By Reggie Gatlin-Holt

 

Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Championship Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 5, 2024) – Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 contenders at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona leading into the Championship Race on November 10 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings Outlook
Following Martinsville Speedway – November 3, 2024
Round of 8 – Race No. 9 of 10
Rank	Driver	Vehicle	Points	Race Wins	Stage Wins	+/- Cutoff
1	Ryan Blaney	12	5,000	3	4	Advanced To The Championship 4 Round
2	Joey Logano	22	5,000	3	2
3	Tyler Reddick	45	5,000	3	6
4	William Byron	24	5,000	3	2
5	Christopher Bell	20	2,363	3	11	Eliminated From The Playoffs
6	Kyle Larson	5	2,339	6	12
7	Chase Elliott	9	2,304	1	2
8	Alex Bowman	48	2,295	1	1
9	Denny Hamlin	11	2,293	3	7
10	Martin Truex Jr.	19	2,226	0	4
11	Austin Cindric	2	2,222	1	4
12	Daniel Suarez	99	2,199	1	1
13	Brad Keselowski	6	2,186	1	1
14	Chase Briscoe	14	2,176	1	0
15	Ty Gibbs	54	2,168	0	2
16	Harrison Burton	21	2,101	1	0

PHOENIX-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

*Playoff drivers are seeded by best finishes from the Playoffs Round of 8; Loop Data from 2005-2024.

1 – Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.3, seventh-best

2024 Rundown

• Three wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s, one pole
• Led 555 laps
• Average Finish of 15.6

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

• Eight top fives, 12 top 10s, three poles
• Average Finish of 10.941, third-best
• Average Running Position of 9.477, second-best
• Driver Rating of 99.2, fourth-best
• 4,468 Laps in the Top 15 (83.9%), series-most

2 – Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 84.2, ninth-best

2024 Rundown

• Three wins, six top fives, 12 top 10s, three poles
• Led 307 laps
• Average Finish of 17.6

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

• Three wins, eight top fives, 16 top 10s, two poles
• Average Finish of 13.484, eighth-best
• Average Running Position of 11.817, eighth-best
• Driver Rating of 93.4, eighth-best
• 6,770 Laps in the Top 15 (69.9%), eighth-most

3 – Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.0, sixth-best

2024 Rundown

• Three wins, 12 top fives, 20 top 10s, three poles
• Led 597 laps
• Average Finish of 13.4

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

• Two top fives, three top 10s
• Average Finish of 17.889, 17th-best
• Average Running Position of 13.126, 10th-best
• Driver Rating of 82.3, 13th-best
• 1,754 Laps in the Top 15 (62.3%), 11th-most

4 – William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.8, fifth-best

2024 Rundown

• Three wins, 12 top fives, 20 top 10s, one pole
• Led 338 laps
• Average Finish of 13.2

Phoenix Raceway Outlook:

• One win, two top fives, seven top 10s, one pole
• Average Finish of 11.769, sixth-best
• Average Running Position of 10.015, fourth-best
• Driver Rating of 93.6, seventh-best
• 3,222 Laps in the Top 15 (79.3%), third-most

NASCAR Cup Series 2024 Championship 4 Round Drivers at Phoenix Raceway

Rank	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish	Driver Rating
1	Ryan Blaney	17	3	0	8	12	2	10.9	99.2
2	Joey Logano	31	2	3	8	16	5	13.5	93.4
3	Tyler Reddick	9	0	0	2	3	1	17.9	82.3
4	William Byron	13	1	1	2	7	0	11.8	93.6

* – Based on last 38 races at Phoenix Raceway (2005 – 2024).

Active NASCAR Cup Series Drivers with Championships (1949 – 2023)
Rank	No. of Titles	Active Champions (7)	Years
1	2	Joey Logano	2022, 2018
	2	Kyle Busch	2019, 2015
3	1	Ryan Blaney	2023
	1	Kyle Larson	2021
	1	Chase Elliott	2020
	1	Martin Truex Jr.	2017
	1	Brad Keselowski	2012

 

 

 

 

NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway

• The 2024 season marks the fifth year the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will be held at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona (2020-2024), and the 21st consecutive season Phoenix has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
• Since the inception of the Playoffs in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2004, Phoenix Raceway has occupied three different positions on the postseason schedule:

o   In 2004, Phoenix Raceway hosted the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

o   From 2005 – 2019 (15 seasons), Phoenix Raceway hosted the penultimate race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race No. 9 of 10. The event became the elimination race of the Round of 8 from 2014-2019.

o   From 2020-2024 (five seasons), Phoenix Raceway has hosted the season finale race in the NASCAR Cup Series.

