Matt Willis
@willisonnascar.bsky.social
NASCAR stat guy and professional researcher. Lover of pivot tables, fine food, not-so-refined food, puns. Follower of the Bandit Heeler school of fatherhood. Probably on my 3rd coffee of the day. General man-about-town and a paragon of virtue.
With the new championship format coming out today, a friendly reminder that past NASCAR points systems have awarded points based on...
- Prize money
- Laps completed
- Laps by track distance
- Overall vibe (made that last one up)
- Prize money
- Laps completed
- Laps by track distance
- Overall vibe (made that last one up)
January 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
With the new championship format coming out today, a friendly reminder that past NASCAR points systems have awarded points based on...
- Prize money
- Laps completed
- Laps by track distance
- Overall vibe (made that last one up)
- Prize money
- Laps completed
- Laps by track distance
- Overall vibe (made that last one up)
Drivers to Win 12+ Races in a NASCAR National Series Season Since 1990
- 2010 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 13
- 1998 Jeff Gordon (Cup): 13
- 2025 Corey Heim (Truck): 12
- 2013 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 12
Connor Zilisch will be solo 5th on this list with a win tonight.
- 2010 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 13
- 1998 Jeff Gordon (Cup): 13
- 2025 Corey Heim (Truck): 12
- 2013 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 12
Connor Zilisch will be solo 5th on this list with a win tonight.
November 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Drivers to Win 12+ Races in a NASCAR National Series Season Since 1990
- 2010 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 13
- 1998 Jeff Gordon (Cup): 13
- 2025 Corey Heim (Truck): 12
- 2013 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 12
Connor Zilisch will be solo 5th on this list with a win tonight.
- 2010 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 13
- 1998 Jeff Gordon (Cup): 13
- 2025 Corey Heim (Truck): 12
- 2013 Kyle Busch (Xfinity): 12
Connor Zilisch will be solo 5th on this list with a win tonight.
Today is JJ Yeley's 825th NASCAR National Series start (Cup, Xfinity, Truck). He'll be the 27th to reach that mark.
The 824 starts is the most of any driver without a win in those series.
Next: J.D. McDuffie (664), Buddy Arrington (560), Landon Cassill (560) and Ryan Sieg (511).
The 824 starts is the most of any driver without a win in those series.
Next: J.D. McDuffie (664), Buddy Arrington (560), Landon Cassill (560) and Ryan Sieg (511).
October 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today is JJ Yeley's 825th NASCAR National Series start (Cup, Xfinity, Truck). He'll be the 27th to reach that mark.
The 824 starts is the most of any driver without a win in those series.
Next: J.D. McDuffie (664), Buddy Arrington (560), Landon Cassill (560) and Ryan Sieg (511).
The 824 starts is the most of any driver without a win in those series.
Next: J.D. McDuffie (664), Buddy Arrington (560), Landon Cassill (560) and Ryan Sieg (511).
Kyle Larson makes career start #400 Sunday at Talladega. Drivers to win their 400th Cup start.
- Jimmie Johnson (2013 Daytona)
- Dale Earnhardt (1992 Charlotte)
- Dave Marcis (1982 Richmond)
- David Pearson (1973 Dover)
- Lee Petty (1960 Heidelberg)
- Jimmie Johnson (2013 Daytona)
- Dale Earnhardt (1992 Charlotte)
- Dave Marcis (1982 Richmond)
- David Pearson (1973 Dover)
- Lee Petty (1960 Heidelberg)
October 14, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Kyle Larson makes career start #400 Sunday at Talladega. Drivers to win their 400th Cup start.
- Jimmie Johnson (2013 Daytona)
- Dale Earnhardt (1992 Charlotte)
- Dave Marcis (1982 Richmond)
- David Pearson (1973 Dover)
- Lee Petty (1960 Heidelberg)
- Jimmie Johnson (2013 Daytona)
- Dale Earnhardt (1992 Charlotte)
- Dave Marcis (1982 Richmond)
- David Pearson (1973 Dover)
- Lee Petty (1960 Heidelberg)
Las Vegas marked just the 2nd time this season Kyle Busch has been in a perfect DraftKings lineup.
The other came in COTA in March.
The other came in COTA in March.
