Statistical Advance: Analyzing the NASCAR All-Star Race & Open

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers in the NASCAR All-Star Race & Open. This season’s event is on Sunday, May 22 on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio with the NASCAR Open starting at 5:30 p.m. ET and the NASCAR All-Star Race at 8:00 p.m. ET.

2022 NASCAR All-Star Race Entry List

Four additional positions will be added to the NASCAR All-Star Race field following the NASCAR Open:

o   NASCAR Open Stage 1 Winner

o   NASCAR Open Stage 2 Winner

o   NASCAR Open Race Winner

o   Fan Vote Winner

2022 NASCAR Open and NASCAR All-Star Race Formats:

NASCAR and Texas Motor Speedway announced the format and eligibility for the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 22, that features four stages and 125 laps of on-track competition for a $1 million payday, stage winner incentives, amplified roles for the pit crews, and a distinctive head-to-head elimination qualifying format.

The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to Texas Motor Speedway for the second consecutive season and this 38th edition brings some unique twists for the eligible Cup drivers pursuing the winner-take-all $1 million payday. The most prominent twist will come in the form of a four-round qualifying format with head-to-head elimination rounds and the pivotal role of the pit crews.

The NASCAR All-Star Qualifying format is as follows:

• Opening round is the traditional single-car, one-lap format in reverse order of the current 2022 owner points.
• Fastest eight qualifiers transfer to a three-round, head-to-head elimination bracket.
• Elimination bracket will feature two cars staged in adjacent pit stalls near the end of pit road.
• At the sound of an alert, each pit crew will perform a four-tire stop and, at the drop of the jack, drivers will exit their pit stalls (with no speed limit) onto the track.
• First car back to the start/finish line advances to the next round.
• Final pairing competes for the pole.

The NASCAR All-Star Race format is as follows:

The race will consist of four stages, with the first three 25 laps in length and the fourth and final being a 50-lap shootout for the $1 million prize. The new format has provided a major incentive to win any of the opening three stages or the pit stop competition during the break between Stages 2 and 3.

• Stage 1 (25 laps): Stage 1 winner will start on the pole in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stages 2 and 3.
• Stage 2 (25 laps): Stage 2 winner starts second in final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
• Special Stage Break (Pit Stop Competition): Each team must pit and perform a four-tire stop. The team with the shortest time on pit road (pit in/pit out) wins the pit crew award and the driver will start fourth in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
• Stage 3 (25 laps): Stage 3 winner starts third in final stage.

• Stage 4 (50 laps): Stage 1 winner starts first, Stage 2 winner second, Stage 3 winner third and pit stop competition winner fourth. If a “natural” caution occurs between laps 15-25 of the final stage, standard race procedures will be in effect. If no “natural” caution occurs during that time, NASCAR will call an “All Star” competition caution.
•  Winner of Stage 4 earns $1 million.

NASCAR All-Star Open format is as follows:

• The NASCAR All-Star Open will run immediately prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race and will include three stages (20 laps / 20 laps / 10 laps).
• The winner of each stage will earn a spot in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• The winner of the Fan Vote will also earn a spot in the NASCAR All-Star Race. Fans may vote for their favorite driver by visiting NASCAR.com.

 NASCAR ALL-STAR OPEN SPECIFIC STATISTICS

The stats below consider the NASCAR All-Star Open races at Atlanta, Charlotte, Bristol, and Texas.

Texas Motor Speedway Data

Track Size: 1.5-mile

Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 20 degrees

Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch & Backstretch: 5 degrees

Frontstretch Length:  2,250 feet

Backstretch Length:  1,330 feet

Track Qualifying Record:

Kurt Busch, Ford, 200.915 mph, (26.877 secs.), November 3, 2017

Track Race Record (500 Miles):

Greg Biffle, Ford, 160.577 mph, (03:07:12), November 14, 2012

Track All-Star Race Record (150 Miles):

Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 84.919 mph, (01:45:59), June 13, 2021

Track Open Race Record (75 Miles):

Aric Almirola, Ford, 94.670 mph, (00:47:32), June 13, 2021

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE SPECIFIC STATISTICS

The stats below consider the All-Star races at Atlanta, Charlotte, Bristol, and Texas. 

