Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series statistical performances at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, going into the YellaWood 500 on October 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Fast Facts – Race No. 5 (Talladega Superspeedway)
The 2024 season marks the eighth consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017-2023) – Race No. 31 of the season.
Talladega Superspeedway is one of three different tracks to host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004 – 2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015 – 2016).
Talladega Superspeedway is one of four tracks that has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004, along with Martinsville Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
Talladega Superspeedway has occupied five different spots on the postseason schedule; including the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004 – 2005); the fourth race (2006 – 2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017-2024); the sixth race (2011, 2013 – 2016); and the seventh race (2009 – 2010).
A total of 15 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Five drivers lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff wins at Talladega Superspeedway with two victories each: Ryan Blaney (2019, 2023), Brad Keselowski (2014, 2017), Clint Bowyer (2010, 2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015, 2016)
This weekend six of the 15 Talladega Playoff race winners are entered in the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Four of the six active Talladega Playoff race winners are Playoff contenders this year – Chase Elliott (2022), Denny Hamlin (2020), Ryan Blaney (2019, 2023), Joey Logano (2015, 2016). *Playoff contenders bolded in chart below.
Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Race Winners
Track
Race Winner
Date
Race Number
Talladega
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Sunday, October 3, 2004
29
Talladega
Dale Jarrett
Sunday, October 2, 2005
29
Talladega
Brian Vickers
Sunday, October 8, 2006
30
Talladega
Jeff Gordon
Sunday, October 7, 2007
30
Talladega
Tony Stewart
Sunday, October 5, 2008
30
Talladega
Jamie McMurray
Sunday, November 1, 2009
33
Talladega
Clint Bowyer
Sunday, October 31, 2010
33
Talladega
Clint Bowyer
Sunday, October 23, 2011
32
Talladega
Matt Kenseth
Sunday, October 7, 2012
30
Talladega
Jamie McMurray
Sunday, October 20, 2013
32
Talladega
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, October 19, 2014
32
Talladega
Joey Logano
Sunday, October 25, 2015
32
Talladega
Joey Logano
Sunday, October 23, 2016
32
Talladega
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, October 15, 2017
31
Talladega
Aric Almirola
Sunday, October 14, 2018
31
Talladega
Ryan Blaney
Sunday, October 13, 2019
31
Talladega
Denny Hamlin
Sunday, October 4, 2020
31
Talladega
Bubba Wallace
Monday, October 4, 2021
31
Talladega
Chase Elliott
Sunday, October 2, 2022
31
Talladega
Ryan Blaney
Sunday, October 1, 2023
31
During the Playoffs Era (2004-Present), only once has the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race gone on to win the title in the same season – Ryan Blaney (2023).
Twice the Talladega Playoff race winner has finished runner-up in the championship standings at the end of the season: Jeff Gordon (2007) and Joey Logano (2016).
The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 37th by Kyle Larson in 2021.
A total of 15 different drivers have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. This weekend, six of the 15 drivers that have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are entered in Sunday’s Cup race.
Four of the six active drivers that have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are currently in the Playoffs this weekend – Chase Elliott (2022 Talladega), Denny Hamlin (2021 Talladega), Ryan Blaney (2019 and 2023 Talladega) and Joey Logano (2015 Kansas).
NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the fifth race of the Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 – all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).
Brad Keselowski (2013 Charlotte and 2017 Talladega) and Ryan Blaney (2019 and 2023 at Talladega) lead all active drivers in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with two victories each.
Three times the winner of the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2023) has gone on to win the championship later that season: 2009, 2014, 2023.
In 2009, Jimmie Johnson won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then went on to win his fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title – it was his third of four wins in the 2009 postseason.
In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the seventh starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway and went on to win his first career NASCAR Cup Series title – it was his first of three wins during the 2014 postseason.
In 2023, Ryan Blaney won the fifth race in the Playoffs from the 10th starting spot at Talladega Superspeedway and then went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title – it was his first of two wins in the 2023 postseason.
Three times a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 2010, 2013, 2021.