October 14, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Las Vegas marked just the 2nd time this season Kyle Busch has been in a perfect DraftKings lineup.
The other came in COTA in March.
The other came in COTA in March.
SVG finished the 2025 season having led 52% of laps in 6 road course races. He's the 6th driver in the last 40 years to lead more than half the road course laps in a season
- 2025: SVG
- 2008: Ky. Busch
- 2005: Stewart
- 1998, 99, 04: J. Gordon
- 2003: R. Gordon
- 1995: Martin
- 2025: SVG
- 2008: Ky. Busch
- 2005: Stewart
- 1998, 99, 04: J. Gordon
- 2003: R. Gordon
- 1995: Martin
October 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
SVG finished the 2025 season having led 52% of laps in 6 road course races. He's the 6th driver in the last 40 years to lead more than half the road course laps in a season
- 2025: SVG
- 2008: Ky. Busch
- 2005: Stewart
- 1998, 99, 04: J. Gordon
- 2003: R. Gordon
- 1995: Martin
- 2025: SVG
- 2008: Ky. Busch
- 2005: Stewart
- 1998, 99, 04: J. Gordon
- 2003: R. Gordon
- 1995: Martin
Most Wins Before Turning 30 - NASCAR Cup Series History
Richard Petty: 60
Jeff Gordon: 55
Kyle Busch: 29
Joey Logano: 25
Junior Johnson: 22
Chase Elliott: 21
Fireball Roberts: 20
Richard Petty: 60
Jeff Gordon: 55
Kyle Busch: 29
Joey Logano: 25
Junior Johnson: 22
Chase Elliott: 21
Fireball Roberts: 20
September 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Most Wins Before Turning 30 - NASCAR Cup Series History
Richard Petty: 60
Jeff Gordon: 55
Kyle Busch: 29
Joey Logano: 25
Junior Johnson: 22
Chase Elliott: 21
Fireball Roberts: 20
Richard Petty: 60
Jeff Gordon: 55
Kyle Busch: 29
Joey Logano: 25
Junior Johnson: 22
Chase Elliott: 21
Fireball Roberts: 20
In the last 70 years, a list of Darlington race winners to lead 300+ laps in the race.
- Aug. 2025 Chase Briscoe
- April 1986 Dale Earnhardt
- Sept. 1971 Bobby Allison
- Sept. 1967 Richard Petty
- Aug. 2025 Chase Briscoe
- April 1986 Dale Earnhardt
- Sept. 1971 Bobby Allison
- Sept. 1967 Richard Petty
September 1, 2025 at 3:22 AM
In the last 70 years, a list of Darlington race winners to lead 300+ laps in the race.
- Aug. 2025 Chase Briscoe
- April 1986 Dale Earnhardt
- Sept. 1971 Bobby Allison
- Sept. 1967 Richard Petty
- Aug. 2025 Chase Briscoe
- April 1986 Dale Earnhardt
- Sept. 1971 Bobby Allison
- Sept. 1967 Richard Petty
Chase Briscoe will try to join this list of drivers to win a Cup title in their first season with a team.
- 2021 Kyle Larson (Hendrick)
- 2014 Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas)
- 1981 Darrell Waltrip (Jr. Johnson)
- 2021 Kyle Larson (Hendrick)
- 2014 Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas)
- 1981 Darrell Waltrip (Jr. Johnson)
September 1, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Chase Briscoe will try to join this list of drivers to win a Cup title in their first season with a team.
- 2021 Kyle Larson (Hendrick)
- 2014 Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas)
- 1981 Darrell Waltrip (Jr. Johnson)
- 2021 Kyle Larson (Hendrick)
- 2014 Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas)
- 1981 Darrell Waltrip (Jr. Johnson)
In 21 previous playoff seasons, the winner of the playoff opener has gone on to win the title 5 times.
- 2024 Joey Logano
- 2017 Martin Truex Jr.
- 2012 Brad Keselowski
- 2011 Tony Stewart
- 2004 Kurt Busch
- 2024 Joey Logano
- 2017 Martin Truex Jr.
- 2012 Brad Keselowski
- 2011 Tony Stewart
- 2004 Kurt Busch
September 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
In 21 previous playoff seasons, the winner of the playoff opener has gone on to win the title 5 times.
