bill Elliott (1985, 1986, 1987), Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990), Chase Elliott (2016, 2017).
  • Chase Elliott became the youngest Daytona 500 pole winner at the age of 20 years, 2 months, 17 days with his pole in 2016.
  • Youngest Daytona 500 pole winner: Chase Elliott (02/14/2016 – 20 years, 2 months, 17 days).
  • Oldest Daytona 500 pole winner: Mark Martin (02/06/2010 – 51 years, 0 months, 28 days).
  • Hendrick Motorsports has won 14 Daytona 500 poles, the series most: Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990), Jeff Gordon (1999, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (2002, 2008), Mark Martin (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011), Chase Elliott (2016, 2017), Alex Bowman (2018, 2021), William Byron (2019).
  • Hendrick Motorsports has won a record five consecutive Daytona 500 poles – (2015-2019).
  • Seven different manufacturers have won the pole for the Daytona 500, led by Chevrolet with 29; followed by Ford (12), Pontiac (eight), Mercury (five), Dodge (four), Oldsmobile (three), Plymouth (two).
  • Three drivers have won the Daytona 500 pole in multiple manufactures: Cale Yarborough (Mercury 2, Chevrolet 1, Oldmobile 1); Buddy Baker (Dodge 2, Oldmobile 2); Bill Elliott (Ford 3, Dodge 1).

DAYTONA 500 POLE WINNERS

Season Daytona 500 Pole Winners Pole Speed Finishing Pos.
2021 Alex Bowman 191.262 35
2020 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 194.582 20
2019 William Byron 194.305 21
2018 Alex Bowman 195.644 17
2017 Chase Elliott 192.872 14
2016 Chase Elliott 196.314 37
2015 Jeff Gordon 201.293 33
2014 Austin Dillon 196.019 9
2013 Danica Patrick 196.434 8
2012 Carl Edwards 194.738 8
2011 Dale Earnhardt Jr 186.089 24
2010 Mark Martin 191.188 12
2009 Martin Truex Jr 188.001 11
2008 Jimmie Johnson 187.075 27
2007 David Gilliland 186.320 8
2006 Jeff Burton 189.151 32
2005 Dale Jarrett 188.312 15
2004 Greg Biffle 188.387 12
2003 Jeff Green 186.606 39
2002 Jimmie Johnson 185.831 15
2001 Bill Elliott 183.565 5
2000 Dale Jarrett 191.091 1
1999 Jeff Gordon 195.067 1
1998 Bobby Labonte 192.415 2
1997 Mike Skinner 189.813 12
1996 Dale Earnhardt 189.510 2
1995 Dale Jarrett 193.498 5
1994 Loy Allen Jr 190.158 22
1993 Kyle Petty 189.426 31
1992 Sterling Marlin 192.213 35
1991 Davey Allison 195.955 15
1990 Ken Schrader 196.515 40
1989 Ken Schrader 196.996 2
1988 Ken Schrader 193.823 6
1987 Bill Elliott 210.364 1
1986 Bill Elliott 205.039 13
1985 Bill Elliott 205.114 1
1984 Cale Yarborough 201.848 1
1983 Ricky Rudd 198.864 24
1982 Benny Parsons 196.317 26
1981 Bobby Allison 194.624 2
1980 Buddy Baker 194.009 1
1979 Buddy Baker 196.049 40
1978 Cale Yarborough 187.536 2
1977 Donnie Allison 188.048 30
1976 Ramo Stott 185.943 26
1975 Donnie Allison 185.827 28
1974 David Pearson 185.017 35
1973 Buddy Baker 185.662 6
1972 Bobby Isaac 186.632 33
1971 A.J. Foyt 182.744 3
1970 Cale Yarborough 194.015 37
1969 Buddy Baker 190.029 5
1968 Cale Yarborough 189.222 1
1967 Curtis Turner 180.831 25
1966 Richard Petty 175.165 1
1965 Darel Dieringer 171.151 2
1964 Paul Goldsmith 174.910 3
1963 Fireball Roberts 165.183 21
1962 Fireball Roberts 156.999 1
1961 Fireball Roberts 155.709 20
1960 Cotton Owens 149.892 40
1959 Bob Welborn 140.121 41