In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points.
In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.
In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in points
Six times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2021.
In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points.
In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points.
In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points.
In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
In 2021, Bubba Wallace won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 21st in points
NASCAR Cup Series 2024 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega
Rank
Driver
Races
Poles
Wins
Top Fives
Top 10s
DNFs
Average Finish
Driver Rating
1
William Byron
13
0
0
3
5
3
15.3
86.0
2
Ryan Blaney
20
0
3
6
8
4
14.8
91.0
3
Christopher Bell
9
2
0
1
2
2
21.0
70.3
4
Kyle Larson
19
0
0
1
3
6
22.8
76.6
5
Denny Hamlin
37
1
2
11
16
6
16.8
81.8
6
Alex Bowman
17
0
0
2
5
6
22.8
73.7
7
Chase Elliott
17
2
2
5
8
3
13.7
90.0
8
Joey Logano
31
0
3
9
11
9
18.5
87.5
9
Tyler Reddick
9
0
1
1
3
2
19.2
67.7
10
Daniel Suárez
15
0
0
0
4
4
19.7
67.3
11
Chase Briscoe
7
0
0
1
2
1
14.4
66.0
12
Austin Cindric
5
0
0
1
2
0
16.8
78.2
* – Based on last 39 races at Talladega Superspeedway (2005 – 2024).
Talladega Superspeedway Stats & Tidbits:
TRACK DATA Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-06-24) The Purse: $9,222,964 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 / 500.08 miles Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each) Final Stage Length: 68 laps
QUALIFYING & RACE RECORD DATA
Track Qualifying Record: Bill Elliott, Melling Racing Ford, 212.809 MPH, 44.998 secs., April 30, 1987
Track Race Record: Mark Martin, RFK Racing Ford, 188.354 mph, (02:39:18), May 10, 1997
2023 Playoff Pole Winner: Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, 181.656 MPH, 52.715 secs., September 30, 2023
2023 Playoff Race Winner: Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, 160.097 MPH, (03:07:25), October 1, 2023
HISTORY
Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968, and today covers nearly 3,000 acres.
The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on September 14, 1969; the event was won by Richard Brickhouse in a Ray Nichels’ 1969 Dodge Daytona.
The first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on July 25, 1992; the event was won by Ernie Irvan (Chevrolet).
The first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on October 7, 2006; the event was won by Mark Martin (Ford).
The name of the track changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
The track completed its fourth repaving on September 19, 2006.
In 2019, the track underwent a $50 million renovation, updating the tunnels and infield amenities.
There have been 110 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one Cup event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970. Twenty of the 110 events have been Playoff races.
STARTS
A total of 493 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway; 346 have competed in more than one.
Dave Marcis and NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte lead the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Talladega Superspeedway with 61 starts each.
Top five in all-time Cup Series Talladega starts: Dave Marcis (61), Terry Labonte (61), Michael Waltrip (60), Ricky Rudd (59) and Bill Elliott (57).
Martin Truex Jr. leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Talladega Superspeedway with 39 starts.
Top five in active Cup Series Talladega starts: Martin Truex Jr. (39), Kyle Busch (38), Denny Hamlin (37), Brad Keselowski (31) and Joey Logano (31).
A total of 72 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first career start at Talladega Superspeedway.
The most recent driver to make their first Cup start at Talladega was Harrison Burton on April 25, 2021.
Of the 72 drivers to make their first career Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, Dick Simon had the best finish with a seventh-place result after starting in 52nd-place on May 6, 1973.