NASCAR All-Star Race & Open Stats & Tidbits:

HISTORY

• There have been 37 NASCAR All-Star Races – 34 have been held at Charlotte Motor Speedway (1985, 1987-2019), one was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway (1986), one was held at Bristol Motor Speedway (2020) and last season’s was at Texas Motor Speedway (2021).
• The first NASCAR All-Star Race was held on May 25, 1985, at Charlotte Motor Speedway; the non-points special event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip with crew chief Jeff Hammond. Waltrip was driving a Junior Johnson & Associates’ Buick.
• In 1986, the event was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and won by Bill Elliott (Ford) with crew chief Ernie Elliott driving for Melling Racing.
• The 1986 season was also the first year for what is now known as the NASCAR Open. There have been 39 Open events, one per year since 1986; except in 2000, 2001 and 2002 it was held as two events with both of the winners moving on to the All-Star Race. Starting in 2015, the Open was broken up into segments and then in 2017 stages and each winner of the segments or the stages earned a spot in the All-Star race.
• The first NASCAR All-Star Open was held on May 11, 1986, at Atlanta Motor Speedway; the non-points special event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Benny Parsons with crew chief Cliff Champion,  but it did not grant him entry to the All-Star race; that started the following season. Parsons was driving a Jackson Brothers Racing’s Oldsmobile.
• This season marks the second-time the NASCAR All-Star Race and Open will be held at Texas Motor Speedway.

STARTS

Open

• A total of 262 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Open Race; 174 different drivers have competed in more than one.
• Derrike Cope leads the NASCAR Cup Series in NASCAR Open Race appearances with 21 starts.
• AJ Allmendinger leads all active drivers in NASCAR Open Race appearances with 10 starts; followed by Landon Cassill and Matin Truex Jr. with nine each.
• The NASCAR Open Race has featured a field that has ranged from 36 drivers from 1994-1996 to 14 drivers in the inaugural event in 1986. Last season’s Open Race field at Texas had 22 participants and this weekend’s event is anticipating 16 participants.

All-Star

• A total of 110 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR All-Star Race; 90 different drivers have competed in more than one.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the series in NASCAR All-Star Race appearances with 24 starts.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active drivers in NASCAR All-Star Race appearances with 21 starts; followed by Kurt Busch with 20.
• The NASCAR All-Star Race has featured a field that has ranged from 10 drivers in 1986 to 27 in 2002. Last season’s field at Texas had 21 participants and this weekend’s event is anticipating 24 participants.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Davey Allison leads the series in average starting position in the NASCAR All-Star Race with a 3.857 in seven starts
• Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in average starting position in the NASCAR All-Star Race with a 5.438 in 16 starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position in the NASCAR All-Star Race (All-Time & Active)

POLES

All-Star

• A total of 19 different drivers have won the pole for the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Three of the 19 NASCAR All-Star Race Pole winners are active this weekend.

•    Five drivers have started from the first starting position due to Qualifying being cancelled; the lineups were set per the rule book:Bill Elliott (2003), Kurt Busch (2010), Kevin Harvick (2016), Martin Truex Jr. (2020, random draw), and Kyle Larson (2021, random draw)
• Terry Labonte won the inaugural pole for the NASCAR All-Star Race in 1985 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bill Elliott leads the series in NASCAR All-Star Race poles with four (1987, 1997, 1998 and 2000).
• Kyle Busch (2008, 2011 and 2012) leads all active drivers in NASCAR All-Star Race poles with three.
• Four drivers have won consecutive poles for the NASCAR All-Star Race: Davey Allison (1991, 1992) Bill Elliott (1997, 1998), Kyle Busch (2011, 2012) and Carl Edwards (2013, 2014).

WINS

Open

• A total of 30 different drivers have won the NASCAR All-Star Open all-time (1986-2021).
• Five of the 30 NASCAR All-Star Open race winners are active this season:

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Benny Parsons won the inaugural NASCAR All-Star Open in 1986 at an average speed of 158.766 mph at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• Sterling Marlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in NASCAR All-Star Open wins with four (1988, 1989, 1993, 2004).