- 2024 Joey Logano
- 2017 Martin Truex Jr.
- 2012 Brad Keselowski
- 2011 Tony Stewart
- 2004 Kurt Busch
- 2024 Joey Logano
- 2017 Martin Truex Jr.
- 2012 Brad Keselowski
- 2011 Tony Stewart
- 2004 Kurt Busch
For the 1st time this season, we didn't have a single DNF at Iowa. First time it's happened since 2024 Spring Richmond race.
Since 2015, there's been 11 races without a single DNF.
From 2000-14, there were 3, and none from 2000-06.
Since 2015, there's been 11 races without a single DNF.
From 2000-14, there were 3, and none from 2000-06.
August 5, 2025 at 12:51 AM
For the 1st time this season, we didn't have a single DNF at Iowa. First time it's happened since 2024 Spring Richmond race.
Since 2015, there's been 11 races without a single DNF.
From 2000-14, there were 3, and none from 2000-06.
Since 2015, there's been 11 races without a single DNF.
From 2000-14, there were 3, and none from 2000-06.
Drivers to reach 15 Cup Series wins before turning 28.
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Kurt Busch
- Jeff Gordon
- Richard Petty
- Junior Johnson
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Kurt Busch
- Jeff Gordon
- Richard Petty
- Junior Johnson
August 5, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Drivers to reach 15 Cup Series wins before turning 28.
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Kurt Busch
- Jeff Gordon
- Richard Petty
- Junior Johnson
- William Byron
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Kurt Busch
- Jeff Gordon
- Richard Petty
- Junior Johnson
Most Wins by a Team - NASCAR Cup Series History
- Hendrick Motorsports: 316
- Petty Enterprises: 273
- Joe Gibbs Racing: 219
- Team Penske: 153
- Junior Johnson & Associates: 153
- RFK Racing: 143
- Hendrick Motorsports: 316
- Petty Enterprises: 273
- Joe Gibbs Racing: 219
- Team Penske: 153
- Junior Johnson & Associates: 153
- RFK Racing: 143
June 2, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Most Wins by a Team - NASCAR Cup Series History
- Hendrick Motorsports: 316
- Petty Enterprises: 273
- Joe Gibbs Racing: 219
- Team Penske: 153
- Junior Johnson & Associates: 153
- RFK Racing: 143
- Hendrick Motorsports: 316
- Petty Enterprises: 273
- Joe Gibbs Racing: 219
- Team Penske: 153
- Junior Johnson & Associates: 153
- RFK Racing: 143
Carson Hocevar going for his 3rd career top 5 tonight.
Most top-5 finishes before turning 23 in the last 10 seasons.
- Chase Elliott: 33
- Erik Jones: 17
- Ty Gibbs: 13
- William Byron: 9
- Ryan Blaney: 3
Most top-5 finishes before turning 23 in the last 10 seasons.
- Chase Elliott: 33
- Erik Jones: 17
- Ty Gibbs: 13
- William Byron: 9
- Ryan Blaney: 3
June 2, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Carson Hocevar going for his 3rd career top 5 tonight.
Most top-5 finishes before turning 23 in the last 10 seasons.
- Chase Elliott: 33
- Erik Jones: 17
- Ty Gibbs: 13
- William Byron: 9
- Ryan Blaney: 3
Most top-5 finishes before turning 23 in the last 10 seasons.
- Chase Elliott: 33
- Erik Jones: 17
- Ty Gibbs: 13
- William Byron: 9
- Ryan Blaney: 3
With a win tonight, Ryan Blaney would tie Ryan Newman for the 4th most Cup wins for Team Penske.
- Rusty Wallace: 37
- Joey Logano: 35
- Brad Keselowski: 34
- Ryan Newman: 13
- Ryan Blaney: 12
- Kurt Busch: 10
- Rusty Wallace: 37
- Joey Logano: 35
- Brad Keselowski: 34
- Ryan Newman: 13
- Ryan Blaney: 12
- Kurt Busch: 10
June 2, 2025 at 2:17 AM
With a win tonight, Ryan Blaney would tie Ryan Newman for the 4th most Cup wins for Team Penske.