Drivers That Made First Career Cup Start at Talladega Superspeedway
Rank
Drivers
Date
Rank
Drivers
Date
Rank
Drivers
Date
1
Harrison Burton
4/25/2021
25
Harry Dinwiddie
8/3/1980
49
Harry Gailey
8/22/1971
2
Justin Haley
4/28/2019
26
Gary Baker
5/4/1980
50
Johnny Barnes
8/22/1971
3
Timothy Peters
4/29/2018
27
Kyle Petty
8/5/1979
51
Rolf Stommelen
8/22/1971
4
Ryan Reed
10/23/2016
28
Kevin Housby
5/6/1979
52
David Sisco
5/16/1971
5
Robert Richardson
11/1/2009
29
Wayne Broome
5/6/1979
53
Doc Faustina
5/16/1971
6
Jacques Villeneuve
10/7/2007
30
Frank Hill
5/14/1978
54
George Altheide
5/16/1971
7
Eric McClure
4/25/2004
31
Jim Raptis
8/7/1977
55
Roy Mulligan
5/16/1971
8
Jason Jarrett
9/28/2003
32
Steve Moore
8/7/1977
56
Alton Jones
4/12/1970
9
Jamie McMurray
10/6/2002
33
Peter Knab
5/1/1977
57
Al Straub
9/14/1969
10
Dennis Setzer
4/26/1998
34
Jeff Handy
8/17/1975
58
Amos Johnson
9/14/1969
11
Ritchie Petty
5/2/1993
35
Harold Miller
5/4/1975
59
Bill Ward
9/14/1969
12
Stan Fox
7/26/1992
36
Tom Williams
5/4/1975
60
Billy Hagan
9/14/1969
13
T.W. Taylor
7/26/1992
37
A.J. Reno
8/11/1974
61
Bobby Brewer
9/14/1969
14
Stanley Smith
7/29/1990
38
Jerry Hansen
8/11/1974
62
Bobby Fleming
9/14/1969
15
Bill Ingram
7/30/1989
39
Jerry Schild
5/5/1974
63
C.B. Gwynn
9/14/1969
16
Ed Pimm
5/3/1987
40
Johnny Ray
5/5/1974
64
Dick Lawrence
9/14/1969
17
Davey Allison
7/28/1985
41
Neil Bonnett
5/5/1974
65
Doug Easton
9/14/1969
18
Phil Barkdoll
5/6/1984
42
Terry Link
5/5/1974
66
Earle Canavan
9/14/1969
19
Bob Slawinski
8/1/1982
43
Bob Davis
8/12/1973
67
Ernie Shaw
9/14/1969
20
Bill Scott
5/2/1982
44
Dick Simon
5/6/1973
68
J.W. King
9/14/1969
21
David Simko
5/2/1982
45
Slick Gardner
5/6/1973
69
Larry Bock
9/14/1969
22
L.W. Wright
5/2/1982
46
Clarence Lovell
5/7/1972
70
Richard Childress
9/14/1969
23
Philip Duffie
5/2/1982
47
Darrell Waltrip
5/7/1972
71
Stan Starr
9/14/1969
24
Terry Herman
8/2/1981
48
Robert Wales
5/7/1972
72
Wilbur Pickett
9/14/1969
Bobby Isaac (eight starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 3.625.
Chase Elliott (17 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 10.235.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Avg Start
Races
Rank
Active Drivers
Avg Start
Races
1
Bobby Isaac
3.625
8
1
Chase Elliott
10.235
17
2
Davey Allison
5.267
15
2
Austin Cindric
11.800
5
3
Pete Hamilton
5.400
5
3
Christopher Bell
12.000
9
4
Sam Sommers
6.333
3
4
Ryan Blaney
12.350
20
5
David Pearson
6.400
25
5
Brad Keselowski
12.419
31
6
Gordon Johncock
7.500
2
6
Ty Gibbs
12.500
4
7
Cale Yarborough
8.088
34
7
William Byron
12.538
13
8
Rob Moroso
9.500
2
8
Daniel Hemric
13.800
5
9
Dale Earnhardt
10.182
44
9
Chase Briscoe
13.857
7
10
Chase Elliott
10.235
17
10
Austin Dillon
14.864
22
Since introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022 (five Talladega races total), Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell has the best average starting position at Talladega with a 6.6, followed by Joey Logano (8.2) and Denny Hamlin (9.2).
POLES
A total of 48 different drivers have qualified on the pole at Talladega Superspeedway, 24 of the 48 have multiple poles at Talladega.