• A total of 12 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Phoenix Raceway.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff race wins at Phoenix Raceway with four victories (2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers this weekend with three wins (2007-2009).
• Since hosting the series’ Championship Race (2020-2023), the winner of the race has also won the NASCAR Cup Series title in three of the last four seasons – Chase Elliott won at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 8, 2020, Kyle Larson won at Phoenix on Nov. 7, 2021, and Joey Logano won at Phoenix on Nov. 6, 2022. Last season, Ryan Blaney finished runner-up at Phoenix to win his first title.
• Among the Championship 4 drivers this season – Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick and William Byron – Logano is the only driver to win a Playoff race at Phoenix and has done so twice – in 2016 and 2022.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race Winners at Phoenix Raceway
Track	Date	Race No.	Race Winner	Crew Chief	Organization
Phoenix	11/7/2004	34	Dale Earnhardt Jr	Tony Eury Sr.	Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Phoenix	11/13/2005	35	Kyle Busch	Alan Gustafson	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/12/2006	35	Kevin Harvick	Todd Berrier	Richard Childress Racing
Phoenix	11/11/2007	35	Jimmie Johnson	Chad Knaus	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/9/2008	35	Jimmie Johnson	Chad Knaus	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/15/2009	35	Jimmie Johnson	Chad Knaus	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/14/2010	35	Carl Edwards	Bob Osborne	RFK Racing
Phoenix	11/13/2011	35	Kasey Kahne	Kenny Francis	Red Bull Racing
Phoenix	11/11/2012	35	Kevin Harvick	Gil Martin	Richard Childress Racing
Phoenix	11/10/2013	35	Kevin Harvick	Gil Martin	Richard Childress Racing
Phoenix	11/9/2014	35	Kevin Harvick	Rodney Childers	Stewart-Haas Racing
Phoenix	11/15/2015	35	Dale Earnhardt Jr	Greg Ives	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/13/2016	35	Joey Logano	Todd Gordon	Team Penske
Phoenix	11/12/2017	35	Matt Kenseth	Jason Ratcliff	Joe Gibbs Racing
Phoenix	11/11/2018	35	Kyle Busch	Adam Stevens	Joe Gibbs Racing
Phoenix	11/10/2019	35	Denny Hamlin	Christopher Gabehart	Joe Gibbs Racing
Phoenix	11/8/2020	36	Chase Elliott	Alan Gustafson	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/7/2021	36	Kyle Larson	Cliff Daniels	Hendrick Motorsports
Phoenix	11/6/2022	36	Joey Logano	Paul Wolfe	Team Penske
Phoenix	11/5/2023	36	Ross Chastain	Philip Surgen	Trackhouse Racing

 

NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway

• A total of 16 different crew chiefs have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Chad Knaus with three wins (at Phoenix from 2007-2009 all with driver Jimmie Johnson).
• A total of nine different organizations have won a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, led by Hendrick Motorsports with seven wins (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2020, 2021).
• Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway: Kyle Busch (2005), Kasey Kahne (2011), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Matt Kenseth (2017) and Ross Chastain (2023).

1. In 2005, Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 19th in the point standings at the time of the win.
2. In 2011, Kasey Kahne won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 14th in the point standings at the time of the win.
3. In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in the point standings at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
4. In 2017, Matt Kenseth won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in points at the time of the win. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.
5. In 2023, Ross Chastain won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the Championship race on the postseason schedule, and he was ninth in points at the time of the win. Chastain had made the Playoffs in 2023 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.

• The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway by a driver that went on to win the title the same season was 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016 – then the penultimate event of the season.
• Prior to the 2020 season, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff’s season finale from 2004-2019 (16 seasons). Phoenix Raceway is just the second track to host the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in the Playoffs.
• A total of 14 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race during the Playoff Era: 2004-2023.
• Greg Biffle leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Championship Race wins from 2004-2023 with three victories (2004, 2005, 2006 – all at Homestead-Miami Speedway).
• Joey Logano is the only current Championship 4 driver with a win in a NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, and he has done it twice (Homestead 2018, Phoenix 2022).
• A total of 14 different crew chiefs have won a NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, led by Doug Richert with three wins (at Homestead from 2004-2006 all with driver Greg Biffle).
• A total of seven different organizations have won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (2004-2023), led by RFK Racing with six victories (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 all at Homestead-Miami).
• Hendrick Motorsports leads all organizations in NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race wins at Phoenix Raceway with two (2020, 2021).

NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Winners (2004-2023)
Date	Track	Race Winner	Crew Chief	Organization
11/21/2004	Homestead	Greg Biffle	Doug Richert	RFK Racing
11/20/2005	Homestead	Greg Biffle	Doug Richert	RFK Racing
11/19/2006	Homestead	Greg Biffle	Doug Richert	RFK Racing
11/18/2007	Homestead	Matt Kenseth	Robbie Reiser	RFK Racing
11/16/2008	Homestead	Carl Edwards	Bob Osborne	RFK Racing
11/22/2009	Homestead	Denny Hamlin	Mike Ford	Joe Gibbs Racing
11/21/2010	Homestead	Carl Edwards	Bob Osborne	RFK Racing
11/20/2011	Homestead	Tony Stewart	Darian Grubb	Stewart-Haas Racing
11/18/2012	Homestead	Jeff Gordon	Alan Gustafson	Hendrick Motorsports
11/17/2013	Homestead	Denny Hamlin	Darian Grubb	Joe Gibbs Racing
11/16/2014	Homestead	Kevin Harvick	Rodney Childers	Stewart-Haas Racing
11/22/2015	Homestead	Kyle Busch	Adam Stevens	Joe Gibbs Racing
11/20/2016	Homestead	Jimmie Johnson	Chad Knaus	Hendrick Motorsports
11/19/2017	Homestead	Martin Truex Jr	Cole Pearn	Furniture Row Racing
11/18/2018	Homestead	Joey Logano	Todd Gordon	Team Penske
11/17/2019	Homestead	Kyle Busch	Adam Stevens	Joe Gibbs Racing
11/8/2020	Phoenix	Chase Elliott	Alan Gustafson	Hendrick Motorsports
11/7/2021	Phoenix	Kyle Larson	Cliff Daniels	Hendrick Motorsports
11/6/2022	Phoenix	Joey Logano	Paul Wolfe	Team Penske
11/5/2023	Phoenix	Ross Chastain	Philip Surgen	Trackhouse Racing

• Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, the winner of the Championship Race has won the season title 10 times: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.

