History

·        In 1998, the track broke ground in Sparta, Kentucky, and opened as a 1.5-mile speedway in 2000.

·        The original owners, Jerry Carroll and four other investors owned the track until 2008, when current owners, Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased the facility.

·        Since 2000, the track has hosted 13 NASCAR Nationwide Series (2001-2012) and 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races (2000-2012).

·        The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held there in 2011 – won by Kyle Busch.

Notebook

·        There have been two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Kentucky Speedway since the first race in 2011 – one race per season.

·        Fifty drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kentucky Speedway; 36 in more than one.

·        The first NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Kentucky was cancelled due to weather. The starting line-up was set per the rule book.

·        Jimmie Johnson has the only Coors Light pole at Kentucky – 181.818 mph, 29.700 secs.

·        Youngest and oldest Kentucky pole winner: Jimmie Johnson (6/30/2012 – 36 years, nine months, 13 days).

·        Two different NSCS drivers have won at Kentucky Speedway: Kyle Busch (7/09/2011) and Brad Keselowski (6/30/2012).

·        Youngest Kentucky winner: Kyle Busch (6/30/2011 – 26 years, two months, seven days).

·        Oldest Kentucky winner: Brad Keselowski (6/30/2012 – 28 years, four months, 18 days).

·        Joe Gibbs Racing (2011) and Penske Racing (2012) each have one victory at Kentucky Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

·        Two different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Kentucky: Toyota (2011) and Dodge (2012).

·        Kyle Busch won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kentucky from the first starting position (qualifying was canceled; starting lineup set by rule book).

·        One of the two (50%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky have been won from the front row.

·        Both of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky have been won from a top-five starting position.

·        The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Kentucky was fourth, by Brad Keselowski last season.

·        Two different drivers have posted NSCS runner-up finishes at Kentucky:  David Reutimann (2011) and Kasey Kahne (2012).

·        In the two NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky, 10 different drivers have posted top-five finishes.   

·        In the two NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky 15 different drivers have posted top-10 finishes; five have posted two: Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth.

·        Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Kentucky with a 1.500.

·       Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Kentucky with a 4.0. Jimmie Johnson (4.5), Kyle Busch (5.5), Matt Kenseth (6.5), Denny Hamlin (7.0), Jeff Gordon (7.5), Kasey Kahne (7.5), are the other active drivers with an average finish in the top 10.

·       The closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kentucky Speedway was the June 30, 2012 race won by Kyle Busch over David Reutimann with a MOV of 0.179 second.

·        Neither of the two NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky Speedway have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish.

·        Neither of the two NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Kentucky Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.

·        Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kentucky Speedway once; the 2011 race.

·        Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Kentucky with 243 laps led in two starts. Brad Keselowski has led the second-most with 147.

·        Danica Patrick will attempt to become the first female driver to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kentucky Speedway.

Kentucky Speedway Data

Season Race #: 17 of 36 (06-29-13)

Track Size: 1.5-miles

Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 14 degrees

Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 14 degrees

Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees

Banking/Backstretch: 8 degrees

Frontstretch Length:  1,662 feet

Backstretch Length:  1,600 feet

Race Length: 200 laps / 300 miles

Top 12 Driver Rating at Kentucky

Kyle Busch............................... 133.0

Brad Keselowski....................... 128.2

Jimmie Johnson....................... 119.5

Denny Hamlin........................... 105.0

Matt Kenseth.............................. 98.2

Kasey Kahne.............................. 96.7

Carl Edwards............................. 94.3

Kurt Busch................................. 92.6

Jeff Gordon................................ 89.8

Martin Truex Jr.......................... 88.8

Dale Earnhardt Jr....................... 88.3

Kevin Harvick............................. 88.2

Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2012 races (two total) among active drivers at Kentucky Speedway.

Qualifying/Race Data

2012 pole winner: Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet; 181.818 mph, 29.700 secs. 6-28-12

2012 race winner: Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 145.607 mph, (02:45:02), 6-30-12

Track qualifying record: Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 181.818 mph, 29.700 secs. 6-28-12

Track race record: Brad Keselowski., Dodge, 145.607 mph, (02:45:02), 6-30-12

NASCAR in Kentucky

·        There have been three NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Kentucky.