Bobby Isaac won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series 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 and 1970 sweep).
This weekend seven of the 48 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Talladega Superspeedway are entered in Sunday’s race.
Active Talladega Pole Winners
Poles
Seasons
Christopher Bell
2
2022 sweep
Chase Elliott
2
2019, ’16
Michael McDowell
1
2024
Denny Hamlin
1
2023
Austin Dillon
1
2019
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
1
2017
Martin Truex Jr
1
2016
NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with eight poles (1985 sweep, 1986 sweep, 1987 sweep, spring 1990 and fall 1993).
Christopher Bell (2022 sweep) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2019) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Talladega Superspeedway with two each.
A total of 12 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series; Christopher Bell (2022 sweep) is the only of the 12 that is currently active.
Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Cup poles at Talladega with six-straight from 1985 – 1987.
Six drivers have posted their first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega:
Brian Scott (May 4, 2014)
Juan Pablo Montoya (April 26, 2009)
Travis Kvapil (October 5, 2008)
David Gilliland (October 8, 2006)
Stacy Compton (April 22, 2001)
Jeremy Mayfield (September 28, 1996)
Youngest series Talladega pole winner: Chase Elliott (May 1, 2016 – 20 years, 5 months, 3 days).
Oldest series Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (October 23, 2011 – 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).
In total 31 different organizations have won the 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).
Of the 31 different organizations with a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Talladega, eight are active this weekend.
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 (31), Dodge (12), Toyota (six) Mercury (five), Oldsmobile (five), Pontiac (three), and Buick (two).
A total of 11 different drivers have won poles in the NASCAR Cup Series in multiple manufacturers at Talladega Superspeedway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker, who all three of his poles were in a different manufacturer (Dodge 1973, Ford 1975, and Oldsmobile 1980).
WINS
A total of 52 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway; 27 of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Talladega have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.
The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on September 14, 1969 was won by Richard Brickhouse in a Ray Nichels’ 1969 Dodge Daytona.
This weekend 10 of the 52 NASCAR Cup Series race winners at Talladega Superspeedway are entered in Sunday’s race.
Active Talladega Race Winners
Wins
Seasons
Brad Keselowski
6
2021, ’17, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’09
Ryan Blaney
3
2023, ’20, ’19
Joey Logano
3
2018, ’16, ’15
Kyle Busch
2
2023, ’08
Chase Elliott
2
2022, ’19
Denny Hamlin
2
2020, ’14
Tyler Reddick
1
2024
Ross Chastain
1
2022
Bubba Wallace
1
2021
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
1
2017
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 and 2000) in 44 starts – a winning percentage of 22.7%.
Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021) 31 starts – a winning percentage of 19.4%.
Nine different drivers have won consecutive Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – four straight victories (2001-2003)
Buddy Baker – three straight victories (1975, 1976 sweep)
Ryan Blaney – most recent to do it (2019-2020)
Pete Hamilton – first to do it (1970 sweep)
Darrell Waltrip – only driver to do it in the ‘80s (1982 sweep)
Dale Earnhardt – only driver to do it three times (1990 sweep and 1993-1994 and 1999 sweep)
Ernie Irvan – (1992-1993)
Sterling Marlin – (1995-1996)
Jeff Gordon – (2007 sweep)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the series in consecutive wins at Talladega with four straight from 2001-2003.
Youngest series Talladega winner is Bobby Hillin Jr. (July 27, 1986) at the age of 22 years, 1 month, 22 days.
Oldest series Talladega winner is Harry Gant (May 6, 1991) at the age of 51 years, 3 months, 26 days.
A total of 25 different starting positions have produced race winners in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway (1969-2024).
A total of 15 of the 110 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.64%) at Talladega Superspeedway have been won from the pole or first starting position – the most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Denny Hamlin on October 4, 2020.
A total of 13 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway from the pole or first starting position.