WINS

  • A total of 40 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
  • Six of the 40 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 winners are active this weekend:
Rank Active Daytona 500 Winners Wins Seasons
1 Denny Hamlin 3 2016, 2019, 2020
2 Michael McDowell 1 2021
3 Austin Dillon 1 2018
4 Kurt Busch 1 2017
5 Joey Logano 1 2015
6 Kevin Harvick 1 2007
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Daytona 500 victories with seven (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981).
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on February 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by two feet in an Oldsmobile.
  • Front Row Motorsport’s Michael McDowell won the 2021 Daytona 500 – the race ended under caution.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in Daytona 500 wins with three (2016, 2019, 2020).
  • Youngest Daytona 500 winner: Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 days).
  • Oldest Daytona 500 winner: Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 – 50 years, 2 months, 11 days).
  • Eight drivers posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory with a win in the Daytona 500 – Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994), Michael Waltrip (2001), Trevor Bayne (2011) and Michael McDowell (2021).
  • Three other drivers posted their career-first victory in (points-paying) qualifying races at Daytona: Johnny Rutherford (1963), Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).
  • McDowell’s 358 starts are the second-most in series history by a driver before their first win; behind Michael Waltrip with 463 starts before his first win in the 2001 Daytona 500.
  • Lee Petty, who won the inaugural Daytona 500, and Trevor Bayne, 2011 Daytona 500 champion, are the only two drivers to win the Daytona 500 in their first appearance.
  • Sterling Marlin is the only driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to record his first two victories in the Daytona 500 (1994, 1995). Front Row Motorsport’s Michael McDowell, last season’s Daytona 500 winner, will have the opportunity to join Marlin in accomplishing the feat in this season’s Daytona 500.
  • Four different drivers have won back-to-back Daytona 500s – Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95) and  Denny Hamlin (2019-20).
  • A total of 12 different drivers have won multiple Daytona 500s, led by Richard Petty with seven victories.
The 12 Drivers With Multiple Daytona 500 Wins
No. of Wins Drivers Seasons            
7 Richard Petty 1964 1966 1971 1973 1974 1979 1981
4 Cale Yarborough 1968 1977 1983 1984
3 Bobby Allison 1978 1982 1988
3 Dale Jarrett 1993 1996 2000
3 Jeff Gordon 1997 1999 2005
3 Denny Hamlin 2016 2019  2020
2 Bill Elliott 1985 1987
2 Sterling Marlin 1994 1995
2 Michael Waltrip 2001 2003
2 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2004 2014
2 Jimmie Johnson 2006 2013
2 Matt Kenseth 2009 2012
  • The Daytona 500 has been won from the pole or first starting position nine times; a winning percentage of 14.3%. The most recent driver to win the Daytona 500 from the pole is NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett in 2000.
Season Daytona 500 Winners From The Pole
1962 Fireball Roberts
1966 Richard Petty
1968 Cale Yarborough
1980 Buddy Baker
1984 Cale Yarborough
1985 Bill Elliott
1987 Bill Elliott
1999 Jeff Gordon
2000 Dale Jarrett
  • NASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (1985, 1987) and Cale Yarborough (1968, 1984) are the only two drivers to accomplish the feat of winning the Daytona 500 from the pole more than once.
  • The pole position is the most proficient starting position in the Daytona 500 field, producing more winners (nine) than any other position.
  • 16 of the 63 Daytona 500s (25.4%) have been won from the front row; nine from the pole position and seven from the second-place starting position.
  • Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500 from the 39th starting position in 2009, the deepest a Daytona 500 race winner has started.

Daytona 500 Wins By Starting Positions

Starting Position Wins Win % Starting Position Wins Win %
1 9 14.29% 12 3 4.76%
2 7 11.11% 13 2 3.17%
3 3 4.76% 14 1 1.59%
4 7 11.11% 15 2 3.17%
5 2 3.17% 17 1 1.59%
6 2 3.17% 19 3 4.76%
7 5 7.94% 21 1 1.59%
8 3 4.76% 32 2 3.17%
9 5 7.94% 33 1 1.59%
10 1 1.59% 34 1 1.59%
11 1 1.59% 39 1 1.59%
Additional Starting Position Stats    
Wins From The Pole 9 14.29%
Wins From The Front Row 16 25.40%
Wins From The Top Five 28 44.44%
Wins From The Top 10 44 69.84%
Wins From The Top 15 53 84.13%
Wins From Outside The Top 20 6 9.52%
  • Five reigning NASCAR Cup Series champions have gone on to win the Daytona 500 the season after winning the championship: Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty (1973), Cale Yarborough (1977), Jeff Gordon (1999) and Dale Jarrett (2000).
  • Five Daytona 500 winners have won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the same season; Richard Petty pulled it off four times; most recent was Jimmie Johnson in 2013.
Drivers Seasons      
Richard Petty 1964 1971 1974 1979
Jimmie Johnson 2006 2013
Lee Petty 1959
Cale Yarborough 1977
Jeff Gordon 1997
  • A driver has swept both the Daytona 500 and the Summer Daytona race only five times at Daytona International Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).
  • Drivers who have won the Busch Light Clash and the Daytona 500 in the same season:

Driver – (Year)

    • Bobby Allison (1982)
    • Bill Elliott (1987)
    • Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)
    • Jeff Gordon (1997)
    • Denny Hamlin (2016)
  • 18 different drivers have won both the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600:
Winner Daytona 500s Coca-Cola 600s
1 Richard Petty 7 2
2 Bobby Allison 3 3
3 Dale Jarrett 3 1
4 Jeff Gordon 3 3
5 Jimmie Johnson 2 4
6 Matt Kenseth 2 1
7 Darrell Waltrip 1 5
8 Austin Dillon 1 1
9 Benny Parsons 1 1
10 Buddy Baker 1 3
11 Dale Earnhardt 1 3
12 Davey Allison 1 1
13 David Pearson 1 3
14 Fred Lorenzen 1 2
15 Kevin Harvick 1 2
16 Kurt Busch 1 1
17 LeeRoy Yarbrough 1 1
18 Marvin Panch 1 1
  • Eight different drivers have won both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis:
Winners Daytona 500s Brickyard 400s
Dale Jarrett 3 2
Jeff Gordon 3 5
Bill Elliott 2 1
Jimmie Johnson 2 4
Dale Earnhardt 1 1
Jamie McMurray 1 1
Kevin Harvick 1 2
Ryan Newman 1 1
  • A total of 28 different car numbers have won the Daytona 500; below are the 10 car numbers that have produced three or more Daytona 500 victories:

Car Number – Drivers – (Years)

    • No. 43 – (seven) Richard Petty (1964, ’66, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’79, ‘81)
    • No. 21 – (five) Tiny Lund (1963), Cale Yarborough (1968), A.J. Foyt (1972), David Pearson (1976) and Trevor Bayne (2011)
    • No. 28 –  (five) Fred Lorenzen (1965), Buddy Baker (1980), Cale Yarborough (1983 and 1984) and Davey Allison (1992)
    • No. 11 – (five) Mario Andretti (1967), Cale Yarborough (1977), Denny Hamlin (2016, 2019, 2020)
    • No. 88 – (four) Bobby Allison (1982), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014)
    • No. 4 – (three) Ernie Irvan (1991), Sterling Marlin (1994 and 1995)
    • No. 15 – (three) Bobby Allison (1978), Michael Waltrip (2001 and 2003)
    • No. 17 – (three) Darrell Waltrip (1989), Matt Kenseth (2009 and 2012)
    • No. 24 – (three) Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999 and 2005)

o   No. 22 – (three) Fireball Roberts (1962), Ward Burton (2002), Joey Logano (2015)

  • Nine different manufacturers have won the Daytona 500, led by Chevrolet with 24 victories; followed by Ford (16), Dodge (four), Plymouth (four), Buick (three), Mercury (three), Oldsmobile (three), Pontiac (three) and Toyota (three).
  • Drivers who have won the Daytona 500 in more than one car manufacturer:

Driver – Manufacturer (Number of wins in that manufacturer)

    • Richard Petty – Plymouth (3), Dodge (2), Oldsmobile (1) and Buick (1)
    • Cale Yarborough – Chevrolet (2), Mercury (1) and Pontiac (1)
    • Bobby Allison – Buick (2) and Ford (1)
    • Dale Jarrett – Ford (2) and Chevrolet (1)
  • The driver with the all-time most Daytona 500 starts without a victory is Dave Marcis with 33 races; Martin Truex Jr. (17) leads all active drivers with the most Daytona 500 starts without a win.