1. In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the 15th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and as a result secured his third-career NASCAR Cup Series championship in the closest points battle in series history – tied with Carl Edwards – Stewart won the title by virtue of the tiebreaker: most wins.
2. In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as a result he won his first series title.
3. In 2015, Kyle Busch won from the third starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the second year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, as a result he won his first series championship.
4. In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the 14th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the third year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he tied NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the series-most championships with seven each.
5. In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won from the second starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fourth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
6. In 2018, Joey Logano won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fifth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
7. In 2019, Kyle Busch won from the fourth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the sixth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he became just the second active driver at the time with multiple titles (20115, 2019) joining seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway

8. In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the first starting position at Phoenix Raceway in the seventh year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship. Worth noting, Elliott was served a pre-race penalty and as a result of serving the penalty he actually started the race from back of the field and still won.
9. In 2021, Kyle Larson won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway in the eighth year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.
10. In 2022, Joey Logano won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway in the ninth year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. With the win, Logano earned his second NASCAR Cup Series championship (2018, 2022), becoming just the second active driver with multiple titles.

• The worst finish in a Playoff race by the eventual series champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway was 15th, and it occurred three times: Tony Stewart in 2005, Jimmie Johnson in 2008 and Brad Keselowski in 2012.
• Three non-Playoff drivers have won the season finale Playoff race: Greg Biffle (Homestead: 2004 and 2006), Denny Hamlin (Homestead: 2013) and Ross Chastain (Phoenix 2023)

NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Comparisons:

Comparing Season Stats Heading into the Season Finale (in descending order chronologically)

 

2024	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Ryan Blaney	35	3	11	17	1	555	8,598	6.45%	13.1	15.6	89.3
Joey Logano	35	3	6	12	3	307	9,123	3.37%	12.3	17.6	84.2
Tyler Reddick	35	3	12	20	3	597	9,170	6.51%	10.2	13.4	90.0
William Byron	35	3	12	20	1	338	9,225	3.66%	9.6	13.2	91.8
Totals & Averages		12	41	69	8	1797	36,116	5.0%	11.3	15.0	88.8
Winning Percentage	34.29%
2023	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Ryan Blaney	35	3	7	17	0	560	8,748	6.40%	12.6	14.4	88.3
Christopher Bell	35	2	10	19	6	599	8,760	6.84%	9.5	12.3	92.0
Kyle Larson	35	4	14	17	2	1,127	8,628	13.06%	10.5	15	96.4
William Byron	35	6	14	20	3	921	8,752	10.52%	11.2	11.2	98.1
Totals & Averages		15	45	73	11	3,207	34,888	9.20%	11.0	13.2	93.7
Winning Percentage	42.86%
2022	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Joey Logano	35	3	10	16	3	597	8,981	6.60%	10.7	13.8	89.5
Christopher Bell	35	3	12	19	4	573	8,504	6.70%	9.9	13.9	91.2
Ross Chastain	35	2	14	20	0	692	8,740	7.90%	14.1	13.5	93.4
Chase Elliott	35	5	12	20	3	857	8,514	10.10%	10.8	12	99.1
Totals & Averages		13	48	75	10	2,719	34,739	7.80%	11.4	13.3	93.3
Winning Percentage	37.10%
2021	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Kyle Larson	35	9	19	25	1	2,474	8,688	28.50%	6.2	9.3	111.9
Chase Elliott	35	2	14	20	0	858	8,738	9.80%	8.2	11.8	101.5
Martin Truex Jr.	35	4	12	19	0	793	8,822	9.00%	8.3	12.3	96.7
Denny Hamlin	35	2	18	24	0	1,502	8,884	16.90%	6.4	8.6	109.2
Totals & Averages		17	63	88	1	5,627	35,132	16.10%	7.3	10.5	104.8
Winning Percentage	48.60%
2020	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Joey Logano	35	3	11	20	0	814	9,473	8.60%	6.5	12.1	101.0
Chase Elliott	35	4	14	21	1	1,094	9,229	11.90%	9.2	12	102.3
Brad Keselowski	35	4	12	23	0	936	9,427	9.90%	7.7	10.3	99.4
Denny Hamlin	35	7	17	20	0	1,083	9,579	11.30%	9	9.5	100.3
Totals & Averages		18	54	84	1	3,927	37,708	10.40%	8.1	11	100.8
Winning Percentage	51.40%
2019	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Denny Hamlin	35	6	19	23	3	920	9,857	9.30%	11.3	9.5	97.7
Kyle Busch	35	4	16	26	1	1,462	9,900	14.80%	12.5	9.2	107.5
Martin Truex Jr.	35	7	14	23	0	1,268	9,885	12.80%	13.4	10	102.7
Kevin Harvick	35	4	14	25	6	912	9,537	9.60%	8.7	10.2	104.9
Totals & Averages		21	63	97	10	4,562	39,179	11.60%	11.5	9.7	103.2
Winning Percentage	60.00%

 

 

NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Comparisons Cont.:

Comparing Season Stats Heading into the Season Finale (in descending order chronologically)

 