- Rusty Wallace: 37
- Joey Logano: 35
- Brad Keselowski: 34
- Ryan Newman: 13
- Ryan Blaney: 12
- Kurt Busch: 10
- Rusty Wallace: 37
- Joey Logano: 35
- Brad Keselowski: 34
- Ryan Newman: 13
- Ryan Blaney: 12
- Kurt Busch: 10
This week, Denny Hamlin will make his 700th Cup start at Nashville.
Last week, Jimmie Johnson made his 700th at Charlotte, finishing 40th, 2nd-worst in a 700th start of the 21 drivers to reach 700 (Ken Schrader, 41st).
The best is 3rd by Jeff Gordon at Darlington in 2013.
Last week, Jimmie Johnson made his 700th at Charlotte, finishing 40th, 2nd-worst in a 700th start of the 21 drivers to reach 700 (Ken Schrader, 41st).
The best is 3rd by Jeff Gordon at Darlington in 2013.
May 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This week, Denny Hamlin will make his 700th Cup start at Nashville.
Last week, Jimmie Johnson made his 700th at Charlotte, finishing 40th, 2nd-worst in a 700th start of the 21 drivers to reach 700 (Ken Schrader, 41st).
The best is 3rd by Jeff Gordon at Darlington in 2013.
Last week, Jimmie Johnson made his 700th at Charlotte, finishing 40th, 2nd-worst in a 700th start of the 21 drivers to reach 700 (Ken Schrader, 41st).
The best is 3rd by Jeff Gordon at Darlington in 2013.
Some late fun from Coke 600:
Ross Chastain was 4th known driver in Cup history to win starting 40th or worse. Last 2 in "Soda" races
- 2012 Coke Zero 400 (Daytona): Tony Stewart (42nd)
- 1953 Raleigh 300: Fonty Flock (43rd)
- 1950 Southern 500 (Darlington): Johnny Mantz (43rd)
Ross Chastain was 4th known driver in Cup history to win starting 40th or worse. Last 2 in "Soda" races
- 2012 Coke Zero 400 (Daytona): Tony Stewart (42nd)
- 1953 Raleigh 300: Fonty Flock (43rd)
- 1950 Southern 500 (Darlington): Johnny Mantz (43rd)
May 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Some late fun from Coke 600:
Ross Chastain was 4th known driver in Cup history to win starting 40th or worse. Last 2 in "Soda" races
- 2012 Coke Zero 400 (Daytona): Tony Stewart (42nd)
- 1953 Raleigh 300: Fonty Flock (43rd)
- 1950 Southern 500 (Darlington): Johnny Mantz (43rd)
Ross Chastain was 4th known driver in Cup history to win starting 40th or worse. Last 2 in "Soda" races
- 2012 Coke Zero 400 (Daytona): Tony Stewart (42nd)
- 1953 Raleigh 300: Fonty Flock (43rd)
- 1950 Southern 500 (Darlington): Johnny Mantz (43rd)
4 leaders today ties fewest in Darlington race in Modern Era (since 1972). Each time a Gibbs driver got the win.
May 2013: Kyle Busch 265, Kurt Busch 69, Matt Kenseth (winner) 17, Jeff Gordon 16
Today: William Byron 243, Tyler Reddick 42, Denny Hamlin (winner) 10, Ryan Blaney 2
May 2013: Kyle Busch 265, Kurt Busch 69, Matt Kenseth (winner) 17, Jeff Gordon 16
Today: William Byron 243, Tyler Reddick 42, Denny Hamlin (winner) 10, Ryan Blaney 2
April 7, 2025 at 2:01 AM
4 leaders today ties fewest in Darlington race in Modern Era (since 1972). Each time a Gibbs driver got the win.
May 2013: Kyle Busch 265, Kurt Busch 69, Matt Kenseth (winner) 17, Jeff Gordon 16
Today: William Byron 243, Tyler Reddick 42, Denny Hamlin (winner) 10, Ryan Blaney 2
May 2013: Kyle Busch 265, Kurt Busch 69, Matt Kenseth (winner) 17, Jeff Gordon 16
Today: William Byron 243, Tyler Reddick 42, Denny Hamlin (winner) 10, Ryan Blaney 2
Denny Hamlin's 56 wins are easily the most of a driver to never win a Cup title. The next most are Junior Johnson (50), Mark Martin (40) and Fireball Roberts (33).