DAYTONA 500 WINNER STATS CHART

Season Daytona 500 Winners Start Pos. Laps Led Laps Completed
2021 Michael McDowell 17 1 200
2020 Denny Hamlin 21 79 209
2019 Denny Hamlin 10 30 207
2018 Austin Dillon 14 1 207
2017 Kurt Busch 8 1 200
2016 Denny Hamlin 11 95 200
2015 Joey Logano 5 31 203
2014 Dale Earnhardt Jr 9 54 200
2013 Jimmie Johnson 9 17 200
2012 Matt Kenseth 4 50 202
2011 Trevor Bayne 32 6 208
2010 Jamie McMurray 13 2 208
2009 Matt Kenseth 39 7 152
2008 Ryan Newman 7 8 200
2007 Kevin Harvick 34 4 202
2006 Jimmie Johnson 9 24 203
2005 Jeff Gordon 15 29 203
2004 Dale Earnhardt Jr 3 58 200
2003 Michael Waltrip 4 68 109
2002 Ward Burton 19 5 200
2001 Michael Waltrip 19 27 200
2000 Dale Jarrett 1 89 200
1999 Jeff Gordon 1 17 200
1998 Dale Earnhardt 4 107 200
1997 Jeff Gordon 6 40 200
1996 Dale Jarrett 7 40 200
1995 Sterling Marlin 3 105 200
1994 Sterling Marlin 4 30 200
1993 Dale Jarrett 2 8 200
1992 Davey Allison 6 127 200
1991 Ernie Irvan 2 29 200
1990 Derrike Cope 12 5 200
1989 Darrell Waltrip 2 25 200
1988 Bobby Allison 3 70 200
1987 Bill Elliott 1 104 200
1986 Geoff Bodine 2 101 200
1985 Bill Elliott 1 136 200
1984 Cale Yarborough 1 89 200
1983 Cale Yarborough 8 23 200
1982 Bobby Allison 7 147 200
1981 Richard Petty 8 26 200
1980 Buddy Baker 1 143 200
1979 Richard Petty 13 12 200
1978 Bobby Allison 33 28 200
1977 Cale Yarborough 4 137 200
1976 David Pearson 7 37 200
1975 Benny Parsons 32 4 200
1974 Richard Petty 2 73 200
1973 Richard Petty 7 17 200
1972 A.J. Foyt 2 167 200
1971 Richard Petty 5 69 200
1970 Pete Hamilton 9 13 200
1969 LeeRoy Yarbrough 19 18 200
1968 Cale Yarborough 1 76 200
1967 Mario Andretti 12 112 200
1966 Richard Petty 1 108 198
1965 Fred Lorenzen 4 25 133
1964 Richard Petty 2 184 200
1963 Tiny Lund 12 17 200
1962 Fireball Roberts 1 144 200
1961 Marvin Panch 4 13 200
1960 Junior Johnson 9 67 200
1959 Lee Petty 15 38 200

 

