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