2018	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Joey Logano	35	2	12	25	1	854	9,559	8.90%	9.9	10.9	96.1
Kyle Busch	35	8	21	27	4	1,448	9,734	14.90%	7.6	8.4	109.3
Martin Truex Jr.	35	4	19	20	4	996	9,493	10.50%	10.1	11	101.2
Kevin Harvick	35	8	22	28	4	1,932	9,424	20.50%	8.7	9	115.2
Totals & Averages		22	74	100	13	5,230	38,210	13.70%	9.1	9.8	105.5
Winning Percentage	62.90%
2017	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Martin Truex Jr.	35	7	18	25	3	2,175	10,101	21.50%	6.9	9.7	115.7
Kyle Busch	35	5	13	21	8	1,980	10,017	19.80%	7.3	11.8	108.2
Brad Keselowski	35	3	15	20	2	777	9,226	8.40%	8.9	12.6	95.9
Kevin Harvick	35	2	13	22	4	850	9,888	8.60%	8.8	11.3	102.7
Totals & Averages		17	59	88	17	5,782	39,232	14.70%	8.0	11.3	105.6
Winning Percentage	48.60%
2016	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Jimmie Johnson	35	4	10	15	1	734	9,963	7.40%	12	14.3	95.7
Kyle Busch	35	4	17	24	2	1,378	9,657	14.30%	9.6	11.6	104.7
Carl Edwards	35	3	9	18	6	871	10,046	8.70%	7.1	13.3	97.6
Joey Logano	35	3	15	25	3	697	9,892	7.00%	7.9	10.7	100.8
Totals & Averages		14	51	82	12	3,680	39,558	9.30%	9.1	12.5	99.7
Winning Percentage	40.00%
2015	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Kyle Busch	35	4	11	15	1	695	6,485	10.70%	8.4	11.2	107.1
Kevin Harvick	35	3	22	27	1	2,248	9,913	22.70%	8.2	8.9	118.9
Martin Truex Jr.	35	1	8	22	0	564	10,005	5.60%	12.5	12.2	100.0
Jeff Gordon	35	1	5	20	4	256	10,025	2.60%	12	13.9	92.5
Totals & Averages		9	46	84	6	3,763	36,428	10.30%	10.3	11.5	104.6
Winning Percentage	25.70%
2014	Starts	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	Poles	Laps Led	Laps Completed	% Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish	Driver Rating
Joey Logano	35	5	16	22	1	993	10,127	9.80%	9.8	11.2	106.7
Kevin Harvick	35	4	13	19	8	2,083	9,765	21.30%	9.2	13.3	109.9
Denny Hamlin	35	1	7	17	3	313	9,443	3.30%	14.7	14.5	90.7
Ryan Newman	35	0	4	15	0	41	10,212	0.40%	13.1	13	86.1
Totals & Averages		10	40	73	12	3,430	39,547	8.70%	11.7	13.0	98.4
Winning Percentage	28.60%

 

 

 

 

Phoenix Raceway Stats & Tidbits:

Race Name: NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race

Season Race #: 36 of 36 (November 10, 2024)

Playoff Race #: 10 of 10

Track Size/Type: 1 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Purse: $11,700,064

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: NBC, 2 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees

Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees

Race Length: 312 laps / 500 Kilometers / 312 Miles

Stage 1 Length: 60 laps

Stage 2 Length: 125 laps

Final Stage Length: 127 laps

QUALIFYING / RACE RECORDS

 

Track Qualifying Record:

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 143.158 mph, 25.147 secs., November 13, 2015

Track Race Record:

Tony Stewart, Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac, 118.132 mph, (02:38:28), November 7, 1999

2023 Championship Race Pole Winner:

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 132.597 mph, 27.150 secs., November 4, 2023

 

2023 Championship Race Winner:

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, 108.827 mph, (02:52:01), November 5, 2023

 

HISTORY

• Construction was completed, on what was then known as Phoenix International Raceway, in January of 1964.
• The facility consisted of a one-mile oval and a 2.5-mile road course.
• In 1985, Buddy Jobe purchased Phoenix Raceway from then owner Dennis Wood. Jobe soon initiated a massive improvement program to upgrade the track and its facilities.

HISTORY

• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was held on November 6, 1988 and was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki. Kulwicki celebrated by performing the first-ever ‘Polish Victory Lap’
• International Speedway Corporation (now NASCAR) purchased Phoenix Raceway in 1997.
• The first spring race at Phoenix Raceway was held on April 23, 2005 and was also the first night race, which was won by Kurt Busch.
• The track underwent its first repave in 2011. The construction began in March and concluded in September of that year.
• The following changes were made during the construction period (March – Sept. 2011):

o   Widened the frontstretch from 52 to 62 feet and reconfigured pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls

o   Pushed the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet and tightened the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet

o   Implemented banking, including 11-degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11-degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 9-degree banking in Turns 3 and 4.

• Phoenix Raceway underwent a second reconstruction following the Spring race of 2018, with many new fan amenities added to the track, as well as the track itself being reconfigured so that the start/finish line is now just before the dog leg.
• In total, there have been 56 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.
• Phoenix Raceway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since 2004.
• The 2020 season marked the first year Phoenix Raceway hosted the Championship Race (2020-2024).

 

STARTS

• In total 245 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, and 189 have competed in more than one Cup Series race at Phoenix.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 42 starts.
• Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 38 starts each.
• Top five all-time in starts at Phoenix: Kevin Harvick (42), Kurt Busch (39), Ryan Newman (39), Denny Hamlin (38), Kyle Busch (38).
• In total 25 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Phoenix Raceway; none are currently active in the series; the most recent was Bayley Currey on March 10, 2019.
• Of the 25 drivers that made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway, Clint Bowyer had the best finish in his series debut at Phoenix, with a 22nd-place finish on April 23, 2005.

