Rule changes in 1972 established a minimum distance of 250 miles (400km) for points-paying Cup Series events (reduced to 186.4 miles (300.0km) in 1974 due to the ongoing energy crisis). This led to the elimination of shorter races (50 to 150 miles) from the schedule. Seasons since 1972 are referenced as the "modern era" largely due to the schedule and distance changes. Years since 2004 are generally referred to as the "Chase Era or Playoffs Era." Only points-paying championship races count towards the total.
Richard Petty holds the record for the most NASCAR Cup Series wins in history with 200. David Pearson is second with 105 victories, and Jeff Gordon is third with 93 wins.[5] Petty also holds the record for the longest time between his first win and his last. He won his first race in 1960 and his last in 1984, a span of 24 years.[6]Bill Elliott holds the record for the longest period of time between two race victories, seven years between the 1994 Mountain Dew Southern 500 and the 2001 Pennzoil Freedom 400.[7][8]Chris Buescher had to wait the longest time between his maiden victory at the 2016 Pennsylvania 400 and his second win – coming 2,238 days later at the 2022 Bass Pro Shops Night Race, a span of 222 races.[9][10]Michael Waltrip holds the distinction of having the longest time for his maiden victory. He competed in 463 races before he achieved his first win at the 2001 Daytona 500.[11] Petty holds the record for the most consecutive wins, having won ten races in succession in 1967.[12]Joey Logano is the youngest winner of a Cup Series race; he was 19 years old, 1 month, and 4 days old when he won the 2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301.[13]Harry Gant is the oldest winner of a Cup Series race; he was 52 years, 7 months, and 6 days old when he won the 1992 Champion Spark Plug 400.[14][15]
Prior to 1972, Daytona qualifying races were points-paying championship races, and count in the totals below. Since then, the Daytona qualifying races do not count due to the race distance change rules. Wins in The Clash, All-Star Race, or international exhibitions at Calder Park Raceway, Suzuka, or Motegi do not count.
List of drivers who have won on at least 10 different racetracks or on at least 50% of a certain category. Wins on dirt and paved surface of same track counts as two different track wins, because it changes the characteristics of the race. The drivers are first sorted according to the absolute number of racetracks on which they have at least one race win. If several drivers have the same number of wins, they are sorted in descending order according to the relative ratio. A driver who has only driven on 3 different racetracks but has won on all 3 racetracks has a better ranking than a driver who competed on 4 racetracks and also achieved at least one victory on 3 racetracks. The absolute number of race wins is not decisive, so it does not matter whether a driver has 1 or more wins on a particular racetrack.
The record holder is Richard Petty with victories at 50 different race tracks while participating in races at 81 different tracks. In terms of percentage, the record holder is Jeff Gordon, who has won at 24 different tracks. The only place he has never won is Kentucky Speedway, which makes a rate of 96%.
Current tracks and drivers
The following table provides a comparison of which drivers have achieved at least one race win on certain racetracks. Only drivers who have won at ten or more different racetracks are listed. Wins in bonus races without scoring for the championship are marked with NC, but are not counted in the tally.
Here is a list of the drivers who have the most wins on different racetracks in a certain category. Wins in bonus races without scoring for the championship are marked with NC, but not counting to total numbers.
↑ Jason Davis, T.; Hedrick, Daniel. "Stock Car Racing". Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure in America. Retrieved September 13, 2024– via Encyclopedia.com.
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