All-Star

• A total of 25 different drivers have won the NASCAR All-Star Race all-time (1985-2021).
• Seven of the 25 NASCAR All-Star Race winners are active this weekend:

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural NASCAR All-Star Race in 1985 at an average speed of 161.184 mph at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Eight of 25 NASCAR All-Star Race winners have multiple victories; led by Jimmie Johnson with four All-Star wins (2003, 2006, 2012 and 2013).
• Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993) and Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001) are three-time winners of the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Terry Labonte (1988 and 1999), Mark Martin (1998 and 2005), Kevin Harvick (2007, 2018) and Kyle Larson (2019, 2021) are the only other drivers to post multiple victories in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Kevin Harvick (2007, 2018) and Kyle Larson (2019, 2021) lead all active drivers in NASCAR All-Star wins with two each.
• Davey Allison (1991, 1992) and Jimmie Johnson (2012, 2013) are the only drivers to ever win consecutive NASCAR All-Star Races.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only two drivers to win the NASCAR All-Star Race in their rookie season.
• Jeff Gordon is the youngest winner of the NASCAR All-Star Race at 23 years, 9 months and 18 days (1995).
• Mark Martin is the oldest NASCAR All-Star Race winner at 46 years, 4 months and 12 days (2005).
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the only driver to win the NASCAR All-Star Race (2000), the NASCAR Open (2012) and the Fan Vote (2011). If Martin Truex Jr. wins the NASCAR All-Star race this season, he will become the second driver to accomplish all three – Truex won the Open in 2010 and 2007 and won the Fan Vote in 2005.
• Kasey Kahne is the only driver to win the Fan Vote and go on to win the All-Star race in the same season (2008).
• Ryan Newman (2002) and Kyle Larson (2019) are the only two drivers to win a NASCAR Open event and go on to win the NASCAR All-Star Race in the same season.
• Seven drivers have won the NASCAR All-Star Race and the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the same year; it has occurred 12 times: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001), Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
• The NASCAR All-Star Race has been won from the first starting position six times among five drivers: Dale Earnhardt (1990), Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Kurt Busch (2010), Denny Hamlin (2015) and Kyle Larson (2021) – Four of the six wins were from the pole, Kurt Busch (2010; weather) and Kyle Larson (2021, pandemic) won from the first starting position because qualifying was cancelled.
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (six) than any other starting position in the NASCAR All-Star Race (16.22%) – most recently, Kyle Larson in 2021.

NASCAR All-Star Race Wins by Starting Positions

• The deepest in the field a NASCAR All-Star race winner has started was 27th, by Ryan Newman in 2002.
• 13 of the 20 drivers who are qualified for the 2022 NASCAR All-Star Race are looking for their first win in the event: AJ Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Martin Truex Jr. and Bubba Wallace.
• A total of 15 different organizations have won the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in NASCAR All-Star Race wins with 10 victories among five drivers: Jimmie Johnson (four: 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013), Jeff Gordon (three: 1995, 1997, 2001), Terry Labonte (1999), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
• Five different manufacturers have won a NASCAR All-Star Race; led by Chevrolet with 20 victories; followed by Ford (12), Toyota (two), Dodge (two) and Pontiac (one).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Open

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 34 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR All-Star Open.
• Ken Schrader (1993, 1995, 2002) leads the series in NASCAR All-Star Open runner-up finishes with three.

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 90 different drivers have finished in the top-five in the NASCAR All-Star Open.
• Hut Stricklin and Ken Schrader lead the series in top-five finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Open with eight each.

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 127 different drivers have finished in the top-10 in the NASCAR All-Star Open.
• Ken Schrader leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Open with 15.

Average Finishing Positions:

• Alan Kulwicki (six starts) and Benny Parsons (three starts) lead the NASCAR Cup Series (all-time) in average finishing position in the NASCAR All-Star Open with a 2.5 each.
• Chase Elliott (four starts) leads all active drivers in the series in average finishing position in the NASCAR All-Star Open with a 3.5; followed by Ty Dillon (four starts) with a 5.25.

All-Star

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 25 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Kevin Harvick (2006, 2014, 2015, 2019) leads the series in NASCAR All-Star Race runner-up finishes with four.