DUEL WINNER STATS CHART

Date Race Name Winners Laps Led Laps Completed % of Laps Led 
2/11/2021 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at DAYTONA Aric Almirola 52 60 86.70%
2/11/2021 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at DAYTONA Austin Dillon 2 63 3.20%
2/13/2020 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at DAYTONA Joey Logano 19 60 31.70%
2/13/2020 Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at DAYTONA William Byron 3 60 5.00%
2/14/2019 Gander RV Duel at DAYTONA 1 Kevin Harvick 44 60 73.30%
2/14/2019 Gander RV Duel at DAYTONA 2 Joey Logano 1 60 1.70%
2/15/2018 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 1 Ryan Blaney 6 63 9.50%
2/15/2018 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 2 Chase Elliott 34 60 56.70%
2/23/2017 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 1 Chase Elliott 25 60 41.70%
2/23/2017 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 2 Denny Hamlin 4 60 6.70%
2/18/2016 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 1 Dale Earnhardt Jr 43 60 71.70%
2/18/2016 Can-Am Duel At Daytona 2 Kyle Busch 35 60 58.30%
2/19/2015 Budweiser Duel #1 Dale Earnhardt Jr 21 60 35.00%
2/19/2015 Budweiser Duel #2 Jimmie Johnson 40 64 62.50%
2/20/2014 Budweiser Duel #2 Denny Hamlin 23 60 38.30%
2/20/2014 Budweiser Duel #1 Matt Kenseth 31 60 51.70%
2/21/2013 Budweiser Duel #1 Kevin Harvick 23 60 38.30%
2/21/2013 Budweiser Duel #2 Kyle Busch 19 60 31.70%
2/23/2012 Gatorade Duel #2 Matt Kenseth 10 60 16.70%
2/23/2012 Gatorade Duel #1 Tony Stewart 21 60 35.00%
2/17/2011 Gatorade Duel #2 Jeff Burton 17 60 28.30%
2/17/2011 Gatorade Duel #1 Kurt Busch 7 62 11.30%
2/11/2010 Gatorade Duel #1 Jimmie Johnson 7 60 11.70%
2/11/2010 Gatorade Duel #2 Kasey Kahne 3 60 5.00%
2/12/2009 Gatorade Duel #1 Jeff Gordon 15 60 25.00%
2/12/2009 Gatorade Duel #2 Kyle Busch 5 60 8.30%
2/14/2008 Gatorade Duel #1 Dale Earnhardt Jr 25 60 41.70%
2/14/2008 Gatorade Duel #2 Denny Hamlin 2 64 3.10%
2/15/2007 Gatorade Duel #2 Jeff Gordon 1 60 1.70%
2/15/2007 Gatorade Duel #1 Tony Stewart 37 63 58.70%
2/16/2006 Gatorade Duel #1 Elliott Sadler 36 64 56.30%
2/16/2006 Gatorade Duel #2 Jeff Gordon 38 64 59.40%
2/17/2005 Gatorade Duel #1 Michael Waltrip 13 60 21.70%
2/17/2005 Gatorade Duel #2 Tony Stewart 12 60 20.00%
2/12/2004 Gatorade 125 #1 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 14 50 28.00%
2/12/2004 Gatorade 125 #2 Elliott Sadler 26 50 52.00%
2/13/2003 Gatorade 125 #1 Robby Gordon 17 50 34.00%
2/13/2003 Gatorade 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt Jr 38 50 76.00%
2/14/2002 Gatorade 125 #1 Jeff Gordon 50 50 100.00%
2/14/2002 Gatorade 125 #2 Michael Waltrip 46 50 92.00%
2/15/2001 Gatorade 125 #1 Sterling Marlin 1 50 2.00%
2/15/2001 Gatorade 125 #2 Mike Skinner 5 50 10.00%
2/17/2000 Gatorade 125 #1 Bill Elliott 50 50 100.00%
2/17/2000 Gatorade 125 #2 Ricky Rudd 50 50 100.00%
2/11/1999 Gatorade 125 #1 Bobby Labonte 11 50 22.00%
2/11/1999 Gatorade 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 43 50 86.00%
2/12/1998 Gatorade 125 #1 Sterling Marlin 16 50 32.00%
2/12/1998 Gatorade 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 50 50 100.00%
2/13/1997 Gatorade 125 #1 Dale Jarrett 45 50 90.00%
2/13/1997 Gatorade 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 32 50 64.00%
2/15/1996 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Dale Earnhardt 21 50 42.00%
2/15/1996 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Ernie Irvan 50 50 100.00%
2/16/1995 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Sterling Marlin 44 50 88.00%
2/16/1995 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 28 50 56.00%
2/17/1994 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Ernie Irvan 37 50 74.00%
2/17/1994 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 34 50 68.00%
2/11/1993 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Jeff Gordon 29 50 58.00%
2/11/1993 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 34 50 68.00%
2/13/1992 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Dale Earnhardt 23 50 46.00%
2/13/1992 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Bill Elliott 49 50 98.00%
2/14/1991 Gatorade Twin 125 #1 Davey Allison 50 50 100.00%
2/14/1991 Gatorade Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 50 50 100.00%
2/15/1990 First Twin 125 #1 Geoff Bodine 2 50 4.00%
2/15/1990 First Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 24 50 48.00%
2/16/1989 First Twin 125 #1 Ken Schrader 42 50 84.00%
2/16/1989 First Twin 125 #2 Terry Labonte 7 50 14.00%
2/11/1988 First Twin 125 #1 Bobby Allison 31 50 62.00%
2/11/1988 First Twin 125 #2 Darrell Waltrip 50 50 100.00%
2/12/1987 First Twin 125 #1 Ken Schrader N/A 50 N/A
2/12/1987 First Twin 125 #2 Benny Parsons 23 50 46.00%
2/13/1986 First Twin 125 #1 Bill Elliott N/A 50 N/A
2/13/1986 First Twin 125 #2 Dale Earnhardt 33 50 66.00%
2/14/1985 First Twin 125 #1 Bill Elliott 48 50 96.00%
2/14/1985 First Twin 125 #2 Cale Yarborough N/A 50 N/A
2/16/1984 UNO Twin 125 #1 Cale Yarborough 24 50 48.00%
2/16/1984 UNO Twin 125 #2 Bobby Allison N/A 50 N/A
2/17/1983 UNO Twin 125 #1 Dale Earnhardt N/A 50 N/A
2/17/1983 UNO Twin 125 #2 Neil Bonnett N/A 50 N/A
2/11/1982 UNO Twin 125 #1 Cale Yarborough 3 50 6.00%
2/11/1982 UNO Twin 125 #2 Buddy Baker 25 50 50.00%
2/12/1981 UNO Twin 125 #1 Bobby Allison 33 50 66.00%
2/12/1981 UNO Twin 125 #2 Darrell Waltrip 20 50 40.00%
2/14/1980 Qualifying Race #1 Neil Bonnett 7 50 14.00%
2/14/1980 Qualifying Race #2 Donnie Allison 39 50 78.00%
2/15/1979 Qualifying Race #1 Buddy Baker 38 50 76.00%
2/15/1979 Qualifying Race #2 Darrell Waltrip 34 50 68.00%
2/16/1978 Qualifying Race #1 A.J. Foyt 21 50 42.00%
2/17/1978 Qualifying Race #2 Darrell Waltrip 20 50 40.00%
2/17/1977 Qualifying Race #1 Richard Petty 39 50 78.00%
2/17/1977 Qualifying Race #2 Cale Yarborough 47 50 94.00%
2/12/1976 Qualifying Race #1 Dave Marcis 12 50 24.00%
2/12/1976 Qualifying Race #2 Darrell Waltrip 23 50 46.00%
2/13/1975 Qualifying Race #1 Bobby Allison 17 50 34.00%
2/13/1975 Qualifying Race #2 David Pearson 11 50 22.00%
2/14/1974 Qualifying Race #1 Bobby Isaac 25 50 50.00%
2/14/1974 Qualifying Race #2 Cale Yarborough 20 50 40.00%
2/15/1973 Qualifying Race #1 Buddy Baker N/A 50 N/A
2/15/1973 Qualifying Race #2 Coo Coo Marlin N/A 50 N/A
2/17/1972 Qualifying Race #1 Bobby Isaac 23 50 46.00%
2/17/1972 Qualifying Race #2 Bobby Allison 49 50 98.00%