STARTS

Drivers That Made Their Cup Series Debut at Phoenix Raceway
	First-Time Drivers	Date		First-Time Drivers	Date
1	Bayley Currey	Sunday, March 10, 2019	14	Jack Sprague	Sunday, October 27, 1996
2	Quin Houff	Sunday, March 10, 2019	15	Lance Hooper	Sunday, October 27, 1996
3	Tanner Berryhill	Sunday, November 11, 2018	16	Ernie Cope	Sunday, October 29, 1995
4	D.J. Kennington	Sunday, November 13, 2016	17	Rich Woodland Jr	Sunday, October 31, 1993
5	Ryan Ellis	Sunday, November 15, 2015	18	Wayne Jacks	Sunday, October 31, 1993
6	Matt DiBenedetto	Sunday, March 15, 2015	19	Jeff Davis	Sunday, November 1, 1992
7	Cole Whitt	Sunday, November 13, 2011	20	Mike Wallace	Sunday, November 3, 1991
8	Sam Hornish Jr	Sunday, November 11, 2007	21	Brent Kaeding	Sunday, November 4, 1990
9	Brandon Whitt	Sunday, November 12, 2006	22	Mark Reed	Sunday, November 4, 1990
10	Jerry Robertson	Sunday, November 13, 2005	23	Bill Sedgwick	Sunday, November 5, 1989
11	Clint Bowyer	Saturday, April 23, 2005	24	Bobby Hamilton	Sunday, November 5, 1989
12	Christian Fittipaldi	Sunday, November 10, 2002	25	Gary Collins	Sunday, November 6, 1988
13	Ryan Newman	Sunday, November 5, 2000

• Chase Elliott leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Phoenix Raceway with a 6.313 in 16 starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-Time Drivers	Avg Start	Race	Rank	Active Drivers	Avg Start	Races
1	Chase Elliott	6.313	16	1	Chase Elliott	6.313	16
2	Ryan Blaney	6.706	17	2	Ryan Blaney	6.706	17
3	Kyle Larson	6.800	20	3	Kyle Larson	6.800	20
4	Rusty Wallace	8.053	19	4	Ty Gibbs	9.000	3
5	Alan Kulwicki	8.600	5	5	Denny Hamlin	9.263	38
6	Ty Gibbs	9.000	3	6	William Byron	10.000	13
7	Denny Hamlin	9.263	38	7	Christopher Bell	10.667	9
8	William Byron	10.000	13	8	Joey Logano	10.903	31
9	Christopher Bell	10.667	9	9	Kyle Busch	11.395	38
10	Jeff Gordon	10.794	34	10	Martin Truex Jr	11.865	37

 

 

POLES

• There have been 27 different NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Phoenix Raceway, and 16 of 27 pole winners have won multiple poles at the one-mile track.
• Geoffrey Bodine won the first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 secs.) in a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
• Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008) and Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with four each.
• Youngest series Phoenix pole winner: Kyle Busch (April 22, 2006 – 20 years, 11 months, 20 days).
• Oldest series Phoenix pole winner: Mark Martin (March 3, 2013 – 54 years, 1 month, 22 days).

POLES

• This weekend, 11 of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active, and three of the 11 are Championship 4 Round drivers – Ryan Blaney (three poles), Joey Logano (two poles) and William Byron (one pole).

Active Phoenix Pole Winners	Poles	Seasons
Kyle Busch	4	2006, 2012, 2016, 2019
Denny Hamlin	3	2024, 2005, 2014
Ryan Blaney	3	2017, 2019, 2022
Jimmie Johnson	3	2015, 2013, 2008
Kyle Larson	2	2021, 2023
Joey Logano	2	2017, 2022
Martin Truex Jr	2	2009, 2018
William Byron	1	2023
Chase Elliott	1	2020
Alex Bowman	1	2016
Brad Keselowski	1	2014

• Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles at Phoenix Raceway.

o   Newman won three-straight (2002-04)

o   Gordon won in the Fall of 2006 and the Spring of 2007

o   Edwards won in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011.

• Four drivers have won their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway: Casey Atwood (October 2001), Denny Hamlin (November 2005), AJ Allmendinger (April 2010) and Alex Bowman (November 2016).
• A total of 17 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.

Rank	Organizations	Poles	Seasons
1	Hendrick Motorsports	15	2023 sweep, ’21, ’20, ’16, ’15, ’13, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06 sweep, ’05, ’89, ’88
2	Team Penske	11	2022 sweep, ’19, ’17, ’14, ’08, ’04, ’03, ’02, ’00, ’92
3	Joe Gibbs Racing	7	2024, ‘19, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’05, ’96
4	RFK Racing	4	2011 sweep, ’10, ’07
5	Stewart-Haas Racing	2	2018, ’15
6	Michael Waltrip Racing	2	2013, ’12
7	Petty Enterprises	2	1999, ’97
8	Junior Johnson & Associates	2	1993, ’91
9	Furniture Row Racing	1	2018
10	Wood Brothers Racing	1	2017
11	Richard Petty Motorsports	1	2010
12	Earnhardt Ganassi Racing	1	2009
13	Evernham Motorsports	1	2001
14	Andy Petree Racing	1	1998
15	Elliott Racing	1	1995
16	Morgan-McClure Motorsports	1	1994
17	Blue Max Racing	1	1990

 

 

POLES

• Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with 15 poles among 10 drivers: Geoff Bodine (1988), Ken Schrader (1989), Jeff Gordon (2005, 2006, 2007), Kyle Busch (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013, 2015), Mark Martin (2009), Alex Bowman (2016), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021, 2023) and William Byron (2023).
• Five different manufacturers have won at least one pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, led by Chevrolet with 21 poles; followed by Ford (17), Toyota (eight), Dodge (four) and Pontiac (four).