Drivers
Wins From Pole or First Starting Position
Seasons
Bill Elliott
2
1987, ’85
Cale Yarborough
2
1984, ’78
Denny Hamlin
1
2020
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
1
2017
Jeff Gordon
1
2007
Bobby Labonte
1
1998
Sterling Marlin
1
1995
Dale Earnhardt
1
1990
Bobby Allison
1
1981
Dave Marcis
1
1976
Buddy Baker
1
1975
David Pearson
1
1974
Donnie Allison
1
1971
The outside front row (second starting position) is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. The most recent driver to win from the second starting position was Jimmie Johnson in 2011.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Talladega Superspeedway
Starting Position
Wins
Winning %
Starting Position
Wins
Winning %
1
15
13.64%
14
1
0.91%
2
20
18.18%
15
2
1.82%
3
7
6.36%
16
4
3.64%
4
9
8.18%
17
2
1.82%
5
5
4.55%
18
3
2.73%
6
4
3.64%
19
3
2.73%
7
3
2.73%
20
1
0.91%
8
1
0.91%
22
2
1.82%
9
6
5.45%
24
1
0.91%
10
5
4.55%
27
1
0.91%
11
4
3.64%
34
3
2.73%
12
3
2.73%
36
1
0.91%
13
4
3.64%
Stats
Winning %
Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position:
13.64%
15
Winning from the Front Row:
31.82%
35
Winning from a top-five Starting Position:
50.91%
56
Winning from a top-10 Starting Position:
68.18%
75
Winning After Starting Outside the top 20:
7.27%
8
The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race.
The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race. Last season, the Talladega race winner, Ryan Blaney, started 10th.
A total of 12 drivers have won their first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway:
First-Time Race Winners
Date
Bubba Wallace
Monday, October 4, 2021
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Brian Vickers
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Ken Schrader
Sunday, July 31, 1988
Phil Parsons
Sunday, May 1, 1988
Davey Allison
Sunday, May 3, 1987
Bobby Hillin Jr
Sunday, July 27, 1986
Ron Bouchard
Sunday, August 2, 1981
Lennie Pond
Sunday, August 6, 1978
Dick Brooks
Sunday, August 12, 1973
Richard Brickhouse
Sunday, September 14, 1969
Martin Truex Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway without visiting Victory Lane at 39; followed by Michael McDowell with 27 and Austin Dillon (22).
A total of 31 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway; 10 of the 31 are active this weekend.
Active Organization with Wins At Talladega Superspeedway
Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins by an organization at Talladega Speedway with 14 victories among seven different drivers – Ken Schrader (1988), Jeff Gordon (1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007 sweep), Terry Labonte (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2011), Brian Vickers (2006), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2019, 2022).
Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway, led by Chevrolet with 44 wins; followed by Ford (32), Mercury (7), Buick (6), Oldsmobile (6), Toyota (6), Dodge (4), Plymouth (3), Pontiac (2).
Chevrolet 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 at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway with six second-place finishes each.
Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, William Byron and Kyle Busch lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with two runner-up finishes at Talladega Superspeedway each.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Runner-Ups
Rank
Active Drivers
Runner-Ups
1
Buddy Baker
6
1
Brad Keselowski
2
2
Tony Stewart
6
Kyle Busch
2
3
Dale Earnhardt Jr
5
Ryan Blaney
2
4
Dale Jarrett
5
William Byron
2
5
Darrell Waltrip
5
5
Alex Bowman
1
Austin Dillon
1
Erik Jones
1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
1
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 129 different drivers have finished in the top-five at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top fives with 23 top-five finishes.
Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top fives at Talladega with 10 each.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Top Five
Rank
Active Drivers
Top Five
1
Dale Earnhardt
23
1
Brad Keselowski
11
2
Jeff Gordon
16
2
Denny Hamlin
11
3
Buddy Baker
15
3
Joey Logano
9
4
Cale Yarborough
14
4
Kyle Busch
8
5
Darrell Waltrip
14
5
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
7
Terry Labonte
14
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 215 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top 10s with 27 top-10 finishes.
Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top 10s at Talladega with 16.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Top 10
Rank
Active Drivers
Top 10
1
Dale Earnhardt
27
1
Denny Hamlin
16
2
Mark Martin
24
2
Brad Keselowski
15
3
Terry Labonte
23
3
Joey Logano
11
4
Bill Elliott
22
4
Kyle Busch
10
5
Kurt Busch
22
5
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
10
Average Finish:
Pete Hamilton (five starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 5.6.
Anthony Alfredo (3 starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 9.333.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Avg Finish
Races
Rank
Active Drivers
Avg Finish
Races
1
Pete Hamilton
5.600
5
1
Anthony Alfredo
9.333
3
2
Anthony Alfredo
9.333
3
2
Todd Gilliland
12.800
5
3
Bruce Jacobi
10.000
2
3
Chase Elliott
13.706
17
4
Bobby Isaac
12.375
8
4
Chase Briscoe
14.429
7
5
Dale Earnhardt
12.409
44
5
Ryan Blaney
14.750
20
6
David Ray Boggs
12.500
2
6
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
15.136
22
7
Davey Allison
12.667
15
7
William Byron
15.308
13
8
Todd Gilliland
12.800
5
8
Brad Keselowski
15.419
31
9
Billy Hagan
13.500
2
9
Ryan Preece
16.444
9
10
Chase Elliott
13.706
17
10
Denny Hamlin
16.757
37
Chase Elliott (17 starts) leads all active Playoff drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 13.706.
Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, the top three in average finish at Talladega (five races) is Ryan Blaney (7.2), Chase Elliott (8.4), William Byron (8.2), Todd Gilliland (12.8) and Alex Bowman (13.2, four races).
LAP LEADERS
A total of 216 different drivers in series history have led at least one lap at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in laps led at Talladega with 1,377 in 44 starts.
Joey Logano leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led at Talladega with 490 in 31 starts.
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Talladega Superspeedway (All-Time & Active)
Rank
All-Time Drivers
Led
Completed
% Led
Rank
Active Drivers
Led
Completed
% Led
1
Dale Earnhardt
1,377
7,199
19%
1
Joey Logano
490
5,471
9%
2
Buddy Baker
1,137
6,161
18%
2
Denny Hamlin
438
6,563
7%
3
Dale Earnhardt Jr
967
6,134
16%
3
Brad Keselowski
322
5,655
6%
4
Jeff Gordon
902
7,963
11%
4
Ryan Blaney
284
3,579
8%
5
Bobby Allison
703
5,267
13%
5
Kyle Busch
275
6,723
4%
6
Darrell Waltrip
666
8,071
8%
6
Chase Elliott
214
3,077
7%
7
Cale Yarborough
593
4,731
13%
7
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
118
3,807
3%
8
Bill Elliott
526
9,594
5%
8
Martin Truex Jr
111
6,779
2%
9
Matt Kenseth
524
6,836
8%
9
William Byron
108
2,353
5%
10
Joey Logano
490
5,471
9%
10
Bubba Wallace
91
2,180
4%
The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by the race winner was 153 of the scheduled 188 laps (81.4%) by Pete Hamilton on August 23, 1970 – he started the race in the fourth position.
The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that did not win the race was 142 of the scheduled 192 laps (73.9%) by Matt Kenseth on May 5, 2013 – he started the race in the sixth position and finished eighth.
Three times the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway has led only one lap – the final lap:
Jeff Gordon in 2007, started 34th and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson to the line by 0.66-second.
Brad Keselowski in 2009, started ninth and led just the final lap to win the race beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the line by 0.175-second.
Aric Almirola in 2018, started fourth and led just the final lap to win the race beating his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Clint Bowyer by 0.105-second.
Brad Keselowski earlier this season, started 10th and led just the final lap to win the race beating William Byron to the line by 0.102-second.
TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS
Three of the 110 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions:
Date
Scheduled
Actual
Fewer
Race Winners
Sunday, July 28, 1996
188
129
-59
Jeff Gordon
Thursday, April 30, 1987
188
178
-10
Davey Allison
Monday, October 4, 2021
188
117
-71
Bubba Wallace
Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway eight times: 2002 (Fall), 2009 (Fall), 2010 (Spring), 2013 (Spring & Fall), 2020 (Playoffs – Metric Qualifying), 2021 (April – Metric Qualifying) and 2021 (Playoffs – Metric Qualifying).