 

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS: DAYTONA 500

Runner-Up Finishes:

  • A total of 41 different drivers have finished runner-up in the Daytona 500, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with five (1984, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999).
  • Kurt Busch leads all active drivers in the series in runner-up finishes in the Daytona 500 with three (2003, 2005, 2008); followed by Kevin Harvick (2009, 2015) and Ryan Blaney (2017, 2020) with two each.

Top-Five Finishes:

  • In total 115 different drivers have posted at least one top five in the Daytona 500, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with 12 top fives in his 23 Daytona 500 starts.
  • Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick lead all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-five finishes with eight each.

Top 10 Finishes:

  • In total 190 different drivers have posted at least one top 10 in the Daytona 500, led by Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, who posted a series-leading 16 top 10s each in the Daytona 500.
  • Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-10 finishes with 10.

Average Finish:

  • Lee Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing positon with a 2.5 in two Daytona 500 appearances.
  • Denny Hamlin (11.9) has the best average finish among active drivers with more than one start; he has made 16 appearances in the Daytona 500

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position for the Daytona 500 (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg. Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg. Finish Races
1 Lee Petty 2.500 2 1 Denny Hamlin 11.938 16
2 Fred Lorenzen 6.889 9 2 Austin Dillon 12.667 9
3 Richard Brickhouse 9.000 2 3 Ross Chastain 14.000 3
4 Ned Jarrett 9.143 7 4 Joey Logano 14.154 13
5 Darel Dieringer 9.429 7 5 Ryan Preece 14.333 3
6 Andy Hampton 9.500 2 6 Kevin Harvick 15.400 20
7 Jody Ridley 9.667 6 7 Michael McDowell 16.200 10
8 Vic Elford 10.500 2 8 Kyle Larson 17.125 8
9 Dale Earnhardt 11.000 23 9 AJ Allmendinger 17.778 9
10 Jim Reed 11.000 3 10 Bubba Wallace 18.000 4
11 Janet Guthrie 11.500 2 11 Christopher Bell 18.500 2
12 Joe Weatherly 11.800 5 12 Ryan Blaney 18.571 7
13 Denny Hamlin 11.938 16 13 Kurt Busch 19.450 20
14 Kenny Irwin Jr 12.000 3 14 Corey Lajoie 19.800 5
15 Terry Ryan 12.000 2 15 Chase Elliott 20.000 6

FEMALE COMPETITORS

  • Danica Patrick on Sunday, February 19, 2013 became the first female in NASCAR Cup Series history to win a pole for the Daytona 500 posting a speed of 196.434 mph – to this day the only pole in the series by a female competitor.
  • Janet Guthrie previously held the record for top starting position by a female NASCAR premier series driver, starting ninth twice in 1977 – at Talladega Superspeedway on Aug. 7, 1977 and at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1977.
  • In 2012, Danica Patrick became the third female driver to compete in a Daytona 500 joining Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson. Below are the previous female driver performances in the Daytona 500.
Race Season Driver Start Finish
Daytona 500 1977 Janet Guthrie 39 12
Daytona 500 1980 Janet Guthrie 18 11
Daytona 500 2002 Shawna Robinson 36 24
Daytona 500 2012 Danica Patrick 29 38
Daytona 500 2013 Danica Patrick 1 8
Daytona 500 2014 Danica Patrick 27 40
Daytona 500 2015 Danica Patrick 20 21
Daytona 500 2016 Danica Patrick 16 35
Daytona 500 2017 Danica Patrick 12 33
Daytona 500 2018 Danica Patrick 28 35
  • In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first female driver in a Daytona 500 to lead laps. She led five laps in the 2013 Daytona 500 and two laps in the 2014 Daytona 500 for a career total of seven laps led in the Great American Race.
  • Danica Patrick also holds the record for most Daytona 500 starts for a female competitor with seven.