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 51 different drivers have finished in the top-five in the NASCAR All-Star Race; 38 have posted multiple top fives in the NASCAR All-Star race.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson lead the series in top-five finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Race with nine each.
• Kurt Busch leads all active drivers in top-five finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Race with eight.

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 82 different drivers have finished in the top-10 in the NASCAR All-Star Race; 59 have posted multiple top 10s in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Race with 14.
• Kevin Harvick leads all active series drivers in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR All-Star Race with 13.

Average Finishing Positions:

• Tim Richmond (two starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series (all-time) in average finishing position in the NASCAR All-Star Race with a 4.0.
• Kyle Larson (five starts) leads all active drivers in the series in average finishing position in the NASCAR All-Star Race with a 5.4; followed by Chase Elliott (six starts) with a 6.0.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Positions in the NASCAR All-Star Race (All-time & Active)

LAP LEADERS

Open

• In total, 76 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR All-Star Open.
• Sterling Marlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in NASCAR All-Star Open laps led with 141 laps led in 15 starts.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR All-Star Open by a driver that won the race is 71 of the scheduled 134 laps (52.9%) by Michael Waltrip in 1991 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He started the event from the first starting position.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR All-Star Open by a driver that did not win is 48 of the scheduled 134 laps (35.8%) by Ernie Irvan in 1990 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He started the event first but finished third.
• Seven of the 39 NASCAR All-Star Open events were led by a single driver from flag-to-flag (100%) – Jeff Gordon (1993), Jeremy Mayfield (2002), Ryan Newman (2002), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2012), Jamie McMurray (2013), Greg Biffle (2015), Clint Bowyer (2017).  
• The fewest laps led by the eventual winner of the NASCAR All-Star Open is just one of the scheduled 30 laps, the final lap, and it has happened just once: 2005 (Brian Vickers).

All-Star

• In total, 53 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• Kyle Busch leads the NASCAR Cup Series in NASCAR All-Star Race laps led with 277 laps led in 16 starts.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR All-Star Race by a driver that won the race is 82 of the scheduled 83 laps (98.8%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott in 1986 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He started the event in the second starting position.
• The most laps led in a NASCAR All-Star Race by a driver that did not win is 121 of the scheduled 135 laps (89.6%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott in 1987 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He started the event first but finished 14th.
• Two of the 37 NASCAR All-Star Races were led by a single driver from flag-to-flag – in 1990 Dale Earnhardt led all 70 laps and in 1991 Davey Allison also led all 70 laps (100%). Both instances hold the event’s record for highest percentage of laps led.
• The fewest laps led by the eventual winner of the NASCAR All-Star Race is two laps and it has happened three times: 1993 (Dale Earnhardt), 2000 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.), 2009 (Tony Stewart).

Top 10 Lap Leaders in the NASCAR All-Star Race (All-Time & Active)

FAN VOTE

• The NASAR All-Star Fan Vote was introduced to the format in 2004 and 15 different drivers have won the vote.
• The first Fan Vote winner was Ken Schrader, driving for BAM Racing in 2004; he started 24th and finished 13th.
• In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first driver to get into the NASCAR All-Star Race by the Fan Vote and go on to win the event. Kahne started 24th (last place) in the All-Star race and won. He led the final 17 laps to win.
• Danica Patrick became the first driver to win more than one Fan Vote into the NASCAR All-Star Race (2013, 2015). She also is the only female to win the Fan Vote into the All-Star race.
• Chase Elliott became the first driver to win the Fan Vote in consecutive seasons (2016, 2017, 2018), and also the first driver to win it three times – leads the series in Fan Vote wins.  
• Chase Elliott, Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano and Carl Edwards are the only five drivers who have won the NASCAR All-Star Race and the Fan Vote – Kahne won both in 2008, Earnhardt Jr. won the race in 2000 and the Fan Vote in 2011. Logano won the Fan Vote in 2009 and the All-Star race in 2016. Edwards won the Fan Vote in 2010 and the All-Star Race in 2011. Elliott won the Fan Vote from 2016-2018 and the All-Star in 2020.

— NASCAR —