There have been 18 NASCAR Cup Series races resulting in NASCAR Overtime at Talladega (the most of any track):
Date
Scheduled
Actual
Overtime
Race Winners
Sunday, April 23, 2023
188
196
8
Kyle Busch
Sunday, April 25, 2021
188
191
3
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, October 4, 2020
188
200
12
Denny Hamlin
Monday, June 22, 2020
188
191
3
Ryan Blaney
Sunday, October 14, 2018
188
193
5
Aric Almirola
Sunday, May 7, 2017
188
191
3
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
188
192
4
Joey Logano
Sunday, October 25, 2015
188
196
8
Joey Logano
Sunday, October 19, 2014
188
194
6
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, May 5, 2013
188
192
4
David Ragan
Sunday, October 7, 2012
188
189
1
Matt Kenseth
Sunday, May 6, 2012
188
194
6
Brad Keselowski
Sunday, April 25, 2010
188
200
12
Kevin Harvick
Sunday, November 1, 2009
188
191
3
Jamie McMurray
Sunday, October 5, 2008
188
190
2
Tony Stewart
Sunday, April 29, 2007
188
192
4
Jeff Gordon
Sunday, October 2, 2005
188
190
2
Dale Jarrett
Sunday, May 1, 2005
188
194
6
Jeff Gordon
Three times the NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was not run on its originally 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 postponed to June 22, 2020 due to the stoppage in sports as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – Ryan Blaney won the event.
The October 3, 2021 race was postponed to Oct. 4, 2021 (Monday) due to weather.
Since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, 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 MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the second closest finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series using electronic scoring – Kansas-1 (2024) holds the series MOV record at 0.001-second.
Top Five NASCAR Cup Series Margins of Victory at Talladega Superspeedway
Rank
Race Winner
Runner-Up
Margin of Victory
Date
1
Jimmie Johnson
Clint Bowyer
0.002
Sunday, April 17, 2011
2
Dale Earnhardt
Ernie Irvan
0.005
Sunday, July 25, 1993
3
Ryan Blaney
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
0.007
Monday, June 22, 2020
4
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Newman
0.007
Sunday, October 13, 2019
5
Kevin Harvick
Jamie McMurray
0.011
Sunday, April 25, 2010
FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS
Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moise and Danica Patrick.
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
Danica Patrick
13
21
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Danica Patrick
31
38
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Danica Patrick
30
20
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Danica Patrick
37
24
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Danica Patrick
20
27
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Danica Patrick
25
21
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Danica Patrick
27
19
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Danica Patrick
7
22
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Danica Patrick
23
33
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Danica Patrick
23
33
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
Patty Moise
36
33
Sunday, July 30, 1989
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
Janet Guthrie
12
29
Sunday, August 6, 1978
Janet Guthrie
9
34
Sunday, August 7, 1977
Janet Guthrie
13
32
Sunday, May 1, 1977
NASCAR IN ALABAMA
There have been 183 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks:
NASCAR Tracks in Alabama
City
Cup
Xfinity
Truck
Combined
First Year
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega
110
36
18
164
1969
Birmingham International Raceway
Birmingham
8
0
0
8
1958
Chisholm Speedway
Montgomery
1
0
0
1
1956
Dixie Speedway
Birmingham
1
0
0
1
1960
Huntsville Speedway
Huntsville
1
0
0
1
1962
Lakeview Speedway
Mobile
2
0
0
2
1951
Montgomery Motor Speedway
Montgomery
6
0
0
6
1955
Totals
129
36
18
183
The 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 Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).
The first race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 – the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).
ALABAMA DRIVERS 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; seven have won in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison (Hueytown) is the winningest driver from Alabama posting the fourth most NASCAR Cup Series wins all-time at 84.