LAP LEADERS

  • In total 163 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap in the Daytona 500. NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the series in laps led in the Daytona 500 with 780 laps led in 32 starts.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in laps led in the Daytona 500 with 376.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has led the most laps in a single Daytona 500; leading 184 laps in the 1964 Daytona 500 and won the event.
  • Among active drivers, Ryan Blaney has led the most laps in a single Daytona 500, when he led 118 laps in the 2018 Daytona 500 and finished seventh.
  • Kurt Busch (2017) and Austin Dillon (2018) have led the fewest laps in the Daytona 500 and won – both led just the final lap on their way to winning the Daytona 500.

Top 10 Lap Leaders in the Daytona 500 (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Richard Petty 32 780 4,860 16%
2 Dale Earnhardt 23 686 4,179 16%
3 Buddy Baker 28 643 3,758 17%
4 Cale Yarborough 26 553 3,697 15%
5 Denny Hamlin 16 474 3,198 15%
6 Bobby Allison 25 433 3,774 11%
7 Jeff Gordon 23 392 4,105 10%
8 Fireball Roberts 6 365 689 53%
9 Bill Elliott 29 347 5,392 6%
10 A.J. Foyt 28 334 3,615 9%
11 Sterling Marlin 26 325 4,513 7%
12 Tony Stewart 17 299 2,757 11%
13 Kyle Busch 16 296 2,938 10%
14 Dale Earnhardt Jr 18 262 3,322 8%
15 David Pearson 22 251 3,192 8%
16 Donnie Allison 13 241 1,620 15%
17 Ken Schrader 23 227 3,786 6%
18 Matt Kenseth 18 226 3,041 7%
19 Kurt Busch 20 205 3,681 6%
20 Mark Martin 29 192 4,746 4%
Rank Active Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Denny Hamlin 16 474 3,198 15%
2 Kyle Busch 16 296 2,938 10%
3 Kurt Busch 20 205 3,681 6%
4 Ryan Blaney 7 137 1,195 11%
5 Kevin Harvick 20 128 3,399 4%
6 Joey Logano 13 100 2,511 4%
7 Chase Elliott 6 72 1,070 7%
8 Brad Keselowski 12 68 2,121 3%
9 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 10 51 1,946 3%
10 Martin Truex Jr 17 50 3,159 2%
11 William Byron 4 44 650 7%
12 Christopher Bell 2 32 404 8%
13 AJ Allmendinger 9 20 1,739 1%
14 Alex Bowman 5 17 826 2%
15 Austin Dillon 9 17 1,798 1%
16 Kyle Larson 8 17 1,582 1%
17 Aric Almirola 11 14 1,902 1%
18 Erik Jones 5 11 590 2%
19 David Ragan 15 10 2,368 0%
20 Kaz Grala 1 10 115 9%

TRACK / EVENT STATS

  • Denny Hamlin’s 0.001-second margin of victory over Martin Truex Jr. in the 2016 Daytona 500 is the closest Daytona 500 finish and tied with Atlanta (3/12/2000) and Phoenix (3/13/2016) as the seventh closest MOV since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993.
  • Kevin Harvick’s 0.020-second margin of victory over Mark Martin in the 2007 Daytona 500 is the 12th-closest overall since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, and the second closest in Daytona 500 history.
  • Top five closest margins of victory in the Daytona 500:
Margin of Victory Winner Runner-Up Date
0.001 Denny Hamlin Martin Truex Jr Sunday, February 21, 2016
0.020 Kevin Harvick Mark Martin Sunday, February 18, 2007
0.092 Ryan Newman Kurt Busch Sunday, February 17, 2008
0.118 Trevor Bayne Carl Edwards Sunday, February 20, 2011
0.119 Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt Jr Sunday, February 14, 2010
  • The 2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time lead changes with 74; which is 14 more than the race with the second-most lead changes – the 1974 Daytona 500 with 60 lead changes.
  • The 1964 Daytona 500 won by Richard Petty had the fewest lead changes with a mere six.
  • 2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time leaders with 22.
  • 2011 Daytona 500 had the most all-time cautions with 16.
  • 1968 and 2011 Daytona 500s had the most all-time Caution Laps with 60 laps each.
  • The Daytona 500 has finished under NASCAR Overtime conditions 10 times: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
  • Due to the Overtime rules in NASCAR, the longest Daytona 500 ever run was the 2020 Daytona 500 with 209 laps (522.5 miles) – nine laps and 22.5 miles more than the scheduled distance. The next longest were the 2010 and 2011 Daytona 500 races – both went 208 laps/520 miles.
  • The largest field to compete in the Daytona 500 was 68 cars in the 1960 race.

