Statistically speaking: a look at Daytona International Speedway
This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Saturday’s (weather permitting) running of the Coke Zero 400. It’s the second visit to Daytona in 2014 and the third of four restrictor plate races on the year.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended the season-opening visit to Daytona in victory lane after winning the Daytona 500 in February. Jimmie Johnson is the defending winner of the Coke Zero 400, winning the race a year ago. Denny Hamlin was the winner the last time the Sprint Cup Series ran with restrictor plates,w inning the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on May 4.
Jeff Gordon leads the way with six-career wins at Daytona. Both Earnhardt and Johnson are three-time winners at Daytona. Tony Stewart leads the way among drivers still in search of their first victory of the season with four-career wins at DIS. Matt Kenseth, also in search of his first win of the year, is a two-time Daytona winner.
Here’s a statistical look at how some of the top drivers have fared throughout their careers at Daytona International Speedway:
Clint Bowyer (No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota)
· Three top fives, seven top 10s
· Average finish of 16.4
· Average Running Position of 17.3, 11th-best
· Driver Rating of 83.5, ninth-best
· 77 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 189.524 mph, fourth-fastest
Kurt Busch (No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet)
· 10 top fives, 13 top 10s
· Average finish of 18.0
· Average Running Position of 16.1, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 88.9, sixth-best
· 70 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most
· 3,692 Green Flag Passes, eighth-most
· 2,072 Laps in the Top 15 (60.3%), fifth-most
· 2,585 Quality Passes, third-most
Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· One win, five top fives, six top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 18.6
· Series-best Average Running Position of 12.6
· Series-best Driver Rating of 97.1
· 84 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
· 3,851 Green Flag Passes, fifth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 189.532 mph, second-fastest
· Series-high 2,413 Laps in the Top 15 (70.2%)
· Series-high 2,743 Quality Passes
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Three wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 13.4
· Average Running Position of 14.0, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 92.0, third-best
· 85 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 4,036 Green Flag Passes, second-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 189.528 mph, third-fastest
· 2,245 Laps in the Top 15 (65.3%), second-most
· 2,710 Quality Passes, second-most
Carl Edwards (No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford)
· Four top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 18.1
· Average Running Position of 17.6, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 82.1, 12th-best
· 72 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most
· 4,026 Green Flag Passes, third-most
· 1,815 Laps in the Top 15 (52.8%), eighth-most
· 2,549 Quality Passes, fifth-most
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Six wins, 13 top fives, 20 top 10s; three poles
· Average finish of 16.3
· Average Running Position of 14.5, fifth-best
· Driver Rating of 88.0, seventh-best
· 3,664 Green Flag Passes, ninth-most
· 2,030 Laps in the Top 15 (59.1%), sixth-most
· 2,333 Quality Passes, eighth-most
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Three top fives, three top 10s
· Average finish of 20.4
· Average Running Position of 16.1, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 85.5, eighth-best
· 79 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 189.471 mph, eighth-fastest
Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet)
· Two wins, six top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 15.8
· Driver Rating of 82.4, 11th-best
· Series-high 87 Fastest Laps Run
· 3,578 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 189.509 mph, sixth-fastest
· 1,990 Quality Passes, 12th-most
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Three wins, nine top fives, 12 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 17.0
· Average Running Position of 13.9, third-best
· Driver Rating of 89.0, fifth-best
· 2,194 Laps in the Top 15 (63.8%), fourth-most
· 2,372 Quality Passes, seventh-most
Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Two wins, six top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 17.1
· Average Running Position of 13.8, second-best
· Driver Rating of 92.9, second-best
· 77 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· 3,566 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most
· 2,228 Laps in the Top 15 (64.8%), third-most
· 2,453 Quality Passes, sixth-most
Tony Stewart (No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet)
· Four wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 17.1
· Average Running Position of 16.5, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 90.0, fourth-best
· 76 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
· 1,898 Laps in the Top 15 (55.2%), seventh-most
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Daytona
Kyle Busch…………………………… 97.1
Matt Kenseth………………………… 92.9
Dale Earnhardt Jr…………………… 92.0
Tony Stewart…………………………. 90.0
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 89.0
Kurt Busch……………………………. 88.9
Jeff Gordon………………………….. 88.0
Denny Hamlin……………………….. 85.5
Clint Bowyer…………………………. 83.5
Kevin Harvick………………………… 83.1
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2014 races (19 total) among active drivers at Daytona International Speedway.
Qualifying/Race Data
2013 Coors Light pole winner:
Kyle Busch, Toyota
193.723 mph, 46.458 secs 07-05-13
2013 race winner:
Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
154.313 mph, (02:36:20), 07-06-13
Track qualifying record (July race):
Cale Yarborough, Ford
203.519 mph, 44.222 secs 07-02-86
Track race record (July race):
Bobby Allison, Mercury
173.473 mph, (02:18:21), 07-04-80
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