KENTUCKY-SPECIFIC STATISTICS

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Ford)

·        Average finish of 21.0

·        Average Running Position of 13.4, 11th-best

·        Driver Rating of 84.9, 13th-best

·        23 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most

·        172 Green Flag Passes, fourth-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.814 mph, eighth-fastest

·        420 Laps in the Top 15 (78.7%), eighth-most

·        88 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), fifth-most

Kurt Busch (No. 78 Furniture Row/Serta Chevrolet)

·        One top 10

·        Average finish of 14.0

·        Average Running Position of 12.1, seventh-best

·        Driver Rating of 92.6, eighth-best

·        20 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.386 mph, 13th-fastest

Kyle Busch (No. 18 Doublemint Toyota)

·        One win, one top five, two top 10s

·        Average finish of 5.5

·        Series-best Average Running Position of 3.6

·        Series-best Driver Rating of 133.0

·        Series-high 92 Fastest Laps Run

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 171.694 mph, third-fastest

·        516 Laps in the Top 15 (96.6%), third-most

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 National Guard Youth Foundation Chevrolet)

·        One top five, one top 10

·        Average finish of 17.0

·        Average Running Position of 13.1, 10th-best

·        Driver Rating of 88.3, 11th-best

·        18 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most

·        156 Green Flag Passes, 12th-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.654 mph, ninth-fastest

·        301 Laps in the Top 15 (56.4%), 13th-most

·        68 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Carl Edwards (No. 99 UPS Ford)

·        One top five, one top 10

·        Average finish of 12.5

·        Average Running Position of 9.7, fifth-best

·        Driver Rating of 94.3, seventh-best

·        10 Fastest Laps Run, 13th-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.928 mph, seventh-fastest

·        456 Laps in the Top 15 (85.4%), fifth-most

·        91 Quality Passes, fourth-most

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet)

·        One top five, two top 10s

·        Average finish of 7.5

·        Average Running Position of 13.9, 12th-best

·        Driver Rating of 89.8, ninth-best

·        14 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most

·        173 Green Flag Passes, third-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.496 mph, 12th-fastest

·        335 Laps in the Top 15 (62.7%), 10th-most

·        93 Quality Passes, second-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota)

·        One top five, one top 10

·        Average finish of 7.0

·        Average Running Position of 8.7, fourth-best

·        Driver Rating of 105.0, fourth-best

·        32 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.968 mph, fourth-fastest

·        430 Laps in the Top 15 (80.5%), sixth-most

·        69 Quality Passes, 10th-most

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet)

·        Average finish of 13.5

·        Average Running Position of 12.3, eighth-best

·        Driver Rating of 88.2, 12th-best

·        164 Green Flag Passes, seventh-most

·        424 Laps in the Top 15 (79.4%), seventh-most

·        77 Quality Passes, sixth-most

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Dover White Chevrolet)

·        One top five, two top 10s; one pole

·        Average finish of 4.5

·        Average Running Position of 4.7, third-best

·        Driver Rating of 119.5, third-best

·        56 Fastest Laps Run, third-most

·        Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 171.807 mph

·        523 Laps in the Top 15 (97.9%), second-most

·        92 Quality Passes, third-most

Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Quaker State Chevrolet)

·        One top five, one top 10

·        Average finish of 7.5

·        Average Running Position of 15.1, 13th-best

·        Driver Rating of 96.7, sixth-best

·        31 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most

·        Series-high 230 Green Flag Passes

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.961 mph, fifth-fastest

Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)

·        Two top 10s

·        Average finish of 6.5

·        Average Running Position of 10.0, sixth-best

·        Driver Rating of 98.2, fifth-best

·        19 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 170.936 mph, sixth-fastest

·        510 Laps in the Top 15 (95.5%), fourth-most

·        Series-high 122 Quality Passes

Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)

·        One win, one top five, two top 10s

·        Average finish of 4.0

·        Average Running Position of 3.9, second-best

·        Driver Rating of 128.2, second-best

·        72 Fastest Laps Run, second-most

·        Average Green Flag Speed of 171.762 mph, second-fastest

·        Series-high 526 Laps in the Top 15 (98.5%)

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)

·        One top 10

·        Average finish of 13.0

·        Average Running Position of 12.8, ninth-best

·        Driver Rating of 88.8, 10th-best

·        77 Quality Passes, sixth-most

Chase Contenders

The Top 10

Following Race 16 of 36

                                                                                Rank          Season

                                                                                                    Last            Driver

Driver                                    Points    Wins       Poles         Week         Rating