• Chevrolet has won the most consecutive NASCAR Cup Series poles at Phoenix Raceway with five straight from 2005-2007.

 

 

WINS

• A total of 31 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Phoenix Raceway, and 13 of the 31 have won multiple times at the one-mile track.
• This weekend, 10 of the 31 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active.

Active Phoenix Race Winners	Wins	Seasons
Jimmie Johnson	4	2009, 2008 sweep, 2007
Joey Logano	3	2022, 2020, 2016
Kyle Busch	3	2019, 2018, 2005
Denny Hamlin	2	2019, 2012
Christopher Bell	1	2024
Ross Chastain	1	2023
William Byron	1	2023
Chase Briscoe	1	2022
Kyle Larson	1	2021
Martin Truex Jr	1	2021
Chase Elliott	1	2020

• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race).
• Jimmie Johnson leads all active Cup drivers this weekend in wins at Phoenix Raceway with four (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009).
• Of the 10 active winners this weekend, two are current Championship 4 contenders – Joey Logano (2016, 2020, 2022) and William Byron (2023).
• A total of 13 drivers have multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway: Kevin Harvick leads the series in wins with nine followed by Jimmie Johnson (four), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (three), Kyle Busch (three), Joe Logano (three), Davey Allison (two), Jeff Burton (two), Jeff Gordon (two) Carl Edwards (two), Mark Martin (two), Matt Kenseth (two), Ryan Newman (two), and Denny Hamlin (two).
• Of the 13 drivers with multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway, Mark Martin (Ford; 1993 and Chevrolet; 2009) and Kyle Busch (Chevrolet; 2005 and Toyota; 2018, 2019) are the only two drivers to win in two different manufacturers.

WINS

• Six drivers have won consecutive races at Phoenix Raceway: Davey Allison (1991,1992); Jeff Burton (2000, 2001); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2004); Kevin Harvick (swept 2006, then 2013 Playoff race, swept 2014 and 2015 spring race); Jimmie Johnson (fall race of 2007, swept 2008); Kyle Busch (Playoff race 2018, Spring race 2019).
• Three drivers have scored their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway – Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988), Bobby Hamilton (10/27/1996) and Chase Briscoe (3/13/2022).
• In total 23 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
• Since hosting the Championship Race in 2020 (last four Playoffs races) – only two starting positions have resulted in wins at Phoenix Raceway – the pole or first starting position (three wins) and the eighth starting position (one win).
• Eight of the 56 NASCAR Cup Series races (14.2%) at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the pole or first starting position: Jeff Gordon (Spring race of 2007), Jimmie Johnson (Playoff race of 2008), Mark Martin (Spring race of 2009), Carl Edwards (Playoff race of 2010), Kevin Harvick (Spring race of 2015), Chase Elliott (Playoff race of 2020), Kyle Larson (Playoff race of 2021) and Joey Logano (Playoff race of 2022).
• The first and third starting positions are tied for the most proficient starting position in the field producing more winners (eight each) than any other starting positions – the most recent was William Byron’s win in 2023 from the third starting position.
• Ricky Rudd won the 1995 Phoenix Raceway race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest in the field a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the one-mile raceway.
• Kyle Busch won the 2005 Phoenix Raceway race from the 15th starting position, the furthest back an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the one-mile track.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Phoenix Raceway

Starting Position	Wins	Winning %	Starting Position	Wins	Winning %
1	8	14.29%	13	6	10.71%
2	3	5.36%	14	2	3.57%
3	8	14.29%	15	3	5.36%
4	2	3.57%	17	1	1.79%
5	1	1.79%	18	1	1.79%
6	4	7.14%	19	2	3.57%
7	2	3.57%	20	1	1.79%
8	1	1.79%	21	1	1.79%
9	2	3.57%	22	1	1.79%
10	2	3.57%	28	1	1.79%
11	2	3.57%	29	1	1.79%
12	1	1.79%
Stats			Winning %	Wins
Winning from the Pole:			14.29%	8
Winning from the Front Row:			19.64%	11
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:			39.29%	22
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:			58.93%	33
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:			7.14%	4

WINS

• A total of 11 of the 56 (19.64%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the front row: eight from the first starting position and three from second starting position.
• Youngest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Kyle Busch (November 13, 2005 – 20 years, 6 months, 11 days).
• Oldest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Mark Martin (April 18, 2009 – 50 years, 3 months, 9 days).
• A total of 27 of the 29 NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have won at Phoenix Raceway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. NASCAR Hall of Famers Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988) and Tony Stewart (11/7/1999) are the only two drivers to win at Phoenix Raceway in their first appearance.
• In total 14 different organizations have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Hendrick Motorsports with 13 victories.