ADDITIONAL DAYTONA STATS

  • Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was Nov. 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.
  • The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1959.
  • Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona.
  • Lights were installed in the spring of 1998. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second Daytona race has been scheduled for under the lights ever since.
  • The track underwent a repave in 2010.
  • 2016 marked the next phase in the existence of Daytona International Speedway as the DAYTONA Rising project was completed, ushering in the first ‘motorsports stadium,’ a 400-million-dollar project.
  • There have been 147 NASCAR Cup Series races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 62 have been 500 miles, 58 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.
  • Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona for the 1959 Daytona 500 Qualifier in a Pontiac with a speed of 140.121 mph.
  • Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.
  • Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.
  • A total of 62 different drivers have posted poles at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona – (D500 = 4; Summer Race = 8).
  • Chase Elliott (2016, 2017) and Alex Bowman (2018, 2020) lead all active drivers with two poles at Daytona.
First Time Pole Winners & Race Winners at Daytona
First Time Pole Winner Season First Time Race Winner Season
William Byron 2019 Michael McDowell 2021
Chase Elliott 2016 William Byron 2020
Austin Dillon 2014 Erik Jones 2018
Danica Patrick 2013 Aric Almirola 2014
Paul Menard 2008 David Ragan 2011
Greg Biffle 2004 Trevor Bayne 2011
Jimmie Johnson 2002 Greg Biffle 2003
Kevin Harvick 2002 Michael Waltrip 2001
Mike Skinner 1997 John Andretti 1997
Dale Jarrett 1995 Jimmy Spencer 1994
Loy Allen Jr 1994 Sterling Marlin 1994
Sterling Marlin 1991 Derrike Cope 1990
Greg Sacks 1990 Greg Sacks 1985
Geoff Bodine 1982 Pete Hamilton 1970
Ramo Stott 1976 Mario Andretti 1967
Charlie Glotzbach 1968 Earl Balmer 1966
Darel Dieringer 1964 Sam McQuagg 1966
A.J. Foyt 1964
Bobby Isaac 1964
Johnny Rutherford 1963
Tiny Lund 1963
  • In total 17 different drivers have scored their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Daytona.
  • A total of four active drivers have won their first career pole at Daytona – Chase Elliott (2016), Austin Dillon (2014), Kevin Harvick (2002) and William Byron (2019).
  • 26 full-length points-paying races at Daytona have been won from the pole or first starting position; most recent Dale Earnhardt Jr. (July, 2015).
  • A total of 68 different drivers have won at Daytona International Speedway.
  • NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 10 points-paying victories at Daytona, leads the series.
  • Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in Daytona wins with three (all Daytona 500 victories).
  • A total of 21 different drivers scored their first win in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona. The most recent was Front Row Motorsport’s Michael McDowell in 2021 Daytona 500.
  • Wood Brothers Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins by an organization at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series with 15 each.

NASCAR in Florida

  • There have been 345 NASCAR national series points-paying races among 11 tracks held in the state of Florida.
Track Name City Cup XFINITY Truck Total Races First Year
Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach 149 60 22 231 1959
Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead 23 28 25 76 1999
Daytona Beach & Road Course Daytona Beach 10 0 0 10 1949
Palm Beach Speedway W. Palm Beach 7 0 0 7 1952
DAYTONA Road Course Daytona Beach 2 2 2 6 2020
Speedway Park Jacksonville 6 0 0 6 1951
Volusia County Speedway Barberville 0 4 0 4 1989
Walt Disney World Speedway Orlando 0 0 2 2 1997
Five Flags Speedway Pensacola 1 0 0 1 1953
Golden Gate Speedway Tampa 1 0 0 1 1963
Titusville-Cocoa Speedway Titusville 1 0 0 1 1957
Totals 200 94 51 345

NASCAR DRIVERS FROM FLORIDA

  • A total of 192 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series have their home state recorded as Florida.
  • There have been 12 race winners with their home state recorded as Florida in NASCAR’s three national series; totaling 98 victories among them:
Driver Cup Xfinity Truck Combined
Fireball Roberts 33 0 0 33
LeeRoy Yarbrough 14 0 0 14
Marshall Teague 7 0 0 7
Joe Nemechek 4 16 0 20
Aric Almirola 3 3 2 8
Bobby Johns 2 0 0 2
David Reutimann 2 1 1 4
Shorty Rollins 1 0 0 1
Ross Chastain 0 2 3 5
Rick Wilson 0 2 0 2
Joey Coulter 0 0 1 1
Ben Kennedy 0 0 1 1
Totals 66 24 8 98