April 7, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Denny Hamlin's 56 wins are easily the most of a driver to never win a Cup title. The next most are Junior Johnson (50), Mark Martin (40) and Fireball Roberts (33).
William Byron led 243 of 297 laps (81.8%) of laps today, the 3rd-highest pct of laps led by a non-winner in the last 10 seasons.
- Kevin Harvick (89.9%) - 2017 Atlanta
- Kyle Larson (82.8%) - 2021 Atlanta
- Kevin Harvick (89.9%) - 2017 Atlanta
- Kyle Larson (82.8%) - 2021 Atlanta
April 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM
William Byron led 243 of 297 laps (81.8%) of laps today, the 3rd-highest pct of laps led by a non-winner in the last 10 seasons.
- Kevin Harvick (89.9%) - 2017 Atlanta
- Kyle Larson (82.8%) - 2021 Atlanta
- Kevin Harvick (89.9%) - 2017 Atlanta
- Kyle Larson (82.8%) - 2021 Atlanta
William Byron trying to be the 4th driver to lead every lap of a Cup Series race in the Modern Era (since 1972)
- 2000 Jeff Burton at New Hampshire
- 1978 Cale Yarborough at Nashville Fairgrounds
- 1973 Cale Yarborough at Bristol
- 2000 Jeff Burton at New Hampshire
- 1978 Cale Yarborough at Nashville Fairgrounds
- 1973 Cale Yarborough at Bristol
April 6, 2025 at 9:38 PM
William Byron trying to be the 4th driver to lead every lap of a Cup Series race in the Modern Era (since 1972)
- 2000 Jeff Burton at New Hampshire
- 1978 Cale Yarborough at Nashville Fairgrounds
- 1973 Cale Yarborough at Bristol
- 2000 Jeff Burton at New Hampshire
- 1978 Cale Yarborough at Nashville Fairgrounds
- 1973 Cale Yarborough at Bristol
4 drivers have won at least 3 of the first 4 points races of a Cup season.
- 2024 Christopher Bell
- 2018 Kevin Harvick (8 wins, finished 3rd in pts)
- 1992 Bill Elliott (5 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 1954 Herb Thomas (12 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 2024 Christopher Bell
- 2018 Kevin Harvick (8 wins, finished 3rd in pts)
- 1992 Bill Elliott (5 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 1954 Herb Thomas (12 wins, 2nd in pts)
March 10, 2025 at 4:53 AM
4 drivers have won at least 3 of the first 4 points races of a Cup season.
- 2024 Christopher Bell
- 2018 Kevin Harvick (8 wins, finished 3rd in pts)
- 1992 Bill Elliott (5 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 1954 Herb Thomas (12 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 2024 Christopher Bell
- 2018 Kevin Harvick (8 wins, finished 3rd in pts)
- 1992 Bill Elliott (5 wins, 2nd in pts)
- 1954 Herb Thomas (12 wins, 2nd in pts)
Thanks to back-to-back drafting race, we've had 50+ lead changes in the 1st 2 races of the season. That's the first time in the Modern Era that it's happened in consecutive races.
February 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Thanks to back-to-back drafting race, we've had 50+ lead changes in the 1st 2 races of the season. That's the first time in the Modern Era that it's happened in consecutive races.
In NASCAR Cup Series (known) history (some races without laps led data), there's been 30 races where the winner led only the final lap.
- 21 have been since 2003
- There was 1 in the entire 1990s
- There was 1 in the entire 1980s
- There was 0 in the entire 1970s
- 21 have been since 2003
- There was 1 in the entire 1990s
- There was 1 in the entire 1980s
- There was 0 in the entire 1970s
February 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
In NASCAR Cup Series (known) history (some races without laps led data), there's been 30 races where the winner led only the final lap.
- 21 have been since 2003
- There was 1 in the entire 1990s
- There was 1 in the entire 1980s
- There was 0 in the entire 1970s
- 21 have been since 2003
- There was 1 in the entire 1990s
- There was 1 in the entire 1980s
- There was 0 in the entire 1970s