Rank	Organizations	Wins	Seasons
1	Hendrick Motorsports	13	2023, ’21, ’20, ’15, ’11, ’09 sweep, ’08 sweep, ’07 sweep, ’05, ’94
2	Joe Gibbs Racing	8	2024, ’21, ’19 sweep, ’18, ’17, 12, 99
3	Stewart-Haas Racing	7	2022, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14 sweep, ’10
4	RFK Racing	7	2013, ’10, ’05, ’02, ’01, ’00, ’93
5	Richard Childress Racing	6	2017, ’13, ’12, ’06 sweep, ’90
6	Team Penske	4	2022, ’20, ’16, ’98
7	Robert Yates Racing	3	1997, ’92, ’91
8	Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	2	2004, ’03
9	Trackhouse Racing	1	2023
10	Red Bull Racing	1	2011
11	Petty Enterprises	1	1996
12	Rudd Performance Motorsports	1	1995
13	Melling Racing	1	1989
14	AK Racing	1	1988

• Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with 13 victories among nine drivers: Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021) and William Byron (2023).
• In total four different manufacturers have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Chevrolet with 27 victories and followed by Ford (19), Toyota (8) and Pontiac (2).

 

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 33 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Phoenix Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Phoenix Raceway with five second-place finishes.
• Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in runner-up finishes at Phoenix with four second-place finishes.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-time Drivers	Runner-Ups	Rank	Active Drivers	Runner-Ups
1	Mark Martin	5	1	Kyle Busch	4
2	Kyle Busch	4	2	Jimmie Johnson	3
3	Jimmie Johnson	3	3	Ryan Blaney	3
	Kevin Harvick	3	4	Brad Keselowski	2
	Ryan Blaney	3		Martin Truex Jr	2
	Tony Stewart	3

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 58 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-five at Phoenix.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 20 top fives.
• Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson lead all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 16 top fives each.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-time Drivers	Top Fives	Rank	Active Drivers	Top Fives
1	Kevin Harvick	20	1	Denny Hamlin	16
2	Denny Hamlin	16		Jimmie Johnson	16
	Jimmie Johnson	16	3	Kyle Busch	12
4	Jeff Gordon	12	4	Brad Keselowski	9
	Kyle Busch	12	5	Joey Logano	8
	Mark Martin	12		Kyle Larson	8
				Ryan Blaney	8

 

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 94 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-10 at Phoenix Raceway.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 28 top 10s.
• Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 26 top 10s.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-time Drivers	Top 10s	Rank	Active Drivers	Top 10s
1	Kevin Harvick	31	1	Kyle Busch	26
2	Kyle Busch	26	2	Denny Hamlin	22
3	Jeff Gordon	24		Jimmie Johnson	22
4	Denny Hamlin	22	4	Joey Logano	16
	Jimmie Johnson	22		Martin Truex Jr	16

 

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Average Finish:

• Alan Kulwicki (five starts) leads the Cup Series in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.200.
• Jimmie Johnson (35 starts) leads all active drivers in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 10.229.
• Of this season’s Championship Four drivers, Ryan Blaney has the best average finish at Phoenix Raceway with a 10.9; followed by William Byron with a 11.7, Joey Logano with a 13.4 and Tyler Reddick with a 17.8.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-time Drivers	Avg Finish	Races	Rank	Active Drivers	Avg Finish	Races
1	Alan Kulwicki	5.200	5	1	Jimmie Johnson	10.229	35
2	Kevin Harvick	8.524	42	2	Denny Hamlin	10.816	38
3	Dale Earnhardt	9.538	13	3	Ryan Blaney	10.941	17
4	Mark Martin	9.588	34	4	Kyle Busch	11.237	38
5	Jimmie Johnson	10.229	35	5	Kyle Larson	11.400	20
6	Jeff Gordon	10.765	34	6	William Byron	11.769	13
7	Denny Hamlin	10.816	38	7	Chase Elliott	12.625	16
8	Ryan Blaney	10.941	17	8	Joey Logano	13.484	31
9	Davey Allison	11.000	5	9	Brad Keselowski	13.600	30
10	Kyle Busch	11.237	38	10	Chase Briscoe	14.571	7

 

• Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022 (last five Phoenix races), Ryan Blaney has the best average finish in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway with a 3.0; followed by Ross Chastain with a 7.2, Chase Briscoe with a 9.0 and William Byron with a 9.4. … The other two Championship 4 drivers have an average finish in the Next Gen car at Phoenix of: Tyler Reddick (12.2) and Joey Logano (14.4)

 

LAP LEADERS

• In total 100 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.
• Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Phoenix with 1,722 laps led in 42 starts.
• Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Phoenix Raceway with 1,190 laps led in 38 starts.
• Kevin Harvick also leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led the Playoff races at Phoenix with 841 laps led in 20 starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led in Playoff races at Phoenix Raceway with 655 laps led in 19 starts.
• Of the Championship 4 drivers this season, Joey Logano has led the most laps in Playoff races at Phoenix Raceway with 513 laps led in 15 starts.

 

LAP LEADERS

• The most laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 264 of the scheduled 312 laps (84.6%) by Kevin Harvick on November 9, 2014 – he started from the third position.
• The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 237 of the scheduled 312 laps (74.3%) by Kyle Busch on November 11, 2012 – he started from the pole but finished third.
• The fewest laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was four of the scheduled 378 laps (1.05%) by Ryan Newman on April 10, 2010 – he started from the 14th position.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Phoenix Raceway in NASCAR Cup Series (All-Time & Active)