1. Jimmie Johnson          573       3           1              1           112.7

2. Carl Edwards               548       1           1              2             93.7

3. Clint Bowyer                528       0           0              3             94.6

4. Kevin Harvick              510       2           0               4             95.4

5. Matt Kenseth               481       3           2               5           112.9

6. Greg Biffle                  479       1           0               8            84.8

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.        479       0           0               7             95.1

8. Kyle Busch                  461       2           2              6           101.4

9. Brad Keselowski          454       0           0               9             91.0

10. Martin Truex Jr.            453       1           0            13             97.0

    ___________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL DRIVERS

11. Kasey Kahne (1 win)        445          32. David Reutimann       232

12. Paul Menard                       445          33. David Stremme          217

13. Jeff Gordon                        441          34. J.J. Yeley                      213

14. Joey Logano                      439          35. Travis Kvapil                205

15. Tony Stewart (1 win)         433          36. AJ Allmendinger         158

16. Aric Almirola                       428          37. Michael McDowell        83

17. Kurt Busch                          425          38. Timmy Hill                      80

18. Ryan Newman                   418          39. Scott Speed                   75

19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.          406          40. Michael Waltrip             63

20. Jeff Burton                          403          41. Terry Labonte                52

21. Jamie McMurray                395          42. Scott Speed                   39

22. Marcos Ambrose               380          43. Boris Said                       26

23. Juan Pablo Montoya         371          44. Ron Fellows                   22

24. Casey Mears                      333          45. Justin Marks                   14

25. Denny Hamlin                    320          46. Scott Riggs                     10

26. Mark Martin                         314          47. Victor Gonzalez Jr.          7

27. Danica Patrick                    292          48. Tomy Drissi                      6

28. David Gilliland                   281          49. Brian Keselowski            4

29. David Ragan (1 win)         276          50. Alex Kennedy                  4

30. Bobby Labonte                  257          51. Jacques Villeneuve        3

31. Dave Blaney                       245          52. Jason Leffler                    1

Note: The first 26 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season determine which 12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, contested over the final 10 races of the season. After race No. 26, the top 10 earn a berth in the Chase. Spots 11 and 12 – the Wild Cards – will go to those drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, provided they are in the top 20.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2013 Top 12 at Kentucky Speedway

	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish	Driver Rating
1	Jimmie Johnson	2	1	0	1	2	0	4.5	119.5
2	Carl Edwards	2	0	0	1	1	0	12.5	94.3
3	Clint Bowyer	2	0	0	0	0	1	25.5	70.5
4	Kevin Harvick	2	0	0	0	0	0	13.5	88.2
5	Matt Kenseth	2	0	0	0	2	0	6.5	98.2
6	Greg Biffle	2	0	0	0	0	0	21.0	84.9
7	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2	0	0	1	1	0	17.0	88.3
8	Kyle Busch	2	0	1	1	2	0	5.5	133.0
9	Brad Keselowski	2	0	1	1	2	0	4.0	128.2
10	Martin Truex Jr.	2	0	0	0	1	0	13.0	88.8
11	Kasey Kahne	2	0	0	1	1	0	7.5	96.7
12	Paul Menard	2	0	0	0	0	0	18.0	80.2

* – Based on last two races at Kentucky Speedway.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2013 Wildcard Standings Following Sonoma

			Points		Points
Rank	Drivers	Wins	Position	Points	From 10th	Starts	Poles	T5s	T10s	DNFs
1	Kasey Kahne	1	11	445	-8	16	0	5	7	2
2	Tony Stewart	1	15	433	-20	16	0	3	5	0
3	Paul Menard	0	12	445	-8	16	0	0	4	0
4	Jeff Gordon	0	13	441	-12	16	0	4	5	4
5	Joey Logano	0	14	439	-14	16	0	4	7	2
6	Aric Almirola	0	16	428	-25	16	0	0	4	2
7	Kurt Busch	0	17	425	-28	16	1	4	6	2
8	Ryan Newman	0	18	418	-35	16	0	2	7	4
9	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	0	19	406	-47	16	0	0	0	0
10	Jeff Burton	0	20	403	-50	16	0	1	3	1
11	David Ragan	1	29	276	-177	16	0	1	1	3

Track Name	City	NSCS
Kentucky Speedway	Sparta	2
Corbin Speedway	Corbin	1