The Sprint Unlimited by the Numbers, with a Breakdown of Past Winners

Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

The Sprint Unlimited by the Numbers

.013 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history

.058 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history

.08 – Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin  of victory in Sprint Unlimited history

1 – Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in the Sprint Unlimited races they won

2.75 – Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts

4 – Number of drivers to win the Sprint Unlimited from the pole position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott(1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).

5 – Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006)

6 – Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader (1980, 86, 88, 91, 93, 95)

7 – Number of fewest starters in the field for the Sprint Unlimited (1981)

11 – Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin)

14 – Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979

20 – Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Sprint Unlimited, leads all manufacturers

22 – Most consecutive starts in the Sprint Unlimited by Jeff Gordon (1994-2014).

27 – Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history

28 – Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979

44 – Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event

47 – Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited

197.802 mph – The fastest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.   

Breakdown of Sprint Unlimited Winners

Year

Driver

Year

Driver

 1979

Buddy Baker

 

1998

Rusty Wallace

1980

Dale Earnhardt

 

1999

Mark Martin

1981

Darrell Waltrip

 

2000

Dale Jarrett

1982

Bobby Allison

 

2001

Tony Stewart

1983

Neil Bonnett

 

2002

Tony Stewart

1984

Neil Bonnett

 

2003

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1985

Terry Labonte

 

2004

Dale Jarrett

1986

Dale Earnhardt

 

2005

Jimmie Johnson

1987

Bill Elliott

 

2006

Denny Hamlin

1988

Dale Earnhardt

 

2007

Tony Stewart

1989

Ken Schrader

 

2008

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1990

Ken Schrader

 

2009

Kevin Harvick

1991

Dale Earnhardt

 

2010

Kevin Harvick

1992

Geoff Bodine

 

2011

Kurt Busch

1993

Dale Earnhardt

 

2012

Kyle Busch

1994

Jeff Gordon

 

2013

Kevin Harvick

1995

Dale Earnhardt

 

2014

Denny Hamlin

1996

Dale Jarrett

 

2015

Matt Kenseth

1997

Jeff Gordon

 

Loop Data of Last Five Sprint Unlimited Winners

Season

Winners

Avg Run Pos

% Laps in Top 15

Laps Led

% Laps Led

Driver Rating

2015

Matt Kenseth

8

81.3

21

28

118.9

2014

Denny Hamlin

5

92.0

27

36

127.5

2013

Kevin Harvick

4

98.7

40

53.3

113.7

2012

Kyle Busch

8

100

3

3.7

103.4

2011

Kurt Busch

7

94.7

3

4

107.1

NASCAR IMC