Rank	All-Time Drivers	Led	Completed	% Led	Rank	Active Drivers	Led	Completed	% Led
1	Kevin Harvick	1,722	13,095	13.2%	1	Kevin Harvick	1,722	13,095	13.2%
2	Kyle Busch	1,190	11,660	10.2%	2	Kyle Busch	1,190	11,660	10.2%
3	Jimmie Johnson	998	10,619	9.4%	3	Jimmie Johnson	998	10,619	9.4%
4	Denny Hamlin	936	11,802	7.9%	4	Denny Hamlin	936	11,802	7.9%
5	Mark Martin	911	10,477	8.7%	5	Joey Logano	908	9,235	9.8%
6	Joey Logano	908	9,235	9.8%	6	Chase Elliott	546	4,859	11.2%
7	Rusty Wallace	867	5,406	16.0%	7	Ryan Blaney	431	5,001	8.6%
8	Kurt Busch	818	12,094	6.8%	8	Kyle Larson	382	5,888	6.5%
9	Dale Earnhardt Jr	569	8,734	6.5%	9	Martin Truex Jr	315	10,729	2.9%
10	Tony Stewart	555	8,690	6.4%	10	Brad Keselowski	284	8,989	3.2%

 

TRACK / EVENT STATS

• Since the advent of electronic scoring (1993), the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway is the Spring race of 2016 (March 13, 2016) when Kevin Harvick beat Carl Edwards to the line by 0.010 seconds – which is tied with Atlanta (3/12/2000), Daytona (2/21/2016), and Rockingham (2/22/2004) for the eighth closest finish in series history.

Top Five Closest Margins of Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Margin of Victory	Race Winner	Runner-Up	Date
0.010	Kevin Harvick	Carl Edwards	Sunday, March 13, 2016
0.130	Ryan Newman	Jeff Gordon	Saturday, April 10, 2010
0.170	Mark Martin	Ernie Irvan	Sunday, October 31, 1993
0.250	Kevin Harvick	Jimmie Johnson	Sunday, November 12, 2006
0.276	Joey Logano	Kevin Harvick	Sunday, March 8, 2020

• NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather at Phoenix Raceway.
• But NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying has been cancelled twice due to the pandemic (2020 season finale and 2021 spring race)

TRACK / EVENT STATS

• A total of 10 of the 56 Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have ended with NASCAR Overtime (17.8%):

Date	Scheduled	Actual	Overtime	Winner	Runner-Up
Sunday, March 12, 2023	312	317	5	William Byron	Ryan Blaney
Sunday, March 8, 2020	312	316	4	Joey Logano	Kevin Harvick
Sunday, March 19, 2017	312	314	2	Ryan Newman	Kyle Larson
Sunday, November 13, 2016	312	324	12	Joey Logano	Kyle Busch
Sunday, March 13, 2016	312	313	1	Kevin Harvick	Carl Edwards
Sunday, March 3, 2013	312	316	4	Carl Edwards	Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, November 11, 2012	312	319	7	Kevin Harvick	Denny Hamlin
Saturday, April 10, 2010	375	378	3	Ryan Newman	Jeff Gordon
Sunday, November 9, 2008	312	313	1	Jimmie Johnson	Kurt Busch
Sunday, November 7, 2004	312	315	3	Dale Earnhardt Jr	Ryan Newman

• Only two of the 56 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been shortened due to weather:

Date	Scheduled	Actual	Fewer	Winner	Runner-Up
Sunday, November 15, 2015	312	219	-93	Dale Earnhardt Jr	Kevin Harvick
Sunday, October 25, 1998	312	257	-55	Rusty Wallace	Mark Martin

• Most lap leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway – 15 (03/04/2012)
• Fewest lap leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway – 2 (11/04/1990)
• Most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway – 28 (02/27/2011)
• Fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway – 1 (11/04/1990)

 

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Danica Patrick is the only female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to compete at Phoenix Raceway. She made 11 starts at Phoenix Raceway in her career.

Date	Driver	Starting Position	Finishing Position	Driver Rating
Sunday, November 12, 2017	Danica Patrick	24	25	48.2
Monday, March 13, 2017	Danica Patrick	26	22	52.8
Sunday, November 13, 2016	Danica Patrick	16	29	48.9
Sunday, March 13, 2016	Danica Patrick	36	19	60.3
Sunday, November 15, 2015	Danica Patrick	21	16	66.4
Sunday, March 15, 2015	Danica Patrick	23	26	59.6
Sunday, November 9, 2014	Danica Patrick	32	22	60.5
Sunday, March 2, 2014	Danica Patrick	33	36	51.7
Sunday, November 10, 2013	Danica Patrick	32	33	33.2
Sunday, March 3, 2013	Danica Patrick	40	39	44.2
Sunday, November 11, 2012	Danica Patrick	37	17	58.0
AVERAGES		29.1	25.8	53.1

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

• There have been 142 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Arizona.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of Arizona was on April 22, 1951 and the event had 33 competitors and was won by Marshall Teague driving a 1951 Hudson.

NASCAR National Series Tracks in Arizona

Track Name	City	Cup	Xfinity	Truck	Combined	First Year
Phoenix Raceway	Avondale	56	45	33	134	1988
Arizona State Fairgrounds	Phoenix	4	0	0	4	1951
Tucson Raceway Park	Tucson	0	0	3	3	1995
Tucson Rodeo Grounds	Tucson	1	0	0	1	1955
Totals		61	45	36	142

 

 

ARIZONA IN NASCAR

• A total of 35 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.
• Of the 35 Arizona drivers, only two have won NASCAR national series races.
• Michael McDowell, from Phoenix, won the 2021 Daytona 500 – his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Race Winners from Arizona

Winners From Arizona	Cup	Xfinity	Truck	Combined
Alex Bowman	8	1	0	9
Michael McDowell	2	1	0	3
Totals	10	2	0	12

 

 

COURTESY NASCAR COMMUNICATIONS